A few days later…
The private training ground behind Aurora's academy was quiet, bathed in the soft morning light.
Tall stone pillars surrounded the open courtyard, engraved with runes that glowed faintly whenever mana was channeled.
In the center of the field, Aurora stood gracefully, her long auburn hair swaying gently in the breeze as she held a practice sword in her hand.
Gray stood a few meters away, his posture straight but lifeless. His black eyes were dull, almost empty, as if the light behind them had been extinguished.
Aurora observed him for a long moment before speaking.
"Since you have now developed Soul Chasing Qi within your body, we can finally begin the real practice of the Soul Chasing Extremities sword art," she said, gesturing with her sword.
"The first move you learned was only the foundation: 'Severing Pursuit'. It allowed you to chase and sever the soul's connection to the body. But the second move… is where the true essence of the art begins."
