Although Kagami had promised himself he would never train with ridiculous monsters like Lucas and Riley again, he couldn't help but accept this time.

And just like always, he was left in awe.

Every time he crossed fists with them, he was reminded how unfairly gifted they were.

"Haha… I knew you were tough, but goddess help me—at least try to look hurt, man."

Kagami let out a tired laugh as he straightened up, rolling his shoulders.

"I am though…"

Lucas mumbled the words, though the smile on his face said otherwise.

The attack had been fast—too fast.

Even Lucas had been forced to pour all of his focus into blocking it.

Kagami's [Meteor Fist] slammed straight into his guard, the impact sending a shockwave across the field.

His arms and elbows smoked faintly, light burns spreading across his skin where the blow had landed head-on.

It wasn't even Kagami's full power.

And yet Lucas took it like it was nothing more than a heavy punch.

"That was my special move, you know…" Kagami said with a sigh. "Anyway, is that enough for you?"

"I want to try more, but…"

Lucas glanced around them.

The training ground was a mess.

Cracked stone, torn-up earth, chunks of the reinforced floor scattered everywhere.

Even though this was one of the larger training fields inside Killian Hall—built to handle most students—the damage they'd caused with just the two of them was already pushing it.

Any more, and the repairs alone would probably bankrupt someone.

"…yeah," Lucas said. "We should stop."

"Oh? Never thought you'd care about that kind of thing."

Kagami raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"Haha… I guess I was a bit too ignorant back then," Lucas replied, scratching the back of his head. "Now I've got Janica constantly scolding me about this stuff."

Kagami paused, then let out a quiet chuckle.

"Figures."

Lucas lightly swayed his hands, relaxing his stance.

As he did, his divine power spread across the damaged area.

A warm golden light gleamed over the scorched skin, slowly knitting it back together until the burns faded as if they had never been there.

Kagami watched quietly.

"I know you have divine powers," he said, shaking his head, "but it's still surprising every time I see it. Are you sure you don't want to become a paladin in the future?"

Lucas paused for a moment before answering.

"Although it's an honorable path," he said calmly, "the path I'm walking on right now has already been decided by me."

"Knighthood, huh…" Kagami let out a small breath. "Well, I guess everyone has their own dreams, so I won't judge you for that."

"Thanks."

There was a brief silence between them before Kagami spoke again.

"But anyway… that thing you did just now. Are you preparing for something?"

"Yes."

Kagami frowned slightly, replaying the moment in his head.

He hadn't been able to fully catch it, but right before the attack landed, he had felt it—mana expanding and then compressing around Lucas's arms and shoulders at the very last second.

It had condensed tightly, hardening around his skin like an invisible layer of armor.

It was an incredible use of Lucas's overwhelming amount of mana.

Not many people would even dare to condense mana around a specific part of their body like that.

Even Kagami himself struggled to contain his mana whenever he used [Meteor Fist].

After all, if you weren't careful…

It could permanently damage you.

"I know you were a genius, but man… this is really something else," Kagami said, shaking his head. "If you could perfect that—no, what am I saying. You'd probably finish it in a few hours. Looks like you're really pushing yourself this time, huh?"

Lucas smiled at Kagami's words, the kind of smile that came from knowing exactly why he was doing this.

"If I want to face my rival openly," he said, "without worrying about an early, meaningless defeat… then I need to prepare at least this much."

Kagami's gaze sharpened slightly.

"So that technique is meant for Riley, huh?"

Lucas chuckled, a bit embarrassed, and looked away for a moment.

"In a sense, yeah," he admitted. "But it's more like something I developed to deal with his [Hidden Blade Technique]. His sword is designed to kill as fast as possible. One clean strike and it's over."

He clenched his hand slowly.

"So, I need to buy myself time. Even if it's just a second. Enough to protect my vital organs and keep fighting."

Kagami stared at him.

Seeing that level of conviction—no hesitation, no doubt—he couldn't help but smile faintly.

Sure, he was jealous.

Anyone would be, standing next to someone with talent as absurd as Lucas's.

But he couldn't deny the effort behind it.

Everything Lucas had right now wasn't just given to him.

He worked for it.

Thought about it.

Prepared for it.

And more than anything, Kagami could feel it.

Lucas wasn't chasing strength for pride.

He genuinely wanted an honest fight with Riley.

Even if Kagami's closest bond was still with Riley himself… Lucas was starting to grow on him.

"Well," Lucas said, stretching his arms, "now that we're done here, I'm gonna head out."

"Is that so?" Kagami replied. "I think I'll stay a few more minutes."

Lucas glanced back at the field.

It was clear he wasn't done practicing.

"I wish you the best of luck then," Kagami said. "Hope you finish whatever technique that is."

Lucas paused, then nodded.

"Thanks…"

"As long as you don't lose midway into the competition, at least."

"Don't worry. That won't happen."

