Two weeks passed before the academy moved.
Lian spent them in quiet limbo.
Private dorm room—clean, warm, real bed.
Food delivered three times a day: steaming meat, fresh vegetables, fruit he had only seen in ads, protein shakes thick and sweet.
He ate everything.
Slept deep.
Healed.
Old cuts from Blitz closed to thin white lines.
Bruises faded.
Scars stayed—pale maps on skin.
He trained alone in restricted yard.
Morning to night.
Hammer blade swings.
Blur steps.
Internal Qi loops.
Circuit Awakening Middle consolidated.
No rush.
No watchers yet.
Instructors checked once—nodded at progress, left him alone.
Respected the Ghost's space.
He explored academy slow.
Libraries at night—books on realms, aliens, history.
Training halls from doors—watched classes silent.
Avoided crowds.
Students stared.
Whispered.
Some nodded respect.
He nodded back.
Minimal.
One evening, after two weeks exactly, summons came.
Silver-robed instructor at door.
"True assessment. Now."
Lian followed.
To deep chamber.
Principal Vaeloria waited with three senior testers—two humans, one Vorani pale and elongated.
Larger orb center—ancient, precursor etched.
"Not the gate toy," Vaeloria said. "This sees deeper."
Lian placed hand.
Light swirled.
Blue strong.
Green steady.
Gold faint.
Numbers in air.
"Qi Affinity: Moderate to High."
"Meridians: Narrow but unusually resilient."
"Circuit Potential: Extreme endurance and adaptation path."
"Talent Rank: A-."
No Star Forge mention.
Hidden deep.
Safe.
Vaeloria's silver eyes narrowed thoughtful.
"Blocked before—severe suppression or unique structure."
"We misjudged."
Vorani tester spoke soft.
"Body forging beyond realm norms."
"Combat projection: elite."
They conferred quiet.
Decision fast.
"Special training program."
"Solo schedule."
"Full access restricted yards, advanced libraries."
"Pure body and hybrid manuals."
"Private instruction available on request."
"Healers weekly."
"Nutrition tailored."
"No group classes yet."
"Control first."
Lian nodded.
Accepted.
Badge upgraded—silver with black edge, high clearance.
Back to routine.
But better.
Manuals delivered—speed, precision, silent movement, hammer arts advanced.
He trained harder.
Blur longer.
Steps quieter.
Qi bursts stronger.
Circuit Awakening Late in days.
Quiet.
The half-cyborg girl.
He found her yard again.
Third week.
Evening.
Same private fenced area.
She trained alone.
Human above shoulders.
Face beautiful—sharp cheekbones, full lips, long black hair tied severe.
Eyes cybernetic—soft blue glow.
Skin flawless pale.
Heart monitor red faint center chest.
Below—full augs.
Arms sleek black alloy, silver circuits pulsing.
Torso plated seamless.
Legs powerful pistons—silent.
Half cyborg.
More machine.
Yet beautiful.
Cold.
Perfect.
Blade long.
Curved.
Black.
She moved.
Steps silent.
Absolute.
No sound on stone.
Blade swung.
No whoosh.
No ring.
Air cut clean.
Forms deadly.
Spin.
Thrust.
Slash chain.
Recover instant.
Sweat only on human brow.
Breath mechanical steady.
Lian watched from fence shadow.
Hidden.
Breath slow.
Fascinated deeper.
Her style—machine precision.
Human intent.
No waste.
No flourish.
Pure kill.
He watched hours.
She sensed nothing.
Or ignored.
Finished.
Sheathed blade—silent.
Walked away.
Metal legs no sound.
Lian stayed.
Practiced her forms.
Steps—weight on ball, roll silent.
Blade—no wrist flick, straight line.
Flow—machine rhythm.
Human adaptation.
His blade silent now.
Steps ghost.
He returned nights.
Watched.
And watched.
Learned.
Her beauty cold.
Like weapon.
Like him.
Scars and steel.
Broken rebuilt.
Stronger.
Curiosity grew.
Not romance.
Not yet.
Recognition.
She trained alone.
He watched alone.
Academy gave tools.
Space.
Time.
He took.
Grew.
Quiet.
The half-cyborg girl's image stayed.
Beautiful.
Deadly.
Silent.
Mirror in some way.
He would watch again.
Learn more.
The killers far.
But closer every day.
He trained.
For them.
For her style.
For everything.
The path opened slow.
But his.