The wind had begun to calm, leaving only a faint rustle through the shattered grass and a soft hum of residual mana. Kelvin lowered his katana, eyes still faintly glowing, as if the energy within him had not fully settled. He exhaled, the motion almost imperceptible, yet the sheer intensity of the aura around him caused everyone watching to take a step back subconsciously.
Alicia, still trembling slightly from the force of his demonstration, hesitated. Her violet eyes lingered on Kelvin — not with fear, but with a strange fascination that she did not yet understand. Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides as she finally stepped forward, moving cautiously toward him across the devastated training field.
"Kelvin…" she called softly, her voice carrying over the faint hum of lingering mana.
Kelvin did not turn immediately. His eyes scanned the remaining statues, ensuring no residual energy remained, before he finally raised his head. His gaze met hers briefly, calm and unreadable.
"This power…" Alicia began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It… it's incredible. What is it?"
Kelvin's expression remained composed, almost casual, as if she were asking about the weather rather than the demonstration that had just split the sky. "This?" he said, letting his hand hover slightly above the katana's hilt. "It's nothing more than the result of my training. There's no secret technique. Just discipline… and focus."
Alicia blinked. She had expected him to exaggerate, to speak with pride, or perhaps to offer some dramatic explanation. Yet Kelvin's words were simple, matter-of-fact, almost dismissive of what had just occurred.
From the sidelines, Cain Reinhart let out a low whistle, his arms crossed as he leaned against the fence. His eyes were wide, a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "Impossible," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "No human could reach that level in… a few days. Or even a few years."
Kelvin's attention shifted slightly, just enough for him to give a subtle bow toward Zen Arclight, acknowledging his presence. "Greetings, Lord Zen," he said softly.
Zen Arclight's piercing eyes swept over Kelvin, analyzing every detail — posture, mana flow, the faint tremor of residual power in the air. He inclined his head once, a faint smile of approval tugging at his lips. "Remarkable," Zen said, his voice calm yet imbued with awe. "Arcane Blade Academy will be fortunate to have someone of your caliber."
"Thank you," Kelvin replied simply, lowering his head slightly. His voice held no arrogance, only a quiet confidence that made his words carry weight without effort.
Alicia's eyes lingered on him, trying to capture even the smallest detail — the way his shoulders relaxed, the subtle strength in the line of his jaw, the way his aura seemed to bend light slightly, even in the soft morning sun. Yet Kelvin did not return her gaze. He seemed entirely absorbed in his own composure, almost as if her presence were secondary to the flow of his mana.
Disappointment pricked at her chest. She had expected… something. A glance, a flicker of recognition. But Kelvin straightened his posture, turning away slightly, as if the world around him — and everyone in it — were simply part of the background.
"I… I need to return to my quarters to change," Kelvin said quietly to his father, Raon, who had been observing from the sidelines.
Raon nodded without hesitation. "Very well," he replied, voice calm. "Go ahead."
Alicia's lips pressed together, a faint flush rising across her cheeks. Cain, noticing, let out a sharp laugh. "Seems Lady Alicia isn't quite used to being ignored," he teased, leaning casually against the fence with a smirk.
Her heart thumped uncontrollably at the words, though she forced her expression to remain neutral. She averted her gaze, pretending to inspect the distant treeline, yet her ears picked up every syllable.
Zen Arclight, observing quietly, tilted his head slightly and asked her with a calm curiosity. "Do you… like him?"
Alicia froze mid-step. Her violet eyes widened ever so slightly, and a faint warmth crept into her cheeks. "No," she said quickly, the word sharp but unconvincing even to herself.
Cain's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh? Then why does your face look like it's on fire?" he asked teasingly.
Alicia's breath hitched. Her hands tightened slightly at her sides, and her throat felt suddenly dry. Her heart raced in a way she did not understand — a wild, unfamiliar flutter that made her knees feel slightly unsteady.
"Eh?" Cain pressed, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Don't tell me… you actually like him?"
Alicia opened her mouth to deny it, but no words came. She could feel the truth of it rising in her chest, though she could not — would not — admit it. Her gaze flickered involuntarily toward Kelvin, still a distance away, oblivious to the subtle turmoil he had inspired in her.
