Night fell over the academy.
One by one, the dormitory lights dimmed.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Silence slowly swallowed the corridors.
…
Creeeak…
A door opened carefully.
A slender figure stepped out and gently closed it behind her.
It was Lyra.
Her silver hair shimmered faintly under the corridor lamps as she moved quietly forward.
Tap…
Tap…
Tap…
Her footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor.
Outside, the moon shone brilliantly in the dark sky. A cold breeze drifted through the academy grounds.
Fwoooosh…
The training arena stood empty beneath the silver light.
Lyra stepped inside—
—and froze.
Someone was already there.
Standing in the very center of the arena.
Still.
Silent.
It was Iren.
His black hair swayed gently in the wind. His cape fluttered horizontally behind him.
He stood facing away from her.
Lyra recognized him immediately.
He's already here…
She quickened her pace.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Her footsteps echoed louder as she stepped onto the arena floor.
Iren didn't turn.
But he knew.
She had arrived.
Lyra stopped several steps behind him.
"Ire—"
Before she could finish—
Fwoosh!
He vanished.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Huh?!"
She stiffened in shock.
Where did he—
A presence.
Right behind her.
Warm breath brushed near her ear.
Then a deep, heavy whisper.
"Hello."
Lyra—
"Ah—!"
She leapt forward instinctively, spinning around.
But there was no one there.
Empty air.
Her heart pounded.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Suddenly—
Fwoosh.
Again, behind her.
A whisper, colder this time.
"You are late."
Lyra froze.
That voice…
It's him.
She instantly turned around—
—but once again…
Nothing.
Her face paled.
Fear reflected clearly in her eyes.
This… this speed…
Then—
At the far end of the arena—
Iren reappeared where he had first been standing.
He stood calmly.
Then slowly—
He turned his face.
The moonlight fell across his features.
His brown eyes gleamed under the silver glow.
Silence filled the arena.
The cold wind brushed between them.
Fwooooosh…
Lyra stood still.
Their eyes locked.
…
And then—
"HAHAHAHA—!"
Iren burst into laughter.
Lyra blinked.
Iren tried to control himself, covering his mouth.
"I didn't know… you were such a scaredy cat."
Lyra's eyes widened.
Her fear instantly turned into anger.
"So it was YOU?!"
Iren nodded while still chuckling.
Lyra clenched her fists.
"Did you call me here to train… or just to scare me for fun?!"
Iren exhaled, trying to calm himself.
"I didn't mean to scare you," he said lightly. "I was just testing your reflexes."
He smirked.
"But who knew you're this afraid of ghosts?"
Lyra's face turned slightly red.
"I am NOT afraid of ghosts!"
"Oh really?" Iren teased. "Because I clearly witnessed something different."
Lyra glared at him.
Iren raised his hands casually.
"Relax. I won't tell anyone."
He then stepped forward slightly, his expression turning serious again.
"So…"
The playful air faded.
The night grew still once more.
"Let's start our training."
---
From the upper building…
Three suspicious silhouettes remained crouched behind the railing.
Sylven leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Look… he started to rizz her up."
Riven's lips curved immediately.
"I told you tonight would be something different."
Kael exhaled slowly, arms folded.
"This Iren is really unpredictable."
He narrowed his eyes at the arena below.
"First he told us he would help her in training… but it seems like he lied to us."
Sylven suddenly gasped.
"Hey look! Is he giving her a rose?!"
Riven's eyes sparkled dramatically.
"I told you tonight something special is going to happen."
Kael squinted carefully.
The moonlight reflected off something red in Iren's hand.
Kael's eyebrow twitched.
Thud! Thud!
He lightly punched both Sylven and Riven on their heads.
"It isn't a rose, you fools! It's just his daggers."
"Ah—!"
Both of them rubbed their heads.
"You're right…" Sylven muttered.
"But you hit us too hard," Riven added dramatically.
Kael sighed.
"…Sorry."
He pointed downward again.
"Look carefully. Those are just his red twin daggers."
Riven leaned again.
"…I see…"
But down in the arena—
Something entirely different was unfolding.
Iren held his twin daggers out before him.
The blades glowed faintly under the moon.
Clink.
Slowly—
The daggers shifted.
Metal flowed like liquid.
Shiiiing—
They merged.
Forming his single long sword.
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
"Is this sword given by your master?"
Iren nodded once.
"Yes."
For a brief second, the air grew heavier.
Then Iren extended the sword toward her.
"Hold it."
Lyra blinked.
"…What?"
"Take it."
She stepped back slightly.
"How can I use your sword? I can't do that."
Iren didn't lower his arm.
"Take it."
His tone was calm.
Firm.
After a moment of hesitation—
Lyra slowly reached forward.
Her fingers wrapped around the hilt.
The moment Iren loosened his grip—
Thud!
The sword dropped downward.
Lyra barely caught the end of the hilt, but the weight dragged her arms down.
Her eyes widened.
'It's… too heavy…'
She tightened her grip.
Inside her mind—
'This is far heavier than normal blade…'
'He blocked my attacks with this during the quarterfinals… and moved at that speed…'
'His strength is… unbelievable…'
Iren tilted his head slightly.
"Any problem lifting it?"
Lyra straightened instantly.
"No. I can handle it."
Her arms trembled slightly.
Veins tightened.
With visible effort—
She raised the sword.
Slowly.
Barely.
Iren stepped closer.
"Heavy, isn't it?"
Lyra nodded quietly.
"…Yes."
Then—
Iren stepped back and raised his hand.
"Now attack me with that sword."
Lyra stared at him.
"I can barely move with this… how am I supposed to attack you?"
"It's your training."
His eyes sharpened.
"To improve your strength. And your speed."
He continued calmly—
"When I fought you… I realized something."
Lyra's grip tightened.
"Your attacks are fast."
A pause.
"But not powerful enough."
Those words struck her.
Her brows furrowed.
Her fists clenched tighter around the hilt.
Iren continued—
"If you increase your strength, your attacks will become far more effective."
He gestured toward the sword.
"That's why I gave you mine."
"So your speed and strength both can improve."
The wind blew between them.
Fwoooosh…
Lyra inhaled slowly.
Then nodded.
"…Understood."
Iren stepped into position.
"So—"
His gaze locked onto hers.
"Let's begin."
Lyra leapt forward with all her strength.
"Haaah—!"
She swung the blade down.
But the sword moved slower than her usual strikes.
Iren—
Swish.
He dodged effortlessly.
The heavy blade struck the ground.
Thud!
Dust rose under the moonlight.
And Lyra realized—
This training would not be easy.
---