Kaito kept swinging his sword, his breath ragged, sweat soaking his face and arms. He had been training for two hours without rest. He had done more than two hundred swings, and every movement now felt like a weight crushing his muscles. But he kept forcing his body to move, as if pain wasn't a valid reason to stop.
Footsteps came from behind. Zack had just returned from his break, and his brows instantly furrowed when he saw Kaito still swinging his sword nonstop.
"Heh… Kai, are you seriously trying to die?" Zack approached, patting Kaito's shoulder, which was already trembling. "If you force your body like that, you're basically destroying yourself."
Kaito paused his swing, meeting Zack's eyes—tired, yet full of determination. "What is it, Zack? I won't stop until I reach the Second Core of Swordsman."
Zack let out a long sigh. "I know you're trying your best. But your body has limits too. You want to make your fiancée worry, or what?"
Kaito fell silent. That line stabbed deeper than the pain in his muscles. But before he could reply, Zack pushed him gently, making Kaito fall onto the ground.
"Alright then, duel me first, Kai." Zack grinned, his tone light but his eyes deadly serious.
Kaito groaned softly while holding his stiff arm. "Ugh… fine. At least let me rest for a moment before you drag me around again."
"Good." Zack smiled in satisfaction. "You're still far from the Second Core. Don't burn yourself out. Training should be consistent, not suicidal. And don't let your focus on Swordsman dull your magic."
Kaito lowered his head, hurt but also aware. Zack was the only friend who truly cared about him, and he hated him for that… yet also appreciated him. "…Fine. You're right this time."
Suddenly, the smell of warm tea filled the air. Professor Yauna appeared carrying a tray with two cups of tea and some small snacks. A warm expression adorned her face.
"You two really work hard," she said, placing the tray down. "It's been a long time since I've seen students who take the Swordsman class, much less two hardheaded brats like you."
Kaito and Zack glanced at each other before chuckling. They sat together, enjoying the tea while sharing stories from the past few years.
Watching them, Professor Yauna smiled proudly. For the first time in a long while, she felt like a teacher… and like a mother to two students who kept striving forward.
Ten minutes passed…
Zack approached Professor Yauna while wiping his sweat. "Professor, would you like to be the referee for our duel this time?"
Professor Yauna glanced at Kaito, who was still sitting while holding his pain. She sipped her tea slowly before answering, "Sure. But from what I see… that newbie is most likely going to lose." Her tone was casual, yet sharp.
Kaito smiled, though inside he cursed loudly. Those words stabbed his pride much harder than Zack's attacks.
"Oh right," Professor Yauna continued with a mischievous look, "why don't you two add a condition? Whoever loses must listen to one request from the winner." She said it as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Zack agreed instantly without thinking twice. Meanwhile, Kaito stayed silent, his face tensing. Professor Yauna's words felt like a direct provocation.
The professor waved her hand. "Hm? Why does the air feel so heavy? Seems like someone didn't like what I said." She smirked, clearly aware she was fueling the fire inside Kaito.
Kaito clenched his fists and finally stood up. "Fine. I accept the challenge."
Professor Yauna nodded in satisfaction, then told them to take their positions. "Stable stance, focus on your opponent. Zack, you're used to this. But Kaito—don't just imitate. Feel your center of gravity."
Zack readied his sword casually, while Kaito tried stabilizing his still-heavy breathing. Even though his body hadn't recovered from the earlier training, he forced himself to stand straight.
"Alright," Professor Yauna said, raising her hand. "Three rules. One: no cheating. Two: no magic. Three: fight fairly."
Both nodded.
"One… two… three!"
Zack lunged forward immediately, moving like an experienced hunter. Kaito lifted his sword and blocked the first strike. The clash of metal echoed across the yard.
"Heh, not bad, huh?" Zack stepped back, then pushed forward and kicked Kaito's stomach hard. "Then take this!"
Kaito was thrown back, landing hard with a groan. Zack didn't give him time; he advanced and aimed his sword at Kaito's face. "Heh, game ove—"
Before he could finish, Kaito exploited a tiny gap in Zack's stance. With a swift movement, he kicked Zack's leg, making him fall.
The duel was back to balance. Both stood again, focused, unwilling to give even the smallest opening.
Professor Yauna watched with a frown. "That kid…" she muttered. Something about Kaito's movements was off—like his body was forcing itself beyond what it could handle.
Kaito attacked first this time. His swings were quick and agile, making Zack struggle for a moment. Zack blocked, then countered with a heavy slash that forced Kaito to retreat several steps.
Kaito's breathing turned rough. His vision blurred. His body trembled violently. Two hours of nonstop training had pushed him beyond his limit.
