Kai was training intensely, doing push-ups with only one hand. Ever since Enrico had entered the warehouse the previous day, he had been devoting himself even more to his training. The girls had tried to approach him to ask a few questions, but they were chased away by Elaris, who had remained there since the previous day.
'The president seems to be sleeping.'
Sitting in a rocking chair she had brought herself, Elaris slept peacefully as the chair moved back and forth. Kai knew she wasn't there merely to ensure that the girls' punishments were carried out. The president also wanted to discover what level Enrico would reach when he came out of the warehouse.
'I want to see his level too. After all, I need to become stronger to protect my friends. Seeing how powerful the person I want to catch up to is would be good motivation.'
To make matters worse, Kai received two pieces of news that morning. An hour earlier, the vice president of the Student Council had appeared to bring food to Elaris and had taken the opportunity to share the latest news.
"It seems Miss Lira has reached the Third Circle."
"Wait, is that serious?"
"That's right. She notified the administration as soon as she succeeded. It seems she wants to send someone a message."
Upon hearing the conversation between the two, Kai gripped his sword tightly. Lira had declared herself Enrico's rival, making it even harder for Kai to get a rematch against him. Now, besides Enrico, there was another person he needed to surpass. To make matters worse, that person was stronger than Kai himself.
"Miss, I also have a second piece of news to inform you about."
"What is it?"
"Princess Elowyn defeated the fourth-ranked student and took her position."
Elaris immediately stood up, surprised by the news. Kai was also impressed. If Elowyn had managed to defeat Roberto, it meant she had reached a new level of power.
The princess had left that week to train with her father, and they didn't know exactly what had happened during that period. However, the results seemed to show that the training had been extremely beneficial.
"That means there has been a change among the fifteen chosen ones."
"Well, if Sir Roberto works hard, he might be able to reclaim that position."
"You're right. I hope that happens."
Elowyn was a difficult person to deal with, and, to be honest, Elaris didn't intend to allow her to participate in the Tournament of Runes. Unless, of course, the person she had chosen was stubborn enough to insist on taking her along.
'I just didn't want to take her because she's difficult to deal with, but it seems this princess will be going anyway.'
The two pieces of news affected Kai a little. It was frustrating to realize that other people seemed to be advancing while he remained stuck in the same place. Sighing, he stood up and went to wake Elaris, since it was already time for her to go to bed.
The previous day, Kai had received permission to stay there thanks to Virelle's intervention, after she discovered that Enrico was training in something. Elaris, however, didn't have the same authorization.
"President, you'd better leave. It's curfew time."
"...Already? But I still don't even know what level he's reached."
Elaris looked at Kai disapprovingly as she woke up.
"Sorry, President, but those are the rules."
"So what? I'm the president of the Student Council, so I can stay!"
Before the argument could continue, the warehouse door opened.
Enrico emerged wearing the clothes he had put on when entering the warehouse, before he began using the garments he had found in the dungeon. Now, they were completely destroyed, the result of the intense battles he had faced during training.
The dungeon had disappeared, but not because it had been cleared. Enrico had simply switched off the portal, programming it so that it could only be opened again if he himself entered. That way, no one would risk accessing that place by accident.
'Now they're free to make a mess of things... Except for breaking the vases. If they do that, they're dead.'
"Enrico, did you manage to complete your training?"
"What level did you reach during this time? I'm quite curious."
Seeing Kai and Elaris approach, Enrico immediately made the Fire Cancer mark disappear from his back. For a moment, he had even forgotten about it.
During those two months, his clothes had been destroyed so many times that everyone had ended up seeing the mark, but he hadn't needed to worry much about it. Since no one knew what it meant, they thought it was something similar to the marks on his hand, which were related to his contract with Lunaris and the imprisoned dark elves.
Fortunately, Enrico could now make those marks disappear whenever he wanted.
"You want to know my level? Well..."
"You really reached the Third Circle! I really did choose the right disciple!"
Virelle suddenly appeared, interrupting Enrico. With a subtly happy expression, she observed the young man, surprising the three of them with her unexpected appearance and words.
Enrico, however, knew very well how she had discovered his advancement so quickly.
"Your ability to sense mana really is impressive, Professor."
"I know it is. Your mana quantity has increased considerably, so that can only mean you've reached the Third Circle, right?"
"Yes, I did."
Elaris and Kai felt practically the same way. The news surprised them, but at the same time, it was something both had expected to happen sooner or later.
Meanwhile, Lira was following the entire interaction through a magical communication orb. Upon hearing the confirmation, she raised her arms and broke into an almost insane smile of happiness.
"I really did choose the right one! Hehehehe! I can't wait for our battle!"
Back at the warehouse, Enrico received congratulations from Kai and Elaris. Both showed genuine happiness for his achievement, although there was also a little envy in their eyes because he had reached that level first.
And that was exactly the feeling Enrico wanted to awaken in them.
"What is it? Are you jealous?"
Kai scratched the back of his neck with an awkward expression.
"It's not exactly jealousy, it's just that..."
"Haha! Come on, don't be cowards and refuse to admit something so simple. If you're feeling that way, use that feeling to try to surpass me!"
Upon noticing the challenge in Enrico's eyes, both felt their determination grow within them.
Elaris then turned to Virelle and bowed before making a request.
"Professor Virelle, please, I'd like to give my rank to Enrico. You must have noticed that his level is now higher than mine."
Virelle raised an eyebrow, a small smile threatening to appear on her face.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, I am... But, of course, I'll try to reclaim this position in the future."
With determination filling her eyes, Elaris looked directly at Virelle. The professor nodded upon noticing how serious the decision was and informed her that she would communicate the request to the director.
Then, Elaris turned back toward Enrico. A small smile appeared on her lips as she raised her hand and rested it on his shoulder.
"Congratulations, Enrico. You've surpassed even the expectations I already had of you. With this, you're the third student in the class to reach the Third Circle."
Enrico was surprised by her words.
"Wait, aren't I second? If I'm not, then who is?"
"Lira Xuefeng."
Enrico's face became completely expressionless as only one thought echoed in his mind.
'Damn her!'