The trio hadn't registered together. Philip had arrived first, while Ryan and Daniel were delayed due to personal matters. On top of that, enrollment season had been hectic, and the teachers had overlooked the connection between them.

Their family circumstances were also modest. Buying spirit souls for three children at once was a heavy burden. Only shortly before registration had their parents managed to scrape together enough money for three ten-year spirit souls, just enough to meet the academy's requirements.

Their soul power sat at rank eleven. Though their martial soul was strong, their soul rings were weak, and so they had been placed into class three.

Their martial soul was known as the Skyscraping Battle Eagle, a high-speed avian martial soul. As soul beasts, Skyscraping Battle Eagles could soar to altitudes of several kilometers and maintain incredible speed over long distances.

Clearly, the three brothers were all Agility System Battle Soul Masters.

Their first spirit souls were Gust Falcons, small falcon-type soul beasts known for speed but lacking in offensive power. Barely the size of a palm, these spirit souls significantly limited their combat strength.

If they had possessed stronger spirit souls, their overall power would have increased severalfold.

Now, gray eagle wings extended from their backs as they climbed higher into the sky.

"They can fly?" Raziel Phoenix exclaimed, glancing at Ray. "How are we supposed to deal with that?"

Ray smiled faintly. "We knock them down. Lily, assist me with wind."

A blue glow bloomed in his hand as strands of Silverfalls Vine shot out and wrapped tightly around Raziel Phoenix's waist.

"I'm afraid of heights! What are you doing?" Raziel Phoenix yelled.

"I'm afraid of pain," Ray replied flatly, "but you still stabbed me yesterday, didn't you?"

Before Raziel Phoenix could retort, Ray pulled him close and wrapped an arm around his waist.

A flash of green light landed on Raziel Phoenix's body. Instantly, his weight felt drastically reduced.

In the next moment, Ray spun and hurled him upward.

From the sidelines, Claire watched in shock as Ray whirled and flung Raziel Phoenix straight into the air, sending him soaring toward the trio like a projectile.

The lingering green wind energy wrapped around Raziel Phoenix, accelerating him even further as he shot straight toward Philip.

"How could he throw someone that high?" Claire was startled, but she quickly regained her composure.

The trio had flying martial souls and were triplets. Since entering the academy, she had focused heavily on training their aerial coordination. Sending a single person into the air like this… wasn't that simply delivering him straight into their encirclement?

Raziel Phoenix was hurled skyward like a stone from a sling, the wind screaming past his ears. For a brief, terrifying moment, his mind went blank.

I'm going to die—

But panic only lasted a heartbeat.

The instant he stabilized himself in midair, Raziel Phoenix's instincts kicked in. His body twisted, Light Dragon Dagger flashing into his hand as his eyes locked onto Philip.

"Since I'm already up here…" Raziel Phoenix grinned fiercely, fear transforming into exhilaration. "Then let's dance!"

The trio reacted immediately.

Their perfect synchronization was shattered for the first time.

Ryan and Daniel flared their wings outward, splitting apart as Philip abruptly pulled back. Their formation shifted from a straight line into a triangular encirclement, clearly aiming to surround Raziel Phoenix in midair.

Too bad they were a step late.

Raziel Phoenix's body flickered, his Agility System martial soul fully unleashed. He didn't try to fight them head-on. Instead, he used Ray's throw as momentum, slicing diagonally downward like a falling star.

Shing!

The Light Dragon Dagger flashed past Philip's shoulder, carving a shallow gash across his sleeve. Though it didn't draw blood, the force sent Philip spinning backward in the air.

"So fast!" Daniel exclaimed, his pupils shrinking.

On the ground, Ray didn't waste a second.

"Lily, now!"

Lily raised both hands calmly. A powerful gust surged upward from beneath Raziel Phoenix, forming a spiraling updraft that caught his falling body. Instead of plummeting, Raziel Phoenix rebounded, changing direction midair like a leaf caught in a storm.

At the same time, the wind disrupted the trio's flight rhythm.

Their wings beat hard to stabilize themselves, but their altitude advantage was suddenly compromised.

