Iren stood alone in the arena.
The night wind brushed against him.
Fwoooosh…
No way…
Did she really hear everything last night?
His expression stiffened.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…No."
He shook his head.
"She isn't that kind of girl."
A pause.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking."
With that, he finally turned and left the arena.
---
Inside Lyra's room—
Her face was slightly red.
She sat on her bed, staring at the wall.
Why did I even tell him that…?
She buried her face in her hands.
What must he be thinking about me now…?
Her eyes shifted toward the table.
Iren's sword rested there quietly under the dim light.
She walked closer and gently touched the hilt.
"I think he won't mind much…"
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"After all… he's just an idiot."
But her tone wasn't mocking.
It was soft.
Almost warm.
She turned off the lamp.
Click.
Darkness filled the room.
---
The Next Morning
Clang!
Lyra lifted the heavy sword again.
"Haaah!"
She swung it with all her strength.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
Her arms trembled at first—
But gradually—
Her movements became smoother.
Faster.
The weight no longer dragged her down like before.
Sweat formed on her forehead.
Yet she continued.
Again.
And again.
---
Meanwhile—
In the arena—
Iren arrived late.
Again.
Riven crossed his arms with a grin.
"Looks like someone trained her all night."
Iren yawned.
"No. I stopped around midnight. She was exhausted."
Sylven blinked.
"Wait… where's your sword?"
Iren rubbed the back of his neck.
"She borrowed it. For a day."
Silence.
All three stared at him.
Kael's eyebrow twitched.
"You gave her your sword?"
"I didn't have much choice," Iren replied. "She wouldn't let me leave otherwise."
Riven smirked.
"You care about her a lot, don't you?"
Iren's expression darkened instantly.
"…You've started again."
Riven and Sylven burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
But they quickly stopped when Kael cleared his throat.
Sylven tilted his head.
"Then how are you training today?"
Iren's expression turned serious.
"I'll work on controlling my fire."
He looked at his hand.
"When I fought Kael… my flames became explosive. I lost control at the end."
Kael nodded calmly.
"That's true."
Iren continued—
"I unlocked something that day."
He didn't elaborate.
"But I couldn't stabilize it."
Kael gave a small nod.
"That's a good decision."
He stepped back into position.
"Then let's begin."
---
Fwoosh!
Riven and Sylven charged at Kael together.
Clang!
Kael activated his spatial barrier.
A translucent distortion formed around him.
Boom!
Their attacks collided against compressed space.
Meanwhile—
Iren stepped aside.
His Fire Ring began to glow.
Level 1 — Ignition.
A thin layer of flame wrapped around his body.
The air shimmered.
He inhaled.
Push further.
The glow intensified.
Brighter.
Hotter.
Level 2.
The flames thickened around him.
His speed increased.
His muscles tensed.
Heat waves distorted the air.
But suddenly—
The fire flickered violently.
His control slipped.
"—!"
BOOM!
A blast erupted.
Smoke filled the area.
When it cleared—
Iren lay on his back.
Riven looked over.
"…You alive?"
Iren raised a hand weakly.
"Continue training."
"…It was just a small explosion."
The others exchanged glances.
Then resumed.
Clang!
Boom!
Fwoosh!
On the side—
Iren stood again.
He activated Level 2 once more.
The flames surrounded him.
He tried to compress them—
To gather them—
But—
BOOM!
Another explosion.
He fell again.
He gritted his teeth.
"…Again."
He stood.
Activated.
Failed.
Fell.
Stood again.
And again.
And again.
---
The sun climbed.
Then slowly descended.
Evening approached.
Riven and Sylven's movements became sharper.
Faster.
Kael's barrier stabilized with less strain.
His reflexes improved noticeably.
And Iren—
By sunset—
His flames no longer burst wildly.
Level 2 wrapped around him smoothly now.
More intense than before.
His body radiated heat.
His speed had increased.
His strength amplified.
He gathered flames around his arms—
The fire condensed—
Shhh—
Forming blazing daggers in each hand.
Just like he had done against Kael in the finals.
This time—
No explosion.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Almost mastered."
---
All four collapsed onto the arena floor.
Breathing heavily.
Pant.
Pant.
Kael looked around.
"…Good."
"It seems we're all improving."
Everyone nodded silently.
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
"That's enough for today."
Iren stood up.
"I'm heading back."
Riven tilted his head.
"Where?"
Iren glanced over his shoulder.
"You already know."
He smirked faintly.
"To my room. I need rest."
A small pause.
"And I have to help Lyra tomorrow."
He added casually—
"Otherwise, I doubt she'll ever return my sword."
Riven grinned.
"Ohhh."
Iren ignored him.
"Good night."
He walked away.
The sun slowly dipped below the horizon.
Darkness crept across the academy once more.
And night returned.
Quiet.
But beneath that quiet—
Power was growing.
Unnoticed.
---