Axiom didn't fall asleep right away.
Even after turning off the lights, his mind kept replaying the day over and over again.
The fight.
The awakening.
The professor.
Dama.
Ascendants.
Origin type.
Every time he closed his eyes, he could still feel that energy moving inside his body, like a quiet current flowing under his skin.
He kept his breathing steady.
Just like Professor Leo told him.
Veil.
Hide.
Control.
The faint outline of Dama stayed around his body, thin and calm.
Eventually…
His thoughts slowed.
His breathing deepened.
And he finally fell asleep.
—
He opened his eyes.
He wasn't in his room.
He was sitting on something cold.
Hard.
Heavy.
He looked down.
A throne.
Black.
Massive.
Made of something that looked like stone and metal mixed together.
His heart skipped once.
"…What…?"
He stood up slowly.
He wasn't wearing his normal clothes.
Dark coat.
Heavy boots.
Something like armor under the fabric.
He looked around.
A huge hall stretched in front of him.
Tall pillars.
Broken walls.
Light coming in from cracks above.
And people.
Standing below the throne.
Dozens of them.
Men.
Women.
Different ages.
All of them looking at him.
Not angry.
Not confused.
Waiting.
Like they were waiting for him to speak.
His chest tightened.
"…Why are they looking at me like that…?"
Two people stood closest to him.
On his right.
Callie.
On his left.
Cammy.
They looked older.
Stronger.
Different.
But it was them.
Callie smirked slightly.
"…Took you long enough."
Cammy smiled softly.
"…We were waiting."
Axiom frowned.
"…Waiting for what?"
Before anyone answered—
The world changed.
The throne room shattered like glass.
Everything turned white.
Then red.
The sound of metal clashing filled the air.
He was standing somewhere else.
A battlefield.
Broken ground.
Smoke.
Fire.
People running.
Dama everywhere.
He could feel it.
Hundreds of auras.
Some familiar.
Some not.
Callie stood beside him, her body glowing faintly with Dama, her fists clenched.
Cammy stood on his other side, eyes focused, her aura calm but sharp.
Behind them—
More people.
Dama users.
All different.
All strong.
All standing behind him.
Like they were following him.
Across the battlefield—
Another group.
Strangers.
Their Dama felt heavy.
Dangerous.
One of them stepped forward.
Axiom couldn't see his face.
Only the pressure coming from him.
Too strong.
Too real.
Axiom felt his own energy react.
His body moved slightly forward.
Like he was about to lead them.
Like this fight depended on him.
Callie looked at him.
"…Say the word."
Cammy nodded.
"…We're ready."
His heart pounded.
"…What is this…?"
The enemy raised his hand.
Dama exploded outward.
The ground cracked.
The air trembled.
And just as Axiom moved—
Everything went black.
—
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
His eyes snapped open.
His alarm clock screamed beside his bed.
Axiom sat up fast, breathing hard.
"…What the hell…"
He looked around.
His room.
His bed.
Morning light through the window.
Normal.
Everything normal.
He ran a hand through his hair, still trying to catch his breath.
"…That dream…"
He could still feel it.
The throne.
The battlefield.
Callie.
Cammy.
All those Dama users.
His chest tightened slightly.
Then he noticed something else.
His body felt… stable.
Calm.
Controlled.
He blinked.
"…Wait…"
He focused.
The faint outline of Dama was still around him.
Thin.
Quiet.
Veil.
Still active.
His aura was suppressed.
Hide.
Still working.
His eyes widened.
"…I kept it on… while I was sleeping…?"
He sat there for a second, stunned.
"…Did I do that on instinct…?"
A slow grin appeared.
"…Professor's gonna lose his mind."
He got out of bed, stretching.
His body felt fresh.
No soreness.
No heaviness.
Actually…
Better than usual.
He got dressed quickly and grabbed his bag.
Today was Wednesday.
Only two classes.
One at 8.
One at 11.
Easy day.
His phone buzzed as he put on his shoes.
He looked down.
Message from the school system.
Class canceled.
He blinked.
"…No way."
He read it again.
8 AM class canceled.
Teacher absent.
Axiom laughed.
"…Guess I'm going early."
He grabbed his jacket and headed out.
—
The campus was still quiet when he arrived.
Morning air cold.
Students just starting to show up.
He didn't go to class.
Didn't go to the cafeteria.
He walked straight down the hallway he had gone through last night.
Past the offices.
Past the labs.
Until he reached the door.
Same door.
Same name plate.
Professor Leo.
Head Professor — Scientific Department
Axiom stopped in front of it for a second.
His chest tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Anticipation.
He knocked.
Once.
From inside—
"…Come in."
Axiom opened the door.
Professor Leo looked up from his desk.
He paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then widened.
"…You kept your Veil active."
Axiom smirked.
"…Yeah."
Professor Leo slowly stood up.
"…While sleeping?"
Axiom nodded.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
Then the professor sighed.
"…I had a feeling…"
He walked around the desk slowly.
