1. The Academy's Scrutiny
The return to the Academy was anything but restful. As soon as Roy stepped through the main security gate, his SS-rank Fluxite core, now radiating a visible crimson-blue aura, screamed across the campus's passive Pulsar sensors.
Within minutes, an official summons arrived.
Headmaster Silus, his face drawn tight with political stress, stood behind his desk, flanked by several austere-looking council members.
"Pulsar Umbryon," Silus began, his voice cold. "You returned from unauthorized training with an unauthorized, assimilated S-rank Core, resulting in an unprecedented SS-rank resonance."
Roy stood firm. "The Core was a gift for saving a high-ranking family, sir. It chose to assimilate immediately, as documented by Taro."
One council member, Councilor Vonn, leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. "Chose? Your core is dangerously unstable, Umbryon. It exhibits 2.5 resonance—a full point above maximum safe A-rank levels. The regulations state that any uncontrolled SS-rank Pulsar must be placed under observation and elemental containment until the core can be stabilized, or—failing that—removed."
Jean stepped forward immediately, her Pyrrion aura flaring instinctively. "The containment protocols were written for Neutron-corrupted Cores, not natural advancement, Councilor. Roy's control is disciplined."
"Discipline is irrelevant when the power level threatens city infrastructure, Selvan!" Vonn snapped. "We cannot risk an unguided SS-rank roaming the city while the Vanes of Despair are active!"
Roy felt the weight of the political structure crushing down on him. His Fluxite core hummed defensively. He was suddenly no longer a hero—he was a threat.
Silus held up a hand. "We will defer to Lord Selvan's judgment. Roy, you are confined to the Selvan estate until a stabilization plan is approved. You are too valuable to risk, but too volatile to ignore."
2. Lord Arcel's Briefing: Beyond Pulsars
Back at the Selvan estate, Lord Arcel led the team to his private library, drawing maps and diagrams that looked centuries old. He dismissed their confinement with a wave of his hand.
"The Academy fears what it cannot control," Arcel said, pointing to a diagram of a pulsing planet core. "Your SS-rank Fluxite is a miracle, Roy, but it draws energy from deep sources. To control it, you need more than our human understanding of Pulsars."
He tapped the diagram. "When the great Puls release occurred eons ago, only two major groups stabilized their evolution: Humans (Pulsars) and Neutrons (Corrupted). But the Pulsar energy radiated unevenly across the planet, triggering six unique evolutionary paths in different regions."
Jean frowned. "Six? We only know of us and the Neutrons."
"Precisely," Arcel said. "The other five tribes took unique evolutionary routes, adapting the raw Puls energy to their ancient life forms. They chose survival and harmony, not conflict or corruption. You must seek them out, Roy. Their specialized knowledge is the key to stabilizing your SS-rank core."
Arcel began detailing the groups, tapping the map as he spoke:
Tribe 1: The Faelis (Cat Tribe)
* Region: The fertile Vergo Region.
* Evolution: They evolved into humanoid features but retain lithe agility, sharp senses, and distinct cat-like ears and tails. Their core energies are often tied to speed and detection.
* Status: Highly community-focused and friendly to humans.
* Knowledge: Masters of Fluxite detection and non-combat stealth.
Tribe 2: The Dendron (Tree Tribe)
* Region: The ancient, misty Tera Storm Forest.
* Evolution: Evolved from ancient tree life. They are immobile but can communicate telepathically. Their lifespans measure in millennia.
* Status: Peaceful and incredibly knowledgeable.
* Knowledge: They hold the true history of the Puls release and deep knowledge of Pulsarite origins and stability.
Tribe 3: The Draconis (Reptilian Tribe)
* Region: The highly volcanic, hot Solaris Region.
* Evolution: Evolved from reptilian forms, they are stealthy, strong, and some exhibit minor, proto-dragon features (scales, elemental heat resistance).
* Status: Primarily isolationist, but honorable and loyal once trust is earned.
* Knowledge: Expertise in Voltaris (fire) and Terralith (earth) elemental control and defense.
Tribe 4: The Glacian (Ice Wolf Tribe)
* Region: The frozen Ice Wolf Peaks.
