The evening air over the Stellar Martial Academy carried a different weight.
Word had spread like wildfire through the grounds: the Scarred Ghost was coming back.
Students gathered early in the outer training yard.
Instructors stood on raised platforms, silver robes catching the floodlights.
Even the principal—an older Elyssan woman named Vaeloria, tall and regal with silver hair flowing like liquid metal—was present. Her presence alone silenced whispers. She stood at the edge, arms folded, eyes calm but sharp.
They all waited.
For him.
Lian arrived as the twin moons rose.
No hiding this time.
He walked straight through the main gate—guards parted without a word.
Scars visible under the lights.
New blade hidden under jacket.
Iron pendant on neck.
Body lean, hard, forged.
Circuit Awakening Early Qi flowing quiet inside.
He stepped into the yard.
Circle already formed.
Fifty students now.
Higher years.
Elite.
Some Core Condensation Peak.
Aliens and humans mixed.
They looked at him.
No laughs.
Respect.
Caution.
A few bruises from last times still yellow on faces.
Kai stood front—higher realm now, Core Condensation Early.
Gorak beside him, tusks glinting.
Lirael, silver hair tied back.
Blitz nowhere in sight.
Lian stopped center.
Void eyes scanned crowd.
Looking for the Threnn.
Not here.
Kai spoke first.
"Rematch with Blitz?"
Lian shook head once.
Kai glanced at others.
"Then… spar with us?"
Murmurs.
Challenges.
Lian looked at instructors.
At principal.
They watched silent.
No stop.
He nodded.
Agreement.
Circle tightened.
First opponent—Core Condensation Middle human, energy spear user.
Charged fast.
Qi spear thrust.
Lian moved.
Side step.
Hammer flow counter—elbow to wrist.
Spear dropped.
Palm to chest—internal Qi burst added.
Man flew ten feet.
Landed hard.
Ribs cracked loud.
Couldn't rise.
Second—Veyari four-arm whirlwind.
Blades of wind.
Lian inside storm.
Hammer spin block.
Struck joints—four elbows cracked.
Knee to gut.
Down.
Half dead.
Breath ragged.
Third—Dravok heavy fist.
Red Qi armor.
Lian dodged.
Close.
Struck nerves.
Hammer haft to throat.
Choke.
Down.
Blood from mouth.
One by one.
They came serious.
Full power.
Qi blasts.
Blades.
Shields.
Lian flowed.
Nonchalant.
Face calm.
Void eyes empty.
No anger.
No joy.
Just efficiency.
Broke arms.
Cracked skulls—careful not kill.
Shattered knees.
Left them groaning.
Half dead.
Not dead.
Twenty down.
Thirty.
Yard filled with wounded.
Moans.
Blood on stone.
Students backed away.
Fear now.
Instructors whispered.
Principal watched unmoved.
Still no approach.
They waited.
For Blitz.
Lian stood center.
Breath steady.
Not tired.
Scars old and new lit by floods.
Clothes torn more.
Blood on knuckles—not his.
He looked around.
Blitz?
Kai coughed blood, propped on elbow.
"Not… here yet."
Lian waited.
Silent.
Crowd grew quiet.
Only groans.
Then—movement.
Fast.
Blur from rooftop.
Blitz landed center.
Opposite Lian.
Ears flat.
Claws out.
Qi white glow.
Circuit Awakening Peak—higher than last.
Eyes locked.
"You came back."
Lian nodded.
Blitz smiled sharp.
"Good."
Principal spoke first time.
Voice clear, amplified.
"Official spar. No killing. Yield or stop."
Both nodded.
Circle widened.
Instructors ready to intervene.
Principal watched close.
Blitz blurred.
Fight began.