Deep within a dimly lit laboratory
the soft, rhythmic flicker of countless indicator lights from a massive supercomputer cast shifting shadows across the room.
Rows of machines humd quietly, their presence forming a cold, chanical atmosphere.
At the center, a hunched old man in a white lab coat stood before an enormous display screen.
His back was slightly bent with age, yet his eyes were sharp, locked onto the footage playing in front of him with intense focus.
On the screen
scene after scene of combat replayed.
It was Caelum.
Every battle he fought across District 11 was being tracked, recorded, and analyzed in real ti.
Each movent, each strike, each fluctuation of energy had been broken down into precise data.
Beside the old man floated a white spherical robot.
Its smooth tallic surface reflected the glow of the screen as it spoke in a calm, emotionless tone.
"Power level: 120. Subject exhibits exceptional combat efficiency. Classified as a high-tier Martial Artist."
"Mm."
The old man narrowed his eyes slightly.
A strange glint flickered within them, sothing between curiosity and excitent.
"Not just strong... efficient, adaptable, and improving at an abnormal rate."
His lips slowly curled into a faint smile.
"I need more data. His growth speed is too interesting to ignore."
He leaned forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back.
"Send a unit. Let’s see how he responds to sothing... different."
"Command acknowledged."
The room fell silent for a brief mont.
Then, in a darker corner of the lab
a dormant machine ca to life.
A red light flickered.
chanical joints shifted with a soft hum.
A Sidarco Type I combat robot slowly powered up.
Its design was deceptively simple.
A round white body, compact limbs, no visible weapons.
At first glance, it looked almost harmless.
But beneath that exterior lay a highly adaptive combat system.
"Sleep mode terminated."
Its eyes glowed faintly.
"Mission initialized."
anwhile
District 11, central district.
Qi Harmonization Dojo.
Among all martial artists on the planet, this place was revered as a sanctuary.
A place where the understanding and application of energy had reached its peak.
Many of the most widely used energy techniques in the world had originated here.
Its disciples were known for their mastery.
Naturally
it beca Caelum’s next destination.
Yet
despite its reputation
the outco was almost disappointing.
Inside the dojo
students lay scattered across the ground.
So groaning, so unconscious.
None of them had lasted more than a few exchanges.
Caelum stood in the center, barely breathing harder than usual.
He had not even needed to try.
"My power level is only 120..."
He glanced around, slightly puzzled.
"And this is supposed to be one of the top dojos on the planet?"
The gap between expectation and reality was noticeable.
Just as he was about to lose interest
a voice sounded.
"Master!"
The fallen disciples imdiately straightened as much as they could, their expressions turning respectful.
An old man stepped forward.
His posture was relaxed, but his presence carried weight.
Caelum’s gaze sharpened slightly.
Through Energy Perception
he quickly evaluated the opponent.
"Power level... around 110."
Slightly lower than his own.
Not a huge difference, but enough.
From his recent battles
Caelum had already ford a clear understanding of combat scaling.
A difference of about ten percent led to a prolonged fight but with a clear advantage.
A difference of roughly fifteen percent ant near total suppression.
Anything larger would end instantly.
The master looked at Caelum for a mont.
Then
instead of tension
a smile appeared on his face.
"The younger generation really is sothing these days."
There was no hostility in his tone.
Only genuine appreciation.
"Thanks."
Caelum responded casually.
Then
without warning
he moved.
His figure vanished.
Instant Step Punch.
In the next mont, he was already in front of the master.
Lightning Fist followed imdiately.
A storm of strikes descended.
"So fast."
The master reacted instantly.
His body blurred as well.
He used the sa movent technique to keep up.
The space between them filled with afterimages.
Their figures flickered in and out of sight like flashes of light.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Every collision produced a sharp explosion of force.
Air pressure rippled outward with each exchange.
The disciples watching from the sidelines could barely follow what was happening.
"I can’t even see them clearly!"
"They’re too fast!"
Within the clash
Caelum’s vision was filled with sothing else entirely.
Light.
One after another
glowing orbs burst out from the master.
[Super Drop Rate triggered]
[Skill acquired: Flight Technique]
[Learn?]
[Yes]
...
[Super Drop Rate triggered]
[Skill acquired: Energy Burst]
[Learn?]
[Yes]
...
[Super Drop Rate triggered]
[Skill acquired: Triple Energy Cannon]
[Learn?]
[Yes]
...
Each new technique integrated instantly.
No delay.
No adjustnt period.
As if they had always been part of him.
And with each acquisition
his combat capability climbed higher.
Even though his displayed power level remained unchanged
his actual strength was evolving rapidly.
Energy Burst.
A technique that released all internal energy in a short burst, temporarily amplifying overall power.
An advanced thod.
Triple Energy Cannon.
A highly destructive technique that compressed and unleashed massive energy in one strike, multiplying its output.
Simple.
Direct.
Devastating.
Within monts
they had already exchanged over a hundred moves.
The difference in power began to show.
The master stepped back, breathing slightly heavier now.
"If close combat won’t do..."
His expression sharpened.
He brought his hands together, aligning them forward.
At the sa ti
Caelum mirrored the motion.
No hesitation.
Energy Cannon!
Energy Cannon!
Two blinding beams erupted simultaneously.
They tore through the air and collided head-on.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted.
The entire dojo trembled.
Shockwaves spread outward, tearing through everything in their path.
The disciples were thrown into the air like scattered leaves.
When the light finally faded
silence followed.
Then
one by one
bodies fell back to the ground.
Caelum stood still.
Calm. Unshaken.
Across from him
the master remained standing as well.
But the difference was clear.
His breathing was heavier.
His stance slightly less stable.
The outco was obvious.
Neither of them moved again.
There was no need.
The master let out a laugh.
"Hahaha. Kid, I don’t know where you learned that technique..."
"But you’ve got real talent."
He lowered his hands.
"I won’t hold anything against you."
He paused briefly.
"How about becoming my disciple? There’s still plenty I can teach you."
Caelum turned away without hesitation.
"No need."
He waved slightly.
"Thanks for the lesson."
In that short exchange
he had already learned everything.
There was nothing left to gain here.
Behind him
the master sighed.
"What a waste..."
Such talent.
If nurtured properly
he could have surpassed everyone.
Outside the dojo
Caelum found a quiet place.
He stood still, reviewing everything he had learned.
His control over energy had reached a new level.
Sensing, perception, manipulation, release.
All aspects had been refined.
More importantly
he could now freely shape energy into any form.
Spheres.
Beams.
Large-scale blasts.
All of it ca naturally.
As for close combat
Instant Step Punch and Lightning Fist were more than enough.
Speed and power decided everything.
The rest were unnecessary.
Just as he finished organizing his thoughts
a sudden flash streaked across the sky.
Before he could react further
an energy blast ca rushing toward him.
Fast.
Direct.
Hostile.
Caelum turned.
Without even thinking
he raised his hand and swatted it aside.
Boom!
The ground exploded.
A massive crater ford instantly.
Dust and debris scattered into the air.
Caelum looked up.
In the sky
a round white figure hovered silently.
A machine.
A robot.
"...A robot?"
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