Riven returned to the arena completely soaked.
Water dripped from his hair, sleeves, and boots.
DRIP… DRIP… DRIP…
Several nearby students turned their heads and stared.
One of them whispered,
"…Did he fall into the lake?"
Sylven folded his arms and looked at him.
"You actually fell into the lake."
Riven immediately protested.
"I didn't fall."
He pointed dramatically behind him.
"I was pushed."
Iren crossed his arms calmly.
"…Justice."
Kael nodded once.
"Agreed."
Riven stared at them in disbelief.
"You traitors."
At that moment—
Lyra walked back into the arena.
Her expression was perfectly calm.
As if nothing had happened.
The moment Riven saw her—
He took three steps back instantly.
"Stay back."
He raised both hands defensively.
"I value my life."
Sylven sighed.
"You deserved that."
The cold morning wind blew across the arena.
Swoooosh…
Riven shivered slightly.
Then suddenly—
"ACHOO!"
Everyone looked at him.
Riven sniffed and rubbed his nose.
"…It's just a small sneeze."
Kael calmly observed him for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"I think we should cancel training today."
Everyone blinked.
Kael continued,
"One of our team members is clearly sick."
Riven immediately shook his head.
"No."
"I'm fine."
Sylven stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder.
"No, you're not."
He pointed at Riven's soaked clothes.
"You're freezing."
"You should go change before you catch a cold."
He added seriously,
"If you fall sick, our training schedule will be affected."
Iren nodded.
"Yes, go."
He placed a hand on Riven's shoulder.
"We can't train without you, Riven."
After a short pause he added,
"After all… we're a team now."
Kael and Sylven nodded in agreement.
For a moment—
Riven just stood there.
His eyes slowly widened.
"…You guys…"
His voice became emotional.
"You guys are so kind…"
Sylven blinked.
"…Why does that sound suspicious?"
But before anyone could say anything—
Riven suddenly turned and started running toward the academy buildings.
"Don't worry!"
He waved dramatically while sprinting away.
"I'll recover as soon as possible!"
TAP TAP TAP TAP!
Within seconds—
He disappeared beyond the academy corridor.
Silence fell over the arena.
Sylven scratched his head.
"…So what about today's training?"
Kael thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Yes."
"There will be no training today."
Sylven sighed.
"…Alright."
"Then let's head back."
Everyone nodded.
They began walking toward the arena exit.
Step… Step… Step…
But suddenly—
Lyra rushed forward.
WHOOSH!
She moved past Sylven and Kael and stopped directly in front of Iren.
Iren blinked.
"…What?"
Lyra crossed her arms.
"There's no training today, right?"
Iren sighed.
"Yes."
"You heard him yourself."
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
"That means…"
"You're free today."
Iren shrugged.
"…Yeah."
A faint smile appeared on Lyra's face.
Then she said calmly,
"Then come with me."
Iren blinked.
"…Where?"
Lyra replied immediately.
"To help with my training."
Iren hesitated.
"Wait… now?"
Lyra nodded firmly.
"Yes."
"You're free for the entire day."
"And you promised to help me train."
Iren scratched the back of his head.
"But—"
Before he could finish—
Kael suddenly spoke.
"Maybe you should go with her."
Everyone looked at him.
Kael added calmly,
"After all…"
"She did save you from drowning last night."
Snap.
The air suddenly froze.
Lyra slowly turned her head.
Her eyes locked onto Kael.
"…What did you just say?"
Kael blinked once.
"…I think I shouldn't have mentioned that."
Then he suddenly grabbed Sylven's sleeve.
"Sylven."
"…Run."
Sylven didn't even question it.
"RUN!"
Both of them dashed away instantly.
DASH!
TAP TAP TAP TAP!!
Within seconds—
They vanished from the arena.
Leaving only two people behind.
Lyra slowly turned back toward Iren.
A smile appeared on her face.
"…So."
"Let's begin our training."
Iren sighed deeply.
"…Fine."
Then he added helplessly,
"Not like I have another option."
Lyra nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
She stepped forward confidently.
"Then today we'll continue the training we couldn't finish last night."
Iren immediately waved his hands.
"No."
"No need for that."
Lyra blinked.
"…Why?"
Iren smiled slightly.
"Because I think your stamina has already improved."
Lyra tilted her head.
"…What do you mean?"
Iren shrugged.
"You chased me across half the academy."
"Then you chased Riven too."
"And you actually caught him."
He chuckled softly.
"And Riven is the fastest student in this academy."
