The three followed him deep into the academy, eventually reaching an indoor training ground at the rear campus. This was a space Alfred had specifically requested earlier that day.

Aaron had agreed. In exchange for Alfred's cooperation and a rare apology, the director had approved all his requests.

Alfred didn't care about Aaron's motives. Results were all that mattered.

If not for Lily, he wouldn't have compromised at all.

Inside the circular training hall, Soul Barriers shimmered faintly along the walls.

"From today on," Alfred said, "you will train with me every night. This is preparation for the Class Promotion Tournament in three months."

His gaze landed on Ray first. "Your martial soul is Silverfalls Vine. You were originally chosen because I had no better option. Even now, with Lily here, what I said before stands. But if after three months you fail to meet my standards, only these two will represent the class."

"Yes," Ray replied quietly. The word talent still stabbed where it hurt most.

"Teacher," Lily suddenly said. "I won't participate."

Alfred turned sharply.

"I'm a transfer student," Lily continued calmly. "I don't want to cause trouble for others. Please withdraw my participation."

Alfred was momentarily stunned. He had faced countless geniuses, but this girl was different.

Ray stepped forward. "Thank you, Lily. But Teacher is right. This concerns class honor. The strongest should compete. And the tournament allows more than two participants. If I improve enough in three months, Teacher will let me join."

Alfred looked at him, surprised. This child's emotional intelligence was frighteningly high.

"Good," Alfred said. "Now listen carefully."

"This training is not just physical. Power comes in two forms: hard and soft. All power is forged in combat. From tonight onward, your special training will be real combat."

He turned to Raziel Phoenix. "Your speed is sufficient. Your stamina is not. Learn to manage it. Your second martial soul is for ambush, not recklessness."

Then Lily. "Your elemental control is excellent for your rank. Tomorrow, all three of you will undergo a spiritual power examination."

"Teacher, I've already—" Ray began.

Alfred cut him off coldly. "I only trust what I see."

Alfred turned to Lily and spoke calmly, each word deliberate.

"In the future, I want you to continue experimenting with the fusion of elements. I've observed your martial soul carefully today. The Elementalist martial soul is compatible with all elements, but because none of those elements can be strengthened by soul rings, they will never become overwhelmingly powerful on their own."

He paused, his gaze sharp.

"At your current level, your control over the elements is your greatest advantage. However, as your cultivation rises, you will discover a fatal weakness. You will lack powerful soul skills as a foundation. The soul rings you obtain will only enhance your control and expand your soul power reserves, nothing more."

Lily listened quietly.

"Under these circumstances, there is only one path for you," Alfred continued. "Control more elements. This path has never been walked before. But when I saw you combine earth and ice to restrain Raziel Phoenix today, I understood something. If you can freely fuse elements and precisely regulate their strength, you will one day stand at the peak of the world."

This was not casual praise. Coming from Alfred, it was an evaluation of extraordinary weight.

"Yes. Thank you, Teacher," Lily replied, nodding.

Alfred then turned to Ray.

"As for you, the most urgent task is control. I won't sugarcoat this. Even if your Silverfalls Vine is a variant, it is still Silverfalls Vine. Its tenacity is both your strength and your curse. Without perfect control, it is not true control at all. You should develop as a Control System Battle Soul Master."

His gaze dropped briefly to Ray's hands.

"And those hammers. Your physical strength is a gift, and at this stage, it is extremely valuable. In the future, try combining your hammer attacks with your Silverfalls Vine."

"Yes," Ray answered simply.

"With that," Alfred said indifferently, "we begin special training."

Raziel Phoenix's spirits immediately lifted. "Teacher, how are we matching up?"

Alfred replied flatly, "You won't fight one by one. All three of you will fight together."

He raised his eyes.

"Your opponent is me."

Ray, Raziel Phoenix, and Lily froze.

A flash of light appeared in Alfred's empty hand, forming a wooden sword. "I won't use soul power or soul skills. Even so, you must give everything you have. Begin."

Before the word faded, Alfred had already surged forward, his sword aimed straight at Raziel Phoenix.

Raziel Phoenix reacted instantly, retreating at full speed. Yet the wooden sword clung to him like a shadow, faster than his own movements.

Wuwu!

A deep hum tore through the air.

Ray struck.

A Thousand Refined Tungsten Hammer shot forward, smashing toward Alfred. A strand of Silverfalls Vine trailed from its handle, anchoring it firmly to Ray's hand.

He knew binding Alfred directly was meaningless. At that level, Alfred would break free instantly, draining Ray's soul power in the process.

Alfred didn't even glance at the hammer. He pressed forward, letting it fly past him.

Ray's expression stiffened.

A sudden breeze swept sideways. Raziel Phoenix was shoved clear as Alfred's sword thrust cut through empty air.

The ground beneath Alfred softened instantly. An icicle shot upward.

Lily had acted.

Alfred smiled faintly. With a casual flick of his wrist, the wooden sword shattered the icicle. He leapt free of the mud without breaking stride.

Wuwu!

This time, both of Ray's hammers came flying together, their combined range far more oppressive.

Alfred's wooden sword moved as if guided by thought alone. With two light taps, both hammers halted midair and dropped to the floor.

A trace of shock flickered in Alfred's eyes.

This kid's raw strength is monstrous.

A fireball burst into existence beside him.

The timing was perfect.

Alfred's sword traced a circle. A strange airflow formed, deflecting the fireball upward and sending it screaming straight toward Raziel Phoenix.

Raziel Phoenix slashed it apart, embers scattering. Still airborne, he twisted his body and made a subtle motion with his left hand. An invisible blade accompanied his thrust.

At the same instant, Ray's hammers surged again, and three fireballs followed.

Perfect coordination.

Unfortunately, their opponent was Alfred.

The wooden sword blurred into countless afterimages. The hammers were deflected. Raziel Phoenix was struck in the shoulder and hurled directly into the path of the fireballs.

Only his reflexes, along with both daggers, saved him from severe injury.

Alfred descended from the air.

This time, his target was Ray.

The wooden sword stabbed toward Ray's chest.

Raziel Phoenix was still reeling. Lily was pinned beneath him. Alfred had isolated Ray perfectly.

This was deliberate.

Under extreme pressure, true potential surfaced.

Ray did not retreat.

Silverfalls Vine erupted from his hand, binding Alfred.

Alfred flexed lightly and shattered the bindings, draining Ray's soul power almost instantly. Ray hadn't even had time to retrieve his hammers.

The wooden sword closed in.

Ray's eyes sharpened.

He remembered his fight with Raziel Phoenix, how he had treated his opponent as metal, entering the pure state of forging.

Now, he did the same.

Alfred was metal.

Two gray flashes appeared.

A hammer materialized in Ray's right hand, blocking the sword. The left-hand hammer swung toward Alfred without hesitation.

Ding!

A crisp metallic sound rang out.

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