The sky was clear.
A cold wind blew across the mountain.
Students stood at the edge of a massive cliff.
Below them—
Nothing.
Just a deep, endless drop.
---
"This is the Sky Trial," the instructor said.
"You must cross to the other side using magic."
---
Across the gap, another cliff stood far away.
Too far to jump.
Too far to reach normally.
---
Students started whispering.
"That's impossible…"
"No, you need flight magic…"
---
"Begin."
---
One student stepped forward.
Wind magic gathered around him.
He jumped—
And barely made it across.
---
Another tried.
Fire burst from his feet.
He flew halfway—
Then fell.
---
A scream echoed as the instructor saved him with magic.
---
"Next."
---
More students tried.
Some passed.
Many failed.
---
Leo watched quietly.
His eyes followed every movement.
Every spell.
Every mistake.
---
"…Too much mana waste," he whispered.
"…Wrong angle."
"…Unstable output."
---
"Leo."
---
It was his turn.
---
He stepped forward.
The wind hit his face.
Strong.
Cold.
---
Below him—
The endless drop.
---
"You may begin," the instructor said.
---
Students looked at him.
Some already laughing.
---
"Isn't he the one who failed earlier?"
"Yeah, this is going to be funny."
---
Leo ignored them.
---
He looked at the gap.
Then closed his eyes.
---
Wind speed.
Distance.
Gravity.
Mana flow.
---
Everything… calculated.
---
"…I see."
---
He took a step forward.
---
No big spell.
No flashy magic.
---
Just—
A small point of light formed under his foot.
---
Step.
---
He didn't fall.
---
Gasps filled the air.
---
Step.
Another light appeared.
---
Step.
Step.
Step.
---
Invisible platforms.
Perfectly placed.
---
Leo walked across the air—
Like it was normal ground.
---
Silence.
---
No one spoke.
No one moved.
---
Even the instructor's eyes widened.
---
"…Impossible."
---
Leo reached the other side.
Calm.
Normal.
---
Like nothing happened.
---
"…Efficient," he said quietly.
---
Back on the first cliff—
Rin stared at him.
---
Her eyes slightly widened.
For the first time—
No confidence.
No arrogance.
---
Just shock.
---
"…That's not possible," she whispered.
---
Leo didn't look back.
---
But for the first time—
Someone noticed him.
---
And this time—
She couldn't ignore him anymore...