Raziel's pained groan cut through the moment. He struggled upright, face twisted in irritation.

Violetta hurried over and helped him up.

Raziel Phoenix shot her a glare. "Was freezing and roasting me that fun?"

Violetta giggled, flashing an innocent, toothy smile.

Ray and Lily walked over.

Ray extended his hand. "Welcome to class zero."

Violetta clasped it firmly. "Thank you, Captain. But honestly… you're all terrifying. I could only wait for chances to help."

She wasn't exaggerating.

From the moment the fight began, she'd realized how vast the gap was. Compared to these three, she could only observe, endure, and strike when the moment was perfect.

Monsters… all of them.

A thousand-year soul ring on a first ring Soul Master?

That alone defied common sense.

Raziel Phoenix's speed and Lily's six-element control were just as shocking. Standing among them, Violetta felt painfully small.

But she had one strength.

She waited.

And when the opportunity came, she struck.

Opportunity favored the prepared.

Two one-ringed Soul Masters defeating two two-ringed Soul Grandmasters.

Absurd.

And yet, it had happened.

Aaron approached Alfred. "I'm convinced. I'll persuade the president to increase your resources. Is there anything you need?"

"Nutrition," Alfred replied flatly. "They're still growing. The martial soul is an extension of the body. Without proper nourishment, growth suffers."

Aaron grimaced. "That's fine for normal students, but Ray eats like a bottomless pit. He clears entire food counters."

Alfred glanced at him coolly. "You've seen his strength. His thousand-year soul ring. Do you think those came from nowhere? If eating can make someone that strong, it's impressive in itself."

"Fair point," Aaron muttered.

Alfred continued, "West Ocean City has rare seafood with exceptional nourishing properties. Get them. Strong foundations matter."

Aaron sighed. "I'll report it. But Teacher Alfred, the president, is under heavy pressure because of class zero. The resources invested are enormous. The academy wants results."

Alfred said nothing.

"They want glory," Aaron pressed. "The Skysea Alliance Tournament is coming. Your students need to participate. Even if they don't place highly, they must leave an impression. Outstanding Newcomer Individual or Group—one of them."

"The Skysea Alliance Tournament…" Alfred nodded without hesitation. "No problem."

Aaron blinked. "You agree?"

"The best tempering comes from real combat," Alfred replied. "They lack experience. This is the right opportunity."

A grin spread across Aaron's face. "Excellent. Until the tournament begins, their meals will rival even Central Academy's. The academy will spare no expense."

"Good."

Alfred turned back to the arena. "All of you, come here."

The four students hurried over.

He looked at Ray first. "Your defense is still full of holes."

"Yes, Teacher," Ray replied, eyes shining with excitement.

Alfred turned to Lily. "You lost focus. You can do better."

Lily lowered her head. "But… we're teammates."

"You've improved rapidly," Alfred said. "Continue."

Then he faced Raziel Phoenix. "If you want to keep up, you'll need to work harder."

Raziel Phoenix's mouth twitched. Why is it always me…?

Finally, Alfred looked at Violetta. "You have potential. But remember—you have one month."

"Yes!" Violetta answered eagerly.

"You're dismissed for today. Tomorrow, training begins." Alfred paused, then added calmly, "I will be your opponent. Three fights per day."

Three pale faces.

One excited one.

"I'll be using soul skills," Alfred said, turning away, white robes billowing.

"S-soul skills?" Raziel Phoenix stammered. "Against us? Is he serious?!"

Ray stared blankly.

He had seen Alfred's soul skills before.

Even a suppressed Frost Scar or Frost Mist was enough to utterly crush them.

Tomorrow… was going to be brutal.

"It looks like we really need to start studying tactics properly," Ray said with rare seriousness.

"Agreed. Let's head back to our room and plan," Raziel Phoenix replied.

To the three of them, Alfred wasn't just a teacher anymore. He was a towering wall they had to find a way to climb.

Just then, Ray's soul communicator vibrated.

He glanced down. Caller: Director Nigel.

His heart skipped. Without thinking twice, he answered.

"Ray, come see me as soon as you're free. There's something I need to discuss with you." Nigel's voice was lower than usual, stripped of its familiar warmth.

"Yes, Sir. I'm free right now. I'll head over immediately."

"Good. I'll be waiting."

Ray ended the call and turned to the others. "I need to go to the Blacksmith's Association. You guys discuss tactics without me and fill me in later. Before I go, though—let me summarize Teacher Alfred's soul skills. The ones we'll most likely face are his first skill, Frost Scar, and his second, Frost Mist…"

He quickly recounted what he had personally witnessed of Alfred's abilities. By the time he rushed off toward the Blacksmith's Association, the remaining three were still staring blankly, minds echoing with the terrifying image of their teacher's power.

*

When Ray arrived at Nigel's office, he immediately noticed that he wasn't the only one there.

Nigel sat behind his desk. Kaelan occupied one seat on the sofa, while Rachel stood beside her father, arms crossed. Judging by her slightly flushed cheeks, she had rushed over the moment the ceremony ended.

"Sir," Ray said, bowing respectfully.

"Mn. Sit." Nigel gestured toward the sofa.

Ray took the empty seat and instantly noticed something on the desk.

A cerulean metal block lay there, veins running through it like living things.

Depending on the angle, the patterns seemed to shift and breathe.

Blue Coppertite.

Ray recognized it at once.

Not only because it was rare, but because he had forged it himself.

A Thousand Refined metal carried the blacksmith's imprint. To refine something to that level, one had to understand it intimately, like a craftsman understanding his own child.

"Do you recognize this?" Nigel asked, brows furrowed.

"Yes." Ray stood up straight immediately. "Teacher, did I do something wrong?"

Kaelan gave an awkward smile. "No, no. You didn't do anything wrong. You did something right. Do you know you're already close to catching up to your teacher?"

"Huh?" Ray stared at him, completely lost.

Nigel said calmly, "Tell me the characteristics of Blue Coppertite."

Without hesitation, Ray replied, "Blue Coppertite is a copper-based alloy composed of roughly thirty percent copper, a trace amount of coppertite, and multiple other micro-elements. Coppertite itself is a special compound and the source of the metal's name. It's an excellent soul power conductor and is often called a soul power amplifier. It's commonly used in battle armor. However, its internal structure is extremely complex and filled with impurities, making it impossible to properly Hundred Refine. Only through Thousand Refinement can it be stabilized. Once fully refined, its properties become—"

"That's enough," Nigel interrupted. "We've confirmed that this is the Blue Coppertite you forged. And more importantly, it's at the peak of second grade. One step away from first grade. Do you understand what that means?"

Ray hesitated, then muttered, "More… money?"

Kaelan burst out laughing.

Rachel rubbed her forehead. "Do you seriously only think about money?"

Nigel shot her a sharp look, silencing her instantly.

Ray lowered his head, thinking.

Is it wrong to think about money?

Blacksmithing was his only reliable source of income. With the costs he faced in the future, how could he not think about it?

"This means," Nigel said slowly, "that you're standing at the threshold of Spirit Refinement."

Ray's head snapped up.

Spirit Refinement?

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