A decade ago…
Inside a private, high-tech training room within Aegis Academy, the air crackled with residual resonance energy. A middle-aged man, Instructor Seojar, stood with his arms crossed behind his back. His expression was stern and focused.
"Again, Callahan!" Seojar commanded loudly. "Put some intent behind it this time!"
Across the room, young Wes grit his teeth. Sweat plastered his blond hair to his forehead, but determination burned in his eyes. Aroth, his gelatinous Character, bobbed eagerly beside him.
"HYAAAH!"
Wes roared and charged forward again. Aroth zipped alongside him. As he leaped, Wes focused his will through his Resonance Socket. "Partial Characterization!"
Swish!
Aroth split into two identical halves. Each half flowed rapidly towards Wes's hands where they merged seamlessly with his skin. Viscous, translucent white energy solidified around his forearms and fists, forming oversized gauntlets that looked like raw, ghostly muscle – Ghost Meat arms.
Rumble!
The air around them roared with power.
"Here I come! HYAAA!"
He descended towards Seojar fiercely. Just like the previous attempts, Wes's empowered fists slammed into an invisible Resonance Barrier projected by the instructor. But this time, the impact felt different. The barrier groaned audibly. The Ghost Meat arms didn't just rebound; they pushed inwards until penetrated the shimmering defense by several inches.
With a sharp crack, the barrier shattered. Seojar, surprised, was forced to sidestep quickly to avoid the follow-through blow.
Wes landed heavily, breathing hard. His Character's arms slowly dissipated back into Aroth, who reformed beside him, oscillating proudly.
Seojar straightened up and regarded Wes with newfound respect. "Impressive, Callahan. Real progress. You actually breached my Cat-2 equivalent barrier."
Wes grinned, exhilarated. "Let's go again! I can do better!"
"No."
Seojar held up a hand and ended the session.
"That's enough for today. You're learning fast. Keep this pace, refine your control… your Resonance output should reach E-Rank within a few months." He gave Wes a rare nod of approval. "You have significant potential."
The praise inflated Wes's already considerable ego. He deactivated Aroth, letting it fade back into his Socket, then swaggered off the training platform towards the waiting area.
An attendant, a young woman assigned to him personally, immediately rushed forward with a towel. "Wonderful work, Young Master Wes! Truly incredible!" She dabbed sweat from his forehead.
"Naturally," Wes replied smugly. He slumped into a plush chair while the attendant offered him nutrient water. "Have my parents arrived yet?"
"Yes, Young Master," the attendant confirmed with a smile. "They returned this morning and await you at the estate."
"Excellent." Wes's mood brightened considerably. Finally, he could show them his progress firsthand.
…
Meanwhile, in an observation room overlooking the training grounds, Seojar met with Headmaster Thorne.
"The boy's progress is astonishing, Headmaster," Seojar reported. "His control over Partial Characterization developed weeks ahead of schedule. His raw Resonance output is climbing steadily."
Gadkrill stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Excellent. He will be a formidable contender in the upcoming Junior Harmonic Gauntlet. A victory for Callahan would reflect well on Aegis."
"Indeed," Seojar agreed. "Though, there is another student…" He paused. "Elizabeth Pellesh. Her development is less explosive than Callahan's, but her control, her precision… it's remarkably refined for her age. She's a slow burn, perhaps, but I believe her potential ceiling might eventually surpass his." Seojar hesitated slightly. "And Callahan's attitude… his arrogance is becoming pronounced."
Gadkrill Thorne chuckled softly. "He's young, Seojar. Confident. Let him enjoy his youth. Adversity will temper him soon enough."
…
Wes exited the training facility into the Academy grounds. He almost immediately spotted Duvalo Brando jogging towards him, face beaming.
"Wes! I heard you broke Instructor Seojar's barrier! That's amazing!"
Wes preened under the praise. "Of course, I did. Partial Characterization is easy now." He looked Duvalo up and down critically. "How's your training? Still struggling with basic energy projection?"
Duvalo flushed slightly but nodded eagerly. "I'm getting better! My Resonance Signature hit 35% yesterday! And I can almost sustain a Kinetic shield for five seconds!"
Wes barely suppressed a scoff. 35%? Pathetic.
"Oh, Wes," Duvalo remembered suddenly. "You promised… that private training session? To help me with my resonance flow?"
Wes waved a dismissive hand. "Busy. Maybe later."
His attention snagged on a figure emerging from a different training building across the quad – Elizabeth Pellesh, surrounded by a small group of admiring female students. A familiar flicker of rivalry ignited within him. She was the only one remotely close to his level.
