"Where do you think you're going... old perv?"
Arthur's voice was laced with exhaustion, yet his smirk held unwavering confidence. His body ached, blood trickled down his arm, but he stood tall, surrounded by a cold, crackling aura.
Kael, standing amidst the dust and debris, cracked his neck. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "Even in your awakened state, you're still annoying, huh?" He rolled his shoulders. "No matter… I'll just have to beat that arrogance out of you. Come on, show me what you've got."
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his blade, and the air around him shifted.
With an explosive burst of wind, Kael lunged forward, his blade gleaming like a flash of silver lightning.
Arthur's smirk deepened. He stretched his hand forward, his voice steady and commanding.
"Frost upon the heavens… Hyorinmaru!"
The air snapped cold as an enormous ice dragon materialized from swirling frost, its body coiling through the sky before condensing into a blade in Arthur's grasp. He swung it up just in time—CLANG!—their swords clashed, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
Kael's eyes widened slightly. "You've improved."
Arthur met his gaze, blue eyes glowing with eerie brilliance. His lips curled. "It's too late for regrets now."
They leapt back, blades raised, then charged.
Steel rang out in a violent rhythm—blades colliding, sparks flying, frost forming where Arthur struck, wind blasting where Kael moved. Their forms blurred in motion, each strike heavier than the last.
Kael grinned. "This is taking too long. Let's end it in one strike."
Arthur nodded. "Fine by me."
Both took a stance.
The world stilled—the wind hushed, the air thick with mana.
Arthur's aura erupted, ice crawling beneath his feet. Hyorinmaru glowed with intense frost, a chilling mist swirling at its edge. His blue eyes pulsed.
Kael's stance lowered, his body enveloped in roaring wind. His golden eyes narrowed.
They slashed.
Arthur's frost surged forward like a glacier cleaving the sky. Kael's wind carved through the air like a raging storm. The moment their powers met—
BOOM!
A devastating explosion rocked the landscape. Trees splintered, the ground shattered. Ice and wind danced in violent chaos, tearing through the forest.
Silence followed.
Dust drifted down like snow.
A massive gash split the battlefield. Kael stood, panting. Arthur, still gripping Hyorinmaru, swayed... then collapsed.
Kael rushed forward, catching him.
He exhaled. "You still have a long way to go," he muttered, slinging Arthur's arm over his shoulder.
Perched on Arthur's, Hyorinmaru opened his eyes.
Kael smirked. "Take care of him."
---
Liana's House — Morning
Arthur's eyes fluttered open. Soft sunlight filtered through the window. He blinked, recognizing the ceiling.
His head and left arm were bandaged.
"...Was that a dream?" he muttered.
A cold, hoarse voice scoffed. "You're finally awake, you fool."
Arthur bolted upright. "Who's there?!"
Silence.
"Down here, you nitwit."
Arthur looked down.
His tiny ice dragon sat at the foot of the bed, glaring at him.
"You can talk?!" Arthur gaped.
Hyorinmaru huffed. "Of course. Or did that hit to your head fry your memory?"
Arthur sighed, rubbing his temples. "So it wasn't a dream…"
Hyorinmaru climbed onto his shoulder. "No. And your training is over."
Arthur's chest tightened. "What do you mean?"
Hyorinmaru gestured to the desk. "He left you something."
Arthur turned. A letter sat on the table.
He opened it, hands trembling.
---
**"Hey, it's Kael.
By the time you're reading this, I'm already gone.
Your training ends here. From now on, you'll have to create your own techniques, push your own limits. I believe you're smart enough to figure things out on your own.
I look forward to hearing about your growth at the Sage Academy.
Goodbye.
—Kael"**
---
Arthur lowered the letter, tears slipping down his cheeks.
"I'll become stronger," he whispered. "And next time we meet… I'll be a Sword Mage."
His eyes sharpened. Resolve hardened in his heart.
Suddenly—
"The Sage Academy entrance exam is tomorrow!"
He jumped up. "Stats!"
A translucent screen appeared:
---
BLADE: Hyorinmaru
MAGIC ATTRIBUTE: Ice
LEVEL: Beginner
STRENGTH: 25
---
Arthur grinned. "That's a start. I won't lose to Felix."
