The academy was silent.
It was late at night.
Most of the students had already fallen asleep in their dorm rooms.
Iren lay quietly on his bed.
After everything he had gone through in the past two weeks, his body was completely exhausted.
Within minutes—
He was fast asleep.
Sylven slept peacefully in his room.
Riven slept like a rock, snoring loudly.
Even Kael rested calmly, as if nothing unusual had happened.
But in that quiet night…
One person couldn't sleep.
Lyra.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her eyes slowly blinked as she tried to fall asleep.
But her mind kept replaying a certain image.
Iren… standing in his room.
Bare upper body.
Damp hair.
Water droplets running down his shoulders.
Lyra suddenly squeezed her pillow tightly.
"W-Why…?"
"Why do I keep remembering that?!"
She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow.
A moment later she sat up abruptly, hugging the pillow to her chest.
"But…"
She muttered quietly.
"Riven was right…"
Her cheeks slowly turned red.
"He really does have an impressive body…"
A second later—
"AAARGH!"
Lyra shook her head violently.
"Why am I thinking about that again?!"
She collapsed back onto the bed.
Pulling the blanket over her head.
"Just sleep… please…"
---
Morning arrived.
Golden sunlight poured through the academy windows.
Birds chirped cheerfully outside.
Students filled the academy mess hall.
The noise of conversation and clattering dishes filled the air.
At one of the round tables sat the familiar five members of the team.
Iren.
Kael.
Riven.
Sylven.
Lyra.
Today's breakfast was noodles.
Everyone ate quietly.
Iren looked completely normal.
Calm.
Relaxed.
As if nothing had happened the previous night.
But one person looked completely different.
Lyra.
Her eyes were red.
Dark circles sat beneath them.
Her movements were slow and half-asleep as she quietly chewed her noodles.
Riven glanced at her and grinned.
"Ooooh."
"Poor Lyra."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Looks like someone couldn't sleep all night."
Then he turned toward Iren.
"Right, Iren?"
Iren didn't even look up.
"Riven."
"Do you want me to hit you again like last night?"
Riven raised his hands calmly.
"Nope. Not at all."
He shrugged.
"I just asked because you should understand her condition best."
After all—
He smirked.
"You're the reason she looked like that yesterday."
Iren sighed deeply.
He ignored Riven and looked at Lyra.
She looked half-dead from exhaustion.
Then a small grin slowly appeared on his face.
"…I see."
His grin widened.
"Looks like it's revenge time."
Suddenly he pointed behind Lyra.
"Hey."
"Look."
"A golden bird!"
Lyra slowly turned her head.
"Where…?"
She began looking around lazily.
While she searched—
Iren quickly grabbed the bottle of chili sauce from the table.
GLUG GLUG GLUG
He poured a massive amount into Lyra's noodles.
Then mixed it quickly.
Sylven's eyes widened.
He shook his head frantically.
"No—don't do it—"
But Iren ignored him.
Lyra was still looking around.
"Where is it…?"
Iren casually replied,
"You were too slow."
"It flew away."
Lyra turned back to her bowl.
Her noodles were now bright red.
Everyone else's noodles were yellow.
But she was too sleepy to notice.
She lifted a big bite with her chopsticks.
And ate it.
For one second—
Nothing happened.
Then—
"AHHHHH!!!"
Lyra suddenly jumped up from her chair.
Her face turned red instantly.
"IT'S SPICY!!"
She began searching the table desperately.
"Water! Water!"
But there wasn't a single glass.
Not even a drop.
Without another word—
Lyra dashed out of the mess hall.
DASH!
She sprinted toward the training ground.
Everyone at the table froze for a moment.
Then—
They burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Riven held his stomach.
"Nice one, bro!"
"You got sweet revenge!"
Sylven tried to control his laughter.
"For real… that was brutal."
Iren leaned back in his chair, chuckling quietly.
"So…"
He asked casually.
"Who's going to follow her?"
Riven and Sylven immediately raised their hands.