Zack noticed. "Kai, you—"
But before he could finish, Kaito's body wavered. Professor Yauna moved instantly.
"DUEL OVER!"
Kaito collapsed unconscious right after she spoke. Zack panicked and knelt beside him. "Professor… did I go too far?"
Professor Yauna checked Kaito's pulse with a tense expression. "No. You held back. The problem is inside this boy… his core is unstable." She tried to sound calm, but her worry was obvious.
Without wasting time, she carried Kaito and hurried toward the infirmary. Zack followed with a pale face.
Professor Yauna began treating him as fast as she could. But deep down, she knew Kaito's condition was far worse.
One of Kaito's two cores… seemed fractured.
And that was something that could kill.
Zack asked anxiously, "Professor… if someone's Core is cracked… can it still be healed?"
Professor Yauna fell silent for a long moment. "Repairing a damaged Core… might be possible. But throughout history, no one has ever found a way, Zack."
She lowered her head. Her expression filled with guilt—like she was the one who pushed Kaito too far without warning him of the risks. She cursed herself… unaware she had almost killed her own student.
Just then, a girl suddenly ran from the hallway. Her breath was sharp as she burst into the infirmary.
Zack and Professor Yauna were startled. It wasn't a nurse—it was Lyria—her face full of fear. She immediately rushed to Kaito.
"Lyria, wait—" Before Professor Yauna could finish, Lyria cut her off.
"W-What… did you do to him, Professor…?" Tears gathered in her eyes, her gaze sharp yet trembling with fear.
Professor Yauna sighed and explained everything.
Lyria froze. She couldn't accept that Kaito was now in critical condition: Core Rupture Condition.
With shaking hands, she held Kaito's fingers. "Please… wait outside," she whispered to Zack and Professor Yauna.
They obeyed.
When the door closed, Lyria held back her tears. If that dream hadn't come… But maybe that dream was warning me about what would happen to him…
She placed both hands over Kaito's chest. She attempted the Transfer—a hidden technique unknown to everyone in this world.
Transfer worked on the logic and structure of a Magic-Core. Secretly developed by the Kisaragi bloodline, a family once branded as liars and tricksters. They never became nobles because the world refused to believe their research.
When in truth… The Kisaragi family of old were Core doctors. And the last heir of that ability… was Lyria.
Back to Lyria. A white glow formed in her palms. She began chanting:
"Oh light that judges fragile beings, hear my plea. Guide my hands… mend his wounded body. Let your radiance pierce the darkness that seizes him.
And in return… I offer my memory to your shine. Erase a part of me, so his life may remain.
Lux… Respira."
But nothing happened. The light dimmed.
"D-Did it… fail?" Lyria panicked.
She repeated the chant, but still nothing. Until a soft voice, like a whisper of wind, echoed:
"Lyria… you do not need to sacrifice anything to save him."
She froze, feeling the message. Then she began again—this time without offering a sacrifice.
"Oh light that judges fragile beings—"
Light began circling around her, floating like particles of air.
"Hear my plea. Guide my hands… mend his wounded body."
Her palms shone brightly, and Kaito's left chest glowed softly—green mixed with white.
"With all my heart… for someone I love…"
"Lux… Respira."
The light burst gently, covering Kaito's body. The crack in his Core slowly began closing.
Lyria smiled in relief. Her first attempt… succeeded. But using the special element Lux drained much of her mana. Her body weakened, and she fell asleep still holding Kaito's hand tightly.
A few seconds later, Zack and Professor Yauna entered after noticing the light from outside. They were shocked to see Kaito awake—and Lyria asleep beside him, clutching his hand tightly.
They stayed quiet not to wake her. Zack and Professor Yauna exchanged looks… then smiled. They really were perfect for each other.
They left, letting the two rest.
Kaito looked at his free left hand. His right hand was being held tightly by Lyria, as if telling him to keep living.
He smiled softly. She really thinks I'm important… huh?
Then he remembered Lyria's chant: "For someone I love…"
Kaito looked at Lyria's sleeping face. For the first time, he felt… he was truly precious to someone.
The sky was turning orange by the time Kaito fully woke up. His body still felt heavy, but his mind was clear. He felt uneasy, frustrated, and honestly a bit embarrassed… because Lyria was sleeping way too peacefully, gripping his right hand so tightly that he couldn't move it at all.
"She sleeps so soundly…" he muttered, too afraid to pull his hand away.
After a while, Lyria moved slightly. Her eyelashes fluttered before her eyes opened. When she saw Kaito awake, she froze.
"K-Kaito…?"
"Hey, Lyria… I heard you're the one who heale—"
Before he could finish, Lyria suddenly hugged him tightly, startling him and nearly knocking the air out of his lungs.
