The doors opened with a commanding presence that made the air itself feel heavier. King Aldric gestured toward the figure striding into the hall—a man whose very bearing demanded attention.
"Meet Royal Knight Commander Lusiel Loiel, one of the Three Pillars of this kingdom."
Whispers rippled through the students. The Commander was tall and broad-shouldered, red haired, with silver armor that caught the morning light and a crimson cape that swept behind him like a banner.
His sharp golden eyes assessed them each in turn.
"Royal Knight Commander Lusiel of House Loiel." He inclined his head slightly. "Greetings, otherworlders."
"Whoa..." someone breathed.
Ren studied him carefully.
"One of three pillars. So there are two more people at this level of authority. Interesting."
King Aldric's voice carried across the hall.
"Commander Lusiel will instruct you in magic and combat, preparing you for what lies ahead. I expect you all to give your full effort."
He swept toward the exit, guards and attendants falling into step behind him. "Good luck, everyone!"
The massive doors closed with a resonant boom.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the group. Toya shifted his weight. "Training, he said. What kind of training?"
Others murmured anxiously. Commander Lusiel's expression remained stern.
"You're the one with Light Magic, correct?" His gaze fixed on Toya. "Don't worry. I'll teach you all from the fundamentals. Now follow me."
They had little choice. The group filed after him through the corridors.
"This guy is powerful", Ren thought, keeping pace at the back. Really powerful.
Meanwhile, in the King's private chambers, ornate doors opened to admit the Great Wizard.
"May I enter, my King?"
"Yes, come in, Redus. I was hoping to speak with you." King Aldric's tone had shifted—no warmth remained in it now.
The elderly wizard approached, staff tapping against marble. "You wished to discuss the boy with no magic?"
"What are your thoughts on him?" King Aldric asked.
Redus stroked his white beard. "I confess, my King, that was my first time witnessing someone completely devoid of magical affinity. I fear he will be of little use to us."
"I see." The King stared out the window at the training grounds below.
"For now, let him train with the others. We'll see what becomes of him."
"As you wish, my King."
The training grounds sprawled across the western courtyard — a vast space where knights sparred and mages practiced. As Commander Lusiel entered, every soldier stopped mid-motion. They formed ranks and bowed in perfect unison.
"GREETINGS TO COMMANDER LUSIEL!"
The students exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"He's really that famous?" Seena whispered.
"Apparently," Yashino murmured back.
Lusiel gestured toward two figures waiting nearby.
"This is Ruoko Sota, an archery master specializing in Fire Magic. And this is Ael Gorl, a High Mage with Earth Magic affinity.
They will train those of you whose classes align with their specialties." His gaze swept across the group. "Seena, Wuta, Lady Aria—you'll work with them."
Toya frowned. "What about Ren?"
Teacher Aria stepped forward. "Where will Ren train?"
Lusiel's expression hardened as he looked at Ren. "You possess neither class nor magic type. Physical conditioning is your only option. You'll train your body with the regular soldiers."
Ren kept his face neutral. "Understood."
"Commander Lusiel—" Aria's voice rose with concern. "Why can't he train with the rest of us?"
The Commander's tone brooked no argument. "Lady Aria. The boy has no magical protection, no class abilities to shield him. If he attempts our training regimen, the mana backlash alone could kill him. Is that what you want?"
Aria flinched, taking a step back. Toya caught her arm, his own expression troubled.
"Maybe... maybe he's right, teacher" Toya said quietly. "We should focus on our own training."
Aria's gaze dropped to the ground. She said nothing more.
Ren glanced back at them. "Acting concerned is exhausting. But.. thank you anyway, Teacher Aria."
He turned toward the training area for regular soldiers, leaving the others behind.
Hours passed. The sun climbed higher, then began its descent toward evening.
"Hah... hah..." Ren bent over, hands on his knees, sweat dripping onto the packed earth. The physical training had been brutal—endless drills, sword forms, endurance runs. Meanwhile, across the grounds, he could see magical lights flashing as the others practiced their abilities.
Commander Lusiel had already escorted the student group toward the rest hall for food and recovery.
Ren straightened, rolling his shoulders. "That's probably enough for today."
The training ground had emptied. He was alone now.
"They left me behind without a second thought. Makes sense, I suppose."
He stared at the amber sky. I don't have much time here. Tonight, I need to find some real information.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Teacher Aria emerged from the rest hall carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle. Ren watched her navigate the courtyard until she stood before him.
