I swallowed my anger.
Not suppressed.
Refined.
Controlled.
Then I lifted my gaze and observed the chamber.
The destruction from moments ago…
Was already disappearing.
Cracks along the walls sealed themselves.
The scorched floor smoothed over.
Residual energy dissolved into the air.
It was as if the battle had never happened.
A place designed not just for combat—
But for endless repetition.
Endless growth.
---
I shifted my attention to the others.
Some stood with bruises covering their bodies.
Others had cuts slowly knitting back together.
Pain lingered in their expressions—
But none were in danger.
No life-threatening injuries.
Only controlled damage.
Calculated.
Intentional.
---
Among everyone present—
I looked the most untouched.
The cleanest.
The most composed.
---
Aside from one person.
Caelion.
---
"Come together."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
Calm.
Measured.
A complete contrast to the pressure he had shown moments ago.
A light, carefree smile rested on his face—
As if nothing had happened.
---
No one moved immediately.
Then slowly—
One by one—
We approached.
Cautious.
Alert.
Every step carried hesitation.
---
We formed a straight line in front of him.
Eyes locked.
Guards raised.
No one relaxed.
---
"Have a seat."
He snapped his fingers lightly.
—Ripple—
Tables and chairs formed from condensed energy.
Solid.
Refined.
Perfectly structured.
A jug of clear water appeared on each table.
---
At the same time—
The gravity shifted.
From 20×… to 10×.
The pressure eased instantly.
Muscles relaxed slightly.
Breathing became easier.
---
Yet—
No one sat.
---
We stood there.
Watching him.
Carefully.
---
Caelion tilted his head slightly.
A faint smile forming.
"Why so guarded?"
Silence.
No response.
Only eyes.
Watching.
Measuring.
---
"…I see."
He chuckled softly.
"Okay… okay… okay…"
He raised both hands slightly in mock surrender.
"I know."
"Some of you dislike me."
A pause.
"Some of you…"
His eyes sharpened faintly.
"…might even hate me."
---
His gaze briefly passed over me.
---
I met it.
And responded with a cold smile.
Nothing more.
---
"But let's get one thing straight."
---
The atmosphere changed.
Instantly.
---
The casual expression on his face vanished.
Replaced by something far more dangerous.
A predator.
Calm.
Patient.
Certain.
---
"You are not here for stories."
"You are not here for childish games."
Each word landed with weight.
---
"You are here…"
"…to train."
A pause.
Then—
"…and to fight for your life."
---
The chamber fell completely silent.
---
"Death—"
He stepped forward slightly.
"…is a possibility."
---
His voice was cold.
Clear.
Absolute.
---
He stopped speaking.
Letting the words sink in.
---
A faint tension spread through the group.
Some frowned.
Others stiffened.
But no one panicked.
---
Because we all knew.
The clan would not allow us to die.
---
But still—
Hearing it said aloud…
Feeling the intent behind it…
Sent a chill down the spine.
---
We won't die…
But it won't feel like living either.
---
Caelion observed us quietly.
Then—
The pressure vanished.
---
A bright, carefree smile returned to his face.
"I hope you didn't mind my little test."
His tone was light.
Almost playful.
---
"I gathered everything I needed."
"And now…"
His smile sharpened slightly.
"…I can prepare proper plans for each of you."
---
A pause.
Then—
"Your improvement begins tomorrow."
---
The smile deepened.
Not warm.
Not kind.
---
Cruel.
Like a devil promising suffering.
---
A few people visibly tensed.
Others avoided eye contact.
---
Tomorrow…
So this was just the beginning.
---
"Now—"
He clapped his hands once.
The sound echoed.
"Let me teach you something important."
---
Instantly—
All attention focused.
---
"I believe you all have a rough understanding…"
"…of your bloodline."
"…and what purity means."
---
He paused.
Watching.
Measuring reactions.
---
Some nodded slightly.
Others remained still.
---
I said nothing.
But I listened.
Carefully.
---
Caelion raised one finger.
"Most of you think bloodline purity is simple."
"More purity…"
"…means more power."
---
He shook his head slowly.
"Wrong."
---
A faint ripple of confusion spread through the group.
---
"Purity…"
He tapped his chest lightly.
"…is not just about strength."
"It is about control."
---
He began to walk slowly in front of us.
Measured steps.
Deliberate presence.
---
"Your bloodline determines your potential."
"But your control determines your survival."
---
He stopped.
Then turned.
---
"An impure bloodline can become strong."
"With effort."
"With time."
---
"But a pure bloodline…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…can destroy its owner."
---
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
---
"You have seen it before."
"Loss of control."
"Power overwhelming the vessel."
---
His eyes flickered slightly—
Almost as if recalling something.
---
"Beasts."
He said quietly.
"Do not think like humans."
---
A pause.
---
"The closer you are to your bloodline…"
"…the closer you are to them."
---
The words settled deep.
---
Some of the students shifted uncomfortably.
---
"Your instincts will grow stronger."
"Your emotions sharper."
"Your reactions faster."
---
Then—
His voice dropped slightly.
---
"But so will your hunger."
---
Silence.
---
"Your aggression."
"Your dominance."
"Your desire to tear apart anything weaker than you."
---
No one moved.
No one spoke.
---
"But…"
He raised a finger again.
"Those who master it…"
"…become something greater."
---
His gaze swept across all of us.
---
"Not human."
"Not beast."
---
A pause.
---
"Something in between."
---
His eyes stopped on me.
Just for a moment.
---
Then moved on.
---
"And those…"
"…are the ones who survive at the top."
---
The lesson ended.
But the weight of his words remained.
---
I stood there quietly.
Processing.
Calculating.
---
Control.
Not just power.
---
And for the first time—
I understood something clearly.
---
This training…
Was not about becoming stronger.
---
It was about not losing myself.