The walk back to Grey Hollow was quiet.
Kael moved slowly along the forest path with Astraeus resting on his shoulder.
The small soul beast he had fought earlier was still fresh in his mind.
It had not been an easy fight.
But he had won.
And his Soul Power had increased.
That was something he could not ignore.
When the village appeared between the trees, the sun was already high in the sky.
Grey Hollow looked the same as always.
Children ran across the dirt road.
A cart full of stone rolled toward the mine.
Nothing had changed.
But Kael felt different.
When Kael reached his house, Mara was outside hanging clothes to dry.
She turned when she heard his footsteps.
"You went to the forest," she said immediately.
Kael nodded.
"Only near the forest edge."
Her eyes moved to Astraeus.
"You practiced?"
"Yes."
Mara studied his face for a moment.
"You look tired."
Kael gave a small shrug.
"I fought a soul beast."
The woman paused.
"You fought one alone?"
"It was small."
Mara sighed and shook her head.
"You should still be careful."
Kael nodded.
"I will."
She handed him a cup of water.
"Drink first."
Kael accepted it and sat down on the wooden steps outside the house.
The cold water helped him relax.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
Then Mara asked the question she had clearly been holding back.
"Do you really plan to go to the academy?"
Kael looked at Astraeus.
"Yes."
"The trials are in two months."
Mara sat beside him.
"The road to the capital is long."
"I know."
"You know you will have to travel alone, right?"
Kael nodded again.
"I have to try."
Mara looked at him quietly.
She had raised Kael since he was a child.
She knew that look on his face.
Once he made a decision, he rarely changed it.
Finally she sighed.
"Then you should train properly."
Kael smiled slightly.
"That is the plan."
After resting for a while, Kael returned to the small hill behind the house.
This place had always been quiet.
A few large rocks stood in the open space.
It was a good place to practice.
Kael placed Astraeus on the ground and stretched his arms.
He was still learning how to use a sword.
Before yesterday, he had never held one.
He picked up the blade again.
Then he activated Soul Reinforcement.
Warm energy flowed through his body.
He stepped forward and swung.
The sword moved through the air.
Not perfect.
But steady.
He practiced simple movements.
Swing.
Step.
Turn.
Block.
Again and again.
After a while, sweat covered his forehead.
His breathing became heavier.
Soul Reinforcement faded.
Kael rested the sword on the ground.
He focused his mind again.
The Soul Panel appeared.
__________
SOUL PANEL
Name: Kael Ardyn
Age: 16
Soul Weapon: Astraeus
Rank: Iron
Type: Growth-Type
Realm: Soul Spark
Strength: 9
Agility: 10
Endurance: 9
Soul Power: 9
Soul Control: 14
Soul Pressure: 6
Abilities
Soul Devour[Unique]
Soul Reinforcement
_________
His Soul Power had increased earlier after the fight.
But the other numbers had not changed.
Kael stared at the panel for a moment.
"So only Soul Devour raises my power for now."
That meant simple training might improve his skill, but not his stats.
Still, training was important.
He needed to control Astraeus properly.
The panel disappeared again.
While Kael rested, footsteps approached from the path.
He turned his head.
A boy about his age was walking toward him.
It was Marin Holt, the boy who had awakened the iron spear during the ceremony.
Marin waved when he saw Kael.
"So you came here to train too?"
Kael nodded.
Marin looked at Astraeus.
"Nice sword."
"Your spear looked good too," Kael replied.
Marin laughed.
"It still feels strange holding it."
He placed the spear against a rock.
"Do you want to spar?"
Kael blinked.
"Spar?"
Marin shrugged.
"We both need practice."
Kael thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Alright."
Both boys stepped into the open space.
Marin picked up his spear.
Kael held Astraeus with both hands.
They looked at each other.
Marin grinned.
"Don't worry. I won't use soul power."
Kael nodded.
"Same."
For a moment, they simply stood still.
Then Marin moved first.
The spear thrust forward.
Kael stepped to the side.
The attack missed him.
Kael swung Astraeus toward the spear.
Clang.
The weapons struck each other.
Marin pulled his spear back quickly.
"Not bad."
He attacked again.
This time the spear moved faster.
Kael blocked the strike.
But the force pushed him backward.
Marin had trained with hunting tools before.
He was more comfortable with a long weapon.
Kael focused.
The next time Marin attacked, Kael stepped closer.
The spear could not move well at close distance.
Kael tapped Marin's shoulder lightly with Astraeus.
Marin froze.
Then he laughed.
"Alright. You win that round."
Both boys lowered their weapons.
They were breathing harder now.
Marin scratched his head.
"I need more practice."
Kael smiled slightly.
"So do I."
As the sun began to set, Marin returned to the village.
Kael stayed on the hill a little longer.
He practiced several more sword swings.
Then he finally walked back home.
The sky was turning orange.
Smoke rose from the houses again.
Grey Hollow was preparing for night.
Kael leaned Astraeus against the wall inside his room.
He felt tired.
But it was the good kind of tired.
The kind that came from hard work.
Tomorrow he would train again.
He had many things to learn before the academy trials.
For now, he simply rested.
And Astraeus remained beside him, quiet and still.