The Trial Grounds pulsed with energy as competitors adjusted to the first serious tests. Platforms shifted unpredictably, resonance threads tangled, and the faint hum of the environment reminded everyone that mistakes here were costly. Aerin felt it immediately, his system alert, guiding each step forward. 1.45%.
Ryn moved beside him, scanning competitors and terrain alike. Twin daggers at his sides, he rarely intervened unnecessarily, letting the environment do part of the work while maintaining subtle control over hazards that could threaten Aerin's path. Precision remained their strongest weapon.
Ahead, a pair of competitors merged lanes aggressively, aiming to block progress. The ground pulsed under their combined influence, forcing Aerin to react. He shifted resonance, nudging subtle waves to redistribute energy. One opponent stumbled as their foot caught an unexpected vibration, momentum lost. 1.48%.
Ryn acted instantly, stepping between Aerin and a rising energy arc. His movement wasn't flashy, but the effect was undeniable—Aerin could move unimpeded, and the competitor's trajectory adjusted to avoid collision. Coordination had become seamless, a silent conversation between system, terrain, and instinct.
Another obstacle emerged—a narrow floating platform lined with energy pulses. Competitors crowded it, each trying to claim the optimal path. Aerin sensed the pressure lines weaving through the space, anticipating collisions before they occurred. He redirected a faint resonance flow, allowing smooth passage for himself and Ryn while subtly destabilizing one rushing competitor. 1.50%.
The opponent recovered quickly, frustration flashing across their face. They lunged forward recklessly, ignoring the subtle warnings of the terrain. Aerin smiled faintly, feeling the system pulse as he guided resonance threads around them, forcing inefficient footing. The competitor misstepped again, barely avoiding a fall but losing rhythm.
Aerin and Ryn advanced steadily, but the environment was no longer neutral—it reacted differently to their presence, offering challenges that subtly tested every adjustment. They moved as a single unit, anticipating both hazards and the unpredictable behavior of rivals. 1.53%.
A sudden surge of energy swept across the central clearing. Several platforms tilted simultaneously, forcing competitors to leap, duck, or adjust in mid-air. Aerin responded instinctively, extending resonance outward to stabilize the ground beneath him. Ryn mirrored the movements, creating a path of minimal resistance. Together, they advanced while others stumbled. 1.56%.
One competitor lunged directly at Ryn, aiming to disrupt the duo. Aerin reacted before Ryn even moved, sending a minor pulse through the platform that altered balance subtly. Ryn sidestepped gracefully, daggers flashing just long enough to force the attacker off-line. Coordination wasn't domination—it was anticipation.
The crowd of observers watched silently, their eyes tracking every adjustment. Missteps, hesitation, and over-aggression were punished subtly by terrain, while efficient alignment rewarded quick progress. The Trial Grounds measured more than strength; they measured flow, adaptation, and response.
Another hazard emerged—vertical energy pillars that flickered intermittently. Timing was critical. Aerin calculated trajectory, step, and resonance simultaneously. With Ryn's silent guidance, they moved like shadows through the pillars, barely grazing a single one. 1.60%.
Midway through the final stretch, a competitor tried to corner Aerin against a raised platform. The system pulsed urgently, warning of potential inefficiency. Aerin redirected resonance through the floor, allowing him to slip past while the opponent overcommitted. The move required both subtlety and speed, and it worked flawlessly. 1.63%.
Ryn glanced at him briefly. "Pressure builds fast here. Every misstep counts."
Aerin nodded, feeling the land respond as though it recognized their efficiency. Every obstacle, every competitor interaction reinforced their synchronization. They were no longer just moving—they were mastering flow itself. 1.65%.
By the end of the zone, the duo reached a safe platform. Competitors lagged behind, frustrated or exhausted from subtle environmental manipulation. The Trial Grounds hadn't punished with raw force, but the challenges had been felt, leaving a mark on both body and strategy.
Aerin exhaled, observing the faint pulsing of resonance around the clearing. Momentum had shifted—they had proven that adaptation and coordination mattered more than aggression. System progress ticked upward once more, a quiet affirmation: 1.68%.
Ryn's expression remained calm, but a hint of approval lingered. "The next wave will test endurance more than speed. Be ready."
Aerin's smile was brief but determined. The first real escalation had shown them the power of flow, anticipation, and subtle control. This was just the beginning of the Frontier Tournament, and already the land itself had begun to acknowledge their presence.