It was morning…
Soft rays of sunlight slipped through the window, spreading gently across the room. The light fell directly on Leo's bed, yet he remained fast asleep, completely undisturbed.
The room was quiet…
Only the distant chirping of birds could be heard, adding a calm rhythm to the peaceful atmosphere.
Leo lay on his bed, relaxed, his breathing steady.
On the other side of the room, Ray was already awake.
He sat on his bed, holding a book in his hands. His eyes were on the pages, but his focus clearly wasn't. Every few seconds, he glanced at Leo, waiting for him to wake up.
But Leo didn't move.
Ray had been waiting for quite a while now… and he was getting tired of it.
Finally, he closed the book with a soft thud.
"Leo… wake up already."
Leo shifted slightly but didn't open his eyes.
"Let me sleep… there are no classes today…"
Ray smirked a little.
"Days off are for the body… not for the brain."
Leo ignored him completely.
Ray sighed, stood up, and walked over to Leo's bed.
Without saying anything more, he grabbed Leo's blanket—
And in the next moment…
The blanket rose into the air.
Not just the blanket…
Leo himself was lifted along with it.
Ray was using his power.
But Leo wasn't helpless.
Even mid-air, he adjusted his balance with ease—
And in the very next second, he landed smoothly on the ground.
He looked straight at Ray, slightly annoyed.
"Can't you just let me sleep?"
Ray replied without hesitation—
"No."
Leo let out a small breath of irritation.
Then he walked back to his bed, leaned against the wall, and sat down.
"Fine… what do you want?"
Ray's expression changed. It was no longer playful.
It became serious.
"That Orge King…"
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
"...you were the one who defeated it, right?"
Leo stayed silent.
But that silence was enough.
Ray understood.
"So… you really did it."
After a pause, Ray asked again—
"Did you defeat it alone?"
This time, Leo slowly shook his head.
"No… I needed help. Nyra, Kio, and Alex were with me."
Ray listened carefully.
Leo continued—
"It was an Orge King… not just its size, but its reflexes and senses were incredibly sharp."
Ray smiled slightly, then said in a teasing tone—
"I can see that… from your shoulder. That thing must've been really strong."
Leo's expression changed instantly.
"Ray… are you calling me weak?"
Ray raised his hands slightly, smiling—
"No, no… you're strong."
The tension eased a little.
Ray stood up from his bed.
"Come on, let's go to the cafeteria. I'm starving."
Without waiting for a reply, he walked out of the room.
Leo remained seated for a few seconds.
Then slowly, he looked at his shoulder.
It was still bandaged… and the pain hadn't completely faded.
He muttered quietly—
"I need to get stronger…"
After that, he stood up, got dressed in his academy uniform, and walked out.
A short while later…
Leo made his way toward the cafeteria.
As soon as he entered—
His eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Nyra.
She was sitting alone at a table, calmly reading a book while eating a piece of cake.
Completely composed.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
But the very next second—
Nyra looked away and turned a page, as if she hadn't seen him at all.
Leo frowned slightly in his mind.
"She wouldn't stop talking back in the forest… and now she's completely silent…"
Just then—
Someone approached from behind and sat beside Nyra.
Maya.
Leo noticed her immediately and started walking toward them.
Maya saw him coming and quickly stood up.
"How's your shoulder?"
Leo replied casually—
"It's fine."
He glanced at Nyra again—
But she still didn't look at him.
Ignoring it, Leo turned back to Maya.
"Come with me."
Maya looked confused.
"Where?"
Leo answered directly—
"To get your admission."
Maya froze for a moment.
"I don't think I can do anything here… students from noble families study in this academy… I don't even have parents…"
Leo didn't react to her words.
He simply said—
"Just follow me."
Nyra slightly gestured with her hand—
As if silently agreeing.
Leo turned and began walking.
Maya followed him.
After walking for a while…
They reached the main building of the academy.
And soon—
They stood in front of Principal Valeria's chamber.
A butler was standing outside.
Leo approached him.
"We need to speak with Principal Valeria."
The butler didn't say a word.
He simply walked inside.
After a short wait, he returned.
"You may enter."
Leo and Maya stepped inside.
Inside the room…
Principal Valeria sat gracefully in her chair, sipping tea.
Her presence alone made the atmosphere feel heavy.
As soon as she saw Leo, she spoke—
"You wanted to speak with me?"
Her gaze then shifted to his shoulder.
"You defeated an Orge King… that is no small achievement."
Leo scratched the back of his head slightly.
"So… you've heard already."
Valeria gave a faint smile.
"I had to. That Orge King destroyed many villages… the news of its death has already spread across the entire Norvia continent."
Leo felt a slight tension inside.
"Sorry, Steven… I'm becoming more famous than I wanted…"
He had always wanted to keep his identity low.
But things were starting to move beyond his control.
Valeria placed her cup down.
"Now… what is it you wanted to discuss?"
Leo's expression turned serious.
"Principal Valeria… this is Maya."
Valeria shifted her gaze toward Maya.
She observed her from head to toe—
Calm, sharp, silent.
But she didn't say anything.
Leo continued—
"She treated my injuries… she's a skilled healing user. She has strong knowledge of healing magic and medicinal leaves."
Valeria responded plainly—
"Get to the point."
Leo didn't hesitate.
"Why not give her admission into the academy?"
The room fell silent.
Leo continued—
"I trust her… she has the potential to become a great healing user."
Valeria remained quiet.
She thought for a few moments.
Maya stood nervously, unsure of what would happen.
Even Leo waited, focused.
Then—
Valeria finally spoke.
"Alright."
For a moment—
Neither Leo nor Maya reacted.
They were both shocked.
They hadn't expected her to agree so quickly.