"Idiot!" her voice trembled. "Why did you… do something like that?! I… I was so worried about you!!"
Her anger was swallowed by sadness. Her hands trembled.
Kaito stayed silent for a moment before hugging her back, gently and apologetically. "I'm sorry, Lyria. I… didn't mean to make you worry. I'm really sorry."
She nodded slightly but didn't loosen her hug. In fact, she hugged even tighter. Kaito felt a bit suffocated, but he didn't mind.
After a moment, he dared to ask, "Lyria… you can use the Lux element?"
Lyria jolted and quickly let go. Her face turned panicked—a mix of fear because her secret was exposed and embarrassment that Kaito had been conscious during the healing.
"W-wait, you were awake back then…?"
Kaito calmed her, holding her hand. "It's okay. I promise, I won't tell anyone about your real power. Just between us, okay? Oh, and please don't tell anyone about my cracked Core. If the academy finds out… it'll be dangerous for both of us."
Lyria fell silent… then nodded. An unspoken pact formed between them.
They talked for a long time—longer than they realized—laughing, teasing, sharing stories, as if the terrifying incident earlier had been just a passing nightmare.
Until—
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door was tapped five times.
"Hey," Professor Yauna's voice came from outside, clearly teasing, "if you two want to flirt, don't do it in the infirmary. If rumors spread—deal with it yourselves."
Kaito and Lyria instantly blushed to their ears.
They finally left, walking slowly toward the dorms. Kaito said sincerely, "Thank you, Lyria. Without you… my Core wouldn't have healed so miraculously."
Zack, listening from behind, made a strange face. A cracked Core suddenly healing? That wasn't a small thing. And the usually reckless Kaito looked strangely energized.
Zack felt mixed—frustrated from being left out, yet genuinely happy. At least his best friend had someone who truly cared about him. Though he himself still missed his own fiancée whom he hadn't met in a long time.
They parted at the main building, heading to their own dorms.
The next day…
Zack and Kaito trained together again. As usual, they sparred, joked, and hit each other without mercy. Kaito's progress was fast—even Professor Yauna admitted it. Kaito kept his training in rhythm, avoiding extreme training so his Core wouldn't break again.
Two days passed. Kaito was close to reaching the Second Core: Steel Vein.
Five days passed. He finally reached it.
Professor Yauna and Zack congratulated him.
"Alright, Kai," Professor Yauna said firmly, "you've fulfilled the requirement to become a Combat Mage. Meet me tomorrow. I'll call Professor Helix to guide the process of merging your Swordsman Core and Mage Core."
After training, they went to find Lyria—but didn't find her.
Until Zack spotted her sleeping under a tree behind the school.
Kaito looked at the place with a blank expression. He realized… he hadn't visited that place for seven days.
Zack nudged him. "In the end, your fiancée likes this place more than she likes you. Even though you're the one who brought her here first."
Kaito felt guilty. And a little happy.
They observed Lyria from afar. Solarin season was approaching, leaves softly falling.
"Hey Kai," Zack said with folded arms, "I bet you and your fiancée will get perfect scores during the practical exam."
Kaito chuckled. But then his expression turned serious.
"Recently… I keep having the same dream. Like something is going to happen during the practical exam."
Zack turned serious instantly. If his friend spoke in that tone, it wasn't something trivial.
"What did you see?"
"I'm not sure… but it feels bad."
Just as the tension rose, Lyria appeared before them. Her face pale… even terrified. She must have heard their conversation.
Zack tried greeting her, but Lyria instantly grabbed Kaito's hand and dragged him away.
"Zack… see you at the dorm later…" she said hurriedly.
Zack stood frozen.
Dragged along, Kaito finally asked, "Lyria, why? Why did you pull me away without saying anything to Zack?"
Lyria stopped and looked at Kaito… fear pure in her eyes.
"Y-you… can see the future…?"
Kaito froze. Then explained everything.
At that moment, Lyria revealed her secret too: She could foresee the future of people close to her, but her visions always involved suffering.
Kaito sighed deeply. "…so you saw something bad happening to me during the practical exam?"
Lyria lowered her head. "…yes."
Kaito held her hands firmly. "If we work hard, nothing bad will happen. We'll face it together."
Lyria couldn't answer, but nodded slowly.
Their secrets grew in number—yet neither noticed that they were being watched by Zack, and…
Celestine.
Their secrets were known by the two, who decided to stay silent.
Kaito and Lyria eventually left the place and returned to their dorms.
Meanwhile, Zack said, "I know you're here to handle this, Celestine."
Celestine appeared, stepping out of invisibility. "I used invisibility magic and you still noticed me?"
Zack's face remained serious as he asked, "What information have you gathered so far? Aside from Kaito and his fiancée?"
