Lily shot Ray a strange, dark look, then turned and stormed ahead toward the hotel.

Raziel Phoenix stared after her, uneasy creeping into his chest. "Did… did I say something wrong?"

Ray frowned. "Stop talking nonsense. What do you know about marriage at your age?"

Lily didn't say another word the rest of the way, walking several steps ahead of them.

Even so, Ray's mood remained bright. They had won the team match, meaning he'd advanced to the second round in all three competitions. That alone was worth celebrating.

He wasn't worried about the blacksmithing competition at all. But through the individual and team battles, he was beginning to understand his true standing among his peers.

Even with fewer soul rings and lower soul power, their actual combat strength wasn't nearly as weak as others assumed.

And that realization extended to Central Academy's students as well. Their strength wasn't just cultivation. It was experience, coordination, and flawless execution. At their age, having such soul power was already absurd.

*

Not long after returning to his room, someone hammered violently on Ray's door.

"Senior disciple sister, please don't knock so loudly," Ray muttered as he opened it.

Rachel barged in like a storm. "You brat, are you trying to get famous?"

"What did I do now?" Ray asked, utterly confused.

"Do you know you broke a record?" Rachel hissed. "Fastest high-grade Hundred Refinements in the entire history of the Skysea Alliance Tournament. You. Broke. A. Record."

"Huh?" Ray froze. "I was just rushing to the individual competition…"

Rachel crossed her arms. "After you left, people were running all over the gym looking for you. High-grade Hundred Refinement. Blue coppertite. One minute and six seconds. Are you proud of yourself?"

"I… I didn't mean to," Ray said weakly. He'd been warned repeatedly to stay low-key. But once he started forging, everything else vanished from his mind.

Rachel snorted. "Too late now. Everyone will be watching you in the next round. Prepare yourself."

Ray panicked. "What am I supposed to do?"

"What happens, happens," Rachel replied. "Just don't let it affect you. West Ocean City isn't forbidden from producing geniuses, is it?"

Ray stared at her. "Senior disciple sister… are you saying I'm a genius?"

Rachel raised an eyebrow, then suddenly reached out and viciously pinched his cheeks. "Yes! You're a genius!"

"Senior disciple sister—please—talk instead of pinching!" Ray protested as he struggled free.

After seeing Rachel off, Ray rubbed his aching face, heart warm despite the pain. He understood her intention. She was reminding him that attention brought danger.

If they're already watching me… then I need a plan.

*

The first day of the tournament came to an end.

Some celebrated. Others sulked. Those who were eliminated tasted bitterness; those who advanced felt mounting pressure.

The schedule was relentless.

The next morning marked the second round of the blacksmithing competition.

This round was critical.

The champion would be decided by cumulative scores, and Ray was already leading thanks to his record-breaking performance.

Round two was a free-for-all round. Participants could choose any metal and display their peak ability.

In the junior division, hundred refining already marked talent. Thousand Refinement meant genius.

After an entire night of meditation, Ray finalized his plan.

The next morning, blacksmiths gathered and headed toward the competition grounds.

Walking at the back, Ray leaned toward Rachel and whispered, "Senior disciple sister, do you believe in me?"

"I don't," Rachel replied instantly.

Ray staggered. "Can you be a little nicer?"

Rachel smirked internally. "Why should I believe you?"

"Integrity!" Ray declared.

Rachel scoffed. "How many kilograms is that worth?"

Ray sighed. "Fine. Don't believe me."

Her curiosity was piqued. "Just say it already."

Ray grinned. "If you believe me, choose heavy silver."

"Heavy silver?" Rachel frowned. "Are you trying to sabotage me?"

Heavy silver was a mid-grade metal. Easier to forge, yes—but less rewarding. Choosing it increased stability but limited score potential. One mistake, and her ranking could plummet.

Ray's plan had begun.

Ray lowered his voice. "To be honest, I'm not completely certain either. But if you're willing to trust me, I can guarantee this much. I'll make you the champion."

Rachel stopped in her tracks, staring at him in disbelief. "You… you really want to help me win?"

Ray smiled, the kind of smile that made it hard to tell where the joke ended and sincerity began. "I've already broken a record. If I keep hogging the spotlight, the teacher will skin me alive when we get back. Besides, didn't you promise to give me the first-place reward? You know how much I love money. If you take first and I take second, I'll still get both prizes and complete the teacher's task. Everyone wins."

Rachel snorted. "You think I'd believe that? I'm your rival. There's no way I can trust you. Hmph!" She quickened her steps, leaving him behind.

Ray didn't see the storm brewing behind her calm back.

Ever since meeting Ray, Rachel had picked on him relentlessly. Only later did she realize the truth. It wasn't irritation. It was jealousy.

In the blacksmithing world, she had always been hailed as heaven's chosen. Then Ray appeared. His existence shattered her pride and forced her to confront an uncomfortable reality. No matter how hard she worked, she couldn't catch up to him.

Every time she gathered the courage to challenge him, his terrifying progress crushed her confidence anew. And yet, instead of breaking her, it pushed her forward. She worked harder, forged better, grew faster. Still, the gap between them widened.

When Ray reached fourth rank, Rachel finally accepted it. There were geniuses in this world whose efforts alone couldn't be surpassed. Once she understood that, her heart found peace.

With jealousy gone, she could finally see Ray clearly. He wasn't annoying. He wasn't arrogant. He was simply… different.

Her father had always told her to maintain a good relationship with Ray. Only now did she truly understand why.

But helping her win?

That caught her completely off guard.

In her eyes, Ray was serious. Almost frighteningly so. And precisely because of that, she couldn't accept it. He deserved the glory far more than she did.

Lost in thought, Rachel sighed as she stepped into the competition grounds. Junior disciple brother… I hope you soar even higher. One day, you'll become a blacksmith just like my father.

"Senior disciple sister. Here."

Ray's voice snapped her out of it.

She looked up to see him standing before her, holding a piece of heavy silver.

"You…" Rachel stared, stunned.

Ray's expression was unusually solemn. "Senior disciple sister, please trust me. If you acknowledge me as your junior disciple brother, then believe in me."

Her heart wavered.

How could she not believe him now?

"Ray, I—"

Before she could finish, Ray stepped forward and hugged her.

"Senior disciple sister, trust me."

The embrace was brief, awkward, and completely unplanned. Ray was still half a head shorter than her, metal clutched in his hand, yet the hesitation in her heart melted away all the same.

He released her quickly, grabbed another ingot, and walked off toward the forging tables.

From afar, Harold watched the scene unfold, his expression darkening by the second.

That brat… hugged Rachel?

And she didn't even push him away?

Jealousy burned through his chest like acid.

Ray soon returned with another piece of heavy silver identical to Rachel's. He flashed her a grin, bright and shameless, then headed for his station.

Rachel followed him in a daze. Her anxiety had vanished, replaced by curiosity.

What is he planning?

Why heavy silver?

And why did he choose it too?

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