(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

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This wasn't a random opponent. This was the one who'd held third place before him — and if Seris and Caelum had already fought him, that meant this was no coincidence.

Margaret stood frozen at the edge of the field, unsure whether to intervene..

Kaelen smirked. "You're faster than I expected."

"You're slower than I hoped," Orion commented with a chuckle.

Orion grabbed his outstretched hand, pulled him in and slammed him on the ground.

Kaelen wheezed, his breath coming out in strained gasps.

"And considerably weaker," Orion commented, folding his arms.

"But that's to be expected, you just fought those two, and I'm sure they gave you quite a run for your money," Orion said, crouching down, with his face directly in front of Kaelen's.

Kaelen smirked, straining his muscles to get up. But Orion just pushed him back down with his hand on Kaelen's head.

"Stop with the bravado. You're done." Orion said with a chuckle.

The smirk on Kaelen's face strained before wearing off. His visage was grim and dissatisfied.

"Why would you attack? It's obvious you're too weary to do any real damage." Orion asked with a raised brow.

Kaelen stayed silent, his eyes unflinching.

"While I admire the intensity, I'd advise you answer. I may or may not spare you if you do." Orion said with a sigh.

Kaelen's eyes narrowed.

"You'll spare me?" He asked.

"If you answer my question. Probably." Orion replied.

"It was pointless. I had no idea you were in this direction, and before I could stop, I'd already sensed you. And considering the capabilities of whoever's rank 1, if I've sensed you-"

"It's vice versa", Orion finished.

"So, you decided to go out with a bang," Orion said with a chuckle.

"That doesn't explain how you knew I was ranked first without even seeing me," Orion said.

Kaelen fell silent again.

'Probably has something to do with his innate skill, ' Orion thought, amused.

It was surprising how many talented individuals were participating in this trial; he'd fought three already in the past hour, and he'd let them go.

He wasn't sure if it was a regular occurrence in this large family called the Chronos, although he doubted it. Either way, the more unique the individuals, the more interesting it'd be for him. He welcomed it.

He watched Kaelen struggle for a few seconds before sighing and activating ETF.

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STATUS

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NAME: Kaelen Chronos

AGE: 11

GENDER: Male

RACE: HUMAN

ATTRIBUTES:

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STRENGTH:50

AGILITY: 65

ENDURANCE: 57

VITALITY: 59

INTELLIGENCE:68

MANA: 80

CHARM: 80

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RANK: (Peak) ACOLYTE RANK

TALENT: HIGH

BLOODLINE: Spatial Resonance

AFFINITY: Space

ABILITIES:

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Innate Skills:-

Spatial Echo

Kaelen's body instinctively harmonises with surrounding spatial frequencies, recording and responding to distortions in real time. Every interaction through space—whether displacement, compression, or warping—creates an echo that he can replay, counter, or reflect.

Passives:

Echo Memory: Records spatial distortions within a limited range (≈10 meters). These echoes can be replayed once for perfect replication of movement or technique timing. Particularly effective against Kairos Step users, as it mirrors their intervals precisely.Spatial Reflection: Kaelen automatically resists or reflects any spatial manipulation directed at him—teleports, compressions, or anchors—bouncing the interference back toward its origin point. Effectiveness depends on mana superiority and timing.(When overwhelmed by stronger spatial users, the reflection partially disperses, causing localised instability rather than a full rebound.)

Active:

Phase Loop: Creates a delayed "afterimage" of himself that repeats his last motion from a fixed point in space, effectively striking twice from different vectors. Can maintain up to two echoes before strain sets in. Cooldown: 30 seconds.

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Trained skills:

*Kairos step (Mid proficiency)

Acts at the perfect moment, improving dodges and counterattacks.

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Acquired skills:-

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'Huh?!'

Orion scanned through his status in a few seconds, his eyes widening.

'What sort of broken innate ability is this?' He thought, exasperated.

He'd gone through those of his friends, and he could confidently say they were blessed with great talents and innate skills.

But Kaelen's was exasperating; the implications of such an innate skill resounded in his mind.

Of course, longer descriptions or fancy names didn't signify a powerful skill; his own innate skill was quite simple in description but broad and malleable in application.

Kaelen's skill, on the other hand, was complicated and effective, provided he was intelligent in his application.

'How did Seris and Caelum defeat him?' Orion wondered.

It'd have been understandable if it were two of them on him, but Kaelen had five people supporting him.

[Having the skill doesn't necessarily mean he can apply it as described.]

Orion's eyes narrowed.

'Right. Even he might not know he has such a skill.' Orion concluded.

Kaelen, as powerful and smart as he was, wasn't even completely aware of all his abilities.

'Just like a certain someone, ' Orion thought, turning to stare at Margaret.

"Can you ask something else?"

Orion was snapped out of his thoughts by Kaelen's voice. He turned back to the boy who had gritted his teeth.

"You don't want to tell me?" Orion asked.

"No. The secrecy of my skills might be an advantage to me in the future." Kaelen replied.

"Even if it means getting eliminated," Orion asked again, perplexed.

Orion watched Kaelen struggle with his thoughts for a few seconds before sighing, his demeanour changing.

"It would be foolish of me, but yes, even if I get eliminated. I won't be threatened into disclosing something I wish not to disclose; my father would be disappointed and so would I." He said, his voice calm.

"But know this. If you still decide to eliminate me. I still have mana and stamina left in me, not to defeat you. No. I'll lose, but I'll make sure I deal enough damage to hinder you." He said, his silver eyes resolute.

Orion just stared at him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

'How foolish.' He thought.

Most of what Kaelen had spouted screamed stupidity, final stand or not, if Orion wanted, he wouldn't even realise when he'd be down.

Something in Orion was urging him to just deal with this insolent boy and be done with it, but he pushed it down; the conviction in Kaelen's eyes stuck with him.

Kaelen watched Orion laugh, his eyes unflinching, but deep down, humiliation and anger burned in him.

A few seconds passed before Orion stopped.

"Very well. Keep your answer." Orion said, standing up.

"I'll spare you this time." He said simply before walking away, Margaret trailing behind him.

Kaelen watched Orion leave, his eyes never leaving him until he disappeared from view.

Orion's actions didn't make him rejoice; far from it. He'd get his revenge, he was sure of it.

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