NEW DAY NEW SKILL

The sun glinted through the clouds above Lumisgrave as Arslan returned from the Royal Capital, his steps slow but steady. The wind swept gently across the wide cobbled path that led back to the Mythic Base. The chatter of the city faded behind him as he passed the gate, his mind still echoing with the King's voice and Kar'Thael's warnings.

He reached the courtyard, and as he walked inside, the 15 Mythic-ranked teammates greeted him with raised brows and folded arms.

"Where were you, Arslan?" Tharion asked, arms crossed but a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.

Yuna, hands on hips, added, "You missed breakfast. We were about to send a search party."

Arslan gave a soft smile, his face more relaxed than the day before. "I was with my mother. She needed help settling into her new house."

There was a beat of silence, followed by warm nods from the others.

"That's good," said Vaelith. "Family is everything."

"Now that you're here," Kyren interjected with a sly grin, "you better not dodge training."

Arslan rolled his shoulders, already stepping toward the training ground. "I wouldn't miss it. Today, though... I'm focusing on speed. You all learn something new. I want to see what you're made of."

The clang of steel, the pulse of aura against aura, and shouts of power echoed across the open field as the Mythics gathered, each claiming a section of the field.

Vaelith Ren - Life Loop Expansion His hands glowed green as vines curled around his arms, but today, they shimmered with gold.

"Watch this," Vaelith muttered. His aura expanded, forming a protective dome around him that healed not just himself but created patches of regenerative soil. "Now I can restore the terrain during battle."

Ismere Daeva - Crimson Recall Drawing a blade across her palm, her blood shimmered midair, then reversed course and returned to her hand, sealing the wound.

"Blood memory," she explained. "Now, I can recall my blood from enemies. Even if they escape."

Tharion Vale - Earthshift Knuckle He punched the ground. A ripple passed and a stone fist erupted.

"Earthshock wasn't enough," he grunted. "Now the terrain hits back."

Nirela Quen - Lunar Distortion Her moonlight now shimmered in fragments, bending around her body.

"They can't strike what they can't see," she said with a grin, half her body fading into light.

Caelis Morvayn - Ice Mirage Steps He moved forward, then appeared five feet to the left. His previous form shattered like ice.

"This... is my step beyond Frostbind," he said. "They'll swing at a shadow."

Yuna Solthrae - Resonate Bloom A glowing pink pulse spread from her feet, and flowers sprouted in a circle.

"Each step can heal now," Yuna said. "Even across battlefield terrain."

Ravik Durn - Shatterguard Plate He slammed both fists together, and crystalline armor erupted from his shoulders to feet.

"They have to break this before they get to me. I made sure it won't be easy."

Seris Vahla - Acidic Reign Dark green clouds formed above and rained down corrosive droplets onto dummy targets.

"New formula," Seris said calmly. "Less mess. More devastation."

Orien Dravell - Echoflash Strike He dashed forward, slashed a dummy, and a second spectral blade struck from behind.

"Soulflash can now mimic my strike after delay," he said. "They won't know where the real one comes from."

Maelis Kyrn - Verdant Rebirth Net Thick vines wove a trap in mid-air, pulsing with healing energy.

"Trap and recover," she explained. "They step in... and I choose what happens next."

Tarric Vohl - Thunder Veil Shift A sudden jolt sparked from him, and he vanished in lightning. A second later, he appeared midair.

"Short-range teleportation," he said. "Perfect for sudden counters."

Zhalya Neris - Blood Sight Echo Her eyes flared red. Targets marked earlier reappeared in phantom form around her.

"If I see you bleed, I always know where you are."

Kyren Daxe - Flame Jet Vault He kicked off with a burst of heat, launching forward.

"Fast enough to match lightning. Let's race, Arslan," he shouted.

Elyra Thorne - Emotion Lock Field A shimmer spread from her hands. The nearby Mythics paused briefly, startled.

"I can dull rage, slow panic," she whispered. "Control the field... with stillness."

Malrik Envor - Sigil Barrage He drew three runes midair, and they fired in sequence, locking on dummies.

"Tracking sigils. Faster casting. More impact."

---

Meanwhile...

Arslan took no new power that day. He stripped off his hoodie, revealing toned arms and sweat-drenched training gear. His goal was not flashy. It was precision.

Thud. Thud. Step. Leap.

He ran across the field, dashing between pillars.

"Faster," Kar'Thaël whispered from his mind.

Arslan clenched his jaw. His foot dug into the ground. Zoom. He vanished and reappeared five meters ahead.

"Good," Kar'Thaël hummed. "But not enough."

Arslan dodged dummy strikes, weaving through spinning blades set up for reflex drills.

SWISH. A blade grazed his sleeve.

"Again," he growled.

The Mythics glanced at him while training. Nirela whispered to Elyra, "He's not even using powers. Just training his body like a soldier."

"That's what makes him stronger," Elyra replied.

With each pass, Arslan was faster. Each landing more controlled.

Then a moment came—he zipped through two flame pillars and caught an arrow midair. His eyes widened with clarity.

"I see it," he whispered.

He wasn't just moving faster. He was reading the field like never before.

BOOM! He kicked the air and leapt over three pillars in a streak of black mist.

Kar'Thaël (smirking internally): "Speed is the edge that turns skill into legend."

Arslan stood still, panting slightly. Sweat rolled down his temples, but he smiled. Behind him, the Mythics clapped, one by one.

"No new powers," Tharion said. "And still you outshine us."

"He sharpened what he already owns," Vaelith added.

"That's more powerful than chasing a thousand tricks," Orien said.

Arslan simply bowed his head, muscles burning but spirit lighter.

"Let's rest," he said. "Tomorrow, we train together."