He looked at Hyorinmaru. "So, your name is Hyorinmaru, huh?"
The dragon looked away. "Yes."
Arthur grinned, bowing dramatically. "Pleasure working with you!"
"Don't push your luck," Hyorinmaru grumbled. "I don't care about the world of the living."
"Huh? What's with that attitude?" Arthur tugged at his cheeks.
CHOMP!
"ARGHH! WHY?!"
"Don't treat me like a child!"
Arthur groaned. "All you did was sleep until now!"
Hyorinmaru launched into his face. Arthur flailed, crashing back onto the bed.
Panting, he stared at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow determines my path..."
He glanced at Hyorinmaru, now resting calmly. "You better not sleep on me this time."
---
Hyorinmaru's Domain
A void of frost and silence.
A deep, hoarse, demonic voice echoed.
"How is he?"
Hyorinmaru stood in the cold mist. "He is determined. I've made a pact with him. He'll grow strong."
The voice chuckled darkly.
"Good. Watch over him... until I return."
Hyorinmaru bowed.
"Yes."
Darkness swallowed the realm.
---
Morning at Liana's House
Arthur stretched, sore from training. He reached out to wake Hyorinmaru—
WHACK!
"OW! What was that for?!"
"You were about to touch me, weren't you?"
"I was trying to wake you!"
"We Zeraphim don't need waking."
Arthur muttered, "Says the baby dragon..."
Hyorinmaru twitched. "What did you say?"
"Nothing!"
They bickered all the way downstairs. After a quick breakfast and goodbyes to Liana, Luca, and Maria, Arthur stepped out into the world.
---
The Noble Realm — Sage Trials Grounds
Felix & Ronan
Felix adjusted his blade strap as he stepped outside. Ronan leaned on a post.
"You're late," Ronan said.
"I got held up," Felix replied.
"Let's go."
---
Seraphina
Escorted to her carriage by guards, Seraphina bowed to her father.
"I will not disappoint you."
"Show them what it means to be a Luminara," he said.
---
Leo Ironheart
At the Ironheart estate, Leo knelt before his father.
"Stick to what you've learned," Magnus said. "You are my son. Carve your own path."
"Yes, Father."
---
Callista & Gareth
Lord Darius Vortigen addressed his children.
"Victory is yours—but stay true to your path."
Callista nodded. "We won't disappoint."
---
Valtoria Mansion
At the window, Elvelynn tugged Elizabeth's sleeve. "I hope big brother Arthur does well..."
Elizabeth smiled gently.
Behind them, Aldric Valtoria's voice cut through the room.
"I don't want to hear that disgrace's name. He's a failure."
Elizabeth said nothing. Elvelynn lowered her head.
---
Sage Trials Arena
Arthur stood in awe. The arena was massive. Dozens of students gathered. The atmosphere buzzed with tension.
He scanned the crowd—then saw Leo.
Their eyes locked. The tension in the air thickened.
Arthur approached, extending a hand.
Leo brushed past him. "I don't shake hands with commoners. Or fallen nobles."
Arthur's hand curled into a fist. "Still arrogant..."
"Arthur!" Felix waved, jogging over.
Arthur smiled. "Cheerful as always."
Felix motioned behind him. "This is Ronan."
Ronan nodded. "Ronan Velst."
"Arthur," he replied, shaking hands.
Then—the Captains arrived.
Four men and a woman stood tall. Their vice-captains flanked them, though one captain was absent.
At the center, the Head Captain sat. His presence silenced the room.
Captain Garrick Ironwood stepped forward.
"I am Captain Garrick Ironwood of the Sage Order. Welcome to the Sage Trials."
The room held its breath.
"Each match is one-on-one. Win by knockdown or submission. Lose—and you go home."
Ballots were passed around.
"First match: Arthur."
Arthur raised his hand.
"Opponent—Damon Cresswell."
A sharp-eyed boy stepped forward.
Arthur took a breath, tightening his grip on Hyorinmaru.
Captain Garrick raised his hand.
"Begin!"