As the respective groups sparred, the instructor, Trixie, spectated while weirdly shuffling the playing cards she kept in the box attached to her belt.

"There are so many students with neat tricks!" Trixie complimented with a big smile. "The next generation may just be as fun as the last."

Meanwhile, Amber re-engaged her peers in sparring after activating her blessing. Her current performance contrasted with her performance before activating her power. Her mobility and reaction time improved, as she was able to avoid Sariel and Ariel's assault, much to Ariel's happiness.

"Hmm, what a strange blessing you have," Sariel remarked as she repeatedly swung her blade at Amber, which she weaved. "The only thing different about you is your glowing eyes, but you're performing much better."

Yeah, I'm not sure either... Amber thought. But it's as if...the attacks...are slower.

Simultaneously, Shadow and Cairo rushed Sariel and Amber respectively, which interrupted their spar. Sariel could avoid Shadow's rushes as it repeatedly tried to pounce on her and swipe its paws. Shadow's attacks generated slight gusts of wind due to the force.

Amber, on the other hand, had a bit of trouble with Cairo as its speed was higher than before.

Cairo flew laps around Amber as it moved at subsonic speeds. Amber sustained even more scratches on her suit due to its mobility. As Cairo flew, the sound of it flying through the air was comparable to that of a soaring jet.

"Hmm...that thing is fast--" Sariel remarked as her attention diverted to the hawk, causing Shadow to deliver a paw strike to her right cheek, knocking her several meters away.

"Ugh...okay, that was my fault..." Sariel stated.

* * *

Shifting back to Aiden, he is currently engaged in combat with Ivory. Ivory was defending a flurry of punches by Aiden with a ruby shield. Although he was making slight cracks in the shield, Aiden's punches didn't prove to be very effective.

"What the...what the hell are you doing?" Ivory asked with a confused expression. "You're not gonna break the shield like that!"

In response, Aiden simply smiled - his seemingly nonsensical approach to combat even bewildered Baran as he just watched.

Tch, is this guy slow? He's punched at least twenty times, and nothing's happened! Ivory thought. Even his knuckles are becoming bruised! What the hell is he planning!?

"Heh, I suppose this is enough now!" Aiden suddenly said.

"Huh, what are you talking about--"

BOOM!

As Aiden struck her shield again, his fist generated an explosion that propelled her across the yard. Baran's jaw hung from surprise at what he just witnessed.

W-What...just happened...? Ivory thought as she attempted to regain her composure.

Immediately, Aiden turned his attention to the bewildered Baran and began to skate towards him. Seeing Aiden approaching, Baran regained focus and began firing air gusts at him.

"I'm sure you guys are confused by my great and awesome power!" Aiden assumed as he avoided the gusts with a series of acrobatic dodges. "Lemme tell ya! It's friction!" He stated before performing another punch when he got close.

Baran swiped his hand to create a gust of wind to slow and block Aiden's punch, but like his strike against Ivory, Aiden's fist generated another small explosion, engulfing the air gust.

Baran was knocked back from the concussive force.

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"Unlike you guys, most likely, I've trained my blessing from a young age!" Aiden remarked. "Friction control and friction storing...I know, it's awesome."

* * *

Wow...although she's having trouble, Amber's able to react to Cairo's speed! Ariel thought with an impressed smile. While they were preoccupied with her 'partners', Ariel decided to charge at them.

Ugh, I need more power! Amber thought with a frustrated expression.

Don't be impatient, my daughter. The voice advised. Your blessing will only strengthen as you grow and learn to control your power.

I understand that, but I can't stay idle!!! Amber argued. If I don't use every chance I get to get stronger, I can't fulfill the purpose you bestowed on me! And...I won't be able to avenge my family.

Suddenly, Amber's body glistened with the same yellow glow as her eyes. Although not on the level of Amber's house the first time she activated her blessing against Jack, the yard was illuminated, with Amber's body as the light source.

All heads were turned to Amber, including Aiden and his group.

"Huh?" Aiden uttered in shock.

Trixie, too, turned her attention to Amber. She even stopped shuffling her cards.

"Oh my!" Trixie uttered.

Yes, Amber...that's it. Ariel thought. I can tell you're special, so keep pushing out your potential.

"This spar's not finished yet!" Amber declared.

"Yeah, let's continue!" Ariel responded with a genuine smile.

"Um, you guys remember it's just a spar, right?" Sariel said. Her words fell on deaf ears as they didn't respond, however.

Suddenly, Cairo opened its beak, and a green glow was visible in its mouth. It got even brighter as the glow began to charge. Amber's body also began to glow, more so than before.

"Um, guys?" Sariel said.

"Alright, Ariel! Let's go!!!" Amber declared. Before they could do anything, a playing card strangely fell in the middle, garnering the trio's attention.

"A jester card--" Sariel said as she observed it.

A blinding white light from the card encompassed the trio, forming a circular area. This light stunned all the students in the area.

"Alright, that's enough playing around, I suppose," Trixie stated as the light dimmed and dispersed. When the radiance disappeared, the energy that Cairo charged inside its mouth and the light that shone off Amber were gone.

"H-Huh?" Amber questioned as she realized her body was back to normal.

"Heh eh, I may have gone a bit overboard!" Ariel assumed as she scratched her head.

"Since this is your first day, let's end your physical training here!" Trixie decided. Immediately, the students began to leave after hearing that.

Hmm, looks like there are some tricky soldiers to deal with. Trixie stated. That makes my job much more fun!

"What the heck was that...?" Baran inquired. Aiden was just as shocked as he stared at Amber.

Huh...what was that energy? Aiden thought. Was I wrong about her quitting after two days?

* * *

Maybe it was the first day or because Amber had passed out for some time, but classes were now over after their physical training.

Amber was strolling on the campus with Ariel. Amber marveled at the sight as she got to view the area.

From the setting, the Enrollment Program seemed like an actual university. The only exception was the number of students, as only a few attended the program.

"I'm glad to see you're enjoying the scenery, Amber," Ariel stated as she caught her sightseeing.

"Oh, uh...yeah, it's nice!" Amber responded as her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment,

The walk was met with silence for a few moments before Amber continued.

"Hey, Ariel...I was wondering," Amber said.

"Hmm?"

"Why did you root for me so much in the obstacle course?" Amber asked. "And why were you so glad to become my friend?"

"Oh, was that on your mind?" Ariel asked.

"It's just...you're strong, and I'm just learning how to use my blessing on the fly. You and Sariel could have teamed with and befriended another strong person. But you chose me instead."

"Well, when I saw your timidity and how much you were struggling, it reminded me of myself," Ariel explained. "Thrown in a completely different place and forced to adapt, right?"

Amber's eyes widened as she became curious after hearing that.

"Did you have a reason for joining this program?" Ariel questioned. Almost immediately, the memories of Jack's attack surfaced in Amber's mind, causing her breathing patterns to hasten.

"Amber...?"

In Ariel's eyes, Amber strangely grabbed her head with a distressed expression.

"A-Are you okay!?" Ariel asked with visible concern as she grabbed Amber's shoulder.

"I...I can't say exactly why I joined this program. It's too fresh...but I want to get stronger so no one else has to experience it...what I went through..."

I see, so she has trauma. Ariel thought. I may have asked something insensitive.

Amber's scared expression subsided moments after, and her breathing patterns returned to normal.

"I-I'm okay now," Amber said.

"...Enough of that. Why don't we go to the dorms to find our rooms!" Ariel suggested in an attempt to return the mood to its original state.

"Dorms?"