"Ren. You must be starving." She held out the bundle—bread, cheese, dried meat. "Please, eat."
He blinked, genuinely surprised. "Thank you, Teacher Aria."
She nodded, but her expression crumbled.
"I'm sorry, Ren. You're suffering through all this, and I can't do anything to help you. Please forgive me." Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Ren was quiet for a moment. "You don't need to apologize. You haven't done anything wrong. Please, raise your head."
"But—"
He forced a smile. "I'm used to being treated this way. It doesn't bother me anymore."
Aria looked stricken. The silence stretched between them.
"You should get back," Ren said gently.
"The other students are probably worried about you. Don't concern yourself with me."
"I'm sorry, Ren." She turned and walked slowly back toward the rest hall.
Ren watched her go. She really is too kind-hearted. He unwrapped the food.
"Still... thanks for this. I owe you one, Teacher Aria."
Eventually, the others emerged from the rest hall. An attendant informed them they were free to return to their rooms for the evening.
Ren joined the group as they walked through the castle corridors.
"Today wasn't as bad as I expected," Toya said, stretching his arms overhead.
Yashino adjusted her glasses. "Commander Lusiel is on an entirely different level. Did you see that demonstration he gave?"
Seena groaned. "That archery master was so annoying. Though I did learn how to form mana arrows, which was cool. But his fire magic? Completely demolished me in the sparring match."
Toya smirked. "Sounds like you had fun training with him."
"What? I did NOT—" Seena's face flushed.
"I... had fun too," Wuta mumbled. "That High Mage Ael Gorl was... nice."
Furia tilted her head. "Did you say something, Wuta?"
He shook his head quickly.
Ren walked at the back of the group, watching them laugh and tease each other.
"Having fun, huh"
Once in his room, Ren waited until the castle grew quiet. No footsteps in the corridor. No voices drifting through the walls.
He rose from the bed.
"Time to find some answers. [ Conceal Presence ]"
Ren Casted his Spell then his reflection in the mirror vanished. Even the slight depression his weight made on the floorboards disappeared— his existence simply erased from perception.
Ren slipped through his door without a sound.
The castle corridors stretched before him, lit by magical torches that burned without smoke. He moved like a ghost, checking rooms on the second floor. Guest chambers. Storage. A library. Nothing useful.
"Where would they keep important documents? The throne room is on the ground floor, but there must be—"
A section of wall ahead shimmered slightly. Ren froze.
A maid emerged from what had appeared to be solid stone, carrying a silver tea service.
She walked past him — close enough that he could smell lavender soap — completely unaware of his presence.
The wall section closed behind her with barely a whisper.
A hidden room.
Ren waited until she disappeared around a corner, then approached the wall. His fingers found the subtle seam in the stonework. He pressed gently, and a section swung inward.
Voices drifted through the gap.
"...your thoughts on the boy without magic or class, Lusiel?"
Ren's pulse quickened. He slipped through the opening and pressed himself against the interior wall of a narrow passage.
Ahead, warm light spilled from a chamber entrance.
"He's just an ordinary human, Sir Redus" Commander Lusiel's voice, lower than usual.
"I assigned him physical training for the sake of his companions' morale."
"I see. And what of our Hero?" Redus asked.
"I personally trained him and one of his companions today. Both exceeded my expectations."
"Excellent. Our King will be pleased. Tell me, Lusiel—are they ready for the dungeon?"
A pause. "At their current level... they could manage perhaps ten floors. With my direct support, possibly up to the fortieth floor. That's the deepest any human has reached."
"Ah yes — reached by you and the other Two Pillars." The Great Wizard's voice carried satisfaction.
"If that's the case, take them to the dungeon. We can't afford lengthy training. Give them real combat experience."
"Understood, Sir Redus."
"One more thing, Lusiel..... We need to dispose of the magicless boy. When you take them into the dungeon... Do something, and make it look natural. The others mustn't suspect anything."
Silence.
"I understand, Great Wizard Redus. Rest assured, I'll handle it."
Ren's jaw tightened. He backed silently through the passage until he reached the main corridor, then let the wall section close behind him.
"So that's how it is."
He made his way back to his room, mind racing. Once inside, he released the Concealment spell and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Humans are the same no matter what world you're in." His voice was barely a whisper.
"Fine then, Commander Lusiel. Old man Redus. Let's see what you're planning."
He lay back, stared at the ceiling.