The wind moved again.
Light.
Slow.
But carrying something new.
Not fear.
Not destruction.
Expectation.
Leo stood on the training ground, unmoving.
His eyes were calm.
But his mind… was not.
The encounter had confirmed it.
He was no longer alone.
Others existed.
Others who had awakened.
And unlike the watchers—
They had will.
They had purpose.
They could choose.
"…That makes them more dangerous."
The voice inside him spoke quietly,
"Yes."
Leo closed his eyes for a moment.
"…Good."
Silence followed.
Not disagreement.
Acceptance.
---
Days passed.
But nothing returned to normal.
Training intensified.
Security increased.
And the academy itself began preparing for something unknown.
Students were divided into groups.
Combat readiness became mandatory.
Even first-year students were no longer treated as beginners.
Because the world outside…
Was no longer safe.
---
Inside a large training hall—
Dozens of students stood in formation.
Instructors watched closely.
"From today onward," one of them announced,
"You will train under real combat conditions."
Murmurs spread.
"No more simulations."
"No more limits."
"If you cannot adapt…"
A pause.
"You will not survive."
Silence replaced the noise instantly.
Kai leaned toward Leo, whispering,
"…Well, that's comforting."
Leo didn't respond.
His attention was elsewhere.
Watching.
Sensing.
Learning.
---
"Begin."
The command echoed.
Instantly—
Chaos erupted.
Students moved.
Attacked.
Defended.
Clashed.
Real power filled the hall.
Not controlled.
Not restrained.
A student was thrown across the floor.
Another barely blocked an incoming strike.
The tension was real.
The danger was real.
Leo stepped forward slowly.
One opponent approached him.
Confident.
Determined.
"Let's see how strong you are."
Leo looked at him.
No emotion.
"…You shouldn't."
The student attacked anyway.
Fast.
Precise.
Well-trained.
Leo moved slightly.
Just one step.
The attack missed.
Before the student could react—
Leo tapped his shoulder lightly.
That was enough.
The student froze.
Then collapsed.
Unconscious.
Silence spread around them.
"…What?"
"…Did he even try?"
Ryu exhaled slowly.
"…He's on a different level."
Milan adjusted his glasses.
"…No."
"…He is beyond levels."
---
Hours later—
The training ended.
Exhaustion filled the hall.
But Leo—
Was untouched.
Not a single drop of sweat.
Kai walked over, shaking his head.
"…At this point, it's unfair."
Leo replied calmly,
"It's necessary."
Kai sighed.
"…You've really changed."
Leo didn't deny it.
---
That night—
The sky darkened again.
But not naturally.
Clouds gathered too fast.
Too suddenly.
Lightning flashed without sound.
The air grew heavy.
Oppressive.
Leo stepped outside.
Alone.
Looking up.
"…Another one."
The voice inside him confirmed it.
"Yes."
But this time—
It felt different.
Not hidden.
Not cautious.
Open.
Overwhelming.
The space above the academy twisted—
Then broke.
A massive crack formed in the sky.
Much larger than before.
Much more unstable.
Students rushed out again.
Fear returned instantly.
"…What now?!"
"…Another attack?!"
Teachers prepared defenses immediately.
But their faces—
Showed something else.
Helplessness.
---
From the crack—
A figure descended.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Unlike the hunter.
Unlike the watcher.
This presence…
Was alive.
Fully.
Long silver hair moved with the wind.
Eyes glowing faintly.
Not empty.
Not cold.
But aware.
Observing everything.
He landed gently.
No explosion.
No destruction.
But the pressure—
Was overwhelming.
Several students fell to their knees instantly.
"…I can't breathe…"
"…What is this…?"
Even instructors struggled to stand.
Leo didn't move.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
The entire world felt distant.
Irrelevant.
"…So you're the one."
The figure spoke first.
His voice was calm.
But absolute.
Leo responded,
"…You're not hiding your presence."
A faint smile appeared.
"…There's no need."
Silence followed.
Then—
"I am Arion."
"…One of the awakened."
The name carried weight.
Not just identity—
Authority.
Leo's expression didn't change.
"…Leo."
Arion nodded slightly.
"…I know."
The air trembled again.
"…You've grown fast."
Leo replied,
"…Not enough."
Arion's smile deepened slightly.
"…Good answer."
A pause.
"…But still wrong."
Leo's aura rose slightly.
"…Explain."
Arion stepped forward.
The ground beneath him didn't break—
It obeyed.
"…Growth is meaningless without understanding."
Leo's eyes sharpened.
"…And you understand?"
Arion stopped.
Looked directly at him.
"…More than you."
The pressure increased instantly.
Students backed away.
Even Luna struggled to stay standing.
Kai whispered,
"…This guy is insane…"
Ryu clenched his fists.
"…Leo…"
---
Arion raised his hand slowly.
The space around Leo froze.
Not attacked.
Not crushed.
Just… stopped.
Leo's body stiffened slightly.
"…This is…"
Arion spoke calmly,
"…Authority."
A pause.
"…Not power."
"…Control."
Leo pushed slightly.
The space cracked.
But didn't break.
Arion watched closely.
"…Impressive."
"…But incomplete."
Leo's voice remained steady,
"…Then teach me."
Silence.
The pressure dropped slightly.
Arion lowered his hand.
"…Interesting."
A faint smile returned.
"…You're not like the others."
Leo didn't respond.
Arion turned slightly,
"…Most of them seek power."
"…You seek something else."
A pause.
"…That's why you survived."
Leo's gaze didn't waver.
"…So?"
Arion looked back at him.
"…So I'll give you a choice."
The air grew still.
"…Fight me."
A pause.
"…Or learn from me."
Shock spread instantly.
Kai whispered,
"…Is this guy serious?!"
Milan's eyes widened,
"…This is not a normal opportunity…"
Luna watched silently.
Her eyes on Leo.
Waiting.
Leo stood still.
Thinking.
Not about fear.
Not about danger.
But about the future.
The enemies coming.
The truth he saw.
The limits he felt.
Then—
He spoke.
"…I'll do both."
Silence.
Then—
Arion laughed softly.
"…Good."
The sky trembled slightly.
"…That's the right answer."
He stepped back.
Power rising.
"…Then show me."
Leo raised his hand slowly.
Golden aura forming again.
Stronger.
More stable.
"…I won't hold back."
Arion's eyes glowed.
"…Neither will I."
The air cracked.
The ground trembled.
The world held its breath.
Because this fight—
Was not just a battle.
It was a turning point.
A step forward.
Toward something greater.
Toward something unstoppable.
And at the center of it—
Leo moved first.