Deep within a dimly lit laboratory

the soft, rhythmic flicker of countless indicator lights from a massive supercomputer cast shifting shadows across the room.

Rows of machines hummed quietly, their presence forming a cold, mechanical atmosphere.

At the center, a hunched old man in a white lab coat stood before an enormous display screen.

His back was slightly bent with age, yet his eyes were sharp, locked onto the footage playing in front of him with intense focus.

On the screen

scene after scene of combat replayed.

It was Caelum.

Every battle he fought across District 11 was being tracked, recorded, and analyzed in real time.

Each movement, each strike, each fluctuation of energy had been broken down into precise data.

Beside the old man floated a white spherical robot.

Its smooth metallic surface reflected the glow of the screen as it spoke in a calm, emotionless tone.

"Power level: 120. Subject exhibits exceptional combat efficiency. Classified as a high-tier Martial Artist."

"Mm."

The old man narrowed his eyes slightly.

A strange glint flickered within them, something between curiosity and excitement.

"Not just strong... efficient, adaptable, and improving at an abnormal rate."

His lips slowly curled into a faint smile.

"I need more data. His growth speed is too interesting to ignore."

He leaned forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back.

"Send a unit. Let’s see how he responds to something... different."

"Command acknowledged."

The room fell silent for a brief moment.

Then, in a darker corner of the lab

a dormant machine came to life.

A red light flickered.

Mechanical joints shifted with a soft hum.

A Sidarco Type I combat robot slowly powered up.

Its design was deceptively simple.

A round white body, compact limbs, no visible weapons.

At first glance, it looked almost harmless.

But beneath that exterior lay a highly adaptive combat system.

"Sleep mode terminated."

Its eyes glowed faintly.

"Mission initialized."

Meanwhile

District 11, central district.

Qi Harmonization Dojo.

Among all martial artists on the planet, this place was revered as a sanctuary.

A place where the understanding and application of energy had reached its peak.

Many of the most widely used energy techniques in the world had originated here.

Its disciples were known for their mastery.

Naturally

it became Caelum’s next destination.

Yet

despite its reputation

the outcome was almost disappointing.

Inside the dojo

students lay scattered across the ground.

Some groaning, some unconscious.

None of them had lasted more than a few exchanges.

Caelum stood in the center, barely breathing harder than usual.

He had not even needed to try.

"My power level is only 120..."

He glanced around, slightly puzzled.

"And this is supposed to be one of the top dojos on the planet?"

The gap between expectation and reality was noticeable.

Just as he was about to lose interest

a voice sounded.

"Master!"

The fallen disciples immediately straightened as much as they could, their expressions turning respectful.

An old man stepped forward.

His posture was relaxed, but his presence carried weight.

Caelum’s gaze sharpened slightly.

Through Energy Perception

he quickly evaluated the opponent.

"Power level... around 110."

Slightly lower than his own.

Not a huge difference, but enough.

From his recent battles

Caelum had already formed a clear understanding of combat scaling.

A difference of about ten percent led to a prolonged fight but with a clear advantage.

A difference of roughly fifteen percent meant near total suppression.

Anything larger would end instantly.

The master looked at Caelum for a moment.

Then

instead of tension

a smile appeared on his face.

"The younger generation really is something these days."

There was no hostility in his tone.

Only genuine appreciation.

"Thanks."

Caelum responded casually.

Then

without warning

he moved.

His figure vanished.

Instant Step Punch.

In the next moment, he was already in front of the master.

Lightning Fist followed immediately.

A storm of strikes descended.

"So fast."

The master reacted instantly.

His body blurred as well.

He used the same movement technique to keep up.

The space between them filled with afterimages.

Their figures flickered in and out of sight like flashes of light.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Every collision produced a sharp explosion of force.

Air pressure rippled outward with each exchange.

The disciples watching from the sidelines could barely follow what was happening.

"I can’t even see them clearly!"

"They’re too fast!"

Within the clash

Caelum’s vision was filled with something else entirely.

Light.

One after another

glowing orbs burst out from the master.

[Super Drop Rate triggered]

[Skill acquired: Flight Technique]

[Learn?]

[Yes]

...

[Super Drop Rate triggered]

[Skill acquired: Energy Burst]

[Learn?]

[Yes]

...

[Super Drop Rate triggered]

[Skill acquired: Triple Energy Cannon]

[Learn?]

[Yes]

...

Each new technique integrated instantly.

No delay.

No adjustment period.

As if they had always been part of him.

And with each acquisition

his combat capability climbed higher.

Even though his displayed power level remained unchanged

his actual strength was evolving rapidly.

Energy Burst.

A technique that released all internal energy in a short burst, temporarily amplifying overall power.

An advanced method.

Triple Energy Cannon.

A highly destructive technique that compressed and unleashed massive energy in one strike, multiplying its output.

Simple.

Direct.

Devastating.

Within moments

they had already exchanged over a hundred moves.

The difference in power began to show.

The master stepped back, breathing slightly heavier now.

"If close combat won’t do..."

His expression sharpened.

He brought his hands together, aligning them forward.

At the same time

Caelum mirrored the motion.

No hesitation.

Energy Cannon!

Energy Cannon!

Two blinding beams erupted simultaneously.

They tore through the air and collided head-on.

Boom!

A violent explosion erupted.

The entire dojo trembled.

Shockwaves spread outward, tearing through everything in their path.

The disciples were thrown into the air like scattered leaves.

When the light finally faded

silence followed.

Then

one by one

bodies fell back to the ground.

Caelum stood still.

Calm. Unshaken.

Across from him

the master remained standing as well.

But the difference was clear.

His breathing was heavier.

His stance slightly less stable.

The outcome was obvious.

Neither of them moved again.

There was no need.

The master let out a laugh.

"Hahaha. Kid, I don’t know where you learned that technique..."

"But you’ve got real talent."

He lowered his hands.

"I won’t hold anything against you."

He paused briefly.

"How about becoming my disciple? There’s still plenty I can teach you."

Caelum turned away without hesitation.

"No need."

He waved slightly.

"Thanks for the lesson."

In that short exchange

he had already learned everything.

There was nothing left to gain here.

Behind him

the master sighed.

"What a waste..."

Such talent.

If nurtured properly

he could have surpassed everyone.

Outside the dojo

Caelum found a quiet place.

He stood still, reviewing everything he had learned.

His control over energy had reached a new level.

Sensing, perception, manipulation, release.

All aspects had been refined.

More importantly

he could now freely shape energy into any form.

Spheres.

Beams.

Large-scale blasts.

All of it came naturally.

As for close combat

Instant Step Punch and Lightning Fist were more than enough.

Speed and power decided everything.

The rest were unnecessary.

Just as he finished organizing his thoughts

a sudden flash streaked across the sky.

Before he could react further

an energy blast came rushing toward him.

Fast.

Direct.

Hostile.

Caelum turned.

Without even thinking

he raised his hand and swatted it aside.

Boom!

The ground exploded.

A massive crater formed instantly.

Dust and debris scattered into the air.

Caelum looked up.

In the sky

a round white figure hovered silently.

A machine.

A robot.

"...A robot?"