Theo's POV
By the time I made my way back from behind the academy, the noise had returned.
Clashing magic.
Shouts.
Impact.
The training grounds were still active.
Good.
That meant I didn't miss much.
I stepped quietly along the edge of the arena, blending into the crowd of students watching the ongoing matches.
No one paid me much attention this time.
Not like before.
Right now—
All eyes were on the fight.
Two students stood in the arena.
Class C.
Their movements were faster than most of what I'd seen earlier.
Cleaner.
More controlled.
Fire and wind clashed in quick bursts.
Short.
Efficient.
No wasted movement.
I watched carefully.
They're not stronger than Lucian…
But they're still far above Class D.
The fight ended quickly.
One mistake.
That was all it took.
The losing student hit the ground.
Match over.
Simple.
"Back already?"
Kairo's voice came from behind me.
I didn't turn.
"Yeah."
He stepped beside me, watching the next match begin.
"Thought you were resting."
"I was."
"Doesn't look like it."
I ignored that.
Mira joined us a moment later.
"You shouldn't be pushing yourself."
"I'm fine."
She glanced at me briefly.
Then frowned slightly.
"…You're moving better."
I didn't respond.
Kairo blinked.
"Wait—yeah, you are."
He leaned closer.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing."
Mira didn't look convinced.
But she didn't press further.
Another match began.
This time—
Class B.
The difference was immediate.
The moment the fight started, the pace changed completely.
Faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Every movement had purpose.
No hesitation.
No wasted energy.
One of them used ice magic.
Not flashy.
Not overwhelming.
But controlled.
Perfectly shaped attacks.
The other couldn't keep up.
The match ended in seconds.
Kairo exhaled.
"…Yeah, we're definitely at the bottom."
Mira crossed her arms.
"As expected."
I stayed silent.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Control…
Efficiency…
No wasted movement.
That was the difference.
Not just power.
Understanding.
"Next match."
The instructor's voice echoed.
A pause.
Then—
"Lucian Draeven."
The entire area shifted.
Students moved closer.
Whispers spread instantly.
"He's fighting again?"
"Who's his opponent?"
"Does it even matter?"
Lucian stepped into the arena.
Calm as always.
Unbothered.
His opponent followed.
Class B.
Confident.
Prepared.
But I could already see it.
The gap.
The match began.
Lucian didn't move at first.
He let his opponent attack.
A barrage of wind blades shot toward him.
Fast.
Sharp.
Precise.
Lucian stepped forward.
Lightning flickered once.
Then—
He disappeared.
A single flash.
A single strike.
BOOM
The Class B student was sent flying across the arena.
Silence.
Match over.
Just like that.
No struggle.
No effort.
Lucian turned and walked away like nothing happened.
Kairo stared.
"…Yeah, okay. That's not fair."
Mira didn't respond.
Because there was nothing to say.
I watched Lucian's back as he left the arena.
That's the level.
Even after everything—
Even after pushing him—
That was still the difference.
"…You're thinking too much."
I blinked slightly.
Then turned.
A calm voice.
Familiar.
Arielle Virel stood a few steps away.
Watching the arena.
Not me.
"…Maybe," I said.
She didn't look at me.
"Watching alone won't close the gap."
"I know."
"Then why are you here?"
I paused for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"…To understand it."
Arielle was quiet for a second.
Then—
"…Good."
She finally looked at me.
Her eyes were calm.
Sharp.
"You're not like the others."
Kairo blinked behind me.
"…What does that mean?"
Arielle ignored him.
Her gaze stayed on me.
"You don't chase power blindly."
A brief pause.
"You build it."
I didn't respond.
Because she wasn't wrong.
Another match was called.
But I wasn't watching it anymore.
Not really.
Because my focus had already shifted inward.
To something else.
Something new.
I raised my hand slightly.
Just enough so only I could see.
Water formed again.
Small.
Controlled.
Smoother than before.
Not perfect.
But improving.
I closed my hand.
Letting it fade.
Arielle turned away.
"Don't waste that potential."
Then she walked off without another word.
Kairo leaned closer immediately.
"…Okay, that's the second time she's come to you."
"…Yeah."
"Bro, that's not normal."
Mira nodded slightly.
"She doesn't take interest in people without a reason."
I looked back toward the arena.
Where stronger students continued to fight.
"…Then I'll give her a reason."
Because now—
I could see it clearly.
The gap.
The difference.
The level I needed to reach.
And this time—
I wasn't just chasing strength.
I was building it.
Piece by piece.
Step by step.