Dancer's Challenge

Lucian Solis lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his body feeling unnaturally heavy. The aftermath of his fight with Caelum Astralis still lingered in his muscles, but it wasn't just fatigue—it was the overwhelming presence of Luminara surging through him. His newly acquired ability, Astral Mirage, had awakened something within him, yet he had no control over it. Every breath he took, every movement, felt as if his own energy was resisting him.

"This is too much..." he muttered, pressing his palm against his forehead.

The morning light streamed into his room as his alarm buzzed. With great effort, he got out of bed, deciding to stretch and shake off the stiffness. He turned on the TV, flipping through channels mindlessly until something caught his eye.

A young dancer, about his age, was leading an exercise routine.

"Alright, everyone! Let's start with some light warm-ups before we move on to the real challenge!" The dancer had short, vibrant orange hair and a wide grin, his bright green eyes filled with enthusiasm. His movements were incredibly fluid, transitioning from one stretch to another with absurd ease.

Lucian tried to mimic the stretches, but his body refused to comply. He strained, his arms and legs trembling as he attempted a deep bend.

How is this guy so flexible?

The dancer, as if hearing his thoughts through the screen, performed an even harder stretch—one that made Lucian's muscles ache just by watching.

"Alright, let's see if you can do this!" the dancer said, effortlessly twisting his body into an impossible position.

Lucian sighed, rolling his shoulders in defeat. Yeah, no way.

After a quick breakfast, he grabbed his bag and left for school.

On the beginning

As the elevator doors slid shut, a group of younger kids whispered among themselves, stealing glances at Lucian.

"That's him..."

"The guy who beat Caelum Astralis!"

"He's gotta be super strong!"

Lucian smirked, standing a little taller. Hearing people talk about his victory filled him with pride.

But his moment of satisfaction was interrupted.

"Hah," a scoffing voice came from the back.

Lucian didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Darius Vex leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his sharp orange eyes filled with disdain. "Only little kids would be impressed by you. Don't think you're that great. You won yesterday with dumb luck, and you haven't even trained any of your abilities properly."

Lucian stayed silent, his smirk not fading.

Darius continued, stepping closer. "You need a trainee, someone to teach you how to actually fight. And just so you know, I would never train with the likes of you—"

The elevator door opened.

Darius blinked. Lucian was gone.

"—Hey! I WAS TAAALLKKKING TO YOUUUU!" Darius' voice echoed through the hallway as Lucian casually walked away, smirking to himself.

The Latecomer:

As Lucian entered class, he barely had time to take a seat before the door suddenly swung open behind him.

A familiar voice rang out.

"Yo, I'm here, I'm here! No need to worry!"

Lucian turned to see none other than the dancer from TV.

At the front of the room, Professor Aldric—an old man with grayish white hair tied back into a loose ponytail and sharp hazel eyes—sighed deeply. Dressed in his usual long coat, he stood with an air of strict discipline but also carried himself with an effortless grace that made it clear he was more than just an ordinary instructor.

He folded his arms. "You're late again, Zayn."

Zayn Vireo grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, my bad! I was in my exercise class doing some dances, yo!"

The class chuckled, used to his antics.

Professor Aldric didn't seem amused. "Sit down, and stop causing a scene."

But Zayn wasn't done yet.

"Yo, teach!" he called out, running up to the front of the class. "Why don't we dance together?"

Aldric arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Before the professor could protest, Zayn grabbed his hand and spun him around. The entire class gasped as Aldric, caught off guard, instinctively moved along with the rhythm.

And then it happened—they actually danced.

Zayn's movements were electrifying, his steps flawless. Aldric, despite himself, followed the rhythm, moving with a fluidity that stunned the students. Though he showed no emotion, it was clear he wasn't new to such agility.

The class erupted into cheers and applause.

Lucian, still watching, sensed something. A faint but distinct energy surrounding Zayn.

"Luminara?"

Before he could stop himself, he stepped forward.

"Hey," Lucian called out. "Can you train me?"

Zayn blinked in surprise. "Train you? Huh?"

"I can sense Luminara from you. I need someone to train with," Lucian said seriously.

Zayn rubbed his chin, then grinned. "Hmm… okay! But under two conditions!"

Lucian crossed his arms. "Go on."

"First, you have to use your Astral Mirage in our fight. Second, if you lose… you can never use it again!"

Lucian hesitated.

Astral Mirage was unstable. He barely understood how it worked. Agreeing to this bet meant he'd be risking his strongest new ability.

But he clenched his fist.

"I need to master it somehow."

"Fine," he agreed.

Aldric, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"Hmph. If you're going to fight, do it properly," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Meet in the training field after school. I'll be watching."

Both Lucian and Zayn turned to him in surprise.

"Wait, you'll be there?" Zayn asked.

Aldric adjusted his coat. "I don't tolerate reckless fights. If you're serious about training, then prove it. Otherwise, don't waste my time."

Lucian exchanged a glance with Zayn. The stakes had just gotten higher.

The Fight Begins:

After school, the two stood in an open training field, with Professor Aldric watching from the sidelines, arms crossed.

Zayn bounced on his feet, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Alright, let's get moving, yo!"

Lucian took his stance. "Whenever you're ready."

The fight began.

Zayn moved in unpredictable ways. His attacks weren't traditional punches or kicks—they were dance moves, fluid and disorienting. He spun on his heel, twisting his body into impossible angles, making it hard for Lucian to land a clean hit.

At first, Zayn stumbled a few times, his inexperience in combat showing. But as the battle went on, he adapted, turning every mistake into a graceful movement.

Lucian found himself on the defensive.

"He's never trained to fight, but his body control is insane!"

Zayn suddenly flipped over him, landing a light kick to his shoulder. "Come on, use Astral Mirage already!"

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

"Fine."

He activated Astral Mirage.

In an instant, Lucian's body became a blur.

Zayn's grinned. "Wha—?!"

Lucian reappeared behind him, before be landed a clean strike. Zayn laughed. "Yo, that was awesome!"

Aldric watched in silence, but his sharp gaze lingered on Lucian.

"Interesting."

Zayn grinned. "Alright, Lucian, I will support you with your training!"

Lucian confused why the hell did you challenge me in the first place.

Zayn smirked. Thats nothing yo I wanted to see that cool Astral Mirage of yours in person.