"The second-year student from the General Division, Shion Lan — after checking the examination record — it was confirmed that he had been absent. The supervising instructor at the time was punished, and now Shion Lan is to report to the administration office to deal with the matter."
The academy was widely renowned, and such a display of negligence was big news. But, contrary to what one might expect, it was the academy itself that made the incident public.
After the issue was settled, Shion returned to his room, waiting for Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai, who soon came back and began bombarding him with questions about what had happened.
"Calm down, both of you! I'll just be away for a month, so there's no need to panic. The problem is, I'll be leaving tomorrow, and I can't just go without making sure you two will be fine."
He pulled out some coins from his pouch.
"Fiore, buy me a few body-strengthening elixirs and energy potions," he said, then turned to Baro.
"Give me your spear. I'll teach you the second move and explain the flow of aura — try to memorize and master it before I return."
Baro pulled out a pen and paper and began sketching Shion's movements as he demonstrated with Baro's own spear. As Shion moved, he explained the starting positions, focus points, and the aura flow within the technique.
"(Spear Acceleration) is the second form of the (Spear of Light) technique. You must focus on maintaining balance while performing it — keep your stance steady, especially your legs."
After a while, Fiore came back, holding fewer than ten bottles of elixirs and potions. Shion's eyes widened.
"Since you're leaving tomorrow, I didn't have time to visit other markets," Fiore explained, panting. "The only active trade guild in the academy right now is the Jewel Guild — and their prices were outrageous."
Shion took the bottles, inhaled their scent, and his expression darkened.
"Was Pearl Jewel there?"
"Yes, she's the one who handed me the potions herself."
Shion thought for a moment.
'Is she trying to take advantage of me? The coins I gave were enough for fifteen bottles… and I only have nine. She managed to rob me cleanly!'
But he shook his head.
'No, something's off. Would she really risk her guild's reputation — as the daughter of the Jewel Guild's president — for a few coins? Or maybe prices really went up without me realizing?'
He dropped the thought and focused entirely on training Baro and Fiore throughout the night.
Later, when he was ready to rest, Shion entered the veins and found Shi Yun Lan as usual.
"Will it only take one night?"
"Yes."
"I have a lot to do tomorrow, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, my friend."
Shion entered the second vein. His vision darkened, and his consciousness began to fade — but thanks to that familiar voice, he managed to hold his mind steady within Shi Yun Lan's body, who awoke in his room.
After preparing to take the next step in his (Art of Annihilation), he heard knocking on the door. When he opened it, it was Bi Ri — Shi Yun Lan's twelve-year-old maid, a girl of striking beauty but deep fear toward him. Ever since that day when her master had shown terrifying ruthlessness, even though it was to save her, she remained frightened. Shi Yun Lan understood.
"Bi Ri, what's the matter?"
"N-nothing, young master. I'm glad you're well, and I'm sorry to disturb you." She bowed.
Lan didn't understand her behavior, so she continued,
"Guard Leon told me that you always check on me after your training, that you've been worried about me… I apologize for being a burden."
Shi Yun Lan smiled faintly. Leon, I'll remember this favor.
"That's not important right now. Are you alright?"
"Yes, sir. The family head ordered me to deliver a message."
At that, Shi Yun Lan's attention sharpened — anything from his father was serious.
"You are to appear in the courtyard at noon today, and bring your sword for the competition."
He watched his maid with a calm smile, then headed to the training grounds, where soldiers and several family members were gathered — none of whom he really cared to remember. He waited with them for the family head's arrival.
No one liked Shi Yun Lan. They all kept their distance, showing open hostility — all except one, who seemed more curious than wary. Lan glanced at him indifferently, but the boy smiled at him. Lan was taken aback.
What's with him?
He hadn't expected such a reaction from anyone except his father, Leon, or Bi Ri. Still, he returned the smile — and if not for his intimidating aura, his smile would've been the most beautiful in the crowd.
Before long, the family head, Shi Yun Han, arrived. His gaze swept over the gathered youths, stopping briefly on his son — a faint smile on his lips.
"This gathering," he began, "as some of you may have guessed, is to decide who among our family will enter the Northern Academy — one of the Five Great Academies of our world. We'll settle it through combat among you youngsters. All of you here, aged twelve to fifteen, are at least at the Expert level. The top five will enter with the family's support. The rest must find their own way."
Though his words were few, they ignited a storm of cheers and excitement.
Everyone stepped onto the arena except two — Shi Yun Lan and a cousin he didn't recognize. Both prepared to fight.
"Begin…"
"(Raindrops)!"
The opponent moved first, attacking at full power before the referee could even finish speaking. Shi Yun Lan didn't move.
"(Aura of Death)!"
