"It hurts…" I can't help but groan and make sounds of pain as I look at my completely shattered arm. I tested the theory I had come up with back in the training dome—basically, using gravity to enhance my attacks or movements. By releasing a powerful gravitational impulse at the right moment, I can accelerate my body beyond what I'm normally capable of.

I focus gravity on one side and then repel it, propelling a movement at full power. In theory, it sounded simple. In practice, it was almost impossible to do. I only had the chance when Basel decided to abandon his defense for a blow-for-blow exchange—otherwise, I couldn't have risked it and would have ended up just like I am now.

I still can't believe the result; I didn't expect my theory to actually work on the first try. Looking at my destroyed arm, I need to rethink whether "working" is really the right word. After a quick analysis of my situation, I've realized how far I am from making this technique actually useful. I need to train until I find the balance between gaining power without destroying my body in the process.

And not only that—I also need to improve the precision of every strike. If I can synchronize these gravitational bursts with my movements, I could become more explosive, faster, and deadlier. I don't know how many hours it will take to learn to use gravity at the exact moment, in the exact part of my body—or perhaps in several at once—with the right strength not to destroy myself.

The only good thing is that now I have a move that can break through solid defenses or those of higher ranks—at the cost of my body. I don't know how insane that sounds. Before doing anything else, I check my Cube. Luckily, it's not as damaged as I thought. A few cracks have reappeared, but they aren't deep. It won't take long to repair it; it's still within the margin.

"I'm sorry." I apologize to my Cube before using magic again to heal my arm. At that moment, I notice Areci and Shawu have arrived beside me. I must have been lost in my thoughts all this time.

"Are you okay? That last hit sent you flying." Shawu asks me. I try to smile to reassure them. The collar protected me from the damage, thankfully. If I hadn't had it, I don't know how many bones or internal organs I'd still have intact. The only problem is my arm, because the collar forms a layer around my body—my own attack came from the inside.

"Yes, it's not that bad. The collar protected me." The mental pain also disappeared when Basel's collar activated. They both stare at my broken arm, but I speak before they can ask more questions. "This isn't much…" Life mana begins to restore every fiber, nerve, bone, and muscle of my arm. A second later, I can already lift it again.

My arm is still torn apart, but it won't take more than another second to fully heal. Their eyes widen and their jaws drop. I try to break their Imras with mine to sense if they have any life affinity. They notice what I'm doing and let me pass through. Shawu has a death affinity, and I can't sense any supreme affinity from Areci.

"We don't have life affinity. I've managed to unlock an affinity with time." Areci must have noticed the surprise on my face when I examined them. Time? She's the first person I've met with that supreme affinity, though I don't know if others have it too—I've never sensed it nor asked anyone about it.

"As you can tell, I have a death affinity—just like you." Shawu wraps her arm around my neck, pulling my head down, and with her other hand, she ruffles my hair. "After seeing you fight today, I'm even more determined. You're going to train with me every single day possible." I can only let out a dry laugh—there's no way to refuse.

Both of them look at me for a moment, then exchange glances and smile. "Congratulations." They say it at the same time. Areci punches my shoulder while laughing.

"Thanks." It seems I've found two older sisters—a bit rough, but with good hearts.

"You were amazing. Every movement, every step, every cut, every block, every part of you moved with unbreakable harmony. I felt inspired watching you fight." Shawu takes out twin black daggers from her dimensional bracelet. I can feel a heavy pulse of death coming from them—their quality isn't inferior to my Thundersnow Fangs.

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I can't help but laugh with them, but when they see me suddenly turn serious, they follow my gaze and notice Susan approaching with Basel. The young professor doesn't look angry; he walks proudly with a serious expression—a soldier through and through.

"Did I manage to meet your expectations?" My question is aimed at the obsidian-rank woman who radiates greatness with every step.

"You've surpassed them." She winks at me before stepping aside for Professor Basel. Shawu releases her hold on me, quickly understanding the situation.

I bow toward my opponent—this man is a unique talent in sword mastery. I only managed to win because of a small mistake at the end; otherwise, it would've ended in a draw. Training with him could take my swordsmanship to the next level.

