The blinding light that followed lit up the entire training ground.
A deafening BOOM! echoed across the entire academy.
Dust and debris swirled through the air, and for a brief moment, even the birds that perched on the nearby walls scattered in fright.
From Ground One, students turned toward the sound.
"What was that?!" someone shouted.
"Is someone fighting again?" another replied, standing on tiptoe.
"Over at Ground Two! I saw light!"
Dozens began rushing toward the source of the explosion — some out of curiosity, others out of panic.
The echo of metal clashing and mana roaring had already died, leaving only the sound of crackling energy fading into silence.
And then, amid the chaos—
"ENOUGH!"
Professor Kalden, the third-year class instructor, strode across the scorched field.
His boots crushed the broken earth beneath him as his cloak fluttered in the heated wind.
His eyes scanned every face — from Lucas's smirking expression to Jin's defiant stance.