Lyra scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"…Maybe I went a little too far."
Iren laughed quietly.
Then his expression became serious.
"Today we'll focus on something else."
He pointed toward the center of the arena.
"Your magic techniques."
He looked directly at her.
"Especially that Time Skip ability."
Lyra nodded firmly.
"…Understood."
The morning wind moved across the empty arena.
And the next phase of their training began.
---
The arena had become quiet.
Cold morning wind passed across the training ground.
Swoooosh…
Iren and Lyra walked toward the center of the arena.
Both of them stopped several meters apart.
They faced each other.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Then Iren slowly raised his hand.
"Alright."
He looked at Lyra seriously.
"Show me everything you've got."
Lyra narrowed her eyes slightly.
Iren continued,
"Attack me with all your power."
"No holding back."
Lyra nodded silently.
Then—
SHING
She drew both daggers from her waist.
Their blades reflected the morning sunlight.
Iren reached behind his back.
SHING
He drew his sword.
Then with a quick motion—
CLICK
The blade separated.
Transforming into two short daggers.
Lyra's eyes sharpened.
He's serious.
For a brief moment—
The arena became silent.
Then suddenly—
WHOOSH!
Lyra dashed forward at full speed.
Her body became a blur.
In a second—
She appeared in front of Iren.
Her dagger slashed downward.
CLANG!
Iren blocked it instantly.
The impact echoed across the arena.
Then he pushed her backward.
Lyra slid across the ground.
SKRRR—
But she didn't stop.
The moment she regained balance—
She rushed forward again.
Iren moved as well.
Both of them collided in the center.
CLANG!
CLANG!
SHING!
Their daggers clashed again and again.
Sparks scattered with every impact.
Suddenly—
Lyra disappeared.
FWOOSH
Her body vanished for a fraction of a second.
Her Time Skip activated.
She reappeared behind Iren and struck.
But—
CLANG!
Iren blocked the attack without turning.
Lyra's eyes widened slightly.
Iren pushed her back again.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Good."
Lyra didn't reply.
Only a small smile appeared on her face.
The next moment—
She jumped into the air.
Her dagger descended like lightning.
Iren stepped aside.
WHOOSH
The attack missed him.
But the dagger struck the ground.
BOOM!
The arena floor cracked.
Stone fragments scattered everywhere.
Iren's eyes widened slightly.
She cracked the arena floor with one strike…
That's incredible strength.
He tightened his grip on the daggers.
I need to be careful now.
Lyra slowly stood up.
Dust drifted around her feet.
Then she looked at him seriously.
"Now…"
Her voice was calm.
"I'm going to give it my all."
Iren smiled.
"Same here."
At that moment—
A faint red glow appeared around his hand.
The ring began to shine.
FWOOM…
Flames flickered softly.
"Level One."
He whispered quietly.
"Ignition."
The fire wrapped around his body like a thin aura.
Instantly—
His speed and strength increased.
The air trembled around him.
Then—
BOOM!
Iren dashed forward.
His movement was almost invisible.
Lyra's eyes widened.
But she reacted quickly.
CLANG!
She blocked his attack.
The force pushed her backward.
Before Iren could continue—
Lyra vanished again.
FWISH
Her Time Skip activated.
She reappeared beside him and slashed.
But—
CLANG!
Iren blocked that attack too.
Both of them pushed each other away.
Then the battle intensified.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their daggers collided endlessly.
Each attack faster than the previous one.
Neither stepped back.
Both continued pushing their limits.
---
Days Passed
For the next four days—
Sylven remained ill.
He had caught a serious cold.
So the team training was temporarily stopped.
Meanwhile—
Iren continued training with Lyra.
Morning.
Afternoon.
Night.
Again and again—
He pushed her limits.
CLANG!
WHOOSH!
THUD!
Every day her speed increased.
Every day her stamina improved.
Her Time Skip became sharper.
More precise.
Lyra herself could feel the difference.
I'm getting stronger.
But Iren remained strict.
"No hesitation."
"Attack again."
"Faster."
Their training never stopped.
---
The Fifth Member Selection Day
Finally—
The day arrived.
The academy arena was crowded.
Students gathered around the stands.
Excited whispers spread everywhere.
Today—
The runner-ups of the quarterfinals would compete.
Only one of them would earn the final position.
The fifth seat.
The final member of the team for the Inter-Academy Matches.
Iren and the others stood near the arena entrance.
Waiting.
Watching.
Soon—
The selection tournament would begin.
And the final member of their team would be decided.
---