The Training Hall of Silverwood Academy was a cathedral of steel and magic. The walls were lined with runic inscriptions that absorbed stray spells, preventing collateral damage, while the floor was reinforced with tier-3 beast bone.
KLANG!
A training golem made of iron crumpled inward, its chest caved by a devastating blow.
Kael stood before it, breathing rhythmically. Sweat glistened on his bare torso. He had discarded his shirt an hour ago, not caring about the scars that crisscrossed his back—the brands, the lash marks, the surgical incisions. They were ugly maps of his past, but he wore them like armor.
"Good form," Lyra said from the sidelines. She sat on a bench, a towel and a water bottle ready. "But you're overextending on the follow-through. If you miss, you leave your ribs open."
Kael turned to her, wiping his face. "Old habits. In the... facility... if you didn't hit hard enough to kill in one shot, you didn't survive."
The lie was smooth, woven with threads of truth. It made Lyra's heart ache. She stood up and walked over to him.
"Let me see your stance," she said softly.
Kael stood still, his arms hanging loose. He felt her presence behind him. She didn't flinch at his scars anymore. The first time she had seen them, she had cried. Now, she only looked at them with a determined pity.
She placed her hands on his waist, adjusting his posture. Her touch was warm, gentle.
"Pivot your back foot," she instructed, her voice close to his ear. "Power comes from the ground up, not just the arm. Channel the mana through your legs."
Kael obeyed, feeling the flow of her instruction.
"Like this?" he asked, looking over his shoulder.
Their faces were inches apart. He saw the faint flush on her cheeks.
"Y-yes," she stammered, pulling her hands back quickly. "That's perfect."
Kael turned to face her. He took the water bottle she offered, drinking deeply. He didn't take his eyes off her.
"Thank you, Lyra," he said. "For everything. I know I'm not easy to deal with."
Lyra shook her head fiercely. "You're worth it, Kael. I've seen you improve so much in just two days. You're already D-Rank... even if the system says Level 20. Your control is amazing."
She bit her lip, hesitating.
"About the tournament tomorrow..."
"What about it?"
"Julius," she said, worry clouding her eyes. "He's Level 35. And he's been training since he was a child. He fights dirty. I heard he paid a Visiting Mentor to teach him a Tier-2 spell just for this event."
Kael wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Tier-2 spell?"
"Flame Burst," Lyra said. "It's an explosion of fire centered on his fist. It's banned in standard duels, but the Freshman Assessment allows it as long as the opponent isn't killed."
Flame Burst. A high-impact, close-range attack.
Kael smiled internally. Fire was dangerous. But lightning was faster.
"I'll be careful," Kael promised.
He stepped closer to her, invading her personal space just enough to make her breath hitch.
"I have a reason to win now," he murmured.
"W-what reason?" Lyra asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Kael reached out, tucking a stray lock of brown hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek for a moment.
"To prove I belong in your world."
Lyra stood frozen, her face turning a deep shade of red. She looked like she wanted to say something, to kiss him, to run away, all at the same time.
"I... Kael..." she breathed.
Bzzt.
Kael's Keen Hearing twitched. He heard footsteps approaching the hall. Heavy, arrogant steps.
He pulled back instantly, his expression shifting back to the focused student.
"Looks like we have company," he said calmly.
The double doors swung open. Julius Vane strutted in, flanked by two of his cronies. He was wearing his custom workout gear, leaving his arms bare to show off his toned muscles.
"Still playing tutor, Lockwood?" Julius sneered. He looked at Kael, then at the destroyed golem. "Or are you playing catch with the trash?"
Lyra stepped forward, her hands balling into fists. "We're training, Julius. Leave us alone."
"Training?" Julius laughed. "You can't train a dog to be a wolf, Lyra. It's genetics. Blood. You think a stray with a lucky lightning spark stands a chance against me?"
Julius walked onto the mat. He snapped his fingers, and a small flame ignited on his thumb. It wasn't the normal orange fire; it was tinged with blue.
"See this?" Julius said, his voice dropping. "This is what real power looks like. Tomorrow, I'm going to melt that pretty face of yours off."
Kael looked at the flame. He didn't feel fear. He felt... hungry.
"You talk a lot," Kael said, his voice flat.
Julius's smile faltered. "Excuse me?"
"For a guy who brings backup to a sparring match," Kael continued, gesturing to the cronies at the door. "You seem scared to be alone."
Julius's face turned red. "I'm not scared of you, filth."
"Prove it," Kael said. "Spar with me. Right now. No magic. Just hand-to-hand."
He wanted to test Julius. He wanted to see the boy's rhythm without the threat of fire.
Julius smirked. "You want to die early? Fine. But don't cry when I break your bones." He looked at the cronies. "Stay back. This will only take a second."
