"So you're saying you were training, and the ring couldn't keep up with your progress?"
That was Amy's question to Shion Lan, who hesitated, unsure how to answer.
"Yes. I trained with it more than sixty times, and that's what happened."
Amy closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, trying to imagine the situation—
a third-level individual defeating such a number of enemies that grew stronger every time.
'Are all eighth-stage trainees this terrifying?!'
She looked at Shion and said, "I think it would be more beneficial for you to use a fourth-level ring instead."
"Alright."
Shion took his ring and left, thinking to himself:
'I need to train against fourth-level opponents if I want to defeat Shi Yun Lan—who is already an elite.'
As he walked, he glanced at the other units and their commanders of varying levels, feeling an immense pressure emanating from them.
It seems defeating the Dark Crows isn't impossible after all.
When Shion returned to his unit, he found Shilte training with the same fourth-level ring, wielding a shield and hammer.
"(Earth Battle: Earth Shock)!"
Shilte slammed his hammer onto the crow's head. The Dark Crow gathered aura on its skull and blocked the strike, which opened a gap in his defense.
"(Earth Battle: Earth Defense)!"
A wall erupted from the ground, slamming into the Dark Crow's body and knocking it back into a weakened state. Shilte leapt forward and struck again with the same technique. The crow had no chance to recover—its head shattered, its form dispersing as Shilte claimed victory.
Shilte sat down to rest.
"Excellent work, Unit Commander," Shion praised him sincerely.
Shilte grinned broadly.
"Yes, it was a bit tough for the first time. That was my fifth victory. I think by the end of the week, I'll be able to clear twenty matches in a row."
"That really is impressive, Commander."
Shion wasn't mocking him—he spoke seriously. For a man of Shelt's age to show such growth made him undeniably strong. Moreover, he still possessed Jura Family techniques, making him a powerful ally.
After exchanging pleasantries, Shion activated his own ring. It immediately consumed half of his stamina.
'Damn it! I didn't expect that!'
A fourth-level Dark Raven formed—capable of using aura, making it a mid-tier monster. It attacked instantly. Shion activated his art:
"(Stellar Summet: Star Vortex)!"
He swung his sword with the vortex, creating a powerful repelling force that pushed the crow back slightly. He dashed forward again, repeating the motion.
"(Star Vortex)!"
The vortex spun again as he closed in. The crow surged forward as well, coating its beak with aura in an attempt to pierce Shion. Shion canceled his forward motion, used the remaining momentum, and continued swinging his blade.
"(Star Tide)!"
A silver slash appeared, accompanied by numerous star-lights representing hidden thrusts. Using the momentum generated by the vortex, the cutting power reached an extreme level. Shion targeted the Dark Crow's weakest point—the straight line from its neck to the end of its body.
As the thrusts penetrated that line, the crow exploded from within, disappearing entirely and declaring Shion's victory.
Shilte looked at Shion, who was breathing heavily.
"So, just as I expected—you can fight a fourth-level opponent for a short time and win. But it consumes both your physical stamina and mental focus, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Unit Commander."
"Then why haven't you been training against fourth-level opponents?"
"Because I defeated third-level ones more than sixty times."
Shilte thought for a moment, then said,
"In that case, you can focus on defending against fourth-level enemies and creating openings, while I deliver the finishing blow. That way you won't exhaust yourself. It would be dangerous if this happened during an actual battle—and we don't want to anger someone like your mentor."
Shion looked at him as Shilte continued,
"The Zone Chief told me everything. I want you to stay alive and help us fight."
Shion thought inwardly:
'This man is incredibly resolute. No wonder he earned the Jura Family's approval. He truly embodies the qualities of a leader—he's amazing.'
"Alright, Commander."
---
"What do you mean he cleared more than sixty stages of the ring?!"
"Yes. As I told you before, this boy isn't ordinary. Imagine if he were in our tower—we'd flourish in the future. And the spell he offered me is extremely strange, as if it doesn't belong to this world. Even though he claims it's a mid-level spell, it feels far stronger than that."
"Then can you replicate it, Instructor?"
"Of course not! Even aside from the unknown symbols in the equation, attempting to steal from an eighth-level individual could cost us our lives. That's out of the question."
Fire Mage Amy handed over several sheets of paper.
"These are simplified equations using substitute symbols. They'll barely reach fourth level—but give them to him. He'll handle the rest."
A soldier entered the room.
"Fire Mage Lady Amy!"
"What is it?"
"Unit Commander Shelt requests three additional fourth-level rings to enhance training!"