* Evolution: Evolved from apex canines, they possess heightened senses and Veyra (water) elemental ability, allowing them to convert water into powerful ice structures for offense and defense.
* Status: Fiercely territorial but pragmatic and respectful of strength.
* Knowledge: Unmatched control over fluid elemental state changes.
Tribe 5: The Shadeshift (Shadow Tribe)
* Region: The perpetual darkness of the Umbryon Valley.
* Evolution: Evolved to thrive in the deepest shadows, they are naturally adept at blending and controlling darkness and silence. They are highly territorial.
* Status: Mysterious and rarely seen; they possess the deepest understanding of true Umbryon energy.
* Knowledge: Mastery over Shadow/Void energy manipulation and stealth.
"Each tribe found a way to utilize Puls energy without risking the Neutron corruption," Arcel finished. "You need their guidance, Roy. You need to broaden your Fluxite resonance beyond human constraints."
3. The New Mission: Stabilization
Jean immediately saw the opportunity. "The Academy wants stability, Father. This is the only way to achieve it without containment. We can frame it as a research expedition."
Taro, already running calculations, nodded. "The Faelis are the closest and most diplomatic. Their expertise in Fluxite detection and subtle control would be ideal for tuning Roy's SS-rank resonance without destabilizing the core. We need to go to the Vergo Region first."
Lyra grinned, her eyes glinting. "I've always wanted to meet the cat people! And they're friendly? Perfect. Beats chasing Neutrons."
Kira stepped forward, her shield clicking against her armor. "We move as a team, regardless of the mission profile. This is still dangerous, uncharted territory."
Arcel looked at Roy. "This is an unauthorized, potentially career-ending expedition. But it is necessary. The Vanes are hunting legendary power; you are now becoming that legend. Stabilization is key."
Roy felt the low, demanding rumble of the SS-rank Fluxite core in his chest—a controlled, deep crimson-blue now. He was strong, but incomplete. He needed mastery.
"We go to the Vergo Region," Roy stated, resolve hardening his features. "We stabilize the core. We learn what the world is hiding."
Jean's Pyrrion flames pulsed with renewed vigor, ready for the journey. "Then let's move, Umbryon. We have five tribes to visit, and an SS-rank core to tame."
1. The Long Road to Vergo
The team was less than twenty hours out from the fertile Vergo Region, traveling across the desolate Dead Zone—a vast, scarred territory of unstable Fluxite signatures, prone to dimensional tears and environmental decay. This path was chosen precisely because it was non-standard and avoided most major checkpoints, minimizing attention from the Academy Council.
They traveled low, their shielded Skimmer relying on passive anti-gravity instead of noisy Pulsar drives.
Taro monitored the scanners, his brow furrowed. "SS-rank resonance is stable at 2.5, Roy, but your internal Fluxite signature is huge. We are a beacon to any high-level sensor array."
Roy, wearing thick, layered Umbryon suppression gauntlets provided by Lord Arcel, felt the constant, demanding warmth of the core in his chest. It no longer just hummed; it thrummed with potential. "I'm doing everything I can, Taro. These gauntlets are barely holding the dispersion."
Jean sat beside him, her gaze scanning the broken horizon. "We're too exposed. The moment we reach the Faelis, we drop the profile. Until then, stay focused. The Vanes know Arcel's house failed, they'll assume we are transporting the Core."
Lyra was silent, unusual for her, her water blades ready but sheathed. "It's too quiet. Not even low-level Neutrons. This whole zone feels… wrong."
Kira tightened her grip on her shield. "It's a trap. Get ready."
2. Arrival of the Strikers
The ambush was swift and coordinated.
Three separate dimensional rifts, crackling with dark, corrosive energy, tore open simultaneously around the Skimmer.
Four hooded figures, the Vanes Strikers, poured out. They were clad in reinforced black armor etched with the jagged Spiral sigil and armed with Pulsarite-draining blades.
Their leader stepped forward—a massive, scarred man known only by his cult designation: The Wretch. His eyes glowed crimson, and his entire body radiated a corrupted, unstable Pyrrion-Terralith mix. He was a low-tier A-rank Pulsar, now a high-tier Vanes Lieutenant.