Julius cracked his neck and assumed a boxing stance. It was sloppy—wide, overconfident.
Kael stood still, his hands loose by his sides.
"Ready?" Julius taunted.
He lunged. A straight right jab, aimed at Kael's nose. Fast for a human.
Slow for a Devourer.
Kael didn't even use his Speed enhancement. He simply pivoted his foot—the way Lyra had shown him—and slipped the punch.
Julius overextended.
Kael grabbed Julius's wrist with his left hand and drove his right palm into Julius's elbow.
POP.
The joint hyperextended, not quite breaking, but sending a jolt of searing pain up Julius's arm.
"ARGH!" Julius howled, stumbling back.
Kael didn't pursue. He stepped back, resuming his relaxed stance.
"You dropped your guard," Kael said quietly.
Julius clutched his arm, his face twisting from pain to rage. "You... YOU CHEATED! YOU USED MANA!"
"I didn't use a drop," Kael said, his eyes cold. "Check the sensors."
The room's runic sensors remained dormant. No mana spike detected.
Julius's cronies shifted uncomfortably. Lyra covered her mouth, hiding a smile.
"Get out," Kael said to Julius. "Or next time, I won't stop at a joint lock."
Julius's pride was shattered. He glared at Kael with pure, unadulterated hatred.
"You're dead," Julius hissed. "Tomorrow. In the ring. I'm going to burn you alive. I swear it."
He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The echo rang through the hall.
Lyra let out a breath she had been holding. "Kael... that was dangerous. You just made him furious. He's going to come at you with everything tomorrow."
Kael watched the door close. He flexed his hand.
"Good," Kael said. "I want him angry. Angry people make mistakes."
He turned to Lyra, his face softening into the mask of the concerned friend.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," he said. "I didn't want to fight him."
Lyra walked over to him, her eyes wide with admiration and concern. She reached out and touched his arm.
"You were protecting yourself," she said. "You were amazing."
She looked up at him, the air between them heavy with unspoken tension.
"Let's go back to the dorms," she whispered. "It's getting late."
Kael nodded. "Let's go."
As they walked out of the hall, Kael checked his internal clock.
SYSTEM ALERTTIME: 22:00TARGET SOPHIA VANE: LOCATION - GIRLS DORMITORY LOBBY.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"You go ahead, Lyra," Kael said, stopping at the path split. "I forgot something in the hall."
"Oh? Okay," Lyra said, looking back. "Don't stay too late. Rest is important."
"I won't."
He watched her walk away, her silhouette disappearing into the moonlight.
Then, he turned and melted into the shadows of the building. He wasn't going back to the dorms.
He had one more lesson to teach tonight.
He circled around the main building, moving toward the side entrance where the vending machines were. He knew Sophia's habits. He had listened to her patterns for days.
She was there, buying a bottle of water, looking skittish and paranoid. She was alone.
Kael stepped out of the shadows.
"Sophia."
She jumped, dropping the bottle. It rolled across the floor.
She spun around, seeing Kael standing under the dim light. The same light that had illuminated the forest where he had eaten her attackers.
"K-Kael," she stammered, backing up against the vending machine. "W-what do you want?"
She was terrified. Good.
Kael walked forward slowly. He didn't look threatening. He looked calm.
"I heard your brother is fighting me tomorrow," Kael said casually.
Sophia swallowed hard. "I... I didn't tell him anything. I swear! I didn't tell him about... about the forest."
"I know," Kael said. "You've been a good girl, Sophia."
He stopped a foot away from her. She was trembling.
"If he loses tomorrow," Kael whispered, "he will be humiliated. He will lose his status. He might even blame you."
Sophia's eyes widened. "What? Why me?"
"Because he needs someone to blame," Kael lied smoothly. "But if he wins... if he hurts me badly... you'll be safe."
Sophia looked confused. "I don't understand."
Kael leaned in, his voice a serpent's hiss.
"Here is what is going to happen, Sophia. You are going to sit in the front row tomorrow. You are going to watch very closely. And when I break your brother—because I will break him—you are going to smile."
He placed a hand on the glass beside her head, trapping her.
"Because if you don't," Kael murmured, his eyes flashing with a sliver of lightning, "everyone will know what happened in the forest. And I will be very... disappointed."
Sophia nodded frantically, tears welling in her eyes. "I'll do it. I'll smile. I promise!"
Kael stepped back, his face returning to a neutral mask.
"Good night, Sophia."
He turned and walked away, leaving the terrified girl sliding down the vending machine.
MANIPULATION SUCCESSFUL.
Two birds with one stone. He had enraged Julius, ensuring a reckless fight, and he had cowed Sophia, ensuring a public display of submission.
Tomorrow, the tournament would begin.
And the Wolf would finally bare his fangs.