Three months passed.
Not quietly.
Not gently.
But steadily—
like a blade being ground against stone.
Leo's days began before sunrise.
His nights ended long after moonrise.
Under Aurelius Ren's supervision, his body refinement training became relentless. Stances held until muscles screamed. Controlled strikes repeated until bones vibrated. Breathing techniques synchronized with circulation until his meridians burned and healed again.
At the same time—
His mind never rested.
Siyara's music–wave technique became the invisible pillar supporting everything. Each night, Leo entered meditation, clearing his thoughts, letting frequencies align, strengthening focus beyond what his body alone could endure.
Pain came.
Often.
But it never broke him.
Instead—
It sharpened him.
On the final day of the third month, Leo stood alone in the courtyard.
The air felt different.
His breathing was deeper. His posture steadier. His presence—no longer that of a child.
He clenched his fist.
Spiritual energy surged smoothly through his limbs.
Aurelius watched from the shade, eyes narrowed.
"…Fourth Phase of Body Refinement," the old swordmaster said slowly.
Leo exhaled.
He had made it.
Yet—
That wasn't what surprised Aurelius.
"Strike," the old man commanded.
Leo stepped forward and punched.
Not the tree.
The stone slab placed there deliberately.
BOOM.
The slab shattered.
Not cracked.
Shattered.
Dust scattered across the ground.
Aurelius's fingers tightened on his cane.
"…This level of physical strength," he murmured, "is comparable to the Seventh Phase of Body Refinement."
Leo looked down at his hand.
Again—
No injury.
"I'm still only Fourth Phase," Leo said quietly.
Aurelius nodded grimly.
"That's what frightens me."
That night—
The Ren family estate was unusually lively.
The estate itself was modest by imperial standards but carried history.
Its name was simple.
Lightfall Courtyard.
A place where sword light once fell like rain, and arrows once guarded borders.
Tonight, its halls were filled with warmth.
Siyara had been busy all day.
The kitchen was filled with the scent of sweetness—honeyed pastries, steamed cakes, nut-filled rolls, and fruit preserves. Plates filled the table faster than they could be emptied.
"Eat," she said gently, placing another dish in front of Leo.
"I already did," Leo protested weakly.
She smiled.
"You're leaving. That means you eat."
Wilson laughed loudly. "Listen to your mother. Imperial Academy food won't be this good."
Leo smiled faintly and ate.
For a moment—
There was no cultivation.
No empire.
No destiny.
Just family.
After dinner, Aurelius called Leo to the courtyard.
The old man held something wrapped in cloth.
He uncovered it slowly.
A wooden sword.
Simple.
Smooth.
Perfectly balanced.
"I carved this myself," Aurelius said.
Leo froze.
"You… did?"
The old man snorted. "Don't look so surprised. I'm not dead yet."
He placed the sword into Leo's hands.
"This blade will never cut flesh," Aurelius said. "But it will cut arrogance."
Leo bowed deeply.
"I'll treasure it," he said.
Aurelius nodded.
"Remember," he added, "true swords are forged in the heart before the hand."
Wilson stepped forward next.
In his hands—
A wooden bow.
Unlike the heirloom black bow, this one was plain. No spiritual pressure. No killing intent.
"Don't look disappointed," Wilson said, grinning.
Leo shook his head. "I'm not."
"Good," Wilson said. "This bow will teach you restraint."
He crouched to Leo's level.
"You're strong," Wilson said quietly. "Stronger than you should be."
Leo didn't deny it.
"But strength alone won't protect you at the academy," Wilson continued. "Talent attracts attention. Attention attracts enemies."
He placed the bow into Leo's hands.
"Observe first," he said. "Shoot only when necessary."
Leo nodded solemnly.
"I will."
Later—
Siyara approached Leo privately.
She handed him a small cloth pouch.
Inside were sweets.
And something else.
A thin, silver thread woven into a loop.
"This will help stabilize your mind during meditation," she said softly. "Only use it alone."
Leo met her eyes.
"…Mother," he said hesitantly.
She smiled and touched his forehead.
"You don't need to say it," she said.
Her voice softened.
"No matter where you go—Lightfall Courtyard is your anchor."
Leo swallowed.
"I'll come back," he said.
"I know," she replied.
Before dawn—
They stood at the gate.
The road to the Imperial Academy of the Aurelion Empire stretched far beyond the hills.
It was a long journey.
Dangerous.
Uncertain.
Leo looked back.
At the courtyard.
At the tree where he meditated.
At the people who shaped him.
Aurelius spoke first.
"Remember," he said, "your body is only at the Fourth Phase. Do not expose your true strength."
Wilson nodded. "Let them underestimate you."
Siyara stepped forward last.
She embraced him gently.
"Listen," she whispered. "To the world. To yourself."
Leo nodded.
Then—
He turned.
And walked forward.
Each step steady.
Each breath calm.
He was only Fourth Phase of Body Refinement.
Yet his body rivaled the Seventh Phase.
His mind walked a path unknown to the world.
And his destiny—
Was finally moving beyond Lightfall Courtyard.
Far away—
The Imperial Academy waited.