Sparring

Don's foot lashed out, aiming for his father's head in a blur of motion. David, his father, moved with practiced ease, raising an arm to block the strike. In one swift motion, he swept his leg toward Don's midsection. But Don was already anticipating this, using the momentum from his kick to propel himself sideways, narrowly avoiding the counterattack.

Landing lightly, Don rolled forward, springing up in front of his father. With a burst of energy, he launched himself upward, channeling every ounce of his strength and ability into a powerful kick aimed squarely at David's chin. His body hardened, enveloped in a shimmering layer of energy—his last reserves. If this move didn't connect, he knew he was finished.

To Don's surprise, his father didn't even try to dodge. David stood still, a thin, blue sheen of his harden ability flickering just over his skin. As Don's foot connected with his father's chin, a jarring numbness shot through his leg, and his strike was stopped cold.

"I thought you said you weren't going to use your ability, Dad," Don muttered.

David just smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I wanted to show you the gap between us," he said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of years spent in battle. "And the gap between you and the candidates you'll face in your exams."

Don glanced away, frustration simmering beneath the surface. He was just a high school student, standing at the precipice of something much larger. His father, a first lieutenant with a Tier 3 ability, had decades of experience and was in the superiority realm. Meanwhile, Don was still clawing his way to the peak of the mortal realm. The difference between them felt insurmountable.

"Two weeks," his father continued, his tone serious. "That's all you have until the university entrance exams. You need to reach the awakened realm by then. Tomorrow, I'll give you a few awakening pills. You'll need to break through in one sitting."

Don knew what his father was really saying. The university he would attend mattered, especially in a place like Lukevia, where resources were limited. His father had always pushed him to excel, knowing that a better education could mean the difference between a life of comfort and one of hardship.

David's past was a constant reminder of what was at stake. He hadn't gone to university, forced instead into the military to support his family after they fell ill from a battle in the dream realm. His rapid rise through the ranks during the war against the Kovics was a testament to his abilities, but it came at a cost. He had seen too many soldiers who were poorly trained, thrust into battles they weren't prepared for.

"You don't want to end up like them," David had warned more than once. "An average soldier, a pawn in someone else's game." He looked at Don now, his gaze steady and unyielding. "Power matters more than anything in this world. More than passion, more than ambition. Remember that."

Don nodded, not fully understanding the gravity of his father's words, but agreeing nevertheless. After training, they headed to the gym locker room to shower. Dinner was a quiet affair, each lost in their thoughts about what lay ahead.

Later that evening, Don retreated to his room, staring at the dream capsule waiting for him. His shift as a border security officer was about to begin. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for another night in the dream realm.