Surprised, yet used to it, she replied, "Well, there's a chance that a rogue organization or nobles who dislike this Academy's system will start an attack during their practical exam."
Zack thought for a moment. "Oh, so that's how it is..? Alright, Celestine, you can continue gathering more intel."
She nodded, winked her right eye, and left mysteriously.
The next day…
In the Swordsman training room, three people were observing: Lyria, Zack, and Professor Helix—just in case something happened.
Before the ritual began, Professor Helix informed Kaito of something important.
In this world, the ritual of merging two Cores was not a normal process. Only individuals who had surpassed their physical limits and possessed unshakeable will could perform it. This ritual was called "Convergence Harmonia"—a dangerous process where two cores were forced to beat as one.
After the explanation, the ritual began when one sat in the center of an ancient sigil carved into the floor. The sigil was a fusion of sword patterns and mana flows, symbolizing the clash between physical and spiritual power that was about to merge.
Kaito stepped forward and sat in the center of the ancient sigil that Professor Helix prepared.
"Alright, Kaito, are you ready to merge your Core?" Professor Yauna asked with a serious tone.
Kaito answered with equal seriousness, "I don't care. Whenever it is—I'm ready!"
Professor Yauna was pleased with Kaito's courage and finally began the ritual to merge the two Cores into one.
The air around them slowly vibrated, as if the world acknowledged something was disrupting its order. Faint light emerged from the floor, following the lines of the sigil until everything glowed softly.
The user's body—in this case Kaito—felt an intense pull from both of his Cores: The firm and burning Swordsman Core, and the calm, pulsing Magic Core.
Both rejected each other. Clashed. If not controlled, the user's body could be destroyed from within.
This was the moment the ritual truly began…
"Two hearts beating apart, two powers that refuse to unite— hear my call.
O sword forged from resolve, O mana stream born from the soul— release your old bindings, and embrace a new form together.
Let the light of Harmonia be witness, that from now on, strength shall no longer walk separately.
With my blood as oath, with my soul as guide, I merge your pulses…
—Harmonia Convergence."
When the chant ended, the sigil glowed brighter. Light rose like floating shards of glass around Kaito in a warm yet crushing vortex.
The two cores inside him spun, defying gravity, approaching each other while emitting faint cracks like glass scraping against itself.
His body trembled… His bones felt like they were being squeezed… His mana felt like it was being ripped out…
But then—
WUUUUNG—
The two cores finally touched.
Light exploded silently, as if the world itself held its breath. In that burst of light, the two cores dissolved, forming a new one—single, fused, containing the strength of both sword and magic.
The ritual was complete. Kaito now possessed the Harmonia Core—a rare evolution mentioned only in vague legends.
Everything went smoothly. "How is your body feeling, Kai?" Professor Helix asked, curious.
Kaito replied calmly, "I'm perfectly fine, Professor."
He tried to stand up, but Professor Yauna stopped him. "No, you must not stand yet, Kai. Your Core is still unstable and hasn't fully entered its true state. Stay right there until your Harmonia Core can adapt to your body and transform into a Sync Core."
With no other choice, Kaito obeyed, sitting still while drawing in natural energy and meditating for a full hour.
After that, a white and black aura finally emerged—signifying that Kaito had officially become a Combat Mage, with a perfect Core for someone who wielded both Nature and physical power simultaneously.
Everyone present congratulated him, and Kaito was relieved that all his efforts hadn't been in vain.
Professor Helix approached him. "Kaito, since you've completed your Core fusion, it's best that you rest and avoid heavy training for the next two to three days. Your Core hasn't fully adapted yet."
Kaito understood and followed the professor's advice.
Professor Yauna then handed him a cloak and new clothes. "You're now officially the fourth Combat Mage in the world, Kai. Congratulations on your achievement, and always use that power wisely. This is my gift to you—the attire of a Combat Mage."
The cloak was black with complete ornate detailing, and the academy uniform was unlike the others. This time, he received gifts from everyone who acknowledged his hard work.
Lyria approached Kai and hugged him tightly. "Congratulations, Kai! You're a Combat Mage now! This calls for a celebration!"
Kaito was genuinely happy. Lyria always supported him—someone who truly cared about him. Even so, Zack refused to be outdone and handed him a high-quality sword.
"This sword is for you, Kai. Take it. The Crown Prince has been informed that someone in Silverridge Academy has reached the rank of Combat Mage."
It was an exceptionally well-crafted sword—black with intricate details and a crimson hilt. Kaito had never seen such a fine weapon before.
Everyone rejoiced and congratulated Kaito.
Three days passed…
Countless events took place… and chaos filled the academy…
But then, something unexpected happened—
To be continued~