## Crossing the Halls
Ravenshade Manor pulsed with quiet speculation after breakfast. Ryan, age sixteen and newly determined, crossed the marble corridor with Lira at his side. Mira shadowed her lady, glancing between the siblings with tense hope.
**Lira (cool, clipped):**
"That doesn't mean I forgive you. If you vanish again, you'll be sleeping on an ice slab."
**Ryan (dry, slightly sheepish):**
"No plans to disappear. I value my toes."
They reached the corridor's fork and parted ways. Mira spared Ryan a last, uncertain glance before following Lira's purposeful stride.
## Testing Strength: Ryan's Solo Practice
Ryan made straight for the private training yard, stripping off his coat and flexing, energy bubbling under his skin.
**Ryan's Thoughts:**
Let's see if I can actually live up to those numbers…
### Status Window
| Name | Ryan Ravenshade |
|--------------|----------------------------|
| Age | 16 |
| Strength | S | SSS (Locked) |
| Magic Power | A+ | SSS (Locked) |
| Stamina | A- | SSS (Locked) |
| Agility | B+ | SSS (Locked) |
| Aura Grade | A- | SSS (Locked) |
| Reputation | D- ("recluse", "lazy noble")|
| Unique Skill | Sword King's Insight (Locked)|
| Eye Skill | Golden Eyes of Insight (Lv.1) | Lv.2 (Locked) |
| Skills | Shadowstep (Lv.1), Silent Step (Active), Monarch's Will (Passive), Blade Dance (Locked), Frostflame Blade (Locked)
**Ryan (aloud, amused):**
"S-rank strength and A-plus magic for the family 'shut-in'? Am I secretly the final boss here?"
He tapped Shadowstep's menu, finding:
- Level 2: **Hundred Shadow Steps** (locked) — one hundred flickering movements in a second, but the mana drain would knock him out flat.
Even Level 1 was wild—each activation nearly teleporting him across the sand. Pairing it with Silent Step let him move like a ghost—an assassin with a swordsman's sword. Golden Eyes (Lv.1) revealed shimmering enemy auras and weak points, the second level promising something far greater.
**Ryan (smirking to himself):**
"If I had this at home, no one would beat me in anything. Sorry, Lira—no more lazy brother."
He spent nearly three hours pushing the limits: dashing, vanishing, attacking dummy after dummy. By the end, he was sweating and grinning, feeling alive for the first time in years.
## Summoned by Parichat
Just as Ryan toweled off, Albrecht Wynn approached at the yard gate:
"Master Ryan, Lord Parichat requests your presence at the main family training grounds. Lady Lira is summoned as well."
Ryan changed quickly, rolled his shoulders, and headed out—heart racing with adrenaline and curiosity.
## The Main Family Training Ground
The arena overflowed:
- Lira and Mira at one end.
- Lina, Kira, Sera, and a gaggle of curious junior maids clustered at the walls, whispers tense.
- A half-ring of off-duty house knights—men and women in blue liveried cloaks—leaned on pike or pommel, eager for a rare family spectacle.
Parichat stood like a statue, sword drawn, white hair a banner in the sunlight.
**Parichat (voice carrying):**
"If you hope for the Academy, actions will decide, not words. Ryan—if you intend to protect your sister, demonstrate it now."
He gestured to Lira:
"Lira, you first. Prove your resolve."
### Lira vs. Parichat: Daughter's Test
Lira stepped forward, staff shaking in one fist.
- Mira whispered, "You can do this, Lady Lira…"
- Knights at the fence traded skeptical glances.
Lira conjured a frost barrier, pushing herself to attack with icy shards—Parichat swept them aside, relentless.
**Parichat (firm, encouraging):**
"Hesitation is your downfall. Show me your intent!"
Stung, Lira circled, using a mist veil to conceal rapid footwork and burst out with a spray of hail, then a spiraling wall of frost. Parichat reeled to avoid being boxed in, rare acknowledgment in his eyes.
- **Lina (to Kira, awestruck):** "She's never been this aggressive!"
- **Sera (murmured to another maid):** "That's more than hand-me-down magic."
Lira pressed, sweat beading at her brow, shot a sharp lance of ice low for Parichat's boots. For just a heartbeat, he genuinely had to sidestep. The knights, previously skeptical, now nodded.
- **Knight Alyn:** "There's real instinct there. Lady Eleyna's not wasted her time."
Lira's defense cracked; breathless, she tried a final arc of cold. Parichat parried, then with a flick, disarmed her.
**Parichat (gentler):**
"That's conviction. Grow sharper, Lira. Fear only failure to stand up again."
Mira dashed out, beaming. Applause rippled from the staff, knights nodding in reluctant respect.
### Ryan vs. Parichat: New Eyes, New Blood
Now every eye swung to Ryan.
- Junior maids blushed, whispering about the "lazy" master's muscles and new aura.
- Knights and squires leaned forward, anticipation sharpening.
- Lina and Kira exchanged breathless, bashful looks.
Ryan entered the ring, blade in hand. Parichat straightened, blue eyes narrowing with anticipation.
**Parichat's Thoughts:**
_Is this truly the same son? That posture… that focus… It's like facing a young lion. Even for my bloodline, this is thrilling. Don't disappoint me…_
Ryan activated Shadowstep and Silent Step, vanishing into a blur. He reappeared to Parichat's flank, blade already moving.
- **Knight 1 (choked, impressed):** "Did you see that? I couldn't follow!"
- **Knight 2:** "He's… he's learned Shadowstep? At his age?"
- **Junior Maid #2 (clinging to a friend):** "He's too impressive. And… seriously, how is he this good-looking?"
Parichat barely met the blow in time—a ring of sound echoing.
He pressed the fight, feinting and weaving, but Ryan matched his speed, swordsman's instincts taking over. With each clash, Parichat's excitement built:
**Parichat's Thoughts (mid-duel):**
_He's growing with every strike! This is not just my son—this is a future rival. Incredible!_
The tempo rose. Staff gasped. Knights exchanged excited predictions—"He'll be captain material before long"—as maid's faces flushed from awe (and some, if honest, infatuation).
At last, Parichat locked blades, gave a true smile, and broke the tie with a powerful twist, stepping back as both men stood, breathless and shining.
**Parichat (quiet, to Ryan):**
"You've awakened, truly. Let this fire drive you. Master your heart as fiercely as your blade."
He turned so all could hear:
**Parichat (booming proudly):**
"This is House Ravenshade's legacy—strength, skill, and resolve. Honor it!"
## Parichat's Announcement
Parichat summoned both siblings before the entire crowd.
**Parichat:**
"The Academy begins in two months. Lira, you'll enter as a first-year. Ryan, as a sixteen-year-old, you'll require special admission to the second year. I'll give you a recommendation."
He locked eyes with Ryan.
"Special admissions are never welcomed. You'll be trialed after the entrance ceremony—prove your worth before the whole Academy. You may be stronger than most, but never forget: reputation must be built with action, not just talent. Use these two months well."
With that, he dismissed them, and the staff and knights erupted in excited talk.
## End—A New Dawn
As Ryan and Lira left, staff and knights alike whispered:
- "He's the 'lazy' heir? That was a hero's duel…"
- "He could outrank the older squires already."
- "He's… actually really handsome," giggled two blushing maids.
Lira mustered a tired grin.
**Lira (mocking, gentle):**
"If you get lazy again, I'll race right past you."
**Ryan (confident now):**
"You'll have to run even faster, then."
Together, under the sun, the siblings stepped forward—leaving old shadows behind as House Ravenshade finally woke to hope.
**End of Chapter 2**