The arena erupted into thunder.
Students screamed, hollered, chanted Leon's name, or cursed under their breath in disbelief. Even the instructors—normally composed—shared quick glances with raised eyebrows.
Three upper-years had fallen.
To a Level 2.
Such a thing had never happened in the academy's history.
And yet Leon stood in the center of the battlefield, calm as if he had merely finished routine training. Dust settled around him. His daggers lowered. His breathing steady.
The referee called for medical staff, though they were more shocked than concerned.
Damian barreled through the crowd with tears streaming down his face. "LEEEON!! I ALMOST DIED WATCHING YOU!! DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT MY HEART?!"
Leon ignored him and walked toward the exit.
But before he could step out of the ring, a cold voice echoed from the observer balcony.
"Stop."
The crowd went silent instantly.
Lady Seraphine Arclight—the Royal Envoy—stood above, expression unreadable. Her silver eyes locked onto Leon.
"Leon Gray," she said, voice carrying across the arena. "Remain where you are."
Leon paused.
Damian froze mid-cry. "Wha—did the King recruit him? Is he being arrested? Is he getting promoted? I CAN'T READ POLITICS!"
Seraphine descended the stairs, each step controlled and deliberate. Guards flanked her silently.
She reached the edge of the arena.
"Step forward," she said.
Leon did.
The crowd held its breath.
Seraphine studied him for several seconds. "You defeated three upper-year students with precision beyond your level. Your mana control is refined. Your instincts are unnatural. Your calmness is… troubling."
Damian whispered, "Troubling?! WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?"
Seraphine continued, "Your EX-rank is not a title. It is a responsibility. And your existence is already causing waves."
Leon waited.
Seraphine's eyes narrowed. "You hid something."
The crowd leaned in.
Damian whispered, "What did he hide?! Leon, what did you hide?! Did you hide a dragon? A secret brother? A buried treasure?!"
Seraphine's voice dropped slightly. "The final strike you used on the wind mage… was not in your original skill form."
Leon stood still.
"You refined Mana Blade," she said. "Early. Very early."
Gasps erupted across the stands.
Students whispered:
"He refined a combat skill at Level 2?"
"That's impossible…"
"Even prodigies need months!"
Damian nearly fainted again. "Leeeeeon… why are you breaking natural laws?! I don't want to study next to a legend—I want to survive!"
Seraphine's eyes sharpened. "That kind of evolution is supposed to be impossible until level 40."
Leon didn't flinch. "It happened naturally."
Seraphine's voice lowered. "Nothing about you is natural."
That statement sent a chill across the entire arena.
The air thickened.
But then—
Seraphine turned to face the audience.
"Do not forget," she announced, "Leon Gray is still Level 2. Any upper-year who attacks him outside approved combat will face direct royal investigation."
Upper-years stiffened.
Aaron Vale clenched his jaw.
Seraphine added, "However…"
The arena fell silent again.
"…if anyone wishes to challenge him in the official matches, they may. The rules of assessment still apply. Strength must be tested, not sheltered."
There it was.
The reason she came down.
Not to protect Leon.
Not to punish him.
But to escalate the challenge.
To push him further.
Seraphine stepped back. "Continue the assessment."
She turned away, guards following behind her like shadows.
Damian screamed, "CONTINUE?! CONTINUE WHAT?! DON'T WE GET A BREAK?!"
But it was too late.
The next name was already being announced on the panel.
Leon Gray — Preliminary Match Complete
Next Match: Pending Challenger
The crowd erupted into new whispers.
"Who will fight him next?"
"Not me."
"Level 2 or not, he's terrifying…"
"Aaron's definitely going to challenge."
That same moment—
Aaron Vale dropped lightly into the arena from the upper ledge, landing just a few meters away from Leon.
His boots crushed the dust softly.
His eyes gleamed with something between pride and hunger.
"You should've waited for me," Aaron said.
Damian shrieked, "NO!! NO MORE UPPER-YEARS TODAY!!"
Aaron rolled his shoulders. "You made me curious, Leon. Very curious."
Leon met his gaze calmly. "I don't care."
Aaron smirked wider. "Good. You will."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only Leon could hear.
"Enjoy the warm-up. Because when I get my turn… I'm not going to hold back."
Leon didn't respond.
Damian pulled Leon away in panic. "Stop talking to him! He's dangerous! He's a walking disaster!"
Aaron laughed. "Do you know what the best part is, Leon?"
Leon waited.
Aaron's eyes gleamed. "You looked impressive today… but you still haven't fought someone your own size."
He tapped Leon's chest lightly.
"Me."
Aaron turned and walked off, leaving tension hanging in the air like a blade.
Damian collapsed on the floor. "We're so dead… We're so incredibly dead…"
Leon didn't say anything.
Because he wasn't focusing on Aaron.
He was focusing on the other presence.
The watcher.
The one he had sensed again just moments earlier—this time near the top of the arena wall, hidden in the shadows of the barrier.
Not a student.
Not staff.
Not royal.
Someone else entirely.
Leon could feel their gaze lingering on him.
Quiet.
Assessing.
Interested.
Damian tugged Leon's sleeve. "Leon… what are you staring at? There's nothing there."
Leon didn't answer.
Because the truth was—
Something was there.
Something watching him closely.
Something dangerous.
Something moving closer with each passing match.
This wasn't just an assessment anymore.
Someone wanted him dead.
And someone else wanted him alive.
And someone hidden wanted something else entirely.
Leon exhaled slowly.
This was only the beginning.