Kael wiped the dust from his cheek slowly stabilizing his breath.
He pressed a hand to his ribs—they were sore, bruised, maybe even cracked—but somehow the pain wasn't as sharp as it should have been.
"…Yes, professor," he said quietly.
Elysia watched him from behind the dispersing crowd.
Her fists were clenched at her sides, her expression serious, but her eyes held something else.
(That's… just his mere strength)
The thought hovered in her mind like a burning spark.
She replayed the fight again—the way Kael moved, the adaptability, the ferocity, the terrifying focus.
His body had been pushed to the limit, and yet…
(He didn't use magic… not even once.)
Her jaw tightened slightly.
Kaigaku staggered to his feet.
He steadied himself against a nearby pillar, cursing under his breath.
"D-Damn first-year…" he muttered.
Two third-years who stood nearby stepped closer, watching Kaigaku with a disappointed shake of their heads.
"Rank two defeated by a newbie."