Ray planted his feet firmly. Silverfalls Vine burst forth from the ground, shooting upward like countless living vines. Though they couldn't reach the trio directly, they formed a dense forest of whips that limited their descent paths.

"Don't let them land!" Ray shouted.

The trio exchanged a quick glance. Without a word, they shot upward again, trying to regain control of the skies.

But this time, Lily moved.

Her eyes glowed faintly as wind and earth elements intertwined. The air thickened, becoming heavy and unstable.

Suddenly, the sky itself seemed to push back.

The trio's wings faltered.

"What's going on?" Ryan cried out as his ascent slowed dramatically.

Raziel Phoenix laughed loudly in midair. "You guys might be birds, but this sky belongs to us today!"

With another burst of speed, he dove again, Light Dragon Dagger carving a brilliant arc of light.

Below, Claire's expression changed completely.

This wasn't reckless bravado.

This was coordination.

Perfect, seamless coordination.

Ray is anchoring the field.

Lily is controlling the environment.

Raziel Phoenix is striking like lightning.

"They're… hunting," she murmured.

And in the sky above the arena, the hunters were closing in.

Raziel Phoenix glanced sideways at Ray, his tone half-grumbling, half-serious. "Ray, she's right. You really were too impulsive this time. I'm not someone you can just pick up and throw around, you know! I'm not going to quietly endure it every time either."

Ray turned to Lily with sincerity written all over his face. "It was our first time fighting Flying Soul Masters. I really did rush things. I'm sorry."

Raziel Phoenix stared at him as if he'd seen a ghost. "Hey… what happened to you? Since when did you become this easygoing? She criticizes you, and you just apologize?"

Lily laughed lightly. "Trying to sow discord won't work. If someone points out a small mistake, you acknowledge it and correct yourself. If it's a big mistake, you still keep a gentleman's composure. Do you really think everyone's as petty as you?" She paused, then added casually, "Ray, I'll treat you to dinner tonight. First window. Just one meal."

Ray smiled. "Deal. Even a fly counts as meat. Let's go, I'm starving."

Watching the trio head toward the dining hall, Claire stood rooted to the spot, momentarily speechless. No matter how well she controlled herself, the corner of her mouth still twitched.

They hadn't relied on some elaborate plan to counter her students. Everything had been decided on the spot. Improvised. Yet their coordination had been terrifyingly seamless.

She took out her soul communicator and dialed a number.

Soon, a clear and cold female voice answered. "What is it, little sister?"

Claire forced a bitter smile. "We lost."

"You lost?" The voice paused. "Don't tell me your opponents were Flying Soul Masters too."

"Not at all," Claire replied. "Their teamwork was exceptional, and each of them was outstanding. Big sister, you should be careful. Class one may run into real trouble this time. The students under that Icily Arrogant Prince Charming aren't easy to deal with. Be prepared."

The communicator fell silent for a moment before the voice returned, sharp and resolute. "I've waited a long time for this. Back then, he humiliated me. This time, I'll return the favor."

"Big sister, you—" Before Claire could finish, the call ended.

She sighed helplessly. "You really are too competitive. He wasn't wrong to reject you, yet you've held onto it for two whole years…"

*

After dinner, Raziel Phoenix suggested sneaking out of the academy again, only to be firmly rejected by Ray.

His reason was simple. Cultivation.

Soul power was the foundation of everything. That was the very first lesson Alfred had drilled into them.

There were no shortcuts. Only endless meditation.

Ray's refusal drained Raziel Phoenix's enthusiasm as well. With a reluctant sigh, he decided to meditate too, hoping to reach his second ring sooner. Unfortunately, before he could even settle down, the dormitory door burst open.

Miel rushed in, panic written all over his face. "Something's wrong! Raziel Phoenix, Ray, come quickly! There's a group of people at the academy gates. Their boss looks terrifying, and they're holding pictures of you two and Lily. They're demanding the academy hand you over. Teachers are about to come out!"

Ray hadn't fully entered meditation yet and immediately opened his eyes. Raziel Phoenix looked over, their gazes meeting in silent understanding.

"Could it be…?"

"Let's go see!" Raziel Phoenix jumped off the bed instantly. Ray followed without hesitation.

As soon as they left the dormitory, they ran into Lily.

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