The weight of the ring did not fade.
If anything—
Zarek became more aware of it with every passing moment.
It wasn't heavy in a physical sense.
But the suppression it carried lingered within him, like an invisible hand pressing down on his power, dulling its edge, slowing its flow.
Every breath he took, every movement he made—
He could feel it.
His energy still responded.
Still moved.
But not as freely as before.
The system remained active in the background.
[Suppression Analysis: 27%]
[Energy Adaptation in Progress]
Zarek stood in the training grounds, his expression calm, his posture steady.
But inside—
He was adjusting.
If his power was restricted—
Then he would refine what remained.
Across the courtyard, a pair of eyes watched him closely.
Not cautious.
Not uncertain.
Focused.
Intent.
The man stepped forward.
Unlike the others, he did not hesitate.
"…So they put a leash on you."
Zarek turned.
The speaker was taller than most, his presence noticeably stronger than the average outer disciple. His robes were marked with faint silver patterns—an indication of higher standing.
Zarek studied him briefly.
"…And you are?"
The man smirked.
"Reth."
A pause.
"Inner court candidate."
The title alone was enough to explain his confidence.
Zarek said nothing.
But he understood.
This wasn't a casual encounter.
It was deliberate.
Reth took another step forward.
"…I've been watching you," he said.
Zarek's gaze didn't waver.
"…Then you already know enough."
Reth's smile widened slightly.
"Not quite."
His eyes sharpened.
"I want to see it myself."
The air between them grew tense.
Around them, disciples began to notice.
"…It's Reth."
"He's challenging him?"
"Even with the suppression?"
The whispers spread quickly.
Zarek remained still.
"…You know I'm restricted," he said.
Reth shrugged.
"All the better."
A pause.
"If you're still dangerous like this…"
His expression hardened slightly.
"…then you're worth dealing with now."
Zarek understood immediately.
This wasn't curiosity.
This was preemptive.
Reth wasn't here to test him.
He was here to eliminate a potential threat—
Before it grew beyond control.
Zarek took a step forward.
"…Fine."
The courtyard fell silent.
Even those who had been training nearby stopped.
Because this—
Was not a normal spar.
Reth moved first.
Fast.
Faster than Kael.
Faster than Darius.
His movements were sharp, precise, and filled with intent.
Zarek reacted instantly.
He shifted to the side—
Barely avoiding the first strike.
But even that small movement felt heavier than before.
The ring.
"…Slower," Zarek noted internally.
Reth didn't give him time to adjust.
A second strike followed.
Zarek raised his arm to block.
The impact was immediate.
Stronger.
Sharper.
It forced him back.
"…So this is the difference," Zarek thought.
Not just strength—
But refinement.
Reth pressed forward relentlessly.
Each attack flowed into the next.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Zarek stepped back again.
But his eyes remained focused.
Watching.
Learning.
Adapting.
Then—
He moved.
Zarek stepped in, closing the distance.
His hand shot forward—
Reth reacted instantly, deflecting it.
"…Too slow," Reth said.
But Zarek didn't stop.
He adjusted mid-motion—
His fingers brushed Reth's arm.
"…Devour."
The pull activated.
Weaker than before—
But still present.
Reth's expression flickered.
"…What—?"
Just for a moment—
His energy wavered.
Zarek felt it.
Even through the suppression—
It was there.
"…So it still works," Zarek realized.
Reth immediately pulled back, his eyes narrowing.
"…Interesting."
He flexed his hand slightly.
"…Even restricted, you can still take."
Zarek said nothing.
But his silence confirmed it.
The air grew heavier.
Reth's smile disappeared.
"…Then I can't let you continue."
This time—
He didn't hold back.
His energy surged.
More intense.
More focused.
Zarek's eyes sharpened.
"…So this is your full strength."
Reth attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Zarek moved—
But this time—
He couldn't fully avoid it.
The strike landed.
Pain shot through his body as he was forced back several steps.
His breathing shifted.
Heavier now.
But his gaze—
Unchanged.
Inside him, the system reacted.
[Host Under High Pressure]
[Adaptive Response Triggered]
Zarek steadied himself.
"…Good," he thought.
If this was pressure—
Then he would use it.
Reth closed in again.
But this time—
Zarek didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
Directly into the attack.
Their movements collided.
Force met force.
Control met instinct.
Zarek's hand shot forward—
Reth blocked—
But Zarek twisted his wrist—
And grabbed.
"…Devour."
The pull activated again.
Stronger this time.
Not because the suppression had weakened—
But because Zarek had adapted.
Reth's body stiffened.
"…You—!"
His energy surged—
Then dipped.
Zarek held on—
For just a second longer—
Then released.
Reth stumbled back.
Not heavily—
But enough.
Enough for the difference to show.
The courtyard fell silent.
"…He's still doing it…"
"…Even with the ring…"
Reth straightened slowly.
His expression had changed.
The arrogance was gone.
Replaced by something else.
Something sharper.
"…Now I understand," he said quietly.
Zarek didn't respond.
But his eyes remained locked on him.
Reth exhaled slowly.
"…You're not just dangerous."
A pause.
"…You're a problem."
The tension between them tightened.
Because now—
This wasn't just a fight.
It was recognition.
And that made it far more dangerous.
Above, hidden from plain sight—
A figure watched silently.
"…Even suppressed…"
The voice was low.
"…He adapts."
A faint pause.
"…This confirms it."
Below—
Zarek stood still.
His breathing steady once more.
The ring still suppressed him.
But something had changed.
Not in the ring—
But in him.
Inside, the system updated.
[Suppression Adaptation: 41%]
[Devour Efficiency Stabilizing Under Constraint]
Zarek's eyes darkened slightly.
"…Not enough yet," he thought.
But it would be.
Soon.
Because one thing had become clear—
The more they tried to limit him—
The faster he evolved.