Across the Starbound Sea

Two months had passed since Luca and his team competed with the other group. Luca got a sword made of Luminite steel and a healing potion. Day after day, he practiced blindfolding himself, focusing on sensing his surroundings. At first, it seemed like he wasn't making much progress, but over time, something unusual happened.

Luca discovered that if he dispersed the Luminis from his hands into the ground, he could feel faint vibrations of objects moving nearby. It wasn't perfect, with a range of only a few meters.

He tested it several times. For example, when a squirrel hopped across the forest floor, he could sense the tiny movements. If a branch fell or a breeze rustled the leaves, he felt the subtle shifts through the ground.

Excited by his discovery, Luca began experimenting with spreading Luminis through his legs. At first, channelling Luminis through his legs felt awkward. He had never practiced using his legs to channel Luminis. Sword training had always focused on his hands, so this was entirely new territory.

The first few tries were frustrating. Luca attempted to channel Luminis from his legs into the ground, but nothing happened. It felt like trying to move a heavy weight that wouldn't budge. Still, Luca didn't give up. He practiced daily, starting with small bursts of Luminis. Over time, he managed to get the flow moving, albeit slowly.

By the end of the two months, Luca had made progress. He could now channel Luminis from his legs into the ground, just as he could with his hands. This allowed him to sense movements more naturally while walking or standing still. The range was limited, but enough to detect footsteps, falling branches, or shifting stones.

What Luca didn't realize was that his new technique resembled methods used by advanced practitioners like those in the Radiant Core Stage. At their level, sensing movements across the land was common, and their range stretched far beyond his. But for someone at the Essence Flow Stage, Luca's ability was remarkable.

Despite his success, there were challenges. Sensing through his feet required more concentration than using his hands, and it left him drained after a while. His Luminis reserves were limited, so he had to pace himself. Additionally, the ground itself could sometimes interfere. On rocky or uneven surfaces, the signals became harder to interpret.

One evening, as Luca rested under the trees after training, he thought about his next steps.

"If I improve this skill, I can use it during missions," he muttered to himself. "It could be really useful in dangerous areas or during fights."

Luca also realized he needed more military merits to access the Library Hall. The scrolls there might contain advanced techniques that could help him refine his abilities. With only 10 merits earned so far, he still had 50 to go.

"I'll keep practicing and take on harder missions," Luca decided, his determination growing. "If I can sense more, I'll have an edge no one expects."

*****

That evening, the sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a faint orange glow over the camp. The air was unusually still, and Luca noticed a sense of unease among the soldiers as they moved about briskly. The usual chatter and laughter were absent, replaced by hushed murmurs and hurried footsteps.

Luca stood near the barracks, trying to figure out what was happening when Instructor Aaron's booming voice cut through the tension.

"All groups, assemble!" he called, his tone sharper than usual.

Luca and his teammates quickly joined the gathering. Around them, other squads were converging as well, forming a large crowd in the open training field. The instructor stood before them, his expression grim and his eyes scanning the assembly to ensure everyone was present.

"Listen carefully," Aaron began, his voice steady but firm. "There's been unusual activity near the corrupted Caldruva Mountains. We suspect an attack by corrupted mystical creatures might be imminent."

The crowd shifted uneasily. The mention of the Caldruva Mountains sent a ripple of fear through the group. Everyone knew the dangers, even if most had never seen the creatures themselves.

Aaron raised his hand, commanding silence. "Stay in the camp and remain alert. This is a direct order."

With those words, he turned and walked briskly toward the camp's fortified walls. The soldiers on duty immediately began taking positions, their movements sharp and practiced.

Luca stood with his team, the tension among them palpable. The whispers of their peers swirled around them, soft but filled with worry.

Then it came, a faint rumble beneath their feet. At first, it was so subtle that Luca thought he might have imagined it. But soon, the vibrations grew stronger, like distant thunder rolling closer. His breath caught as he spread Luminis through his feet, trying to make sense of the movements. The sensations were chaotic, unsteady, and overwhelming. Something big was moving out there.

Suddenly, the soldiers on the walls sprang into action. Shouts echoed through the air, orders being barked back and forth. Luca could hear the creak of bows being drawn and the hiss of arrows flying through the night.

Flashes of light lit up the darkness as the arrows ignited on impact far beyond the wall. Luca craned his neck, straining to hear or see more, but the wall blocked everything beyond it. All they could do was listen as the soldiers prepared for what seemed like an imminent battle.

The air was thick with tension. Faint roars echoed in the distance, unlike anything Luca had encountered. Each sound made his heart race faster, his grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, even though he knew they weren't expected to fight.

"Hold the line!" a guard's voice boomed from the walls, followed by the sound of more arrows being loosed into the night.

Luca's focus remained sharp. The vibrations beneath his feet were erratic, making it difficult to gauge exactly what was happening. But one thing was clear, something dangerous was out there, and it was getting closer.

The distant roars grew louder, and the trembling ground seemed to echo the heartbeat of every person in the camp. Luca clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm. For now, all they could do was wait, as danger crept closer.

______________________

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