Zen, ever composed, allowed a faint, knowing smile. There was no mockery, only quiet observation, as if he had seen this pattern countless times before. Alicia's mind raced. She did not understand why he affected her so, why the calm presence of this boy — this Reinhart — left her feeling both flustered and fascinated.
Cain, sensing the victory of his teasing, leaned back with a grin. "Think about it," he said lightly. "You don't have to tell me now. But your face betrays everything."
Alicia exhaled slowly, trying to regain composure. Her fingers unclenched slightly, but her heart continued to pound. The memory of Kelvin's demonstration — the split sky, the obliterated training field, the sheer power that seemed almost divine — played over and over in her mind.
For the first time, she realized that admiration alone could not describe what she felt. It was something more intense, something she hadn't allowed herself to feel before.
Kelvin, now walking toward the estate with measured steps, remained unaware of the storm he had caused in the heart of one observer. Alicia's violet eyes followed him, her curiosity piqued, her emotions tangled. For the first time since she had arrived at the Reinhart estate, she found herself genuinely intrigued — perhaps even drawn — to this young man who seemed capable of bending the world itself with nothing but focus and training.
The grand dining hall of the Reinhart estate was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the chandelier above. Candles flickered softly, casting dancing shadows across the polished oak table, where the Reinhart and Arclight families had gathered for their evening meal. The scent of roasted meat, fresh herbs, and warm bread mingled with the faint aroma of mana-infused wine, creating an atmosphere that was both sumptuous and formal.
Cain Reinhart sat next to his younger brother, Kelvin, their posture almost mirrored: upright, alert, yet relaxed enough to signal familiarity with one another. Across the table, Raon Reinhart maintained his composed demeanor, occasionally offering a small nod or approving glance toward his sons. Lucy, Kelvin's younger sister, sat beside their mother, Maria, her hands folded delicately in her lap as she sipped from a crystal goblet. At the opposite end, Alicia Arclight sat beside her father, Zen, her posture straight, her violet eyes quietly observing every detail of the room and the people in it.
The air was heavy with polite conversation, punctuated by the occasional clink of cutlery against fine china. Raon cleared his throat, raising his glass slightly, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.
"Tonight," he began, his voice steady and warm, "we celebrate the entrance of our children into the Arcane Blade Academy. It is a momentous occasion — one that marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives."
Heads nodded in agreement. Cain's smirk softened slightly, tempered by respect for his father's words. Alicia's eyes flickered toward Kelvin briefly, noting the calm expression on his face — calm as ever, as though nothing in the world could disturb his equilibrium.
Raon continued, raising his glass higher. "Let us toast to their success, their growth, and the adventures that await them."
"To the children!" the families echoed, glasses lifting simultaneously. Crystal caught the candlelight, refracting tiny rainbows across the polished surface of the table. Alicia's gaze lingered on Kelvin, but he did not meet her eyes. Not once. Her chest tightened slightly, a mix of disappointment and curiosity stirring within her. She glanced away, focusing instead on the ornate patterns of the tablecloth, the delicate carvings on the chairs, anything to distract herself from the quiet sting of his indifference.
The meal progressed in a rhythm of polite conversation, laughter carefully measured, and the occasional sharp glance exchanged across the table. Cain occasionally leaned toward Kelvin, murmuring teasing remarks that made the younger Reinhart shake his head ever so slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Alicia watched quietly, noting the way Kelvin's expressions remained composed, almost unreadable. He spoke little, answered questions with succinct, deliberate words, and yet every movement carried a latent power, a strength restrained by perfect discipline.
Hours passed. Candles burned lower, and the hall gradually emptied as the extended family members took their leave. Servants silently removed plates, refilled goblets, and swept the floor with practiced efficiency. Eventually, only the immediate family remained, the echoes of the night's laughter fading into a gentle hush.
Finally, Raon leaned back in his chair, a satisfied expression on his face. "Very well," he said, glancing at each of his children. "You have all celebrated this day well. Now, rest. Tomorrow marks the beginning of your journey."
One by one, the members of the family excused themselves, retiring to their respective rooms. Alicia followed her father quietly, her violet eyes lingering on Kelvin for the final moment before he rose from the table, his katana secured at his side in a manner that seemed almost natural.
Kelvin moved with deliberate ease, each step measured and soundless. He glanced briefly at his father. "I will be going out," he said simply, voice calm, composed.