"And why does he need that many?"
"Because he's training with Mr. Shion Lan!"
"What?!"
Both women shouted at the same time.
---
In the academy's central training field, the most outstanding students were sparring—including Violet Night. Despite the blazing sun, darkness surrounded her. She looked at those kneeling on the ground and thought:
'I didn't expect them to be this weak.'
She glanced at First Prince Jaiden Joul, who stood with his purification magic, visibly furious, and at Shun Ranus, collapsed on the ground in no better condition.
She recalled the events of the previous night…
"Instructor Ryan, why don't you summon Shion to fight with us as an academy student?" the prince asked, sensing something strange.
"Ever since we saw him, he hasn't returned to the academy and has remained here despite the danger. What's going on?"
Ryan Shine smiled warmly when he heard Shion's name.
"Because he will participate in the battle—not as a Karath Academy student, but as the Radiant Star's Student, the one who provided us with the very methods to defeat the Dark Crows."
All the students froze at once—even Violet Night stopped when she heard this.
Before anyone could speak, Ryan continued:
"I caught a brief glimpse of his training. His techniques are strange and astonishing. In the morning, he trains fire techniques at level one with Ladies Sano and Flair. At night, he trains water-element techniques with Unit Commander Shelt at level three—approaching the fourth."
"That's impossible, Instructor! That brat is my brother—I know him better than anyone!" Shun shouted.
Ryan looked at him with disappointment.
"Shun Ranus, even though he's your brother, the difference between you is like that of a noble and a commoner—ironically, in reverse."
Shun didn't understand at first—then realization struck. Rage surged within him, but he dared not act before the instructor.
Ryan continued in awe:
"Shion and Shilte form a perfectly synchronized pair. It may be normal for Shilte—he's a veteran of many battles—but this boy truly amazed me. During training against nearly ten fourth-level Dark Crows, they protected each other, created openings, and launched swift, decisive attacks. In a single night, they cleared ten stages of those rings.
"Especially when Shion becomes serious and the aura around him transforms into starlight—slaughtering Dark Crows becomes effortless."
Ryan smiled and concluded,
"Honestly, I'm considering taking him as my student in the academy. I've already informed the Director, and he'll handle it if the Radiant Star Instructor complains. Quite simply—this boy is extraordinarily talented."
---
Violet Night thought:
'No wonder the Second Princess wanted to recruit him. How could she not? He trained Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai—both recognized as first-year prodigies in the academy. Should I try approaching him myself?'
After finishing her training—having cleared around twenty-five ring stages—she decided to go see Shion. She wasn't alone. All the fourth-year students followed, curious about the person who had earned their Star Instructor's praise.
When they arrived, they saw most of the soldiers—below third level—gathered around a specific area. Looking closely, they saw ten rings, each producing a Dark Crow, forming a circle around two individuals.
One was a large, bearded man in heavy armor, wielding a massive axe—more like a barbarian than a soldier.
The other was his complete opposite—handsome beyond measure, radiating elegance. A stellar aura surrounded him, giving even his smallest movements an air of dignity and grandeur. A strange ring adorned his finger, and a necklace hung from his neck.
They stood against a wave of monsters—the eleventh wave, surpassing yesterday's record.
The crows attacked.
Without exchanging a word, the two moved.
"(Earth Battle: Earth Defense)!"
"(Stellar Summet: Star Vortex)!"
Both executed defensive maneuvers, swapped positions instantly, and Shion exploited the vortex's momentum.
"(Star Tide)!"
Shilte followed:
"(Earth King: Earth Cleave)!"
It was a Jura Family technique. Each struck down a raven—eight remained.
The ravens hesitated briefly, then attacked together.
Shelt slammed his shield into the ground.
"(Earth King: Earth Dome)!"
A rocky dome enveloped both men. The ravens coated their beaks with aura—only to see one of them die instantly.
"(Star Surge)!"
The ravens gathered at the opening to break through, but found Shion and Shilte behind it. They attacked—only for both men to turn into water clones.
Shion appeared behind another crow and killed it with the same thrust. Shilte used the Earth King technique again, killing three ravens at once while they were exposed.
Seven down.
Shion unleashed a water vortex and followed up:
"(Water Vortex) (Water Bombs)!"
His energy was exhausted—but the ring and necklace glowed, restoring his power.
The remaining crows sensed his weakness and charged together. Shion retreated swiftly. Shelt seized the opening and finished the rest.
"(Earth King: Earth Cleave)!"
All the Dark Ravens fell.