The golden light of Xotara Prime's twin moons reflected softly over the Astral Dawn Academy, where Staryo and Aru walked side by side. Their training in the past weeks had been relentless, yet a quiet moment of peace lingered between them after the Titan Ape battle and initial Cosmos Eye awakening.
Staryo's hair shimmered faintly silver with golden streaks, a subtle reminder of the first attunement to cosmic energy. His Cosmos Eye still pulsed, unstable but growing in strength.
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The Next Step: Training for Control
Master Ardan had warned:
"Staryo, the Cosmos Eye is not merely a power—it is your essence. Lose control, and it can destroy more than just enemies. Learn to anchor it."
For days, Staryo trained alone, focusing on stage mastery and control of the Cosmos Eye:
Stage Awareness: Visualizing each sub-stage of the Body Refining Realm, anchoring his energy.
Void Meditation: Allowing cosmic currents to flow without letting them overwhelm him.
Pain Endurance: Carefully using the CART method in micro bursts, testing the limits of his body, mind, and cosmic connection.
Each session pushed him to the brink. Bones cracked slightly, blood trickled, and veins glowed with energy. Aru often hovered nearby, worry etched in her face.
"Staryo… don't push yourself too far," she whispered.
"I promised, Aru. If I rise, you rise with me. If I fall… you rise too."
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Stage Breakthrough: Completing the First Stage
After days of grueling effort:
Sub-Stage Progression: Basic → Perfect → Advanced → Master → Peak.
First Stage Cleared: Body Refining Realm Level 1 achieved.
Hair Transformation: Silver strands intensified; golden highlights glimmered.
Staryo now had a foundation of controlled cosmic energy, his body, mind, and soul strengthened beyond ordinary mortals.
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First Date: A Moment of Normalcy
With training momentarily complete, Aru suggested a break.
"Staryo… let's spend a day together. Away from training."
They explored the Luminous Lake, laughing as glowing Lunafish leapt around.
Staryo taught Aru to sense cosmic energy, letting her feel the shimmer of galaxies inside him.
They shared stories of Earth, Xotara Prime, and their dreams for the future.
"Your power… it's incredible," Aru said, watching him manipulate light with thought.
"And yet, you're still just Staryo," she teased softly.
As the twin moons rose, they sat shoulder to shoulder on a hilltop, gazing at the stars.
"I'm glad… we're together," Staryo murmured.
"I'm glad too," Aru replied, her head resting on his shoulder.
Their bond deepened, quietly, naturally, amidst cosmic responsibility.
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Teamwork and Rivalries
Kael and Lyra continued alongside them, joking, training, and occasionally challenging Staryo.
Dreven, the jealous rival, observed from shadows, plotting to test the limits of the Twin Stars.
Students whispered:
"The girl's aura is pure… but that boy… his eyes hold the stars themselves."
"Are they… the Twin Stars of Xotara?"
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Experimenting with the Cosmos Eye
Now with first stage mastery, Staryo cautiously experimented with minor reality manipulation:
Rocks floated in formation.
Light bent slightly with thought.
Minor spatial shifts occurred within a few meters.
Each manipulation taxed him, reminding him of the pain-reward cycle of the CART method. His mental and cosmic power surged with each challenge.
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Timeline and Growth
Days passed: ~3 weeks since completing Chapter 6 events.
Total duration in Xotara Prime: ~2.5 months.
Aru reached 3rd Sub-Stage of Body Refining Realm, aura glowing faintly with cosmic energy.
Staryo fully cleared all sub-stages of the first stage, marking the first true level-up milestone.