"…Today we train for real."
Professor Leo stepped away from the desk and motioned toward the open space in the back of the room.
The office connected to a small training area Axiom hadn't noticed before.
Rubber flooring.
Wall mirrors.
A rack with wooden practice weapons.
Axiom raised an eyebrow.
"…You train people in here?"
Leo smirked slightly.
"Only the ones who awaken."
He walked to the center of the room and turned.
"Today we start with combat basics."
Axiom dropped his bag near the wall.
"…I figured."
Leo crossed his arms.
"You have strength now."
"You have speed."
"You have senses."
"But you don't know how to fight."
Axiom nodded.
"…Yeah, that's fair."
Leo raised one finger.
"In Dama combat, fighting is not just punching."
"It's how you move your Dama."
He stepped closer.
"First lesson."
"Focus."
He tapped Axiom's arm.
"Move your Dama into one spot."
"Not everywhere."
"Only where you need it."
Axiom closed his eyes slightly.
He felt the energy.
Warm.
Flowing.
He tried to push it into his right arm.
Nothing happened.
Leo shook his head.
"Not force."
"Guide."
"Your Dama is part of you."
Axiom tried again.
Slow.
Breathing steady.
This time the energy moved.
His arm felt heavier.
Stronger.
Leo nodded.
"Good."
"That is Focus."
"Used for attack or defense."
He stepped back.
"Next."
"Reinforce."
He tapped his own chest.
"Forge users strengthen their body by layering Dama."
He slammed his fist lightly into the wall.
The wall shook.
No damage.
Axiom blinked.
"…Okay… that's cool."
Leo pointed at him.
"Try."
Axiom clenched his fist.
Focused.
Moved Dama into his arm.
Then layered more.
His muscles tightened.
He punched the training pad.
THUD
The pad slid back.
Axiom stared.
"…That was stronger…"
Leo nodded.
"That is Reinforce."
"Basic Forge technique."
He grabbed one of the wooden sticks from the rack.
"Next."
"Channel."
He held the stick out.
"You can put Dama into objects."
"Make them stronger."
"Sharper."
"Faster."
He handed it to Axiom.
"Try."
Axiom held the stick.
Focused.
Moved Dama into his hand.
Then into the stick.
Nothing.
Leo shook his head.
"Again."
Second try.
Nothing.
Third try.
Still nothing.
Axiom frowned.
"…This one's harder."
Leo smirked.
"Good."
"You're learning."
Fourth try.
Fifth try.
Sixth try—
The stick vibrated slightly.
Axiom blinked.
"…Wait—"
Leo nodded.
"There."
"Again."
Seventh try.
This time the stick felt heavier.
Solid.
Like metal instead of wood.
Leo smiled.
"Channel."
"Now you understand."
He stepped back.
"Next."
"Step Flow."
He moved suddenly.
Too fast.
Axiom barely saw it.
Leo appeared beside him.
"Movement with Dama."
"Not just legs."
"Whole body."
He demonstrated again.
Smooth.
Fluid.
Like sliding across the floor.
Axiom tried.
First step—
Too slow.
Second step—
Lost balance.
Third—
Almost fell.
Leo chuckled.
"Again."
Fourth.
Fifth.
Sixth.
Seventh—
His body moved smoother.
Not perfect.
But better.
Leo nodded.
"Good."
"Your instinct helps you."
He raised his hand.
"Last for today."
"Impact Drive."
Axiom blinked.
"…Sounds strong."
Leo smirked.
"It is."
"Focus."
"Reinforce."
"Pulse."
"All at once."
He punched the training pad.
BOOM
The air shook.
Axiom stared.
"…Okay that's insane."
Leo pointed.
"Try."
Axiom focused.
Moved Dama to his arm.
Layered it.
Compressed it.
Released—
His punch hit the pad.
THUD
Nothing special.
Leo shook his head.
"Again."
Second try.
Still weak.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
Sixth—
His fist hit.
The pad jumped.
Leo's eyes sharpened.
"…Again."
Seventh.
Axiom breathed slowly.
Focused.
Guided Dama.
Compressed it.
Released.
BOOM
The pad slammed into the wall.
Silence.
Axiom blinked.
"…Did I just—"
Leo raised his hand.
"Stop."
He walked closer.
Studied him carefully.
His aura.
His breathing.
His posture.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…You just reached Stage Two."
Axiom froze.
"…What?"
Leo nodded.
"Forge Type."
"Second stage."
"You can control reinforcement now."
"You can focus power."
"You can channel."
"You can move with Dama."
He crossed his arms.
"One more stage…"
"…and you will fully master Forge."
Axiom stared at his hands.
His body felt heavier.
Stronger.
More stable.
"…In one day…"
Leo looked at him seriously.
"…I told you."
"You're not normal."
A short pause.
"…And this is only the beginning."
Axiom wiped the sweat from his forehead, breathing steady after the last strike.
His arm still tingled from the Impact Drive.
Stage Two.
Forge Type.
