Chapter 512:Self assessment.

Chapter 512: 512:Self assessment.

They eventually settled inside a small lounge overlooking the academy’s western training grounds.

Silver purchased two drinks from a nearby vending machine and handed one to Shawn before taking a seat opposite him.

Shawn opened his bottle, then leaned back.

"Grandfather’s been asking about you," he quietly said.

Silver smiled faintly.

"Has he now?"

"Quite frequently," he replied in an amused tone.

"That’s surprising."

Shawn raised an eyebrow.

"Is it?"

He shrugged.

"He’s busy."

Shawn laughed.

"Silver, you’re his grandson. Being busy doesn’t mean he stops worrying."

Silver remained quiet.

Shawn continued.

"He heard about Hollow Creek. The military report mentioned your involvement, and apparently several officers had quite a lot to say about your performance."

Silver grimaced.

"Good things?"

"Mostly."

"Mostly?"

Shawn smiled.

"One officer described you as exceptionally capable but dangerously independent."

He laughed.

"That sounds about right."

Shawn nodded.

"Grandfather wasn’t particularly pleased about the independent part."

Silver sighed.

"Of course."

"But he was pleased you survived."

Silver’s expression softened.

Shawn took another drink.

"He’s also noticed how quickly you’re progressing."

He looked toward him.

"Really?"

Shawn nodded.

"Rank Three already, with your spatial abilities improving at an abnormal rate. Your instructors aren’t the only people paying attention."

Silver’s smile faded.

Shawn noticed.

"Exactly," he leaned forward. "Silver, you need to be careful."

He remained silent as Shawn continued.

"The Ruddington family is large. Grandfather may be the patriarch, but that doesn’t mean everyone agrees with his decisions."

He nodded slowly.

"I know."

"Your uncles have been unusually active recently."

Silver’s expression hardened.

Shawn watched him.

"Several business arrangements have changed. Some security contracts have been transferred to outside organizations, and there have been discussions about the family’s future leadership."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Future leadership?"

Shawn nodded.

"Grandfather isn’t getting any younger."

Silver leaned back.

"He’s still stronger than most people half his age."

Shawn laughed.

"True." Then his expression became serious again. "But that doesn’t stop people from planning."

He looked toward the window.

He’d always known that the Ruddington family was complicated.

In the original novel, the family’s internal struggles had played a significant role in the original Silver’s downfall. His relatives had viewed him as a convenient obstacle, someone whose reputation could be manipulated whenever it suited their interests.

But things were changing.

The current Silver was no longer the weak, arrogant villain they remembered. He was becoming stronger, more capable, and increasingly difficult to control.

Shawn studied him.

"Has anyone approached you recently?" He seriously asked.

Silver considered.

"Not directly."

Shawn frowned.

"Not directly?"

He smiled faintly.

"Nothing worth mentioning yet."

Shawn didn’t look convinced.

"Silver."

He sighed.

"I’ll tell you if something happens."

Shawn’s eyes narrowed, then nodded.

"Make sure you do." He leaned back. "Grandfather may not be able to protect you from everything, but you’re not alone."

Silver looked toward him.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say, then he smiled.

"Thanks."

Shawn nodded.

"Don’t mention it."

Silver took a drink, then raised an eyebrow.

"So, are you going to tell Grandfather you beat me senseless?" He jokingly asked.

Shawn laughed.

"Absolutely."

Silver groaned.

"Traitor."

"Family trait."

---

Elsewhere within Alpha Three Academy, Ravenna sat cross-legged on the floor of her private training room, her eyes closed as she carefully circulated soul energy through her body.

A faint crimson glow surrounded her.

Unlike Silver, whose recent progress had been focused on spatial manipulation and physical combat integration, Ravenna had spent the past several weeks concentrating on stabilizing her Rank Two foundation and refining the compatibility between her fire abilities and the unusual power contained within the Phoenix Heart Seed.

The seed had remained dormant inside her for some time.

Silver had given it to her after their relationship reached a new milestone, but she hadn’t immediately attempted to absorb its full potential. The seed contained an extraordinary amount of concentrated fire energy, and she understood that forcing its integration without proper preparation could damage her foundation.

Now, however, her condition had changed. Her Rank Two soul energy saturation had increased considerably.

The Mountain Titan Physique she’d obtained through the Tier Four beast core had strengthened her body, and the repeated combat experiences at Hollow Creek had improved her control over her flames.

She was approaching the peak of Rank Two, and for the first time, Rank Three no longer seemed like a distant goal.

She slowly opened her eyes and smiled faintly. She could feel it inside her, her energ level and the estimates she had about them.

"Ninety-one percent."

Three weeks earlier, she’d been considerably farther away. Now, with the seed gradually integrating into her foundation, her progress had accelerated.

She raised her right hand and a small crimson flame appeared above her palm. At first glance, it looked no different from her ordinary fire but Ravenna could feel the difference. The flame was denser, more stable and considerably easier to control.

She slowly compressed it. The flame shrank, then brightened as a thin golden thread appeared near its center.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh?"

The golden thread flickered, then disappeared.

She stared in complete shock. For several seconds, she remained motionless before she smiled.

"Wow."

She attempted the process again. This time, the golden thread appeared for slightly longer before fading.

Ravenna frowned.

"Not enough control."

She lowered her hand, then closed her eyes. Rather than forcing the seed to release more energy, she carefully adjusted the circulation of her existing flames, allowing the foreign power to integrate naturally with her soul energy.

The process was slow but steady. She could feel it slowly integrating into her body and core the more she tried to take it in on regulation. Furthermore, the Proficiency of her skills were getting better and better which means they were also bound to increase and become better that she could ever imagined.

Ravenna opened her eyes and smiled.

"Good."

She rose from the floor and approached a reinforced training dummy.

Her sword appeared in her hand.

Flame Edge

Crimson flames spread along the blade.

She swung the sword,and a narrow arc of fire struck the dummy. The impact left a deep, blackened mark across its reinforced surface.

She examined the result and nodded.

"Less energy."

The attack had consumed noticeably less soul energy than before.

That was important.

At Hollow Creek, she’d nearly exhausted herself several times because maintaining powerful flames for extended periods was difficult. Now, with improved efficiency, she could fight longer without sacrificing the strength of her attacks.

Ravenna smiled.

"Silver’s going to be surprised," she said with a giddy voice.

She paused then, her expression softened.

Silver.

She hadn’t seen him since breakfast. He’d mentioned that he intended to train for several hours, although he’d also promised not to push himself too hard.

She laughed quietly.

"Knowing him, he’s probably doing the exact opposite."

She sheathed her sword and glanced toward the clocked with longing in her gaze that only lasted for a few seconds before she became serious and started to think about her power.

If her progress continued, she might be able to attempt her Rank Three breakthrough sooner than expected. For a moment, she imagined Silver’s expression when she finally caught up.

He’d probably smile, then say something irritating. Something about how she was finally becoming strong enough to protect him.

She softly laughed.

"Idiot."

But the smile remained.