A dark, suffocating aura burst from Lan, covering the arena. His opponent fell to his knees, unable to complete his attack — even the referee collapsed, trembling as he remembered the rumors about the young master Lan: that he had no human emotions, and his power was terrifying to every living thing.
"Shi Yun Lan, do not use that technique!" one of the elders shouted.
"But why?" Shi Yun Han countered.
"That art is evil — and he uses it against his own kin!"
"If you're talking about morals, his opponent showed none to begin with. Second, that technique is one Lan developed on his own — no one taught him. There's nothing 'evil' about it. And aren't techniques meant to harm opponents in battle?"
"But that aura is pure malice — we cannot rely on it!"
"'Evil' techniques are those that consume the souls or bodies of others. No one was harmed here — they're simply frightened."
The argument dragged on until Lan lost patience.
"I'll use the family's techniques."
He canceled his aura and got into stance.
"(Raindrops)!"
His attack was faster and stronger than before. His opponent, still weakened from the (Aura of Death), couldn't even rise and was instantly defeated.
"…"
The elder was speechless.
"What has your son done?! He didn't even give his opponent a chance—"
"Silence!" Shi Yun Han's voice thundered. "You want your grandson to make mistakes but not my son? He was the first to attack without respect — do you take me for a fool?!"
A terrifying pressure burst from Shi Yun Han, suppressing the elders and the entire courtyard.
"Family head, what are you doing?!"
"Family head? If I have to deal with such stupidity every day, then I'll crush it here and now!"
The crushing aura forced the elders to their knees. The entire crowd trembled before that dark presence — until a calm but powerful voice called out:
"My son, stop frightening everyone."
The aura vanished instantly. A man floated down above the courtyard — an elderly figure with silver hair, but full of vitality.
"I didn't expect you to cause such a commotion over these fools," he said.
It was none other than Shi Yun Lai, the Great Patriarch.
"Han, I know you've had a hard time dealing with them," he said, "but still, you shouldn't have done that."
The elders bowed deeply. "Thank you, Great Elder!"
But then, to their horror, the old man said:
"If you'd taken my advice back then and killed those fools in secret, you wouldn't be in this mess now!"
"…"
The elders froze in terror, but Shi Yun Lai burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Relax, I'm joking. You're the foundation of this family — we can't do anything without your guidance, right?"
He released his own dark aura — far more powerful than Han's — blanketing the entire courtyard.
"Forgive us, Great Elder! We're sorry!" the elders screamed.
When his aura faded, he turned toward the arena where Shi Yun Lan stood, eyes dark and lifeless — yet, for the first time, they flickered with emotion.
"Han!" the old man shouted. "You unfilial brat! Why didn't you tell me I had such a handsome grandson?!"
In a blink, he appeared beside Shi Yun Lan and lifted him up like a child.
"Boy, I am your Great-Grandfather! The one who roamed lands far and wide, protector of this glorious family — Shi Yun Lai!"
"Father, put him down. He's not a child."
"Silence, you rascal!"
Han sighed in defeat.
"From this moment," declared the Great Patriarch, "my grandson, Shi Yun Lan, will attend the Northern Academy! Choose the rest on your own."
His voice shook the entire courtyard. Everyone nodded instantly. He then looked at Lan with affection.
"Come, boy. Let's make up for all the time we lost because of your ungrateful father."
"But Father—"
"Didn't I tell you to be quiet?!"
The aura surrounding Shi Yun Lai was dense enough to make even Han sigh in resignation.
"Shi Yun Lan, my son — try to return safely."
"What?" Lan didn't understand, and before he knew it, he was outside the courtyard, standing before his manor.
Just as he was about to enter, he heard an old man's voice behind him.
"Where is Shi Yun Han?"
Lan turned to see an elderly man — lively despite his age — accompanied by a beautiful girl who seemed to be his granddaughter. But Lan didn't care about her beauty; he looked at the old man, waiting for him to speak.
When the man stayed silent, staring back, Shi Yun Lai's voice rang out behind him:
"Don't you see he's talking to you? Go answer him."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Lan stepped forward.
"The family head is currently occupied with an important event in the courtyard. He won't be available at the moment, but I can arrange proper lodgings for you both until he is."
Though emotionless by nature, Shi Yun Lan had learned proper etiquette from Bi Ri and Guard Leon, and he truly carried himself like a noble heir.
But the old man sneered.
"So that arrogant fool is too busy for me, huh? What an overconfident brat."
"Yes, you—"
Before he could finish, Shi Yun Lai froze as he saw his grandson draw his sword — the blade resting coldly against the rude old man's neck.
"I don't know who you are," Lan said evenly, "but if you don't apologize right now for insulting my father, you won't leave this place alive."
And with that, the (Aura of Death) filled the air once again.