The familiar, heavy weight of four-fold gravity vanished, leaving Nero feeling strangely light and buoyant. He took a deep, grateful breath of normal air, his body throbbing with the satisfying ache of a brutal victory. As he turned to leave the specialized chamber, a figure near the main training grounds entrance caught his eye.
It was a man with a powerful, compact physique that spoke of decades of disciplined training. He wore the distinctive silver and blue livery of the Leclair house guards. The other trainees in the area gave him a wide berth and respectful nods. Nero recognized him—one of Lux's personal guards, a man who occasionally stood watch during their gatherings. More importantly, Nero could feel the dense, stable pressure emanating from him. This was a Purple Knight, a full stage above Nero's own official rank.
