Chapter 15: 'Are you two close to each other?'

The duel against Leon became the talk of the academy. Not because Kael had won. Everyone knew he hadn’t. But surviving five minutes against the academy’s top freshman without relying on special techniques was enough to surprise almost everyone.

Rumors spread quickly.

"Kael actually blocked Leon’s attacks."

"I heard Leon look dejected afterward."

"Maybe the Grayford heir was hiding his strength all along."

Naturally, the rumors became more exaggerated with every retelling. Kael ignored them. He had no interest in proving anyone wrong. After all, he understood one simple truth. Today’s Kael was still far weaker than Leon. If the match happened before he absorbed a Core Catalyst, he would not have lasted 1 minute against Leon.

Although his foundation had improved, his body still lacked explosive strength and his combat ability was still the lowest. There was still a long road ahead.

Relying solely on his 4-2-6 Breathing Technique was not enough. Even though his First Principle of the Moonlit Blade helped a lot to maximize his attacks, it still was not enough against opponents with triple and higher basic attributes than him. It only bridged the gap a little.

Now that his Body Refinement continued producing good results, Kael believed it was about time to learn something new, especially because the Examination in the Wilderness is approaching.

He needed to learn combat technique. But the question is how?

In the game, you only need to select your class and boom. A skill tree would be available to you. With a series of selectable skill sets, depending on your choice or playstyle.

However, that is only available if you’re using the protagonist, who, in the game, was mentioned as a multitalented genius that only exists once in a century.

Kael, on the other hand, has no talents. Probably because he was an npc whose role is to die early in the game.

Who would waste time designing talents for an insignificant character who would eventually die so early?

He let out a sigh and started rubbing Quinn gently, who at the moment was lying on his laps.

"Qiu~"

The little fella seemed happy and sleepy.

...

The next morning...

Kael and Elias continued their routine before sunrise. By now, waking up early had become slightly easier for Elias. He yawned loudly while carrying his practice bow.

Kael was stretching when Elias suddenly spoke.

"You know what, Kael..."

"Ha?"

Kael paused and glanced at him.

"When graduation comes, I think I’m suing you."

Kael blinked.

"For what?"

"For making me believe waking up before sunrise is normal."

Kael laughed then continued stretching.

"You volunteered, dumb*ss."

He shook his head with a smile.

Their training began as usual. Kael practiced his sword and Elias fired arrows. Neither wasted words. The peaceful rhythm of repeated practice gradually became part of their daily lives.

After another hour...

Someone unexpectedly approached the training grounds. Soft footsteps echoed across the grass.

Kael turned and widened his eyes in surprise.

Seraphina Eversnow stood there in her academy uniform. Her long silver hair gently swayed in the morning breeze. The academy’s most admired heroine rarely visited the eastern training grounds.

Yet...

There she was.

Elias was equally surprised. He quietly leaned toward Kael.

"...Why is she here?"

"I don’t know."

That answer was genuine. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Seraphina walked directly toward them.

"Good morning."

Kael nodded politely and returned the greeting.

"Good morning."

Her blue eyes shifted toward the practice targets.

"You’ve been training every morning."

"It seems that way."

Elias nearly dropped his bow.

When was Kael able to exchange casual greetings with this goddess as if it was natural? He was greatly surprised.

Seraphina calmly nodded.

"I wanted to confirm something."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, about what?"

She didn’t answer, instead, a faint smile appeared on her face. Then she stepped toward the weapon rack and picked up a wooden sword.

"I have a request."

Kael could guess what she was about to say.

"You want another duel?" She asked.

"Yes."

Kael nodded.

Then he sighed softly.

"I’m going to lose, though."

Seraphina blinked.

"You sound very certain."

"I am."

She tilted her head.

"Then why accept?"

Kael smiled.

"Because losing isn’t the same as failing."

Those simple words made Seraphina pause.

For a brief moment, she remembered something her father had once told her.

"The strongest knights never fear defeat. They only fear refusing to improve."

She slowly nodded.

"I understand."

Both of them walked into the center of the field.

Professor Magnus, who happened to be passing nearby, quietly stopped. Instead of interrupting, he folded his arms and watched quietly.

The duel began.

Unlike Leon, Seraphina’s swordsmanship emphasized elegance over pressure. Every movement resembled flowing water: Beautiful, precise, and almost impossible to predict.

Kael immediately found himself on the defensive.

Clack.

Clack.

Clack.

Their wooden swords collided repeatedly. She attacked from unusual angles: Low, high, then diagonal.

Each strike flowed naturally into the next. Kael defended calmly. His breathing remained steady.

Then...

Four—two—six.

Elias gasped and Professor Magnus narrowed his eyes. He noticed Kael was able to keep up against Seraphina. But in the eyes of Professor Magnus, it was different.

"She’s testing him," the professor whispered in the air.

He was correct.

Seraphina wasn’t trying to overwhelm him. She was carefully observing every response, every habit, and every weakness. And after nearly three minutes, she suddenly accelerated.

Her sword blurred. Kael had barely blocked. The impact forced him backward. His arms trembled.

"So fast..."

He immediately adjusted his footing. Before she could continue, he surprised her. Instead of retreating again, he stepped forward.

Their swords collided once more.

Seraphina’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

"He adapted..."

She smiled. Not because he matched her but because he refused to remain passive. The exchange continued. Eventually, Kael’s exhausted arms could no longer keep pace.

Clack.

His wooden sword flew from his hand. It spun through the air before landing several meters away.

Silence followed after.

The duel was over.

Kael laughed first.

"I told you. I’m still weaker."

Seraphina lowered her sword.

"No."

She shook her head gently.

"You’re improving faster."

He looked confused.

"What?"

She walked over and handed him his practice sword.

"Before..."

"You relied entirely on instinct."

"Today..."

"You even began reading my rhythm. And you adjusted during the fight." She smiled warmly. "If this continues, you’ll eventually catch me."

Elias stared at her in disbelief. Those words carried tremendous weight. The academy’s top-ranked heroine had openly acknowledged Kael’s potential.

Professor Magnus looked particularly pleased. He quietly understood. Kael wasn’t improving because of talent. He was improving because every single day, he became slightly better than yesterday. Even Seraphina noticed it.

As the professor finally walked away, Seraphina remained behind.

"There is another reason I came."

Kael looked at her.

"The academy will hold its monthly ranking tournament next month."

She paused briefly.

"I want your team to participate."

Kael frowned.

"The tournament is optional."

"It is."

"But strong opponents reveal weaknesses faster than training alone."

She looked toward Elias, who was pretending not to eavesdrop.

"Besides..."

"I think your teammates would benefit from the experience."

Kael considered her suggestion.

The ranking tournament...

He remembered it well.

It wasn’t a life-or-death event. It was simply a friendly academy competition where students earned points, recognition, and valuable combat experience.

Exactly what Team Thirty Seven needed.

He smiled.

"Alright. We’ll enter."

Seraphina returned the smile.

"I’ll look forward to facing you again."

As she walked away, Elias immediately ran over. He stared at Seraphina’s departing figure before looking back at Kael.

"Are you two close to each other?"

Kael sighed.

"We aren’t."

Elias burst into laughter.

"That’s the least convincing lie I’ve ever heard."

Kael simply shook his head, and didn’t want to deal with the topic. For him, Seraphina was simply curious about his sudden change. Like when a person discovered a new species of insect.

That’s all there’s to it.

Ahead of them, the monthly ranking tournament was approaching. But before that, there were only a few days left for the first Examination in the Wilderness.

Regardless, his main objective was to become strong enough to rewrite the future.