Ray gave his shoulder a friendly pat. "I have something to take care of tonight. How about tomorrow night? We'll spar then."

After several battles with Raziel Phoenix, Ray was no longer resistant to fighting.

Each clash had sharpened his instincts, and the pressure Raziel Phoenix brought forced him to grow faster than he ever expected.

Since the morning class ended early, Ray didn't return to the dorms. Instead, he headed straight toward the advanced academy.

When the dismissal bell rang, he spotted Estella Silver exiting the classroom with a group of girls.

"Senior Sister Estella!" Ray waved.

She noticed him immediately and walked over with her friends.

"Well, well," said a girl with phoenix-shaped eyes, smiling slyly at Estella Silver. "Estella, I didn't know you liked cute younger boys. This one's handsome. He'll be a real heart-stealer when he grows up."

"Stop talking nonsense," Estella Silver retorted, cheeks faintly red. "This is Ray, a junior from the intermediate academy. What's up, Ray?"

Ray took out the soul camera. "Senior Sister, I took some photos for you. But… I don't feel right about this. Please take the camera back."

Estella Silver rolled her eyes, smiling helplessly. "Alright, alright. Thanks anyway. I'll treat you to a meal."

Ray immediately shook his head. "No need. I'll eat at the intermediate academy."

He knew himself too well. A free meal never came from the third window. And if it came from the second window… his appetite might bankrupt her.

Watching Ray walk away, the phoenix-eyed girl asked curiously, "Estella, what did you make him take pictures of?"

Estella Silver smiled mysteriously. "He's in Teacher Alfred's class."

"The Icily Arrogant Prince Charming?!" The girls' eyes lit up. "Show us! Hurry!"

The camera activated. On the small screen appeared a series of photos of Alfred unfastening his belt.

The girls froze. Then their faces flushed red.

"I'll trade you a first-window meal for these!"

"Two meals!"

"They're exclusives! No one else can see my prince charming like this!"

the

Ray, completely unaware of the storm his photos had caused, finished lunch and attended the afternoon class.

The meditation technique Alfred taught was far more complex than the one from elementary academy, but the results were obvious. It was said to be a simplified version of Central Academy's famed cultivation method.

Under Alfred's cold stare, the students learned at an alarming pace. By the end of the afternoon, most had grasped the basics.

As soon as class ended, Ray rushed to the dining hall, filled his stomach, and hurried out again.

Tonight mattered.

He was heading to the Blacksmith's Association to receive his blacksmith badge and take on jobs.

Saving money was everything. A hundred-year spirit soul costs one million federation coins. After tasting the food from the first window that morning, Ray deeply understood the value of proper nutrition.

If he could eat like that every day…

Lost in thought, he exited the academy gates. Just then, a black soul car sped toward him.

"Move!" a crisp voice called out.

Ray turned to see a tall, golden-haired teenage girl staring sharply at him.

He stepped aside. The girl passed him, and a chauffeur exited the car, opening the door for her. Moments later, the car drove off, leaving only dust behind.

Another rich kid.

Ray wasn't completely jealous. He believed wealth was earned. If others could do it, so could he.

Smiling, he strode toward the Blacksmith's Association.

****

Rachel was in a terrible mood.

Two days ago should have been the proudest moment of her life. Instead, it became a thorn in her heart.

She had just passed the assessment to become a second-rank blacksmith when she was told that a nine-year-old boy had also passed the same test.

Nine years old?

Impossible.

She had grown up watching her father forge. He always said forging was a man's trade, but her stubbornness refused to accept that. At five years old, she began training. At first, her father thought it was a joke.

Two years later, seeing her persistence, Nigel, president of the West Ocean Blacksmith's Association, finally acknowledged her resolve.

Rachel inherited her father's martial soul, perfectly suited for forging. She trained relentlessly, even sacrificing her figure for strength. Nigel searched tirelessly for rare herbs just to help her maintain her health.

At eleven, she became a first-rank blacksmith. Before turning thirteen, she passed the second-rank promotion test.

Her father had called her a prodigy.

So how could she accept sharing that title with a nine-year-old boy?

She'd heard that the boy would come today to collect his badge.

Rachel wanted to see him for herself.

Did he really have three heads and six arms?

Ray lifted his head and looked at the massive hammer emblem hanging above the entrance. Without hesitation, he strode into the Blacksmith's Association.

Although he had only come here once before, this place already felt strangely familiar to him.

Since arriving in West Ocean City, this was the only place that gave him a sense of belonging. More importantly, it was the place that gave him confidence.

Nova was standing behind the front desk and noticed Ray the moment he stepped inside. In truth, she had been instructed to wait specifically for him.

"Ray, you're finally here." She walked over briskly, smiling warmly, her eyes full of curiosity.

How could she not be curious?

A nine-year-old second-rank blacksmith. Just thinking about it felt unreal.

According to internal reports, Ray had already broken an Association record.

The youngest first-rank blacksmith in the Association's history was their current president, who achieved that rank at eight years old. However, the same president only became a second-rank blacksmith at eleven. Ray had surpassed him by two full years.

Because of this, the Association had issued a direct order. The moment Ray arrived, he was to be escorted to the top floor.

"Hello, Big Sister Nova." Ray greeted politely. His memory was excellent, and he remembered her name clearly.

Nova laughed. "You really are incredible. I heard you passed the second-rank test." As she spoke, she bent slightly and looked straight into his clear eyes.

Ray scratched his head, his face reddening. "I was just lucky."

"So young and already this modest?" Nova teased. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

"Thank you, Big Sister."

Inside the soul elevator, Ray watched as Nova pressed the button for the highest floor.

"Big Sister Nova, where are we going?" he asked in surprise.

She smiled. "To get your rank badge."

The elevator rose rapidly. When the doors opened, Ray's ears rang slightly from the sudden change in altitude. He shook his head a few times and quickly adjusted.

The moment he stepped out, his eyes widened.

The entire floor was surrounded by glass walls. From this height, nearly half of West Ocean City lay before him. Skyscrapers rose like a steel forest, while vast stretches of greenery softened the city's edges, giving it vibrant life.

Nova stopped a nearby staff member. "Please inform the president that Ray has arrived."

She then led Ray to a sofa. "Wait here for a moment."

Not long after, a series of footsteps approached.

Nigel walked at the front.

He had arrived early that morning and hadn't even entered his workshop. He had spent the entire day waiting for the child who had brought him such an astonishing surprise.

Kaelan followed closely behind.

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