Training didn't feel the same anymore.
Before, it was about control. Precision. Learning how their abilities worked.
Now—it was about pushing past that.
Jovian stood across from Alaric, both of them ready.
"Don't hold back," Jovian said.
"I wasn't planning to," Alaric replied.
Golden Cavalier appeared instantly.
Vital Mirage followed.
The clash came fast.
Stronger than before.
Jovian didn't just react this time—he pressed forward, forcing the pace, forcing movement. Vital Mirage struck rapidly, each hit tighter, more controlled.
Alaric adapted, blocking, redirecting, countering with precision.
But something was different.
Jovian felt it.
Not outside.
Inside.
A shift in how Vital Mirage moved.
It wasn't just following commands anymore.
It was anticipating them.
Acting faster than thought.
The next strike landed clean.
Alaric stepped back, just slightly.
"…There it is," he said.
Jovian paused.
"…What?"
"You're syncing better," Alaric replied.
Lucien watched from the side. "…Not just better. Faster."
Iggy smirked faintly. "About time."
Jovian looked at Vital Mirage.
It stood still now, but its presence felt sharper. More defined.
"…It's changing," he said quietly.
Lucien shook his head.
"No," he corrected.
"You are."
Jovian didn't respond.
But he understood.
And somewhere far beyond them—
Something else was changing too.