It had been a week since the sparring match with Luke, and Kael's life had returned to a more or less normal rhythm. Still, every time he walked around, he could feel the overwhelming number of curious and amazed stares at him due to his change, but there wasn't much he could do about it other than pretend not to notice.
On the academy's training grounds, students were practicing with discipline: the instructor's shouting and weapons clashing filled the air. Kael, however, was sitting alone on a bench, his gaze fixed on the sky, lost in thought.
Ever since his fight with Luke, one question had been stuck in his mind: why couldn't a Novice compete with an Expert?
The answer had come to him during the battle—aura.
Unlike a Novice, who channels mana into their body to enhance strength, speed, and endurance, an Expert refines that mana further and transforms it into aura. This process not only greatly boosts physical abilities but also creates a protective barrier, just like the one Luke had used to block Kael's final strike.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
A voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Kael looked down and saw Alice waving her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.
"Sorry, I was deep in thought."
"I wonder what could be going through the head of a pretty boy like you… Maybe trying to figure out how to blend in with us mere mortals?" Alice said with a teasing smile, tilting her head.
Kael sighed and rubbed his forehead, clearly tired. "Please... don't call me that."
"Why not? It suits you," she replied, her grin turning even more mischievous.
He shot her a sideways glance, realizing it was probably wiser not to encourage her. Ignoring her seemed like the safest option.
In the days following his "transformation," Alice had been unusually quiet. She avoided eye contact and kept her distance whenever possible. Fortunately, as time passed, she started acting more like herself again… more or less.
She went back to teasing him like always, but now there were two noticeable differences. First, she started calling him "pretty boy." Second, she kept a careful distance from him, as if there were an invisible line she didn't want to cross.
'Not that I'm complaining… at least she's stopped calling herself my big sister,' Kael thought, half amused, half relieved.
"But... have I really changed that much?" Kael asked, unable to hold the question in.
Alice looked at him like he had just asked the most obvious thing in the world. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"Yeah, but I mean… I know I've changed, but is it really that drastic?"
At that, Alice realized what he truly meant.
"Let me put it this way… if before you were like 'Oh, kinda cute,' now you're 'WOW, drop-dead gorgeous!' You've got flawless skin, toned muscles, eyes you could get lost in for hours and—"
She suddenly stopped when she noticed Kael's confused expression. Her face turned bright red, and she quickly tried to backpedal.
"I-I mean… that's what your fans say, okay?! To me, you're just a smug pretty boy."
'When have I ever acted smug?' Kael thought, cracking a crooked smile.
"Haaah… I don't get why everyone's making such a big deal. I think you're pretty too, but I'm not freaking out about it."
"WHA—?!"
Alice turned to him sharply, her face as red as a tomato. But any trace of embarrassment disappeared the moment she heard what came next.
"Still, I pity whoever ends up marrying you."
"…I'm going to kill you."
She tried to hit him, but Kael dodged with ease.
"Hold still, damn it!"
"Absolutely not."
Seeing her flustered made Kael smile in satisfaction. Sometimes, even he needed a little victory.
"Kael! Alice! Stop flirting and get to work!"
The instructor's stern voice made both of them jump.
"Your fault," Kael muttered.
"No, yours," Alice shot back, giving him a light smack on the shoulder as they walked toward the center of the training arena.
The two stood facing each other while the instructor observed them from the side.
"As always, this is light sparring. No hits to the head or other forbidden areas—and yes, I'm talking to you, Alice."
Alice looked away, pretending not to have heard, while Kael held back a chuckle. He couldn't deny Alice tended to be a little bold during fights.
"You may begin."
Alice was the first to move, dashing forward with surprising agility. She launched a diagonal slash from above, followed by a quick thrust aimed at his chest. Kael didn't step back. Instead, he twisted his wrist to block the first strike with the flat of his blade and smoothly sidestepped the thrust, letting Alice's sword tip pass just inches from his side.
"Fast reflexes, huh?" Alice remarked, while Kael simply shrugged.
The truth was, that Kael surpassed Alice in every aspect. Even though she was a Mid-Rank Novice, she couldn't stand a chance against someone like him—already at the Upper Rank. And that didn't even account for the intense physical training and experience he had accumulated. The only area where they were evenly matched was mana control, but in this context, it didn't count for much.
Still, Kael didn't consider the match a waste of time. On the contrary, he saw it as a chance to refine his fundamentals and sharpen his control over mana.
Alice lunged again, this time with a rapid three-strike combo: one to the side, another to the shoulder, and a final blow aimed at his knee, perfect for breaking balance. But Kael remained calm, moving with a composure that showed perfect body control. Each strike was deflected with minimal wrist and torso movements, leaving Alice increasingly frustrated at her failure to break through his guard.
Kael waited for an opening and counterattacked with a precise vertical slash, forcing Alice to raise her sword horizontally above her head to block it. The force of the blow pushed her back half a step.
She tried to counter with a kick to Kael's stomach, but he was quicker, lifting his leg and blocking her with his knee.
Grinding her teeth, Alice attempted a sudden thrust toward his right shoulder, but Kael tilted his torso and swatted her blade aside with a sharp motion of the flat of his sword. Then, with a quick shift, he lowered his guard and struck the hilt of her weapon with the pommel of his own, making her lose grip and ending the fight.
"That's enough. Well done, both of you," the instructor announced.
The two bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.
"Haaah… If the fight is already this one-sided, I can't imagine what it'll be like once you reach a higher rank," Alice sighed.
Kael felt a bit guilty at her words, especially since he was two full ranks above her.
"There's no need to be surprised," the instructor chimed in, patting Alice on the shoulder. "Even before Kael could use mana, he trained nonstop. His technique and control were already above average. Now that he has access to mana, his potential is finally being unleashed."
Then he turned to Kael with a satisfied smile.
"I must say, it's good to see you finally able to sense it. If you keep this up, you might even catch the Baron's attention in a couple of years."
"It's no use trying to convince him," Alice interrupted with a smirk. "The only thing he's interested in is traveling the world."
The instructor laughed and shook his head. "I get it... Who hasn't dreamed of exploring distant lands? But remember, Kael, adventure isn't as romantic as it seems. It's exhausting, dangerous... and lonely. Chase your dreams, sure, but don't forget to think about building a solid future, too."
"Yes, instructor," Kael replied politely, though deep down, he already knew which path he would take.
Satisfied, the instructor walked off to check on the other students, leaving them alone.
"Be honest," Alice said, glancing sideways at him. "You're not even going to consider that offer, are you?"
Kael chuckled. "You know me too well."
"Of course I do. And don't think you'll get rid of me so easily."
Kael looked at her, amused. "I can already picture all the trouble you'll get me into when we travel together."
"How rude!" she said with a mock-offended expression. "You should be thanking me in advance for all the times I'll save you from women trying to take advantage of a pretty boy like you."
"Wait a second… why are you assuming I'll fall for some woman's tricks?"
"Because it's you."
"Care to explain?"
"Oh, come on, Kael. Every time a girl from the village asks you for something, you just can't say no. Ever."
"That's called being polite. I'm not going to swat them away like annoying flies."
Alice gave him a mock-serious look. "And that's exactly why you should. Every woman is like a thieving cat—quietly sneaks in, steals everything, and disappears."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And you? Are you the exception?"
"Obviously. I'm me. They're them."
Kael burst out laughing. "You're completely crazy."
"And you're too naive to survive out there on your own. We're the perfect team."
"Yeah, yeah."
They laughed lightheartedly, unaware that what lay ahead would change everything.