"You can stop holding my hand now, Serina," Kael said, glancing at her.
She turned, realizing she was still clinging to him as they ran ahead of the team. "Oh—!" Her pale skin flushed bright red. "I'm so sorry!" she yelped, quickly pulling her hand away.
Kael blinked, caught off guard by the sudden reaction. Still, he remembered how she stood up for him earlier. She's always so quiet… and yet, she still stood up for me.
"Thank you," he said, sincerely.
They kept running side by side while Emilio and Neira trailed behind. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them.
"Y-you don't have to thank me," Serina stammered. "After all, we're friends, right? It's normal for friends to help each other… so you don't have to carry everything by yourself. I-I'll protect you too…" she looked down, cheeks turning even redder.
"Pffft. You look like a tomato," Kael said, laughing.
Serina turned sharply to him, eyes wide. It was the first time she'd ever heard him laugh—genuinely. And it was… beautiful.
"Pretty…" she blurted, not realizing she'd said it out loud.
"…What?" Kael asked, confused.
"Nothing!" Serina gasped and suddenly bolted ahead, leaving the group behind. She didn't care if she got tired faster—her heart was racing, and she didn't understand the strange emotion bubbling inside her.
Kael blinked, dumbfounded. "Why'd she take off like that? And what did she mean by 'pretty'…?"
Swoooosh.
A gust of wind flew past him—Neira, speeding after Serina without a word. Emilio appeared beside Kael, breathing hard but grinning.
"What did you say to her?" Emilio asked between gasps.
"I didn't say anything. She said something about 'pretty' and then ran off."
"…I see," Emilio muttered. This guy really has no clue about anything. Judging by Kael's blank expression, he clearly had no understanding of this kind of situation.
"Anyway," Emilio added, "that instructor… I still don't get why she said that back there."
Kael's face darkened. "I don't know what her goal is, but… I'll endure it."
"…Huh?" Emilio stared at him. Did Kael just say he'd endure something?
That was new. Emilio could feel it—Kael was changing. But he didn't know Kael had already seen Selviane's energy level. She was overwhelmingly stronger. Picking a fight now would be pointless. And the Ash Crow had told him… he could learn a thing or two from her.
By the tenth lap, everyone was collapsing from exhaustion—except Kael, who kept running like a machine.
"Ugh… ugh… what is he, a beast?" Neira groaned, completely drenched in sweat.
Emilio couldn't even feel his legs anymore. "I think I left my soul back at lap six…"
"Pfft. Looks like everyone's worn out—but that Kael still doesn't look tired at all." Selviane watched from the sidelines with a smirk as the rest of the students stared, equally shocked.
She'd heard of him before—the headmaster had taken a personal interest in this one. Still, she could tell this boy carried dangerous rage. If someone didn't rein it in, he'd burn himself long before reaching his peak. In this world, strength is measured by the sword. But that alone won't save him.
After a few more minutes, Team Five finally completed their twenty laps.
Selviane smiled. "How's everyone feeling?"
Emilio grinned, though his face twitched with frustration. "Oh, fantastic. Thanks to you."
"I'm glad." She clapped her hands. "Now that your blood's flowing—let's begin. Today, I'll be teaching you how to conceal your presence."
Everyone froze as Selviane pulled out a blindfold.
She smiled slightly. "Every human bonded with a Divine Beast leaks a bit of aether—when they breathe, walk, or even think too aggressively. To hide your presence, you have to suppress the natural flow of aether. Not just physically—but mentally and emotionally. This lesson is about how to do that… especially when you're being hunted."
Lucian raised a hand.
"Yes?" she asked without turning.
"I understand what you're teaching, but some of us already know how to suppress our presence."
"I see," she said. "I get it."
Lucian relaxed a bit. "Thanks for—"
"But this isn't about you, prodigy of the West," she cut him off coldly, her eyes narrowing.
Lucian's smile vanished. He looked down, biting his tongue.
"Now, close your eyes—everyone except the geniuses. You can follow along or stand there and pretend you're above the rest. Your choice."
Kael closed his eyes without protest. He did know how to hide his presence. But after what happened earlier—when she appeared behind him without even a whisper—he knew she had more to teach.
"Remember this," she said, her voice calm but firm.
"You don't stop your heartbeat. You slow the rhythm of your soul."
"Step one: Still the Breath. Slow your breathing until it almost disappears."
Kael inhaled. Exhaled. Focused.
"Step two: Anchor the Mind. Clear your thoughts. The more emotion you carry—rage, fear, pride—the more your aura leaks."
Kael was doing fine—until a flicker of a memory rose in his mind.
The King's face.
The sneer.
The verdict.
Damn it… I was doing fine, and now that bastard pops into my head again? He clenched his jaw.
Without warning, a cold sensation touched his back. Selviane's hand.
"Hey, little Kael," she said softly. "How about you breathe? Let go of the hatred. I've heard all about you."
What is she doing? Kael thought, startled.
"Calm down. Concentrate. Let your mind flow like a river," she whispered.
Kael let out a slow breath and nodded.
Selviane stepped back. "Step three: Collapse the Core. Picture your aether folding into itself. Like a flame hidden inside a shell."
"Step four: Sync with the Environment. Let the world flow through you. Don't force yourself onto it."
After a while, everyone slowly opened their eyes. Some felt… lighter. Others clearly failed.
Kael looked around. Emilio and Neira were staring at him.
"Did you get it?" Emilio asked.
Kael nodded. "Yeah. It was easy."
Selviane overheard him and smiled. "Good."
Then she reached for the blindfold again.
"Okay, class," she said, tightening the cloth around her eyes, "let's start the real lesson."
"…Real?" someone muttered. Confused murmurs spread across the field.
Selviane turned, now holding a wooden sword in one hand. Her smile sharpened, dangerous.
"This next part is my favorite," she said with an unsettling tone.
"Hide your presence, all of it. If I feel even a flicker… this sword will leave a lovely memory on your body."