"OBSERVER!"

No answer came. He frowned.

"I guess it must've all been a dream."

He rose, bathed, and dressed. Outside the cabin, Oren waited.

"Take your shirt off. It's time for your last training."

Rey rubbed his eyes.

"What? It's too early, and I'm not at full strength yet."

Oren produced a small vial of pale liquid.

"Drink this."

Rey hesitated only a moment before tipping it back. He swallowed in one gulp. Oren watched impassively.

Rey blinked, then grinned.

"Wow… I feel like a brand-new man."

Oren nodded.

"It boosts your strength, speed, and stamina. Now—shall we begin? Or would you rather stay here another three years training with me?"

Before Rey could answer, Oren closed his eyes and began bouncing on the balls of his feet. As Rey set down the empty vial, Oren suddenly reappeared inches from his face, right arm drawn back in a punch.

A voice inside yelled, "Jump!"

Rey reacted on instinct, leaping high—just clearing Oren's blow.

"You didn't tell me I should prepare!" Rey called back, rolling as he landed.

He cracked his knuckles, a fierce smile spreading over his face.

"So that's how it's going to be, huh?"

Rey lunged forward, ready to charge. But again Oren vanished and reappeared immediately before him.

How's he doing that? Rey wondered.

Oren's fist connected with Rey's cheek, sending him flying through the air. Rey had no time to brace himself—no wind magic to slow his descent. He crashed to the hard ground, agony exploding through his body. Blood spattered as he coughed.

He staggered to his feet but collapsed under the pain, losing consciousness.

A calm whisper filled his mind.

"Master—may I take control of your body?"

Rey's vision clouded, but he managed to respond aloud,

"I don't know who you are—we only met yesterday—but… if you can help me win, then do it."

Still… how did he reach me twice without sensing him? Rey thought.

"Don't worry, Master," the voice—OBSERVER—replied. "I will guard your body."

Oren strode over to Rey's unmoving form. As he approached, a wisp of smoke curled where Rey had lain—and then vanished entirely.

Oren spun left—nothing. Right—nothing. Up—his jaw dropped.

High above, Rey plummeted through the sky. His eyes shone red with bloodlust, and a dark, crackling aura of raw power radiated from him.

In a heartbeat, Rey reappeared beneath Oren. With barely a pause, he delivered a devastating uppercut that sent Oren hurtling backward—shockwaves rippling across the clearing.

Oren landed hard, unconscious.

Rey dropped to one knee, chest heaving. The mountain air felt electric around him.

Inside his mind, OBSERVER's voice purred approval:

"Master… we are victorious."

Rey closed his eyes, savoring the moment. He had passed the final trial—and awakened a power far beyond his imagining.