February 5, 2056 – Yangzhou City
The streetlights of Yangzhou flickered on one by one as dusk painted the sky in soft orange hues. The air still carried winter's chill, but it felt warmer than usual. Perhaps it was just the warmth inside Ryan's chest.
He had passed.
Elsa had passed.
The path was open.
—
Back at home, the small apartment above the shop smelled of hot soup and freshly cooked rice.
Ryan opened the door and stepped in. "I'm back."
His mother looked up from the kitchen. Her hands paused mid-motion, soup ladle still dripping.
"You're home late—how did it go?" she asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice trembled ever so slightly.
From the living room, his father turned down the news volume. "Did you pass?"
Ryan smiled. Not overly wide. Not dramatic. Just enough to show that he had stepped across a threshold.
"I did. Both Elsa and I passed the quasi-warrior qualifying exam."
His mother gasped and rushed over, wiping her hands on her apron before pulling him into a tight hug. "You really did it!"
His father stood, nodding slowly. His face was calm, but his eyes—those eyes shimmered. "That's my son," he said softly.
Elsa, who had followed Ryan in quietly, bowed to both of them.
Ryan's mother turned to her and pulled her into the hug too. "You too, Elsa? You're both incredible."
Dinner that night felt different. Laughter came easily. Even the clatter of chopsticks on bowls sounded more alive.
After the meal, Ryan's father pulled him aside while Elsa helped clean up.
"Son," he said in a low voice, "you've chosen a dangerous path."
"I know."
"You'll be risking your life."
"I'm not doing this just for myself."
His father placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then walk it bravely. And don't forget—home is always here."
—
School Grounds – The Next Morning
Though many quasi-warrior candidates dropped out of school to train full-time, Ryan and Elsa still attended Yangzhou No. 2 Secondary School—at least for the next few weeks. There were things to finish. People to see.
And someone important to talk to.
The school building was a gray box of steel and reinforced concrete, designed more for surviving monster attacks than aesthetics. But in the morning light, it almost looked peaceful.
Ryan spotted Luo Feng on the steps outside the main gate, waving at someone. His signature buzz cut and warm smile hadn't changed.
"Yo, Luo Feng!"
Luo Feng turned, surprised. "Ryan! Elsa! I haven't seen you two at school for almost a week!"
"We've been... a little busy," Ryan said with a knowing grin.
Luo Feng tilted his head. "What happened?"
Elsa answered calmly, "We passed the quasi-warrior exam yesterday."
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then—
"Wait—seriously? Both of you?"
"Yep," Ryan said. "We'll be getting the Five Hearts toward the Heaven technique from the dojo later today."
Luo Feng's eyes lit up. "That's amazing! I didn't even know you were that close. I've been training too, but I'm not quite there yet."
"You're not far behind," Ryan said. "You've always been determined. Just keep pushing."
Luo Feng nodded slowly, fists clenched in silent motivation.
From behind them, a familiar voice called out, "Oyyy, why's everyone gathered here like someone just won the lottery?"
Wei Wen, Luo Feng's best friend, jogged up the steps with his school bag slung lazily over one shoulder.
Ryan smirked. "We kinda did."
Wei Wen blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Ryan and Elsa passed the exam," Luo Feng said, still in awe.
"No way! Seriously?" Wei Wen looked between them. "You're both monsters!"
Elsa gave a small smile. "We just trained early."
Ryan chuckled. "And hard. But yeah, it's real. We're officially quasi-warriors now."
Wei Wen whistled. "Next thing I know, you'll be killing monsters in the wilderness while I'm stuck in math class."
"You could always sign up," Ryan teased.
"Me?" Wei Wen laughed. "Nah, I'm allergic to death."
They all laughed.
And for a moment, it felt like any other school day.
But Ryan knew better.
—
Limit Dojo – Instruction Chamber
That afternoon, Ryan and Elsa stood before Instructor Wang again.
This time, there were no tests. No machines. Only quiet respect in Wang's posture as he held out two sleek metal cases.
"Inside are your copies of the Five Sets of Heaven Techniques," he said. "You'll begin with the first: Five Hearts toward the Heaven. Master it, and your body will begin the transformation into that of a true warrior."
He looked at them with seriousness. "Be careful. The first phase of training will strain your muscles, your nervous system, even your soul. Most people take weeks before they can safely handle cosmic energy."
Ryan and Elsa nodded in unison.
"Also," Wang added, "once you begin, you'll need to return in three days for your physical reassessment. We'll monitor your progress—and decide if you're fit to begin field training after that."
Ryan took the case and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Instructor."
"You earned it."
—
First Contact With Cosmic Energy
That night, the rooftop was quiet again.
The wind moved across the tiles as Ryan and Elsa sat cross-legged facing each other. Between them, the technique manuals lay open, glowing faintly under the rooftop lamp.
Their backs were straight. Their minds focused.
The Five Hearts technique was deceptively simple: lie on your back, hands and feet aligned with the five directions, face toward the sky. Empty your mind. Let the world flow into you.
Ryan lay down and took a deep breath.
Breathe in… let the stars guide you.
Breathe out… let the body listen.
He felt it.
Tiny particles brushing against his skin—too faint for normal senses to detect. But now? They responded to him.
Cosmic energy.
Elsa opened her eyes at the same time he did. "You feel it too?"
He nodded. "It's like touching the fabric of space."
Their hearts raced, not from fear, but anticipation.
They continued their breathing rhythm, repeating the technique again and again into the late hours of the night.
No breakthroughs yet.
But something had begun.
A quiet vibration in their bones. A spark in their veins.
The first hint of a transformation that would change everything.
—
End of Chapter 2
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