The next morning, the academy was loud.
Too loud.
Students filled the halls, whispering and pointing.
All the talk was about one thing.
No—one person.
"Did you see that spar yesterday?"
"Elara lost!"
"That quiet kid… Eiden. He's scary."
---
In the lunch hall, Kai slammed his tray down.
"He just got lucky," he said, angry.
His friend didn't answer.
They had all seen the match.
Eiden didn't even fight seriously.
Still, he won.
With one move.
---
Sera sat under a tree, reading a magic book.
She smiled softly.
"I knew he was strong," she whispered.
"But… he's so alone."
She looked up at the sky.
"What are you hiding, Eiden?"
---
Elara walked through the hallway.
Students moved aside.
She was cold, proud—but now quiet.
Her fight with Eiden still played in her head.
His steps.
His timing.
His eyes.
He read me like a book.
She clenched her fists.
"I have to know the truth."
---
That afternoon, Eiden trained alone.
Behind the school, near the cliff.
He swung his wooden sword again and again.
Each strike perfect.
Not fast.
Not flashy.
Just… right.
---
He paused and looked at the trees.
"Still watching?"
No one answered.
But far away, in the shadows, someone moved.
A man in black stood on a tree branch.
"He sensed me again."
He pulled out a crystal and whispered.
"Target is skilled. Dangerous. Keep watching."
Then he vanished.
---
At night, Eiden sat on his bed.
He held a mana stone in his hand.
Soft blue light glowed.
He closed his eyes.
Mana flowed.
Warm.
Alive.
"Body control: 64%," he whispered.
"Almost ready."
He opened his eyes.
No more shaking.
No more pain.
Just calm.
---
The next day, the teacher called the class together.
"Important notice," she said.
"Next week is the Shadow Trial."
Students gasped.
"That's the real test!"
"It's a forest mission, right?"
"Survive and bring back a monster core!"
---
Kai grinned.
"Finally."
Sera looked nervous.
Elara stayed silent.
Eiden just nodded.
Another test.
Another chance to grow stronger.
And another chance…
To stay hidden.
---
Far away, in a dark room, the man in black knelt before a large screen.
"Report."
The screen flickered.
A voice spoke.
"You saw him?"
"Yes. Name: Eiden Valtz. Young. Calm. He noticed my presence."
"Interesting. Keep your distance. We don't want to scare him yet."
"Yes, Guildmaster."
The screen turned off.
The man stood.
He looked out the window.
"The Ghostblade, huh? Let's see what you really are."