CHAPTER 16

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The sky was a muted gray the next morning as we left the city behind, the distant hum of the marketplace fading into the background. I hadn’t slept much, my mind still buzzing from the events of the previous night. The fight with the bandits had given me a glimpse of what I was capable of—how far I’d come since meeting Alric. But it had also left me with questions, ones that weighed heavily on my thoughts.

We had walked in silence for most of the journey back to the forest. Alric had said little after the fight, only offering a brief word of approval before we parted ways for the night. I had expected more, but then again, Alric was never one to dwell on events. He was always looking forward, always focused on the next step.

But I couldn’t shake his words from my mind.

"There will be fights where you’ll need more than control. When that time comes, you’ll have to decide how far you’re willing to go."

I had felt it, too, last night. The desire to unleash more, to push further, to end the fight decisively. But I hadn’t. I had held back. And now, I was starting to wonder if that had been the right choice. What if the leader returned? What if he brought more men? Had I made a mistake in showing mercy?

The mask hung from my belt, swaying with each step I took. It had become more than just a tool—it was a part of me now, a reminder of what I had learned and the power I held back. But Alric’s words echoed in my mind, and I found myself questioning whether restraint was always the right answer.

As we approached the edge of the forest, I finally broke the silence. “Do you think I should have let him go?”

Alric didn’t turn to look at me. He continued walking, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. “What do you think?”

I frowned, frustrated by the question. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”

He stopped then, turning to face me. His expression was calm, but there was something in his eyes—something unreadable. “The choice was yours, Niv. That’s what matters.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he raised a hand to stop me. “Every fight is different. Every decision you make in battle will have consequences. Sometimes, showing mercy is the right choice. Other times, it can lead to more danger. But in the end, it’s your choice. You control your actions, no one else.”

I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. Control. That’s what it always came back to. But control wasn’t just about holding back power—it was about making decisions. And I had chosen mercy. But was that the right decision?

I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing slightly. “So, I need to live with whatever comes from that choice.”

Alric nodded. “Exactly. But don’t dwell on it too much. You did well last night, Niv. You controlled the fight, and you controlled yourself. That’s more important than anything.”

I stared at the ground for a moment, then nodded. I understood what he was saying, even if it didn’t feel satisfying. It was another lesson—one I needed to accept.

We spent the next few days back in the clearing, resuming our training as if nothing had changed. But something had changed. I could feel it in the way I moved, the way I approached each lesson. The fight had given me a taste of real combat, something beyond the controlled environment of the forest. I had fought before, of course, but this was different. It wasn’t just about power—it was about strategy, control, and decision-making.

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Alric pushed me harder during our sessions, testing not only my strength but my ability to think under pressure. He would create complex scenarios, using the Aetheric Flow to simulate real-world situations—ambushes, traps, and enemies that forced me to adapt and react quickly.

And every time, I was reminded of that fight with the bandits. I had held back then, but Alric’s words kept returning to me. There would be a time when control wouldn’t be enough.

It was on the third day after we returned from the city that something finally shifted.

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We were deep in a sparring session, the ground beneath us shifting and changing as Alric used the Flow to create obstacles. Rocks jutted from the earth, and the wind swirled unpredictably, making it difficult to maintain my footing. But I was focused, my mind sharp as I navigated the terrain, using Slip to adjust the ground beneath my feet, creating small shifts that allowed me to maintain my balance.

Alric stood at the edge of the clearing, watching me closely. He wasn’t participating in the fight today—he was observing, testing me in a way that felt different from our usual training. I could feel his eyes on me, analyzing my every move.

As I dodged a gust of wind and ducked behind a rock, I felt a strange sensation—something new in the air. It was subtle at first, like a faint hum, but it grew stronger as I continued moving through the clearing. I paused, my breath steady, and focused on the sensation. It wasn’t just the wind or the earth shifting around me. It was something deeper, something more primal.

I closed my eyes, reaching out with my senses, letting the Flow guide me. And then I felt it—a presence, distant but growing closer. It was faint, but unmistakable.

A monster.

I opened my eyes, my body tensing as I turned toward the direction of the presence. It was still far off, but it was moving toward us. Fast.

Alric’s voice cut through the air, calm and steady. “You feel it, don’t you?”

I nodded. “What is it?”

“A challenge,” he said simply. “For you.”

I stared at him, unsure of what he meant. But before I could ask, I saw it—a massive, hulking shape moving through the trees at the edge of the clearing. The ground trembled slightly with each step it took, and I could see the faint outline of its form through the dense foliage.

A Grulok. I had only heard stories of them—beasts as tall as three men, with thick, stone-like skin and razor-sharp claws. They were rare, and few survived encounters with them.

The Grulok emerged from the trees, its massive frame towering over the forest. Its eyes glowed a faint red, and its claws scraped against the ground as it lumbered toward us.

Alric didn’t move. He remained at the edge of the clearing, his arms crossed as he watched the beast approach. “This is your fight, Niv. You’ve learned control, but now you must apply it against a real threat. Remember what you’ve been taught.”

I didn’t hesitate. The mask was in my hand before I even realized it, the familiar weight settling over my face as I prepared for the fight ahead.

The Grulok roared, its voice shaking the trees as it charged toward me, its claws raised to strike. But I was ready. Analyze.

My mind worked instantly, breaking down the creature’s movements, its weak points, the way it moved. It was fast for its size, but its left leg dragged slightly, favoring the right. That would be its weak point.

I waited for the right moment, my body calm, my senses sharp. And then, just as the Grulok swung its massive arm toward me, I used Slip to shift the ground beneath its feet. The creature stumbled, its balance momentarily lost, and I struck—darting forward with precision, my blade aimed for its exposed leg.

The blade bit into its flesh, and the Grulok howled in pain, staggering backward. But it wasn’t done yet. It swung again, this time with more force, and I barely dodged, using Auto-Dodge to move out of the way just in time.

But this wasn’t like the fight with the bandits. This was a creature that wouldn’t stop until I was dead. There was no room for mercy here.

I focused, using the Aetheric Flow to guide my movements, slipping between the Grulok’s attacks, weakening it bit by bit. Every strike was controlled, every move precise. I wasn’t just fighting to survive—I was fighting to win, and I was in control of the battlefield.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Grulok let out a final roar and collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. I stood over it, my breath steady, my mind calm. I had won.

Alric approached, his expression unreadable. “You applied what you’ve learned well,” he said quietly. “But remember, Niv—control is not just about knowing when to hold back. It’s about knowing when to strike.”

I nodded, pulling the mask from my face and tucking it back into my belt. His words lingered in my mind, and I knew this was just the beginning. There would be more challenges ahead, more decisions to make.

But for now, I was ready for whatever came next.