The academy had finally fallen silent.
The bright lights of the training grounds were gone, and only the faint glow of lanterns illuminated the long corridors of the dormitory.
Inside his room, Kairo slowly pushed the door open.
He stepped inside quietly.
For a moment, he simply stood there, staring at the sword in his hand.
The events of the night replayed again and again in his mind.
That mysterious man.
His terrifying strength.
And the words he had spoken.
Kairo sat down on his bed and rubbed his forehead.
…Was that man really my father?
The thought refused to leave his mind.
He remembered the man's final words clearly.
A special member of the Kelric family…
And according to my family… I'm already dead.
Kairo clenched his fists.
If he's really from the Kelric family…
Then tomorrow I'll find out the truth.
His eyes slowly grew heavy.
After a long and exhausting night, sleep finally overtook him.
Soon, the room fell completely silent.
The Sisters' Suspicion
Elsewhere in the academy.
Inside a luxurious dorm room, Ketlos's sisters sat together discussing the dungeon test.
One of them frowned.
How did Kairo's group get such a high score?
980 points is abnormal.
Another sister crossed her arms.
There must be something behind it.
Maybe they hid something from everyone.
Just as they were discussing it—
The door suddenly burst open.
BANG
Louisa rushed inside, breathing heavily.
Her face looked pale.
What happened?
One of the sisters immediately stood up.
Louisa struggled to speak.
Y-Your brother… Ketlos…
He's been attacked!
All three sisters froze.
What?!
Louisa continued quickly,
He's badly injured.
I already sent him to the academy hospital.
Panic instantly spread across their faces.
Without wasting another second—
They rushed out of the room.
The News Spreads
The news quickly reached the royal dormitory.
Princess Elena was quietly reading a book when Madelyn entered the room.
Your Highness.
Elena looked up.
What is it?
Ketlos has been attacked.
Elena's expression changed instantly.
What happened?
They say… the evil cultivator appeared again.
Elena immediately stood up.
I'm going there.
At the same time—
Amelia also heard the news.
Her eyes widened in shock.
That guy again?!
Without hesitation, she rushed toward the hospital as well.
The Hospital
The academy hospital was unusually crowded that night.
Students and instructors whispered nervously in the hallways.
When the door opened—
Ketlos's sisters rushed inside.
Ketlos!
The scene shocked everyone.
Ketlos lay on the bed, his body covered with bandages.
His face was pale.
Bruises covered almost every part of his body.
It was obvious he had been beaten brutally.
One of his sisters quickly grabbed his hand.
Who did this to you?
Ketlos clenched his teeth slightly.
…The evil cultivator.
The room fell silent.
He came again tonight.
One of the sisters gasped.
What did he do?
Ketlos's eyes darkened.
This time…
He didn't absorb my energy.
He slowly continued.
He just beat me…
…almost to death.
Hearing this, everyone in the room felt a chill.
Just then—
The door opened again.
Princess Elena stepped inside.
Her eyes immediately fell on Ketlos's condition.
Her expression turned cold.
The evil cultivator…
Her fists slowly tightened.
For a moment she said nothing.
Then she suddenly turned toward the others.
…I just remembered something important.
I'll see you all tomorrow.
Without waiting for any response—
She walked out of the room.
Madelyn quickly followed her.
Meanwhile, the others remained inside, confused by her sudden departure.
But outside the hospital corridor—
Princess Elena's eyes had become extremely serious.
Because in her mind…
The face of the young man she saw near the river appeared again.
Kairo.
To Be Continued…