The academy never truly felt peaceful, but today the air carried something heavier—an undercurrent of tension that clung to every corridor and training yard. Students moved faster, whispering urgently, glancing over their shoulders as if expecting something to jump out at them.
It wasn't because of the upcoming assessments.
It was because of Leon.
News of the Royal Envoy's visit had spread like wildfire. Rumors soared: some claiming Leon was chosen by the King, others saying he would be taken to the capital, and a few whispering that the Council suspected him of something dangerous.
Leon walked through it all without slowing.
Damian followed two steps behind, in full paranoia mode.
"Leon… people are staring even more today. I don't like this. That's not normal staring—that's calculating staring. Suspicious staring. I-want-to-kill-you staring."
Leon didn't look. "Ignore them."
"I CAN'T." Damian hissed. "My instincts say at least six people here hate you."
"Why?"
"Because you breathe."
Leon said nothing.
They reached the training yard, where Varron was waiting—with a massive crate beside him.
Damian froze. "That box looks… ominous."
Leon approached calmly.
Varron tapped the crate. "Your next stage of training starts today."
The lid opened with a metallic clank.
Inside were dozens of dull gray metal orbs—each the size of a fist—covered in engraved runes.
Damian squeaked, "Those are stun spheres! BOOM spheres! The ones used for torture—I mean training!"
Varron nodded. "Reflex training."
Damian stared in horror. "Leon, run."
Leon stepped forward.
Varron tossed an orb into his hand. "These explode with a harmless mana shockwave strong enough to knock a normal student unconscious. Your task is to dodge them."
Damian shouted, "THAT IS NOT HARMLESS!"
Varron ignored him. "Stand in the center."
Leon walked to the marked circle without hesitation.
Varron activated the first sphere.
The orb glowed.
It launched toward Leon.
Leon dodged.
Barely.
The sphere hit the ground behind him, releasing a shockwave that cracked the dirt.
"Good," Varron said. "Next."
Three more activated at once.
Leon pivoted—his body moving just a fraction before the orbs detonated. Dust sprayed up, ruffling his clothes.
Damian grabbed his head. "YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL HIM!"
"This is standard training," Varron said.
"For who?! DEMONS?!" Damian screeched.
Leon continued dodging.
Sweat trickled down his chin.
Breathing steady.
Movements sharp.
Every dodge felt like a moment of clarity—Luck adjusting his angle, guiding his steps, pushing his instincts a little faster than expected.
Then Varron stepped things up.
"Five," he ordered.
Five orbs flew.
Leon moved—rolling, ducking, twisting.
One shockwave clipped his shoulder.
He staggered.
Damian screamed.
Leon steadied himself and reset his stance.
Varron nodded. "Again."
Hours passed.
Leon's arms trembled. His legs grew heavy. His eyes stung from dust. His breath deepened.
But he stood.
He endured.
He refused to fall.
By noon, Varron finally raised a hand.
"Enough. Good progress."
Leon wiped sweat from his brow.
Damian rushed over, stuffing a towel into his hands. "Leon! LEON! Are you alive? Blink twice if you're dying!"
Leon blinked once.
Damian shook him. "THAT IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION!"
Before Leon could answer, a voice called out from across the yard.
"Well, well… so the rumors were true."
Five upper-year students walked over, wearing distinctive red-trimmed uniforms. Their leader—a tall boy with dark blond hair and a sword at his hip—smirked.
His aura felt sharp.
Experienced.
Confident.
Dangerous.
Damian whispered, voice trembling, "Leon… that's Aaron Vale. Year Three. Ranked top ten in the academy. Level… I think 17…"
Leon simply looked at the approaching group.
Aaron Vale stopped in front of him. "So you're the EX-rank everyone won't shut up about."
Leon nodded once. "Yes."
Aaron laughed. "You're honest. I'll give you that."
His four companions gave dark grins.
Aaron continued, "Word is you're scheduled to face upper-years next week. But rumors say you killed a Rank-E alone yesterday." He leaned closer. "That's cute."
Damian turned pale. "Leon… don't punch him. Don't stab him. Don't kill him."
Leon didn't move.
Aaron tapped Leon's chest lightly. "Listen, kid. Being special makes people jealous. Makes them angry. Makes them want to test you."
Leon waited.
Aaron's smile dropped into a glare. "Want a preview?"
He reached for his sword—
—but froze when Varron's voice cracked across the yard.
"Aaron Vale."
Aaron stiffened and turned as Varron approached slowly, expression thunderous.
"Training ground rules," Varron said. "No duels without authorization."
Aaron forced a grin. "Just saying hello."
Varron's tone dropped. "Leave."
Aaron held Leon's gaze for a moment longer.
"You won't last long, kid. EX rank or not, upper-years will crush you if you're not prepared."
Leon said nothing.
Aaron chuckled and walked off.
Damian sagged in relief. "Just great. You already have a rival who's level seventeen. Amazing. I feel sick."
Varron looked at Leon. "Ignore him."
Leon nodded.
Varron added quietly, "But be ready. Some upper-years won't follow rules."
Damian screamed internally.
Later that day, Leon returned to his room. His body hurt. His muscles burned. But his mind felt sharper.
He opened his status panel.
Name: Leon Gray
Level: 2
Profession: Battlemage — EX Rank
Talent: Luck (EX Rank)
He noticed something new.
A small flicker next to Mana Blade.
Skill Proficiency Increased.
Mana Blade: 34% → 41%
Another notification:
Minor Skill Growth Condition Met.
Mana Blade is ready for refinement.
Refinement chance increased by Luck.
Leon stared.
Refinement…
Skill evolution in miniature.
A precursor to what would become far greater at level 40.
His fingers tightened on the dagger.
He could evolve the skill slightly—
making it faster, sharper, more efficient.
But that meant pulling more mana.
Which meant risk.
A knock came before he could decide.
Damian's voice: "Leon? Are you doing something dangerous in there?"
Leon didn't answer.
He pressed the refinement option.
Mana surged—
wildly, violently—
wrapping around his dagger.
The room vibrated.
The air cracked.
Luck pulsed.
The skill refined.
Leon exhaled.
Mana Blade (Refined) — Beginner+
Efficiency increased.
Power increased.
Stability increased.
He closed the panel calmly.
Tomorrow…
training would escalate again.