"Me!"
"Me!"
Iren rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I wonder where she could have gone."
Kael replied calmly,
"Where else?"
"The water cooler."
Iren smirked.
"Good point."
They all stood up.
And headed toward the training ground.
---
When they arrived—
They saw Lyra sitting beside the water cooler.
She was drinking water nonstop.
GLUG GLUG GLUG
Her cheeks were still slightly red.
Her eyes were watery.
Riven walked closer with a mischievous grin.
"Hey Lyra."
"You okay?"
Lyra didn't answer.
She just kept drinking water.
Iren stood behind them, laughing quietly while covering his mouth.
Finally Lyra stopped drinking.
She took a deep breath.
Then slowly turned around.
Her eyes were burning with anger.
"First…"
She said slowly.
"Tell me…"
"Who did that?"
Her gaze was terrifying.
Without hesitation—
Kael, Sylven, and Riven all pointed at Iren.
Iren's laughter stopped instantly.
Lyra stood up.
And slowly walked toward him.
Step.
Step.
Step.
"Ha…"
She cracked her knuckles.
"Iren…"
"You idiot."
Then suddenly—
She jumped forward.
"COME HERE!"
Iren panicked.
He immediately turned and ran.
"HEY WAIT—!"
Lyra chased after him.
"COME BACK HERE!"
"I'M NOT LETTING YOU GO TODAY!"
Iren ran across the training field.
"But you started it!"
"I just took revenge!"
Lyra shouted furiously,
"Revenge?!"
"You just stop for one second!"
"Now it's MY turn!"
"I'm sorry, Lyra!"
"Please forgive—"
Before he could finish—
Lyra suddenly vanished.
Using her short foresight step.
She appeared right beside him.
Then—
BAAAM!
Her fist slammed onto his head.
Iren collapsed onto the ground instantly.
"OWWWW!"
He grabbed his head.
A large bump was already forming.
Nearby—
Kael, Sylven, and Riven stood frozen.
They whispered quietly to each other.
Sylven said nervously,
"She really…"
Kael continued calmly,
"…is…"
Riven finished in fear,
"…too dangerous."
For a moment, the training ground fell silent.
Iren lay on the ground, holding his swollen head.
"Owww…"
Slowly… he pushed himself up.
"Ugh… that really hurt."
Lyra crossed her arms and looked away.
Her cheeks were still slightly red.
After a few seconds, she sighed.
"…Sorry."
Everyone blinked.
Lyra scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I may have… hit you a little too hard."
Riven immediately whispered to Sylven,
"'A little'?"
Sylven whispered back,
"That was a meteor strike."
Kael remained silent, though even he looked slightly amused.
Iren rubbed his head and sighed.
"It's fine."
"But next time… warn me before launching a surprise attack."
Lyra nodded lightly.
"…Okay."
Then Kael stepped forward and clapped his hands once.
CLAP
"Enough."
His voice became serious.
"So… let's begin training."
Everyone immediately straightened.
Kael looked toward the field.
"Same teams as yesterday."
He pointed calmly.
"Lyra and Iren."
Then toward the others.
"Sylven, Riven… and me."
Riven cracked his neck.
"Sounds good."
Sylven nodded.
"Let's do it."
The two groups moved to opposite sides of the training ground.
---
Kael's Team Training
On one side of the field—
Kael planted his spear firmly into the ground.
"Same drill as yesterday."
Riven smirked.
"Breaking your fortress again?"
Kael replied calmly,
"You can try."
Sylven stepped behind them.
"Alright… I'll support."
Kael raised his spear.
THUD
A faint silver light spread from his feet.
Then—
WHOOOOOM
A massive spatial barrier dome appeared around him.
Compressed energy layers stacked together like invisible walls.
Riven grinned.
"Oh I missed this."
He vanished forward.
STEP!
SLASH!
His sword cut through the air in a blur.
But—
CLANG!
The blade bounced off Kael's barrier.
