The training hall was silent.
Ji Young stood in the center.
Sweat covered his face.
His hands trembled.
The **Lightbound Blade** flickered weakly.
Kael watched him.
"Again," he said.
Ji Young took a deep breath.
He closed his eyes.
"Feel the light," Kael continued.
"Don't force it."
Ji Young focused.
Not on the sword.
But on his heart.
His promise.
His pain.
His reason to fight.
Slowly—
The blade began to glow.
Not strong.
But steady.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Yes… that's it."
Ji Young opened his eyes.
The light didn't disappear.
It stayed.
Calm.
Controlled.
Suddenly—
The symbols in the hall lit up.
A voice echoed:
**"Level 1 achieved… Control."**
Ji Young looked shocked.
"I did it…" he whispered.
Kael nodded.
"You are no longer at the beginning."
Ji Young smiled for the first time.
---
### **Ji Min's New Power**
Nearby, Ji Min stood quietly.
She raised her hands.
Light gathered around her fingers.
This time—
It didn't burst.
It formed.
A small glowing orb appeared.
It floated gently.
Ji Min's eyes widened.
"I can control it…" she said softly.
The orb moved toward Ji Young.
When it touched him—
His wounds began to heal.
Ji Young looked surprised.
"You healed me…"
Kael spoke:
"She is not just Light."
He paused.
"She is **Life Light**."
Ji Min looked at her hands again.
Suddenly..
Far away
The sky cracked with darkness.
A massive figure stood on a cliff.
Flames burned around its body.
The **General of Flames**.
It looked toward the Sanctuary.
"So… the Guardian has begun to grow."
Fire rose higher.
"I will test him myself."
Back inside the Sanctuary—
A figure stood in the shadows of a corridor.
Watching.
Listening.
A faint dark energy moved around their hand.
"…Level 1 already," the voice whispered.
A small smile appeared.
"No problem."
They disappeared into darkness.
Ji Young stood with his sword.
Its light was now stable.
Not weak anymore.
Not lost.
He looked at Ji Min.
She smiled gently.
For the first time—
Hope felt real.
But far away…
A greater fire was coming.....