The next day, the training field was full again.
The sun was high. Students moved around, swinging swords and shouting.
Eiden stood near the edge, watching everyone with quiet eyes.
He did his drills alone, as usual.
He liked silence. It helped him think. It helped him feel his mana.
---
But today… something was different.
A girl walked toward him with a bright smile.
"Hi! You're Eiden, right?" she asked.
She had short golden hair and bright green eyes.
It was Sera—the support mage from the other class.
He blinked, unsure what to say.
She giggled. "You don't talk much, huh? That's okay."
She sat beside him under the shade.
"I saw your spar with Elara yesterday," she said, grinning. "You were amazing!"
Eiden looked down.
"I was… average."
"Nope!" she said fast. "You blocked her second strike. Almost no one can do that."
---
Eiden felt a little strange.
Sera's energy was warm. Like the sun.
He was used to cold stares or silence.
This… felt new.
She tilted her head. "You train alone a lot?"
"Yes."
She smiled. "Can I watch sometime?"
He hesitated, then nodded once.
Her smile grew bigger. "Yay!"
Then, she stood up and ran off.
---
Later in the day, during class, the instructor showed monster crystal cores.
"These come from monsters you defeat," he explained. "They store energy. Support mages like Sera use them. Swordsmen sell them."
Eiden raised his hand quietly.
"What happens if a core is cracked?" he asked.
The class went quiet.
Nobody else ever asked hard questions.
Instructor Gray looked surprised.
"If it's cracked, the mana leaks. It can explode or rot."
Eiden nodded. He already knew. He just wanted to hear how much they understood here.
---
After class, Eiden left early.
He wanted to train more—alone.
But as he reached the back field, someone was already there.
Elara.
She was practicing sword swings. Every move perfect.
But her eyes were serious. Focused. Too focused.
She turned when he stepped close.
"You're hiding something," she said suddenly.
Eiden stayed quiet.
"I've watched your footwork. It's not normal. And your timing? You react before the swing finishes."
She took a step forward.
"You're not just a beginner. You can't be."
Eiden looked at her.
Her eyes were like ice—but not cruel. Just... curious.
"I'm just trying my best," he said softly.
Elara stared at him.
Then, without warning, she smiled.
It was small. Very small. But real.
"Hmph. Fine. I'll watch you too."
---
That night, Eiden sat in his dorm bed.
He looked at his hand.
The mana flow inside was stronger now. His core was forming.
Stage 1 complete.
He could feel it.
He was growing stronger.
But also… people were watching now.
Sera. Elara. Even the instructors.
He had to be careful.
He had to stay in the shadows.
But for the first time in this new life…
He didn't feel alone.