Moonlight stretched across the training field.
Two swordsmen stood facing each other.
Lysander Vale.
Caelum Draven.
The wind rustled faintly across the empty arena.
Caelum rested his practice sword against his shoulder.
Lightning mana flickered faintly along the blade.
His eyes studied Lysander carefully.
"You're the guy who lost to the beastkin earlier."
Lysander shrugged.
"That sounds about right."
Caelum's lips curled slightly.
"Good."
He lowered his stance.
"I don't enjoy beating weak opponents."
"But if you're hiding something…"
His lightning mana intensified.
"…I'll drag it out of you."
Lysander sighed quietly.
Great.
Exactly the type of person he wanted to avoid.
Caelum raised his sword.
"Ready?"
Lysander lifted his own blade.
A simple training sword this time.
Kagekiri remained leaning against the edge of the field.
No need to reveal too much.
"Sure."
Caelum grinned.
"Good."
Then he moved.
Lightning exploded beneath his feet.
He crossed the distance instantly.
Fast.
Lysander barely raised his sword in time.
CLANG!
The impact sent a shock through his arms.
Caelum's strength was ridiculous.
The difference between E Rank and C Rank was obvious.
"You're slow."
Caelum's blade flashed again.
Lysander stepped sideways.
Another strike.
Another dodge.
Caelum pressed forward aggressively.
Lightning-enhanced swings came one after another.
Lysander parried carefully.
Each movement controlled.
Measured.
He deliberately avoided anything that looked like Void Draw.
Instead he focused on simple defense.
Footwork.
Timing.
Basic sword movements.
Still—
Caelum's attacks were overwhelming.
CLANG!
Another strike slammed against Lysander's blade.
This time Lysander slid back several meters across the stone.
Caelum frowned slightly.
"…You're not panicking."
Lysander shrugged again.
"Should I be?"
Caelum attacked again.
Faster.
More aggressive.
Lightning surged along his weapon.
The next strike came from above.
Lysander blocked.
But the force shattered his guard.
The training sword flew from his hand.
It clattered across the ground.
Lysander stepped back calmly.
Hands raised slightly.
"I yield."
Caelum froze.
"…What?"
Lysander tilted his head.
"You win."
The silence lasted a few seconds.
Then Caelum lowered his sword slowly.
"…That's it?"
"Yep."
The lightning around his blade faded.
Caelum looked irritated.
"You didn't even try."
Lysander walked over and picked up the fallen sword.
"Sure I did."
"No."
Caelum shook his head.
"You were defending the entire time."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You never attacked."
Lysander shrugged.
"I prefer staying alive."
Caelum stared at him.
Trying to read his expression.
Trying to understand something.
But Lysander's face remained calm.
Emotionless.
After a moment, Caelum clicked his tongue.
"…Annoying."
He turned away.
But before leaving, he spoke again.
"I'll fight you again."
Lysander blinked.
"Why?"
Caelum looked over his shoulder.
"Because people who hide their strength…"
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"…are the most interesting opponents."
Then he walked away.
Lightning sparks fading behind him.
Lysander watched him leave.
Then sighed quietly.
Great.
A rival already.
Inside his mind, Nythera spoke.
"You restrained yourself well."
Lysander stretched his sore arms.
"I had to."
"If I used Void Flash, this whole academy would start asking questions."
The system appeared.
Training Progress Updated
Lightning Affinity: Stabilizing
Sword Control: Improving
Lysander picked up Kagekiri and rested it over his shoulder.
The academy lights glowed across the campus.
Hundreds of students trained.
Studied.
Talked.
The real story had only just begun.
And somewhere inside the academy—
Several people were already paying attention to him.