Flickered Open

Atticus stood, facing Cedric in the middle of the pristine white room.

Cedric examined him and said with a smile, "Looks like you're ready."

In response, Atticus gave him a resolute look. Cedric recognized the determination in Atticus's gaze, and his smile widened. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for how far Atticus had come.

However, Cedric knew he needed to offer a dose of reality. "Regardless of how powerful you've gotten," he began, "From what you told me, those people outside are Expert rank, one entire rank above you. That isn't something you can easily bridge, even with the second art."

Atticus couldn't help but agree with Cedric. He knew that facing three Expert-ranked individuals was an incredibly challenging task. But he had to try, at least to hold on until help arrived.