Chapter 10: The First Climb
The next morning began before sunrise.
Sanat was still asleep when something heavy struck his bed.
THUD.
He jumped awake.
Kyala stood beside the bed with her arms crossed.
"Training begins now."
Sanat groaned.
"…It's still dark."
Kyala looked at him calmly.
"The enemies who killed your father will not wait for sunrise."
Sanat sighed.
"Yeah… fair point."
He got up.
The Training Begins
The first day was brutal.
Kyala dragged him to the Virel training arena, a massive combat field built into the lower levels of the Sky Citadel.
Sanat expected sword lessons.
Or maybe some energy techniques.
Instead, Kyala pointed to the track.
"Run."
Sanat blinked.
"That's it?"
"Run."
"How long?"
Kyala pointed to the horizon.
"Until I say stop."
Three hours later, Sanat collapsed onto the ground.
"I think… my lungs… are dying."
Kyala looked down at him.
"You will not reach Tier 1 Stage 5 like this."
Sanat froze.
"Wait."
"Stage five?"
Kyala nodded.
"The Royal Academy entrance trials require Tier 1 Stage 5 at minimum."
Sanat sat up.
"And I'm currently…?"
Kyala answered calmly.
"Tier 1."
"Stage 1."
Sanat stared at the sky.
"…Great."
Month One
The first month was pure physical training.
Running.
Weight resistance.
Combat drills.
Kyala forced him to fight training drones that moved faster every day.
Sanat was thrown to the ground more times than he could count.
But slowly…
His body changed.
The new body he had inherited was naturally strong.
Stronger than his old life had ever been.
One evening, after weeks of training, something finally happened.
Sanat sat cross-legged inside the training chamber.
Kyala stood nearby.
"Focus on the energy around you."
Sanat closed his eyes.
For several minutes, nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
He felt it.
A faint warmth.
Like invisible threads floating in the air.
Kyala nodded.
"You feel it."
Sanat opened his eyes.
"…Energy."
Kyala smiled slightly.
"Planetary energy."
Sanat inhaled slowly.
The warmth entered his body.
It flowed through his muscles and bones.
For the first time, he truly understood.
This world was different.
Power was real.
Tier 1 — Stage 2
Two weeks later, Sanat advanced again.
His strikes became faster.
His senses sharper.
Kyala announced calmly,
"Tier 1, Stage 2."
Sanat raised his fist.
"Progress!"
Kyala shook her head.
"Still slow."
Month Two
The second month focused on combat.
Kyala finally handed him a weapon.
A thin energy blade.
"Fight."
Sanat fought training drones.
Then combat simulators.
Eventually even elite Virel soldiers.
He lost most fights.
But slowly, he began winning.
His instincts improved.
His reaction speed increased.
His energy control stabilized.
One night, after an intense sparring match, Kyala finally nodded.
"Tier 1, Stage 3."
Sanat grinned.
"Halfway there."
Month Three
The final month was the hardest.
Kyala pushed him beyond his limits.
High-speed combat drills.
Energy circulation training.
Mental focus exercises.
Some nights Sanat collapsed into bed without even remembering walking there.
But one evening, something changed.
During a combat simulation, his energy suddenly surged.
The training drone attacked.
Sanat moved faster than before.
His blade flashed.
The drone split into two pieces.
Kyala's eyes widened slightly.
"Tier 1… Stage 4."
Sanat leaned against the wall.
"So close."
The Breakthrough
Three days before the academy entrance trials, Sanat sat quietly inside the training room.
He focused on the energy around him.
The same warmth.
But now it flowed easier.
Stronger.
Faster.
Suddenly—
The energy surged through his body.
A wave of power spread through his muscles.
Sanat opened his eyes.
Kyala was watching him.
She nodded once.
"Tier 1."
"Stage 5."
Sanat exhaled slowly.
Finally.
He stood up.
His body felt lighter.
Stronger.
More alive.
Kyala crossed her arms.
"You have reached the minimum requirement."
Sanat smiled.
"Barely."
Kyala looked toward the sky outside the training hall.
"The Royal Academy entrance trials begin tomorrow."
Sanat stretched his arms.
"Perfect timing."
He walked toward the window.
The lights of Astra Prime glittered below.
Three months ago…
He had been a gamer dying from a birthday surprise.
Now he was preparing to enter the most elite academy on the planet.
Sanat smiled slightly.
"Let's see how strong the prodigies of this world really are."
Kyala nodded.
"You will find out soon."