Kael didn't even move.
"Again."
Riven attacked faster.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Dozens of strikes rained down.
Meanwhile Sylven activated his magic.
A soft green glow appeared around Riven's body.
"Vital Synchronizer."
Riven's stamina surged.
"Now we're talking!"
He launched forward again.
Meanwhile Kael calmly compressed his barrier further.
The space around him warped slightly.
Every attack bent away from him.
A perfect defensive fortress.
---
Iren & Lyra's Training
On the other side of the field—
Lyra stood calmly with her twin daggers.
Iren stretched his shoulders slightly.
Then in his mind—
I can't keep up with Lyra using Level 1…
If I do that… I'll lose immediately.
He exhaled slowly.
Then I'll start with Level 2.
Without warning—
FWOOOOSH
A red aura ignited around his body.
Lyra narrowed her eyes.
"Starting seriously already?"
Iren smiled.
"I have to."
"Otherwise you'll destroy me."
Then—
The fight began.
CLANG!
Daggers collided instantly.
The sparks flashed between them.
Iren attacked aggressively.
Lyra moved like flowing water.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Their blades flashed like lightning.
This time Iren changed his style.
He stepped forward—
And suddenly—
SWEEP!
His leg swung low in a powerful downward sweep.
Lyra reacted instantly.
FLIP
She flipped backward gracefully, dodging the attack.
But Iren was already moving.
STEP!
He rushed forward again.
But Lyra's eyes glowed faintly.
"Domain of Time."
For a brief moment—
Everything slowed.
Then—
SWOOSH
Lyra vanished.
She appeared behind Iren.
Before he could react—
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD
THUD THUD THUD THUD THUD
Ten strikes.
All within one second.
Even stronger than before.
Iren's eyes widened.
His body trembled.
Then he dropped to one knee.
"Ghh—!"
He looked back at Lyra.
"You… intentionally… hit me harder… didn't you?"
Lyra nodded calmly.
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"Revenge."
Then she added,
"And because I kept training while you were gone."
Iren slowly stood up.
A smile appeared on his face.
"You've really become stronger."
Lyra smiled proudly.
But then—
Iren suddenly smirked.
"But this time…"
"I have something to show you."
Lyra tilted her head.
"What?"
Iren replied calmly.
"My new power level."
Lyra froze.
Her eyes widened.
"…What?"
"But you just mastered Level Two."
"Then…?"
Iren nodded.
"Right."
"But recently…"
"I unlocked something new."
Lyra went completely still.
Iren asked seriously,
"Do you think you can handle it?"
"Because… I haven't mastered it yet."
Lyra gulped.
For a moment she hesitated.
But then she nodded.
"…Alright."
Iren smiled slightly.
"I knew you would agree."
"And honestly…"
"You've already surpassed my Level Two."
Then he stepped back.
"Be ready."
Iren straightened his posture.
He clenched his fists.
Inside his mind—
I hope… this doesn't go out of control.
He closed his eyes.
Then whispered softly—
"Level Three…"
His voice grew stronger.
"Ever Flame."
Suddenly—
FWOOOOOOOOOOOM
Fire erupted around his body.
A violent inferno exploded outward.
The heat wave shook the ground.
The power was overwhelming.
Iren's knees bent slightly.
But he forced himself to stand.
His teeth gritted.
His fists clenched.
Watching the ferocious flames—
Lyra stepped back.
Her eyes filled with shock.
Is this real…?
Did he really unlock a new level?
Then she noticed something.
The raging flames slowly calmed.
Instead of exploding outward—
They began wrapping around Iren's body.
Like a living aura.
Controlled.
Condensed.
Burning quietly.
Lyra stared.
He really unlocked a new level…
Is he… a monster?
Iren exhaled slowly.
The flames stabilized around him.
"…Looks like I can control it."
Then he looked directly at Lyra.
She was still staring at him in shock.
Iren smiled calmly.
"So, Lyra…"
He raised his dagger.
"Let's begin."
---