The Ability Sparring Grounds sprawled across the eastern edge of Astra Technica University—a high-tech training facility where students tested their combat skills, honed their abilities, and settled friendly rivalries. Unlike standard gym facilities, this place was built for enhanced combat, equipped with gravity stabilizers, impact-reducing flooring, and adjustable environmental simulations.

  Mark stepped inside, the air buzzing with the familiar charge of energy. Combat arenas stretched across the facility, some students engaged in hand-to-hand practice, others locked in high-speed ability duels. Sparks flew in one ring as a pyrokinetic clashed with a water manipulator. In another, a girl with seismic control stomped the ground, sending a controlled tremor through her opponent’s footing.

  This was where people pushed themselves to the limit.

  And Mark? He was ready.

  Daniel nudged him. “Feeling nostalgic already?”

  Mark exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “Just thinking.”

  Daniel grinned. “You do that too much. Come on, let’s get a ring before someone takes all the good ones.”

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  They made their way to an open sparring ring, a circular arena lined with energy barriers to prevent stray attacks from hitting spectators. A sleek interface flickered to life, and Daniel tapped the settings panel.

  MATCH SETTINGS:

  → Power limiters active (Standard safety mode)

  → Auto-recovery threshold: 30% (No serious injuries permitted)

  → Battle Timer: No limit

  Daniel cracked his neck, stepping into the ring. “You know the drill. No holding back.”

  Mark smirked, rolling his wrists as he followed him in. “You say that, but last time, I wiped the floor with you.”

  Daniel scoffed. “Fluke.”

  Mark exhaled, steadying himself. He had been sparring for a year now, but the rush never faded. The thrill of movement, the heat of battle, the way instincts took over—it was intoxicating.

  The arena’s AI voice rang out. “Combatants ready. Begin.”

  Daniel disappeared.

  A burst of wind exploded from his position as he vanished in an instant, reappearing at in front of Mark mid-strike. Mark barely had time to react—Daniel was fast. Too fast.

  Mark pivoted, instinct kicking in as shadows coiled around his arms. A black shield formed in his forearm, deflecting Daniel’s first strike, but the next one was already coming.

  Daniel moved like a storm—erratic, relentless, unpredictable.

  Mark’s mind sharpened. He wasn’t slow, but he needed control to counter someone like Daniel. He stepped back, adjusting his stance, shadows erupting into spikes around him to force distance.

  Daniel grinned. “Come on, Mark. Show me what you’ve got.”

  Mark let out a breath. His heartbeat steadied. The thrill was rising now, coursing through his veins.

  He tightened his fists, eyes glowing with determination.

  "Let's go."