Training zone—the dummy yard
Kael and his team arrived late to the training field, where dozens of students were already running laps. The field was huge—lined with dummies, weapon racks, and wooden swords scattered around.
At the center stood a lone instructor. A woman.
She didn't look intimidating at first glance—elegant, poised, almost noble-like in posture. Kael squinted, trying to gauge her strength, but something felt off.
Then, in a blink—
"Where did sh—?" Emilio began, but froze mid-sentence.
She was behind them.
"Oh my, bad students already?" she said, her voice smooth and soft, with a strange, teasing warmth. "First day of class, and you're already late?"
Serina and Neira stiffened. Emilio instinctively took a half-step back. None of them had seen her move.
Kael's skin crawled. He hadn't sensed her approach at all. What kind of instructor was this woman? And… were those heels she was wearing?
The woman tilted her head, smiling faintly.
"I see the confusion on your faces. Allow me to introduce myself," she said, voice still low and lilting. "I'm Selviane A'rezaria. From today forward, I'll be your instructor in close combat and swordsmanship."
"I—I see…" Emilio said with a nervous laugh, cold o pool
sweat forming at his temple.
Selviane's smile didn't fade.
"So tell me," she said, the air around them suddenly heavier, hotter, as if the atmosphere itself thickened with pressure. "Why… were you late?"
[This woman is incredibly strong. You should learn a thing or two from her. She seems to possess a similar type of Divine Beast as your instructor.]
'You mean the snake?' Kael thought.
[Yes—but hers is different.]
Kael wasn't surprised. He had heard that the academy was filled with instructors who were not only skilled but genuinely powerful. Still, it made him wonder—just how strong was she?
[Do you want to know?]
'You mean I can know that?'
[Yes. Let me borrow your vision—I'll show you how to see strength.]
'You mean like possessing me again?' Kael narrowed his eyes.
[Tch. The only reason I ever possessed you was because of your habit of attracting wild beasts and almost getting yourself killed in that forest. If I didn't interfere, you'd be dead. Besides, what do you think I sent you to this academy for?]
Kael went quiet. The Ash Crow had done more for him than he liked to admit. 'Alright… show me. You can borrow my eyes.'
[Good. I'm not possessing anything. I'm just lending you my sight. Now open your eyes—and look.]
A pulse of energy surged through Kael's skull, focusing on his eyes. It felt like a thousand ants crawling beneath his eyelids. He rubbed at them, wincing from the itch, and then opened them—and immediately gasped, stumbling backward.
"Whoa—Kael?" Emilio spun toward him. "What's wrong?"
"N-no… nothing," Kael said quickly, but his heart was pounding.
Kael couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Ether—raw, vibrant, alive—flowed around every student like a second skin. Normally, ether only became visible when intentionally manifested. But now, with his right eye glowing faintly, he could see it naturally. Every body was surrounded by a signature aura: some pulsing like flames, others flickering like dying embers.
He scanned the field in awe.
[Stop gawking. I don't have infinite ether, brat. Focus on the target.]
Kael nodded and turned his attention to Selviane.
Instantly, he froze.
Compared to the students around her, her energy wasn't just large—it was massive. Towering. It didn't swirl like theirs—it commanded the air around her. If others were tents, hers was a fortress.
[Now you see. This is how knights gauge strength. With trained eyes and sharp instinct.]
The sensation made Kael shiver. The ability was powerful—but a thought crept in, unwelcome.
How powerful is the king?
He couldn't even imagine what kind of pressure a man like that would radiate. He hated the idea of being helpless again.
[The fact you're even asking that means you're growing.]
Kael didn't answer.
"Ahem." A sharp voice snapped him out of it. "Little boy, stop staring at me like I stole something," Selviane said, frowning.
Kael blinked rapidly as the ability faded. His vision dimmed slightly, and a wave of fatigue rolled through him.
"W-what?" he mumbled.
"You've been eyeing me like I owe you coin. Speak up. Name?"
"…Kael Veyrion."
Selviane's eyes narrowed. Her lips curled into a cold smile. "Ah. The traitor's son."
Gasps rippled through the team. Serina covered her mouth. Emilio's posture tensed.
Kael's eyes twitched. "What… did you just say?"
Neira and Emilio moved quickly, grabbing him by the arms.
"Think, dumbass," Neira whispered fiercely. "Use your brain, not your fists. Lose control again, and I'll punch you harder than last time."
Kael clenched his jaw. Slowly, he yanked his arms free—but held it in.
Selviane raised a brow. "Huh. I expected the infamous Veyrion brat to challenge me to a duel, just like you did Silvius."
"Instructor Selviane, please!" Serina's voice cracked. She stood trembling, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "He's not who you think he is."
Selviane turned her gaze to Serina. She looked surprised at the sudden courage from the normally quiet girl.
"…Fine. I'll stop," she said at last, tone softening slightly. "But since you all decided to show up late—you're doing twenty laps. Now."
Everyone nodded—except Kael, whose fists were still clenched.
"Let's go, Kael," Serina said gently, taking his hand.
The group took off around the training yard.
Off to the side, Lyssandra watched with her arms crossed, eyes fixed on Kael as he ran.
"…Kael," she murmured under her breath.