Raon's eyes narrowed just slightly, though he nodded. "Very well. Take care."
Alicia's gaze followed him as he left the hall, the soft click of his boots echoing in the corridor. She felt a strange pull in her chest, curiosity overriding any sense of caution. She wondered where he was going, why he seemed compelled to leave at this hour, and why his movements carried the quiet aura of someone entirely untouchable.
Outside, the night was cool and clear. Moonlight filtered through the branches of trees, casting long, silver shadows across the Reinhart estate. Kelvin moved swiftly yet silently, the katana at his side catching glimmers of moonlight. His destination was known only to him: the Lyoner Forest, a dense, dangerous expanse owned by the Reinhart family. Whispers among the servants and guards spoke of the forest's deadly trials, where those who entered without knowledge or preparation often did not return.
Yet Kelvin's steps were steady. He had studied the forest, understood its dangers, and planned for every eventuality. His purpose was singular — to train, to hone his skill beyond the limits that even the Arcane Blade Academy might recognize.
When he reached the edge of the forest, the air shifted subtly. The scent of earth and dew was stronger here, tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible hint of mana that suggested the presence of the forest's guardians. Kelvin's hand rested on the hilt of his katana. He inhaled slowly, centering himself. The forest awaited, and he was ready.
As he ventured deeper, the trees grew taller and denser, their branches intertwining overhead to form a natural canopy that blocked much of the moonlight. The rustling of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures filled the air. Kelvin's senses, honed by countless hours of training, picked up the subtle vibrations of movement — the presence of predators lurking in the shadows.
Soon, he came upon them: a pack of white tigers, their fur pale and ghostly in the dim moonlight, eyes glowing faintly with mana. Twenty of them circled, silent, predatory, each muscle taut and ready to strike. Kelvin's lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly, as he drew in a slow breath.
"Let's begin," he murmured softly. His body shifted into a stance passed down through his family lineage, a precise combination of balance, power, and fluidity.
The battle began in a flurry of motion. Kelvin moved with uncanny speed, his katana a blur of silver light. Each strike was deliberate, precise, and devastating, combining the techniques of his ancestors with the raw strength he had cultivated through his Divine Body. As he fought, he drew upon the core essence of the monsters he had defeated before, reinforcing his own body and refining his reflexes.
One by one, the white tigers fell, their forms dissipating into faint trails of mana. The forest echoed with the sound of swift strikes, the tearing of air, and the low growls of the remaining beasts. Minutes passed, and when the last tiger had been defeated, the forest fell silent once more. Kelvin stood in the center of a small clearing, chest rising and falling with controlled rhythm, katana held lightly at his side.
A faint sound caught his attention: the snapping of a twig from behind. Kelvin's senses sharpened immediately, the residual tension of the battle heightening his awareness. "Another monster?" he called, his voice firm, tinged with authority. "Step forward, quickly!"
From the shadows, a figure emerged. Kelvin's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise — but not from fear. Alicia stepped into the moonlight, her silver hair catching the faint luminescence, her expression one of curiosity and determination rather than terror.
"What… why are you here?" Kelvin asked, his tone measured but carrying a hint of concern. "Do you understand the danger of this forest? That those who enter rarely leave unscathed?"
Alicia's gaze met his, unwavering. "I… I was curious," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I saw you leave late at night and… I followed."
Kelvin's brow furrowed slightly. "This forest is not a place for the curious. You could be killed by a single misstep." His hand moved subtly, gesturing for her to stay behind him. "Stay behind me. There is danger here — much more than you realize. If you intend to survive, you must heed my instructions."
Alicia hesitated only for a moment, then nodded, stepping closer to Kelvin's side, trusting in the calm authority he exuded. Kelvin's senses flared as he scanned the surrounding darkness, feeling the faint tremors of creatures that lurked unseen. He adjusted his stance, katana held ready, his entire body coiled like a spring, prepared to react instantly to any threat.
The night seemed to hold its breath. The forest whispered around them, shadows twisting as if alive, the promise of danger looming just beyond the edge of perception. And in the center of it all stood Kelvin Reinhart, a young man who had already split the sky with his power, and Alicia Arclight, drawn by curiosity and perhaps something more, stepping into a world where strength, skill, and willpower were the only paths to survival.