Scy's POV
The moment I opened the door, I understood one thing clearly.
This man was different.
Commander Arvion didn't release killing intent like the others. He didn't need to. His presence alone was enough. It was calm, controlled, and terrifyingly stable—like standing in front of something that didn't need to prove its strength.
"…So you're the one," he said, his eyes calmly scanning me from head to toe.
"…And you're the one they sent to deal with me," I replied.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Not to deal with you."
Silence.
"...To confirm something."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Confirm what?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a step forward, his gaze sharpening just a little.
"…Whether you're worth eliminating."
The air between us grew heavier.
Behind me, I could feel Natalia's presence. She didn't move, didn't speak—but I knew she understood. This wasn't like the others. This wasn't a group attack or a careless assassination.
This was a test.
A real one.
"…Then I hope I don't disappoint," I said calmly.
"…I'm hoping you don't," Arvion replied.
For a few seconds, no one moved.
No sudden attacks.
No rushing.
Just silence.
Then—
he stepped forward.
And everything changed.
I didn't even see him move.
The moment his foot touched the ground—
he was already in front of me.
CLANG!
I barely managed to form a blade in time.
The impact pushed me back instantly, my feet sliding across the ground.
"…Fast."
Not just fast.
Precise.
Every movement carried weight.
Control.
Experience.
"…You reacted," Arvion said calmly.
"…Barely," I replied.
He didn't press the attack immediately.
Instead, he stepped back.
"…Good."
I frowned slightly.
"…You're testing me."
"…Of course."
Silence.
"…Then let's make it faster."
This time—
I moved first.
SWOOSH.
A blade formed in my hand as I closed the distance.
CLANG!
He blocked.
Effortlessly.
"…Too direct," he said.
CRACK!
His counter came instantly.
I twisted my body, barely avoiding the strike.
"…He's reading everything."
I stepped back, creating distance.
"…Then I'll change the approach."
I raised my hand.
Multiple blades formed around me.
Sharper.
Denser.
Controlled.
"…Long range?" Arvion said.
"…Try and see."
The blades shot forward.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
But—
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
He deflected all of them.
Without moving much.
"…Not enough," he said calmly.
I stopped.
And for a moment—
I observed him.
His breathing.
His stance.
His reactions.
"…He's not overpowering me."
That realization changed everything.
"…He's controlling the fight."
Every movement I made—
he adjusted.
Every attack—
he responded with minimal effort.
"…He's testing my limits."
"…You've noticed," Arvion said.
"…Yeah."
"…Then you understand."
Silence.
"…This isn't a fight you can win with raw power."
"…I know."
I closed my eyes for a brief second.
Not to rest.
But to focus.
That feeling again.
The one I reached in the void.
Not destruction.
Not chaos.
But control.
"…Let's refine it."
When I opened my eyes—
everything felt clearer.
Slower.
More precise.
I didn't rush.
I didn't force anything.
Instead—
I adjusted.
I stepped forward.
Not faster.
Not stronger.
But—
better.
CLANG.
This time—
my strike landed differently.
Not blocked completely.
Arvion's expression shifted slightly.
"…Improved."
I didn't stop.
Another strike.
Then another.
Each movement sharper.
Cleaner.
More controlled.
"…You're adapting," he said.
"…So are you."
"…That's the point."
The fight continued.
But it wasn't chaotic anymore.
It was controlled.
Measured.
Every step calculated.
Every attack refined.
"…This is what you meant," I muttered.
"…Yes," Arvion replied.
"…Power without control is meaningless."
For the first time—
I understood.
Not just my power.
But the difference between us.
"…You're not just strong," I said.
"…You're experienced."
"…Correct."
"…Then I'll learn."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…Good answer."
I stepped back.
Raised my hand.
But this time—
not multiple blades.
Not overwhelming force.
Just one.
Perfectly formed.
"…Let's try this again."
I moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
Focused.
CLANG.
This time—
the impact pushed him back.
Just slightly.
Silence.
For a brief moment—
neither of us moved.
"…So you've reached that point already," Arvion said quietly.
"…Not yet."
"…But you're close."
He lowered his weapon slightly.
"…That's enough."
I frowned.
"…What?"
"…This wasn't a battle to the death."
"…Then what was it?"
He looked at me.
Directly.
"…A confirmation."
Silence.
"…And?" I asked.
"…You passed."
The tension in the air slowly disappeared.
But the weight—
remained.
"…Next time," Arvion continued.
"…It won't be me."
My eyes narrowed.
"…Then who?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"…Someone you won't be able to hold back against."
He turned.
And began to walk away.
"…Scy…"
Natalia's voice broke the silence.
"…Is it over?"
"…For now."
I looked at my hand.
At the blade.
Then at the direction Arvion left.
"…So this is the level above."
Not just power.
Not just skill.
But experience.
Control.
Understanding.
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"…Good."
Because now
I knew exactly what I needed to reach next.