"Hey, Duvalo," Wes asked casually, nodding towards Elizabeth. "How's Pellesh doing? Still trailing behind me?"
Duvalo's eyes lit up again, but this time with a different kind of admiration. "Trailing? Wes, she's incredible! She mastered Partial Characterization two days ago! Her control is so elegant, like dancing!"
Wes stopped walking. He almost tripped over his own feet. "Two days ago?"
He had only managed it yesterday. A sour knot formed in his stomach. Elizabeth… better than him? Faster than him? He didn't like that one bit.
Duvalo, oblivious to Wes's internal turmoil, continued enthusiastically. "And she's not just powerful, she's… well, she's really beautiful, don't you think? So focused, so graceful…" He blushed slightly. "Honestly, Wes, you're so confident… any tips? You know… for talking to girls like her?"
Wes stared at Duvalo with disgust twisting his features. Tips? For talking to his rival? He felt a strange, possessive anger. "Are you serious?" Wes snapped. "Do you… Do you like her more than you admire me now?"
Duvalo looked startled and confused by the question. "What? No! Wes, you're the strongest! I just meant–"
"Forget it." Wes cut him off sharply and turned away. He didn't care about Duvalo's pathetic crush or Elizabeth's supposed progress. "I'm going home. My parents are back."
He stalked towards the Academy gates where a luxurious hover-car waited, its polished surface contrasted the standard Academy transports. He climbed in without a backward glance at Duvalo.
…
The Callahan estate was opulent, a show of his family's wealth and influence. Wes burst through the doors, overjoyed to see his parents waiting in the grand foyer.
"Mom! Dad! You're back!"
He rushed forward, immediately launching into a breathless recounting of his achievements.
"Ninety-nine percent sync! A Category 3-Omega Character! My Resonance is 82%! Instructor Seojar said I could reach E-Rank soon! I beat his barrier today!"
His parents listened with proud smiles. His father, a sharp man in expensive clothes, clapped him on the shoulder. "Excellent, son! Excellent! We knew you had potential. We'll invest more resources, find you the best private tutors, perhaps transfer you to a more prestigious academy upstate–"
"No, Dad, I like Aegis," Wes interrupted. "Headmaster Thorne takes good care of me, and Instructor Seojar is pushing me hard."
"Nonsense," his mother, elegant and composed, interjected smoothly. "Our son deserves only the absolute best. We will discuss it further."
"Oh, ok!" Wes readily agreed with that sentiment.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a small whirlwind launched itself at Wes's legs. "Wes! Wes! Piggyback ride!" His younger sister, Ester, barely six years old, giggled infectiously.
Wes groaned. "Not now, Ester, I'm tired."
"Go on, Wes," his mother prompted gently. "Wash up quickly. We have important guests arriving shortly for dinner."
"Alright mom!"
After a quick shower, Wes changed into expensive casual wear in his lavishly decorated room.
Ester, however, was persistent. She crept up behind him, leaped onto his back with surprising agility, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Giddy-up, horsey!"
"Ester, get off!" Wes protested as he stumbled slightly.
Just then, a servant appeared at the door. "Young Master Wes, your parents request your presence in the main living room."
Wes sighed, resigned. "Fine." With Ester still clinging to his shoulders like a cheerful limpet, he walked out of his room and towards the living area.
He stepped into the room and stopped short. His parents stood conversing politely with another couple – elegantly dressed, radiating an aura of old money and quiet power. Standing beside them, looking composed but distinctly uncomfortable, was Elizabeth Pellesh.
Wes's jaw dropped slightly. Ester peered around his head curiously.
"W-What are you doing here?" Wes blurted out, pointing directly at Elizabeth.
His mother shot him a warning look. "Wes, manners! It seems you are already acquainted with Miss Pellesh?"
Wes's father stepped forward and placed a hand on Wes's shoulder. "Son, allow me to introduce Lord Valerius and Lady Anya Pellesh." He gestured to the couple. "And their daughter, Elizabeth." He paused and became more serious. "We have invited them here tonight to discuss a matter of great importance to both our families, and indeed, to the future of our respective conglomerates."
He looked from Wes to Elizabeth, then back again.
"Wes, Elizabeth… your mother and I, along with Lord and Lady Pellesh, have agreed. To solidify our alliance and ensure mutual prosperity for generations to come… we have arranged for your marriage."
The words hit Wes like a physical shockwave. "Marriage?! To her?! You can't be serious!"
Elizabeth remained outwardly impassive, her face was a mask of polite neutrality, but Wes thought he saw a flicker of utter disgust deep within her eyes before she quickly schooled her features. She knew her duty to her family, however unpleasant.