The sun was slowly beginning to set over the Royal Capital.
A large horse-drawn carriage traveled along the road leading away from the city.
Two horses pulled the carriage forward while the driver sat at the front, holding the reins.
Inside the carriage, Mason Grace sat quietly beside his father.
His mind was still stuck on the battle he had witnessed.
Lord Ackman.
Lord Chad.
The speed.
The power.
The destruction.
Mason lowered his head slightly.
He had always known that his father was strong.
But after witnessing him fight Lord Ackman, Mason realized something.
His father had become far stronger than he had ever imagined.
Mason looked toward Chad.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke.
"Dad…"
Chad looked toward him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Mason hesitated.
"Do you really think I'm ready for the academy?"
Chad raised an eyebrow.
Mason continued.
"I mean… I'll be surrounded by royal students."
He looked down at his hands.
"Most of them probably have spiritual energy."
His voice became quieter.
"What if I can't keep up with them?"
Chad remained silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
He already understood what was happening.
This wasn't really about Mason's strength.
It was pressure.
Mason had spent years living around people who treated spiritual energy as the standard of greatness.
And now he was about to enter an academy filled with royal students.
Chad reached over and gently rubbed Mason's hair.
"Mason."
Mason looked up.
"Don't let what other people say determine what you think you're capable of."
Mason listened carefully.
"You don't have to prove yourself because someone thinks you're inferior."
Chad smiled.
"You just have to keep moving forward."
He placed his hand on Mason's shoulder.
"Even though you don't possess spiritual energy…"
He paused.
"I know what you're capable of."
Mason stared at him.
"You can become a great swordsman."
Chad's voice became more serious.
"And if becoming the Great Elder is still the dream you've always wanted…"
He smiled.
"Then chase it."
Mason's eyes widened slightly.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Chad leaned back.
"I wouldn't tell you to chase something if I didn't believe you could achieve it."
Mason clenched his fist.
"Then when we get home…"
He looked at his father with determination.
"We're continuing our training."
Chad smiled.
"I'll train until I become stronger."
Mason's eyes sharpened.
"And I'll surpass you one day."
Chad laughed.
"That's the spirit, son."
The carriage continued toward the village.
Royal Capital — Ackman Residence
In another part of the Royal Capital, the sound of an explosion echoed across a large training ground.
BOOM!
A young woman stood in the middle of the battlefield.
Janelle Ackman.
Her white hair moved slightly as she watched her opponent approach.
Her instructor charged forward.
Janelle raised one hand.
"Barrier."
A transparent barrier instantly formed in front of her.
The instructor struck it.
BOOM!
The barrier absorbed the attack.
Janelle immediately moved to the side.
The instructor followed.
Another attack came toward her.
Janelle raised her hand again.
Another barrier appeared.
She blocked the attack before countering.
Her movements were becoming faster.
Her instructor jumped backward.
"Good."
He raised both hands.
A massive ball of fire began forming between his palms.
Janelle narrowed her eyes.
The instructor released it.
"Fire Blast!"
The enormous flame rushed toward her.
Janelle didn't move.
Instead, she raised both hands.
"Barrier Magic."
A barrier surrounded the incoming flame.
The fire exploded against the barrier.
Janelle clenched her fist.
The barrier immediately contracted.
The flames were crushed inside it before disappearing completely.
Silence.
Janelle lowered her hand.
Her instructor stared at her.
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Janelle turned.
Her father, Lord Ackman, stood at the edge of the training ground.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
"That is the spirit, Janelle."
He walked toward her.
"You've grown tremendously."
Janelle smiled.
"Thank you, Father."
Ackman placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I won't lie."
He smiled.
"I want to see you become the strongest student in this year's tournament."
Janelle looked at him.
"But even if you don't…"
His expression softened.
"I'll still be proud of you."
Janelle smiled.
She suddenly stepped forward and hugged her father.
Ackman was slightly surprised.
Then he smiled and returned the hug.
After a moment, Janelle stepped back.
"Alright."
She raised her hands.
"Back to training."
Ackman laughed.
"That's my daughter."
The Veylor Family
Far from the Royal Capital, another carriage traveled along the road.
It was a royal carriage surrounded by guards.
Several soldiers rode on horseback ahead of it while others followed behind.
Inside the carriage sat Riven Veylor beside his mother.
His mother looked toward him.
"Riven."
He turned.
"You were the one who decided to join the academy."
"Yes."
"Are you certain?"
Riven looked through the carriage window.
"I've spent enough time sitting around the house."
He smiled.
"I want to see what I'm capable of."
His mother remained quiet.
Riven leaned back.
"And I want to prove how strong I really am."
His expression became serious.
"Perhaps one day, I'll even become the Great Elder of the Sunstone Kingdom."
His mother looked at him with surprise.
Riven continued.
"And eventually…"
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"I'll rule my own kingdom."
His mother stared at him.
"You certainly have ambitious dreams."
Riven smiled.
"Then I suppose I'll have to become strong enough to achieve them."
The carriage continued toward the city.
Mighty Residence
Night had fallen.
A window suddenly opened.
A figure climbed inside.
He landed silently on the floor.
Dark hair.
Dark eyes.
His entire body was covered in dark assassin clothing.
Duke Mighty had returned.
He immediately looked around the room.
"Show yourself."
Silence.
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
A figure slowly stepped out from the shadows.
An older man with a calm expression stood before him.
His name was Kael Draven.
He had served as Duke's guardian for years.
Kael smiled.
"I never expected you to return in your worst possible state."
Duke glanced at him.
"You're still talking too much."
Kael chuckled.
"I have some news."
Duke removed part of his assassin gear.
"What is it?"
"I registered you for the Entrance Tournament."
Duke stopped.
"You did what?"
Kael smiled.
"You're joining Legion Academy."
Duke stared at him.
"I never said I wanted to."
"I know."
Kael crossed his arms.
"But sitting around doing nothing won't help you."
Duke sighed.
"You just want to keep me busy."
"Perhaps."
Kael walked closer.
"But I also expect nothing less from you."
Duke remained silent.
Kael looked at him seriously.
"Your father would have wanted you to prove the strength of the Mighty family."
Duke's expression changed.
"My father…"
He looked away.
"I'll never be like him."
Kael wasn't surprised.
"Not every son wants to follow the path of his father."
Duke looked back at him.
Kael continued.
"So don't."
He walked toward the door.
"Chase whatever dream you have."
He stopped.
"But you'll still need to prepare."
Duke nodded.
"The tournament is in less than two weeks."
Kael opened the door.
"Exactly."
He walked out.
The door closed.
Duke remained alone in the room.
He stared toward the window.
Then slowly clenched his fist.
Back in the Village
The sun had completely disappeared by the time Mason and Chad returned home.
The carriage stopped.
Mason stepped out first.
He stretched his arms.
"We're finally back."
Chad stepped down behind him.
Nearby, Becca and Rohan stood waiting.
Becca smiled.
"You two took your time."
Chad laughed.
"We had a lot to talk about."
Mason looked toward his father.
Then toward the open training area.
His expression changed.
"Dad."
Chad looked at him.
Mason stepped forward.
"Let's do it."
Chad smiled.
"You sure?"
Mason nodded.
"Yeah."
He reached for his sword.
Chad walked toward the training ground.
Becca and Rohan remained at the side, watching.
Chad turned around.
He raised his sword.
"Ready?"
Mason tightened his grip.
He looked directly at his father.
"Yeah."
The two stood facing each other.
The night wind passed through the training ground.
Neither moved.
The training has begun.