"Hahaha, relax, I'm just kidding." Kagami waved it off with a grin. "Honestly, I doubt there's anyone out there right now who could really take you on… well, maybe Seo or Rose. But still, if it comes to that, I'm putting my money on you."

With that, Kagami lifted a hand in farewell and began walking off.

Lucas watched him go, then slowly closed his eyes.

He breathed in.

Then out.

His body still ached slightly from Kagami's attack earlier, the lingering strain reminding him that his technique wasn't perfect yet.

But because of that clash, his control had sharpened.

He could feel it—his proficiency had risen, even if only by a little.

Just wait for me, Riley…

His heartbeat quickened.

Excitement, tension, anticipation—all of it mixed together as the image of the stage flashed through his mind.

Soon, they would face each other again.

Not as friends sparring, but as rivals standing under everyone's gaze.

This time, Lucas wouldn't hesitate.

This time, he would show him everything—his sword, his resolve, his pride as a knight.

It was a rare chance.

And Lucas had no intention of letting it slip away.

Mana gathered once more around his body, slowly condensing as he focused.

No matter what stood in his way—

He made a quiet vow to himself.

He would not be defeated.

Not until he and Riley reached the very end of the competition.

....

"Look, it's Lady Rose!"

"Wow… senior is so pretty."

"Why is she here? Is senior Riley around as well?"

Wherever Rose went, a quiet buzz always followed.

Before, it was subtle—whispers, glances, people pretending not to stare.

Now it was louder, more open.

Still, Rose paid it no mind.

She had long since grown used to attention like this, learned how to let it pass through her without sticking.

"Here are your creamy puffs, with extra milk cream and added cheese, dear customer!"

"Thanks…"

Rose accepted the warm paper bag with both hands, the faint scent of sweetness rising from it.

She gave a small nod before stepping out of the café.

"Please come again next time, dear customer!"

"Will do."

The door closed behind her.

She took a bite as she walked, the soft sweetness spreading across her tongue. For a moment, she slowed her steps, savoring it.

As usual, the world before her looked monochrome—flat, dull, drained of color.

And yet…

For some reason, it felt warmer today.

It was faint, almost unnoticeable, but she felt it all the same.

As if a thin breeze of color brushed against her senses, lightly painting the edges of the world instead of filling it completely.

Rose paused.

A slight ache stirred in her chest, not painful—just there.

Her mana circles trembled quietly, on the verge of another shift, another ascent.

She placed a hand over her heart, steadying her breath.

So close…

It was a shame she couldn't spend the day properly with Riley.

Part of her wanted to. More than she cared to admit.

But she had her priorities.

Private ones.

She glanced at the time, then nodded to herself and continued forward.

Puff.

A small cloud of black smoke appeared beside her shoulder, drifting lazily before taking shape.

"You're here…"

"Yes. Please forgive my unpunctuality, milady. Things did not go as I expected them to."

"It's alright."

Rose lifted the bag slightly.

"Anyway, I brought the bread. You said this was her favorite, right?"

"Yes… she would often come to that café just for it."

"I see…"

Rose lowered her gaze, her grip on the bag tightening just a little.

The small being—taking the form of a gentleman dressed in a black suit and coat—studied Rose in silence for a few moments before finally speaking.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes."

Her answer came without hesitation.

Oz looked at her again, as if searching for doubt, then paused and nodded.

"Alright then… shall we go now?"

"Yes. Just give me the coordinates."

The moment the words left her mouth, Oz's vision shifted.

The world twisted—no delay, no distortion—and in almost an instant, a completely new scenery unfolded before him.

He couldn't help but feel humbled by what had just happened.

Teleportation at this level of smoothness wasn't something anyone could simply perform.

There was no strain, no backlash, no lingering instability in space itself. It was flawless.

"It seems your proficiency and mastery over the celestial arts have improved quite dramatically, Lady Rose…"

Rose had always been exceptional with magic—especially celestial magic—but this was different. Oz could clearly tell she had grown far beyond where she once stood.

Rose merely nodded at the praise, her attention already elsewhere.

They were standing atop what appeared to be a pointed cliff.

The wind brushed past them gently, carrying the scent of trees and earth from far below.

Beneath the cliff stretched a dense forest, beyond it a wide mountain range bathed in clear light under an open sky.

It was breathtaking.

"She always liked high places," Oz said quietly. "So… I made the effort of preserving it here."

Rose nodded once more and stepped forward.

Her golden eyes locked onto the reason she had come.

Just a few meters from the cliff's edge stood a gravestone.

She knelt down slowly, carefully placing the bag of bread in front of it, arranging it neatly as if it were an offering.

"I'm here to visit, sis…"

The wind stirred again as Rose gazed at the stone.

Dorothy Gale.

The name was carved clearly into the surface.

Rose's golden eyes gleamed faintly as she stared at it, her expression calm—yet heavy with emotions she didn't allow herself to show.

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