The training gym buzzed with a quiet energy as Team Unknown assembled the following morning.

The polished floor gleamed under the mana-powered lights, reflecting the team's purposeful movements. Ember stood at the center, arms crossed, watching as the others prepared for another session.

"We'll focus on refining Val's projection ability today," Ember began, his tone even. "Controlled environment. No surprises."

Riggs smirked from his spot near the sparring dummies. "Controlled environment? You mean we're not introducing exploding drones like last week? I'm almost disappointed."

Bo gave him a sideways glance, his voice dry. "Don't tempt him. You'll be the one explaining the damages to Dr. Lewis."

From the far end of the gym, Dr. Lewis's voice filtered through the intercom. "I heard that, Bo. If any equipment ends up in pieces, you're all explaining it to me."

Riggs let out an exaggerated sigh. "Guess I'll save the fireworks display for next time."

Ember shook his head, his lips twitching faintly, before returning to business. "Val, you ready?"

Val stepped forward, his expression composed but determined. "Let's do it."

As the others took their positions around the room, Val exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. The faint hum of Void energy crackled to life around him, dark tendrils weaving through the air before pooling into a humanoid projection on the mat.

He could feel Deleo's presence, a calm anchor amidst the chaos.

"Steady, Val," Deleo murmured in his mind. "Guide it—don't force it. Think of it like steering a river, not damming it."

The shadowy figure formed with more precision than the day before, its movements fluid yet purposeful as it began to glide around the room.

"You're getting better at this," Bo observed, his arms crossed. "Smoother than yesterday."

Deleo's voice chuckled softly in Val's mind. "That's an improvement? It's still wobbling like a newborn foal."

"Constructive criticism, Deleo," Val replied internally, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

"Fine," Deleo said dramatically. "It's wobbling like a slightly older foal. Happy?"

Val's focus held steady as he guided the projection through the gym.

The projection moved faster now, darting through the room like a living shadow. It circled the dummies, weaving between them with precision before darting toward Riggs.

Riggs jumped back, his hands raised. "Hey, I didn't sign up for tag."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Val muttered, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.

Ember's sharp gaze tracked the projection's movements. "It's stable, but your control is slipping. How much longer can you hold it?"

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Val gritted his teeth as the projection faltered, its edges rippling like smoke. "Not long."

"Push it a bit further," Ember instructed. "We need to see your limits."

Val nodded faintly, the strain evident as he guided the projection toward a series of sparring dummies. The shadowy figure lashed out, striking one of the targets with an ethereal blow that sent it toppling over.

"Easy," Deleo cautioned. "Test its limits, but don't stretch yourself too thin. The Void might cooperate now, but it doesn't like being overworked."

"That's new," Bo remarked, his tone mildly impressed. "Can it hit harder?"

Val inhaled deeply, guiding the projection toward a series of stationary training poles set up across the mat. The shadow figure moved with purpose, slipping through the gaps like smoke through cracks. It darted left, then right, avoiding collisions with uncanny accuracy.

"Impressive," Riggs remarked. "It's like it has a brain of its own."

"It doesn't," Val replied, his voice steady despite the strain creeping into his tone. "I see what it sees. It's like… remote control. Nothing more."

"Not entirely true," Deleo chimed in. "It's a part of you, Val. If you treat it like a tool, it'll act like one. Treat it like an extension of yourself, and you'll see what it can really do."

Val frowned, digesting Deleo's words. The projection faltered slightly, its form wavering before it regained stability.

Val's breaths grew heavier as he pushed the projection further. It hovered near a set of sparring poles, slipping through the gaps with unnerving accuracy. The energy tether hummed faintly in his mind, a constant reminder of the strain it demanded.

"Don't overdo it," Bo warned, his tone steady. "It's holding now, but you're not invincible."

"Thanks for the pep talk," Val muttered, his focus slipping briefly. The projection flickered, its edges rippling like smoke before it stabilized again.

Deleo's voice was calm but firm. "That's your limit talking. Pull back before it pulls you down."

Val gritted his teeth, guiding the projection toward the far end of the gym. It struck another dummy, this time with enough force to knock it over, before shimmering and dissolving into nothingness.

The sudden release of energy left Val gasping for air, his knees threatening to buckle. Ember was beside him in an instant, steadying him with a hand on his shoulder.

Ember crouched beside him, his voice steady. "How are you holding up?"

"Drained," Val admitted, his breaths shallow but measured. "But I'm fine."

Riggs tossed him a water bottle with a grin. "Fine's a low bar, but hey, you're still standing. That's a win in my book."

Dr. Lewis entered the gym, a tablet in hand, his gaze sweeping over the team. "And the verdict?"

"It's viable," Ember replied, rising to his feet. "But the strain is significant. He'll need conditioning if we're going to use this in the field."

Dr. Lewis tapped at his tablet, glancing briefly at Val. "No permanent damage, I assume?"

Val shook his head. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Good," Dr. Lewis said dryly. "I'd hate to have to write up a report explaining how our only ARM user turned himself into a puddle during training."

Deleo's voice chimed in Val's mind, dripping with mock indignation. "A puddle? Really? I'd never allow that."

"You're so reassuring, Deleo," Val replied silently, his sarcasm evident.

Riggs stretched, rolling his shoulders as he eyed the sparring dummies. "So, what's next? More creepy shadow tricks, or are we moving on to something that doesn't involve Val scaring the crap out of us?"

Ember gave him a pointed look. "If you're volunteering to spar with him, I'll allow it."

Riggs held up his hands in mock surrender. "Nope, I'm good. Shadow Val can stay on his side of the gym."

Fon pushed off the pillar, his gaze shifting to Val. "You'll need to work on duration and precision. If this is going to be useful, it can't break down the moment things get intense."

Val nodded. "Agreed. Let's go again."

Ember raised an eyebrow. "You're pushing hard for someone who looks like they've run three marathons."

"I don't have time to take it slow," Val replied, his tone resolute. "If I don't figure this out now, when it counts, it might be too late."

The team exchanged glances before Ember gave a small nod. "Reset the gym. Let's see what you've got left."

As the sparring dummies were repositioned, Riggs cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Round two. This should be fun."

Deleo's voice chuckled softly in Val's mind. "Fun for them. Exhausting for you. Don't mess this up."

Val smirked faintly, his focus sharpening. "Not planning to."

The hum of the gym rose again, the tension crackling in the air as the team prepared for the next round.