Bobby rests in the infirmary, wrapped in bandages from the forbidden technique Lian used against him. But he doesn't sit idle. His mind races.
He replays the battle — Lian Ascendancy Lian's stance, the shift in his breath, the moment Oblivion Storm Reaper ignited. How the winds curved unnaturally, slicing with raw intent.
Bobby (thinking):
"How does that technique even work…?"
He studies it — not with resonance, but with reason.
Despite his injuries, Bobby begins to move. He trains quietly at night: slow stances, breathing exercises, reaction drills — replicating Lian's footwork with mechanical precision. He may not have resonance…
But his body remembers everything.
—
Meanwhile, the other prodigies are pushing their limits.
Lara Blaze seeks out her uncle — a sharp-tongued Rael Blaze master from the Spark Clan — and begs him to teach her the basics of lightning flow. Under storm-choked skies, she trains brutally, balancing her natural fire Vein with raw volt pulses. Sparks whip around her fists as she refines a hybrid technique:
→ Inferno Spark — a controlled burst of fire cloaked in lightning, made for piercing defences.
Shade Sol isolates himself in the northern forest. Alone. Unseen. He hones his shadow craft by vanishing in mid-step, throwing blades of condensed darkness at moving targets.
→ Phantom Rift — a movement technique that blends teleport-like bursts with short-range illusions.
Marin Flow spars daily with Rhea Lux under a waterfall ridge. The sound of crashing water echoes as radiant arcs clash against flowing spirals. Their bond deepens through battle.
→ Marin refines: Tidal Crescent Dance — a rapid, sweeping strike of rotating water.
→ Rhea unveils: Luminous Cross Radiance — a blinding X-shaped burst of light that stuns the opponent mid-attack.
Kael Zephyr tests his aerial technique over the cliff basin. He creates updrafts with a single hand flick.
→ Sky Vortex Fang — a spinning cyclone claw that lifts and slices the enemy mid-air.
⚡ Dren Bolt sharpens his strikes with weighted cuffs. His new move:
→ Thunder Fang Howl — a twin-fist lightning impact that echoes like a beast's roar.
—
The entire camp becomes electric with training, tension, and transformation.
Scene: A quiet village porch — evening A father sips warm tea as the sky turns gold. His son, a young trainee from the camp, lounges nearby, watching the flickering lanterns
Father (smirking):
"The Resonance Clash is coming. Let's see how this year turns out."
Son (half-curious):
"You're excited. Isn't it just another tournament?"
Father (chuckles):
"It's not just a tournament. Not everyone gets to enter the Clash. Only a few students are chosen."
Son (blinks):
"Chosen? By who?"
Father (quietly):
"No one knows. There's an evaluator — someone who watches in secret. No one ever sees them, not even the teachers."
Son:
"Then how do we know who's selected?"
Father:
"Exactly ten days before the Clash begins… the evaluator sends the list. No names before that. No clues. Just a sealed list delivered to the instructors."
Son (tense):
"So when we find out… we're just told?"
Father (nods):
"Yes — told privately. One by one. And here's the catch…"
(leans in)
Father (firm):
"If a student tells anyone they've been selected — anyone at all — they're immediately disqualified."
Son (wide-eyed):
"Seriously? Even by accident?"
Father:
"Makes no difference. The rule is simple: if you're chosen, stay silent until the Clash begins. Break that silence… and you're out."
The Grand Resonance Clash draws near.
Weeks pass.
And Finally, The Grand Resonance Clash Begins….
The amphitheater opens beneath a sky of blazing banners and swirling breeze. The clan leaders have arrived and now sit high in their seats. Villagers from every direction fill the stone bleachers, buzzing with excitement.
Marin arrives at the arena, her eyes scanning the crowd until she spots Lara standing alone. She walks up quickly.
Marin:
"Lara! So… you were selected too?"
Lara (nodding softly):
"Yeah… looks like it."
Before they can speak more, Rhea appears behind them.
Rhea (smiling):
"Hey, you two! Looks like we're all in this together."
She then notices someone approaching from the side.
Rhea (calling out):
"Kael! Over here!"
Kael walks over and gives a calm nod.
At that moment, Lara glances toward the other end of the arena and spots someone.
Lara (smiling):
"Dren! You made it too?"
Dren (joining the group):
"Of course I did."
As they all gather, Dren looks around, frowning slightly.
Dren:
"Where are Shade and Lian? I haven't seen them… maybe they weren't selected?"
Rhea (crossing her arms):
"No way. They're stronger than most of us. I'm sure they'll show up."
Kael (calmly):
"They're probably just running late."
Marin's eyes shift toward a quiet corner near the arena walls.
Marin (softly):
"Wait… look over there."
They all glance in that direction.
Lian is seen speaking with his father, Zane vey, quietly.
Not far from him, Shade stands beside a cloaked man with sharp eyes — his father, Vex Sol.
**(The group notices Bobby approaching) **
Rhea: "Hey, look… it's Bobby."
Rhea: "Why is he here?"
Dren: "So… that means he was selected too?"
Marin: "But… he's an outsider. And he doesn't even have resonance, right?"
Lara: "How can he even fight?"
Rhea: "He doesn't even stand a chance."
Kael: "You're right, Rhea. With our resonance, we could defeat him easily. But…"
Kael: "When it came to close combat — he stood toe-to-toe with Lian."
Kael: "And if you've noticed, his hands are always covered in wounds. That means he's been training… rigorously."
Kael (looking serious): "Even though we avoid him, even though no one talks to him — and some even tease him — he still comes to camp. Every day."
Kael: "So don't underestimate him."
Lara (watching Bobby quietly): "We'll see about that."