The next morning, the mist over the Aetherian Sky Sect had yet to fully fade as the Outer Court disciples once again filled the training grounds. The atmosphere remained cold, heavy with pressure, and filled with measuring gazes.
Ken Tarys arrived as usual silent, unnoticed.
And yet, his presence was never truly ignored.
"Look, he's here again," someone whispered.
"Still hasn't given up?"
Rendo Salvar crossed his arms, staring at Ken with a crooked smile. "If I were him, I'd have run away before embarrassing myself any further."
Ken walked past them without even turning his head.
As if none of it mattered.
Today, the instructor said little. He gave only a single, brief command.
"Today's training. Group formations. Two people per team."
The disciples immediately began to move, quickly searching for partners.
The strong gathered with the strong.
Those with status gathered with those of status.
Ken stood alone.
No one approached him.
No one called his name.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Just as Ken was about to step toward an empty corner, a soft voice suddenly spoke.
"Can I… team up with you?"
Ken stopped.
He turned his head.
A girl stood a few steps away.
Her long, soft green hair flowed down to her waist. Her clear eyes carried a calmness unlike the surrounding atmosphere. A gentle aura of life flowed from her body soft, yet steady.
Several disciples were immediately shocked.
"Lynea Redwood…?"
"Is she serious?"
Lynea lightly gripped the edge of her sleeve, a bit nervous, yet still looking at Ken.
"I don't have a partner either…"
Ken looked at her for a few seconds.
There was no hesitation in his eyes.
"Alright."
His answer was short.
But it was enough to change the mood around them.
"She actually chose Ken?"
"Why not me…?"
Some disciples began to show dissatisfaction.
Rendo snorted softly. "She just doesn't know who she picked."
The training began.
Each pair was instructed to channel their energy together into a simple formation a test of balance and control.
One by one, pairs stepped forward.
Some succeeded. Others failed.
When it was Ken and Lynea's turn, all eyes turned toward them.
The instructor said nothing, only observed.
Lynea stood beside Ken.
"I'll follow your rhythm," she said softly.
Ken gave a slight nod.
He closed his eyes.
Energy began to move within his body once more.
Fire… wind… water… wood…
As usual, they trembled unstably.
But this time when Lynea's energy touched his…
Something changed.
Her soft green energy slowly merged with Ken's wood element.
The chaotic vibrations…
began to settle.
For the first time, Ken did not feel an immediate clash.
The instructor slightly raised an eyebrow.
The other disciples began to watch more seriously.
The formation before them started to glow.
Slowly… stabilizing.
"Impossible…"
Rendo frowned.
Varik stared in disbelief.
But in the next second, Ken's energy surged wildly again.
Fire and wind began to collide.
The formation trembled.
Lynea was startled.
"Ken!"
BOOM!
Another small explosion erupted.
Dust scattered into the air.
The formation shattered.
Silence fell for a moment…
Then laughter broke out again.
"As expected!"
"He really can't do it!"
Lynea stepped back slightly, her breathing uneven.
But strangely
she didn't look disappointed.
Instead…
she looked at Ken with shining eyes.
"That just now… it almost worked."
Ken turned slightly.
"Your wood energy is very strong," Lynea continued softly. "The problem isn't that you lack power… it's that you have too much."
Ken fell silent.
No one had ever said something like that to him before.
All he had ever heard was one thing:
He failed.
The instructor finally spoke.
"You two."
The crowd fell silent again.
"Repeat it tomorrow."
He turned to leave.
But before he did, he added:
"And Ken Tarys…"
Ken lifted his gaze.
"Don't break the formation again."
His tone remained cold.
But…
it was no longer entirely dismissive.
Training ended.
The other disciples began to disperse.
Some still glanced at Ken with strange expressions not just mockery anymore… but also confusion.
Lynea walked toward Ken.
"If you want… we can train together later."
Ken looked at her.
A few seconds passed.
"Why?"
Lynea gave a small smile.
"Because I'm curious."
"What would happen if those four elements truly became one."
The evening wind blew gently across the sect grounds.
Ken did not answer immediately.
But for the first time
he did not feel alone.
High above, far from the Outer Court…
Someone stood silently, watching from a distance.
A girl with silver-blue hair, her aura as cold as the night.
Her eyes were fixed on Ken.
Emotionless.
Yet unwavering.
"Interesting…" she whispered softly.