He still couldn't believe he reached it in one morning.
Professor Leo looked at the clock on the wall.
"…That's enough for today."
Axiom followed his gaze.
10:32 AM.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Wait, already?"
Leo nodded.
"You have class."
Axiom grabbed his bag quickly.
"…Yeah, it's on the other side of the building."
He slung the strap over his shoulder, still feeling the weight of the training in his muscles.
Not tired.
Just… heavier.
More solid.
He turned toward the door, then paused.
"…Thanks, Professor."
Leo crossed his arms.
"You learn fast."
A short pause.
"Come back after class."
Axiom nodded.
"I will."
He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.
The moment he left the room, the world felt different again.
His senses were still sharp.
Not as overwhelming as before, but still there.
Controlled.
Stable.
Veil active.
Hide active.
He could feel it now without thinking.
"…Okay… this is getting normal…"
He started walking toward the other side of the building.
His next class was at 11, and he had to cross almost the entire campus to get there.
Better to leave early.
As he walked, his stomach growled.
"…Yeah… I didn't eat yet…"
The cafeteria was on the way.
Perfect.
—
The cafeteria was almost empty this early.
Only a few students sitting at the far tables, half asleep, scrolling on their phones.
Axiom walked straight to the Subway counter.
The worker looked up.
"What can I get you?"
"Flatbread. Eggs. Meatballs."
The worker blinked.
"…Meatballs… with eggs?"
Axiom shrugged.
"Trust me."
A few minutes later, he grabbed the wrapped sandwich, paid, and walked out of the cafeteria, already unwrapping it.
He took a bite as he walked down the hallway.
"…Yeah… worth it."
His senses stayed open automatically.
He could hear footsteps far down the hall.
Feel movement around corners.
Sense people even before he saw them.
Then—
He felt something familiar.
Not Dama.
Not power.
Just… presence.
Someone he recognized.
Before he even reached the corner, he knew.
The captain.
Voices.
Girls laughing.
Axiom slowed slightly, chewing his sandwich.
"…Of course…"
He could turn around.
Take another hallway.
Avoid him.
Old Axiom would have.
But his class was that way.
And he wasn't afraid anymore.
He took another bite.
"…Not worth fighting."
He turned the corner.
The captain stood near the lockers, talking with two girls.
Both of them were the kind of girls everyone on campus knew.
The brunette stood with one hand on her hip, long dark hair falling over her shoulders, her green eyes sharp and confident. She had the kind of face that always looked like she was slightly amused, like nothing around her was ever interesting enough.
Beside her stood the blonde.
And even Axiom had to admit…
Yeah.
She was unreal.
Long golden hair fell down her back in soft waves, catching the hallway lights like it reflected them. Her blue eyes were bright and clear, the kind of blue that almost didn't look real, like looking into deep water under sunlight.
Her lips were full, soft, naturally pink, and her smile had that effortless charm that made people look twice without meaning to.
Her figure…
Perfect balance.
Not too thin.
Not too thick.
Curves in exactly the right places, her waist narrow, hips smooth, her posture straight without trying.
The kind of girl people called a dream girl without exaggerating.
Girls like that didn't look at guys like Axiom.
They looked at guys like the captain.
Because he was the captain of the basketball team.
Popular.
Confident.
Loud.
Exactly the type that always got attention.
The captain saw Axiom immediately.
His smile faded.
"…Oh look who it is."
Axiom kept walking.
Took another bite of his sandwich.
Didn't stop.
Didn't even look at him.
"…Morning," Axiom said casually, mouth half full.
The captain blinked.
"…You serious?"
Axiom kept walking.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't react.
Didn't care.
The captain stepped in front of him.
"You think you're funny now?"
Axiom stopped just enough to not bump into him.
Took another bite.
Chewed.
Swallowed.
"…I have class."
He stepped to the side.
The captain grabbed his shoulder.
"You think you can just walk past me after yesterday?"
Axiom sighed.
Not annoyed.
Just tired of this.
"…I don't want problems."
The captain swung.
Fast.
Angry.
Axiom moved without thinking.
A small step to the side.
The punch missed completely.
The captain stumbled forward.
"…What the—"
Axiom kept walking.
Didn't even turn.
Another swing came from behind.
Axiom leaned forward slightly.
Missed again.
Another.
Another.
Every time, Axiom just moved.
Smooth.
Natural.
Like water flowing around rocks.
Not fighting.
Not hitting.
Just… not getting hit.
The captain's face turned red.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
Axiom didn't even stop.
"…Going to class."
Behind them, the brunette blinked.
"…Did you see that?"
The blonde's eyes followed Axiom as he walked away.
"…Yeah…"
Her voice was quiet.
"…He didn't even try to fight back…"
The brunette smirked slightly.
"…But he didn't get hit once."
The blonde tilted her head a little, watching Axiom disappear down the hallway.
"…Who is he…?"
Behind them, the captain stood there, embarrassed, breathing hard.
And for the first time—
He looked like the idiot in the hallway.