"Sorry for being a bit arrogant at the beginning." My words make him raise an eyebrow. "I wanted to make sure you'd take me seriously from the start. I had fun and learned a lot from our match, Professor Basel." I extend my right hand, now fully healed, for a handshake.

Basel lets out a small smile and extends his hand, giving me a firm grip. "Don't worry about that. I also had fun and learned a few things, Substitute Professor Maki." I show a proud smile at his words. "If anyone dares to refuse your lessons, they'd only be wasting the chance of being taught by one of the best." I wink at him, and we shake hands firmly.

"Congratulations on your victory. That last move was risky, but it worked." He gives a small bow before turning on his heel to leave.

"Can we train again soon?" My question stops him before he takes another step. He's the only person at school I can spar with at the highest level—I can't waste the chance to ask.

He turns back to look at me, smiling fiercely as his Imra releases directed emotions. "Come find me anytime. I'll be waiting for a rematch." He suppresses the emotion from his Imra as if it had never been there, then turns and walks toward where the other teachers are waiting. They all wave from afar, and I wave back.

"They're all going to celebrate the arrival of their new colleague at Basel's house." Susan laughs softly. "He doesn't know it yet." Just as she finishes speaking, I see Basel trying to protest or escape, but his colleagues surround him and drag him along. We all laugh at the scene.

"Why don't we go with them?" If they're celebrating their new colleague, then that's a celebration for me. Why are they leaving without us?

"I told them we already had plans." Susan gives me a look that reminds me of my grandmother Rita, as if to say Are you stupid?—like my question made no sense.

"We do?" Since when did I make plans after this? Areci and Shawu look just as confused as I do.

"Obviously, we're going to have dinner and drinks at my house. A family celebration." The secretary Clari quickly approaches and stands behind Susan. "And Clari," Susan adds, and the secretary nods energetically as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Areci and Shawu laugh quietly to each other.

We head to Susan's house—or rather, her mansion. It's not as big as the Marquis's estate, but it's still monstrously huge. When she sees me open my mouth to comment, she cuts me off. "It's the minimum a rank-Obsidian deserves." I just close my mouth tightly and follow her.

They let me take a shower while the house staff finished arranging all the food and expensive alcohol on the table. From what I gathered, Shawu also lives here with them. Susan seems to treat her like a niece or something similar.

The dinner was spectacular—no complaints about the preparation or ingredients. Every dish and every bite was thoroughly enjoyed. Later, we moved to a smaller room to keep talking while enjoying the evening.

"Mom, Maki's not fifteen yet, he can't drink alcohol." Areci complains because Susan had already handed me a full bottle for myself. Clari avoids Areci's gaze, and Susan just lets out a sigh.

"Daughter, Maki has better alcohol tolerance than you and has gone through enough hardships to earn the right to drink." Areci seems to understand but doesn't want to give in completely. "You have two options—drink with him or just watch him." She finally gives up, reluctantly pouring herself a full glass of wine before sitting next to Shawu, who had already served herself without caring whether I was allowed to drink or not.

The night was really fun—lots of embarrassing stories about Areci and Clari. The director didn't hold back when telling them, and any attempt to stop her was easily overpowered. They gave up after the second try; it's impossible to win against an Obsidian rank. They could only glare at me with frustration as I couldn't stop laughing.

Shawu didn't escape either—Areci shared her own share of embarrassing stories about her, though the younger girl didn't seem to mind. In some of them, she even looked proud of what she'd done. Her carefree attitude worried me a bit. In the end, I also got my turn when Susan told them how I acted around girls when I got drunk at Arisa's party.

Clari, Areci, and Shawu all gave me judgmental looks when Susan told them I had three almost-fiancées. They started bombarding me with questions, so I told them how I met each one and how we reached that point. They accepted it in the end, but that judgmental look didn't disappear completely. I hope they get over it soon.

Finally, Areci and Shawu fell asleep because of the wine, Clari went home to rest for work tomorrow, and I said goodnight to Susan before heading to bed. Slightly drunk, I walk toward the rooms, smiling to myself. Today has been a very special day—one I never want to forget.

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