Ray forced a strained smile. "I don't know what it is either. This is the second time. It drains my stamina and soul power really fast, but gives me insane strength for a short while. That's all I know."

He looked around suddenly. "Where did they go?"

Sebastian and his men were gone.

Around them, the stunned crowd finally snapped out of it. Shop owners and passersby rushed forward to help Uncle Raph, lifting overturned tables and cleaning the mess.

"That bastard ran away without compensating for anything," Raziel Phoenix cursed under his breath.

Lily looked closely at Ray's arm. "Your hand…"

Ray shook his head with a bitter smile. "I don't understand it either."

"Let's head back first. We'll talk later."

They said their goodbyes to Uncle Raph. Before leaving, Raziel Phoenix quietly slipped some money into Uncle Raph's chest pocket, then hurried off with Ray and Lily toward the academy.

"Will that guy come back for revenge?" Lily asked softly.

Raziel Phoenix shook his head. "Not anytime soon. His arm's probably shattered. Even if he collects protection fees, this is just a street stall. I'll have my family keep an eye on Uncle Raph's shop. It won't be a problem."

The night air swallowed their figures as they disappeared down the street, leaving behind shattered jars, lingering steam, and a truth none of them yet understood.

On the way back to the academy, Ray wore a thoughtful expression from start to finish. Lily seemed equally lost in thought, while Raziel Phoenix's brows were tightly furrowed. Each of them was clearly carrying a mind full of questions.

"I'm heading back now," Lily said as soon as they entered the academy grounds. She gave them a brief nod before turning toward the girls' dormitory.

Ray and Raziel Phoenix continued on to their own room.

"Raziel Phoenix, wait," Ray suddenly called out just as they reached the door.

"What is it?" Raziel Phoenix looked at him suspiciously.

Ray met his gaze and said slowly, "I think I know how to make those golden scales appear."

Raziel Phoenix froze. "You do? Then hurry up and say it."

Ray took a breath. "After the first time it happened, I tried everything. I circulated my soul power, exhausted myself, even injured myself on purpose. Nothing worked. But today… today was exactly the same as last time."

Raziel Phoenix's eyes narrowed. "The same how?"

Ray replied, "Your Light Dragon Dagger. Both times, it appeared after I was injured by your dagger. The first time, you cut me during our fight. Today, it happened again when you accidentally scratched me."

A strange light flickered in Raziel Phoenix's eyes. "That's… true. Now that you mention it, the timing matches perfectly. But why?"

Ray shook his head. "I don't know. I don't even know what those golden scales are. But I'm certain they have nothing to do with my Silverfalls Vine."

Raziel Phoenix's thoughts raced. "Then could it be… a second martial soul? Maybe it's dormant, and it needs a specific type of power to awaken it."

Ray hesitated. "I don't really understand twin martial souls, so I can't be sure."

Still, the thought made his heart pound uncontrollably. If it truly was a second martial soul… then he wouldn't be a Soul Master with a so-called trash martial soul anymore.

"Let's go ask Teacher," Raziel Phoenix said decisively. "He's experienced. If anyone can explain this, it's him."

Ray nodded after a brief pause. "Alright. We'll ask him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Raziel Phoenix grabbed his arm. "Why wait? Let's go now. Teacher definitely isn't asleep yet."

Ray smiled helplessly. "Why are you more impatient than I am?"

Raziel Phoenix chuckled. "Because your body is hiding something terrifying. And if it turns out to be something amazing, I might benefit too."

Ray looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

Raziel Phoenix lowered his voice dramatically. "Martial soul fusion skills. Don't tell me you've never heard of them. When two people's martial souls are extremely compatible, they can unleash a combined ability far stronger than normal skills. If we really have one… that would be incredible."

Ray had, of course, heard of martial soul fusion skills. In the world of Soul Masters, they were legendary. As far as he knew, no one in the entire West Ocean City could use one.

The teachers' quarters were located in the same dormitory building as the students. To supervise more easily, class teachers lived on the same floor as their classes.

