Infinity – Chapter: That Which Trembles
The sun dipped low over the distant horizon, casting orange glows through the shattered mist around the safe outpost. The sky above still shimmered faintly from the cave collapse, its rumbles now distant echoes.
Kael sat on a cracked stone near a small campfire, his dark cloak draped loosely around his shoulders. His expression was unreadable. Just beside him, Anay leaned back against a smooth boulder, arms crossed, glancing occasionally at the unconscious figure resting in the soft grass—Liora. Verdalis, her spiritual beast, lay curled protectively around her, eyes closed, but senses sharp.
"She'll wake up tomorrow," Anay had said after tending to her. "Her spirit is stable… just shaken."
Kael nodded, his gaze still fixed on Liora's pale face. She looked peaceful, almost asleep. But something gnawed at him—a puzzle, a memory he hadn't revisited in a long time.
"Anay," Kael finally said, voice calm, "do you know why she trembled when she saw that shadow wolf?"
Anay turned, puzzled. "No... she hesitated even when we encountered it before. Like something locked her in place."
Kael stared into the fire.
"…I think I do."
The flames crackled as silence settled between them, and slowly, the world around them faded.
Flashback – From Kael's Eyes
Germany – Three Years Ago
The stadium erupted in cheers as Kael wiped the sweat off his brow, his opponent flat on the mat. His final victory in the European youth trials. He hadn't lost once. The scouts nodded in approval.
"Kael Mahrenz, right?" one of them approached after the match.
"Yeah," Kael replied, surprised.
"We're from the Astral Academy. India. You've been shortlisted. Would you be interested in attending our entrance selection?"
He stared at them in disbelief, then grinned. "Yeah. I'll go."
The next day, he was on a plane. And the day after that, standing on Indian soil—facing the most daunting trial of his life.
Astral Academy Selection – The First Meeting
The entrance hall buzzed with excitement. Dozens of talented teens stood ready for the Astral Academy's infamous selection test.
Then she walked in.
Golden hair braided neatly, amethyst eyes calm and piercing. She moved with regal confidence, as though the room bent slightly around her presence. The murmurs grew.
"Is that her?"
"Yeah… Liora…"
"She's ranked top in three international mock trials!"
"She's beautiful…"
Kael didn't look away. Something about her drew his eyes—not just beauty, but her sheer aura. It was undeniable.
The test began. They were taken to a sealed gravity room—its energy pulsing. The trial? Survive ten minutes in 9x normal gravity. No spiritual energy allowed.
Many collapsed within minutes. Some cried. Some screamed.
Kael gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain. And he wasn't alone.
At the end of ten minutes, only nine remained. Among them—Liora, barely fazed. And Kael, muscles trembling but eyes alive.
Later, they were assigned to the academy. Liora entered Class Wing A. Kael was placed in Class Wing B. Their paths didn't cross often, but when they did—sparks flew.
Newcomers vs. Newcomers – Friendly Class Duel
It was the first official friendly match between Class A and Class B—an inter-class trial held in the central arena. 9 members from each class. 1v1 duels.
One by one, students fought. Cheers rose, defeats piled.
Class B performed well—too well.
Now only four from Kael's class remained. From Class A, just one—Liora.
Whispers filled the stands.
"She's alone now…"
"Class B has this in the bag."
"Liora should surrender—wait—!"
She stepped forward calmly. Her expression unreadable.
In her first match, she dismantled a bulky fire user. Her vines flowed like a living river—every step calculated, every strike decisive. The next two matches followed the same pattern—quick, sharp, poetic.
"Three down..." Kael muttered from the side, standing as the next challenger.
Now it was him.
Liora vs. Kael – Clash of Affinities
He stepped onto the field, wind gathering around his boots. His affinity flared subtly—an edge of storm behind his calm gaze.
She raised her hand. Earth and subtle vibrations flowed around her like rhythm and breath.
The match began with a blur.
Kael vanished, reappearing with a flurry of wind blades. She countered with a sudden tremor that burst from the ground, sending shards upward like spears.
He twisted mid-air, redirecting his wind to boost upward. A silent crowd watched in awe.
Back and forth they danced. His wind screamed. Her vines wrapped. Her earth buckled. His speed blurred.
She matched him—beat for beat, breath for breath.
Eventually, with a powerful surge of grounded resonance, she caught him mid-dash. The ground swallowed his momentum, and a vine-bound burst knocked him down.
The match ended. Kael lay smiling, defeated.
Back to the present—
"…She was strong. Always composed," Kael whispered, breaking the silence around the fire. "