"The Core is forfeit, Umbryon," The Wretch hissed, his voice grating like stone. "The Vanes of Despair reclaim the power for the Alignment!"
The Skimmer's engines died instantly, drained by a sudden pulse of Null energy from the cultists.
"Contact! Eject! Move! Take the Wretch, Roy!" Jean screamed, her Pyrrion flames erupting violently as she launched herself at the nearest Vanes Striker.
3. The Test of SS-Rank Control
Roy didn't hesitate. He burst out of the skimmer, pulling his dual pistols.
The Wretch charged directly at Roy, ignoring Kira's intercepting shield. "The SS-Rank Core is the key! We take it intact!"
Roy fired. Wind-guided rounds slammed into The Wretch's chest plate. The Wretch barely flinched, the corrupted Pulsarite armor absorbing the impact.
"Weak! That's A-rank fodder power!" The Wretch roared, swinging a massive, drain-bladed axe.
Roy dodged, feeling the freezing proximity of the Null energy. He dropped the pistols and drew his Shadow blades, channeling pure SS-rank Fluxite resonance directly into the steel. The blades didn't just glow; they shrieked, wrapped in swirling crimson-blue Umbryon energy.
He parried The Wretch's next swing—and the pure power of the SS-rank Fluxite was shockingly destructive. The cultist's drain-blade shattered instantly, sending shards of inert Pulsarite skittering across the dust.
"Impossible!" The Wretch gasped, staring at his ruined weapon.
Roy felt the adrenaline rush, but also the dangerous spike in his core. The resonance was too high, too hot. He was barely controlling the raw output.
4. Team Synchronization and Backlash
While Roy struggled with his power, the team fought with flawless A-rank synchronization.
* Jean utilized a complex series of Pyrrion explosions, managing to seal one of the dimensional rifts, cutting off a cultist's escape route.
* Lyra summoned thick, razor-sharp ice spears (Veyra adaptation) to pierce the armor of the cultists attacking Kira.
* Kira fought two-on-one, her Terralith shield absorbing and redirecting the Null energy spikes, protecting Taro as he worked.
* Taro focused his Puls energy entirely on Roy, creating a temporary containment field around his chest. "Roy! Containment field active! Stabilize the core! You are leaking power!"
The Wretch, unarmed, lunged for Roy's chest. "We will carve it out of you!"
Roy screamed as he forced the entire output of his SS-rank core through a single, devastating Shadow punch. It wasn't an elemental attack; it was a sheer, terrifying blast of raw, uncontrolled Fluxite energy.
The punch didn't just strike The Wretch; it vaporized his torso instantly, leaving only legs and ash, the crimson-blue light searing the ground.
The three remaining Strikers immediately retreated through the open rifts, terrified by the instantaneous obliteration of their leader.
5. Fallout and The Cost
Silence returned, thick and choking. Taro immediately dropped his Puls barrier and rushed to Roy.
Roy was on his knees, panting, the crimson-blue aura burning away the suppression gauntlets. The fight had lasted less than ninety seconds, but the effort to control the SS-rank output had been monumental.
"Status!" Jean demanded, running over, her flames extinguished.
Taro quickly scanned Roy's core. "Fluxite resonance surged to 3.0 during that final strike. The containment failed. Roy, you just expended enough energy to power a small city for a month. You are completely drained."
Roy tried to stand but stumbled, his body weak and aching. "I… I didn't choose that power level. It just… responded."
Kira looked at the spot where The Wretch stood. Nothing remained but a scorch mark. "The Vanes now know two things: The SS-rank core is real, and it is lethally effective. We are a priority target now, not just a nuisance."
Lyra recovered the empty Skimmer, shaking her head. "And we just destroyed Lord Arcel's expensive Pulsarite gauntlets. We need the Faelis, and we need them fast."
Jean helped Roy into the damaged Skimmer, her touch firm. "Get us moving, Taro. Fast. That level of power usage must have been detected continent-wide. The Academy, the Vanes, and everyone in between knows exactly where the SS-rank Pulsar is."
The Skimmer sputtered to life, limping away from the silent, ash-filled kill zone. The SS-rank core, now quiet, felt less like a gift and more like a ticking time bomb.