Thus, it only took Ray and Raziel Phoenix a short walk down the corridor to reach Alfred's room.

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" Alfred's cold voice came from inside.

"Teacher, it's me, Raziel Phoenix. Ray and I have something to consult you about," Raziel Phoenix replied quickly.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing Alfred dressed in simple, moon-white pajamas. His tall, slender figure was outlined clearly under the soft light.

The moment they saw him, memories of their grueling special training surfaced unbidden.

Alfred lived alone. His room was nearly twice the size of theirs, complete with a private bathroom, a changing area, a bedroom, and a small living space.

Raziel Phoenix stuck out his tongue. "Sorry to interrupt your cultivation, Teacher."

Alfred shook his head. "Speak. What is it?"

Raziel Phoenix unexpectedly nudged Ray forward.

After organizing his thoughts, Ray said earnestly, "Teacher, there seems to be something wrong with my martial soul."

Alfred's calm expression shifted slightly. He already knew Ray's Silverfalls Vine was a beneficial mutation. If there was another issue, it could only mean further change.

"What kind of problem?" he asked.

Ray carefully explained the two incidents involving the golden scales, along with his speculation.

"Golden scales…" Alfred frowned deeply. This was indeed an extremely rare situation. Raziel Phoenix's guess wasn't unreasonable either. A hidden second martial soul or a special interaction between martial souls were both possibilities.

"Raziel Phoenix," Alfred said suddenly, "cut him again. Let's see if it happens once more."

"Yes!" Raziel Phoenix's eyes lit up mischievously as he summoned his Light Dragon Dagger. "Ray, where do you think is a good place to stab?"

Alfred shot him a sharp look. "Less nonsense. Do it."

Raziel Phoenix grinned sheepishly. Ray extended his arm without hesitation.

This time, Raziel Phoenix was extremely careful. He slowly sliced Ray's arm with the dagger. All three pairs of eyes were fixed on the wound.

Pain flared, but Ray was shocked to feel faint streams of light flow from the Light Dragon Dagger into his body through the cut.

The familiar burning sensation erupted instantly.

Heat surged from his tailbone and rushed throughout his body like a wildfire. Golden scales began emerging from his arm once more.

Alfred raised his hand, releasing a sharp stream of wind that shredded Ray's shirt, exposing his upper body.

Golden scales rapidly covered his entire right arm. His arm lengthened slightly, gleaming scales reflecting the light beautifully. His fingers transformed as well, inch-long claws extending from each one.

Alfred reached out and grasped Ray's clawed hand firmly. His voice was deep and steady.

"Exert force."

Knowing he couldn't possibly injure his teacher, Ray nonetheless poured all his strength into his right arm, gripping Alfred's hand with everything he had.

Alfred lifted his left hand and pressed it against Ray's abdomen. Then he slowly closed his eyes, carefully sensing the changes within Ray's body.

After gripping Alfred's hand with all his strength for nearly ten seconds, Ray finally felt that terrifying power ebb away. The soul power he had expended earlier against Sebastian had yet to fully recover.

If he continued like this, he knew he would faint again.

With that thought, Ray hurriedly willed the golden scales to retreat. He needed to stay conscious. More than anything, he wanted to hear his teacher's judgment.

As Alfred loosened his grip, Ray's body swayed unsteadily.

Raziel Phoenix rushed forward at once, catching him and guiding him to the sofa in Alfred's living room.

"Strange…" Alfred muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. His gaze was distant, clearly lost in deep thought.

Ray and Raziel Phoenix didn't dare interrupt.

After a long moment, Alfred spoke again. "This doesn't look like a twin martial soul. If it were, I would have sensed a second martial soul when it activated. It's also not an evolution of your Silverfalls Vine. That burst of power had no relation to it at all. Nor is it a martial soul fusion skill. If it were, Raziel Phoenix would have shown corresponding changes as well. There is no such fusion skill that manifests on only one person."

He paused, clearly troubled.

"Yet there's no doubt that something extraordinary has appeared within you."

Ray couldn't hold back anymore. "Teacher… my golden scales…"

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