The training yard was quiet.
A faint breeze moved through the open space, carrying the scent of grass and ash from previous spell practice. Several training dummies stood in the distance—most of them already burned, cracked, or partially destroyed.
At the center of it all stood Hiro.
His hand was raised.
Mana gathered smoothly, without hesitation.
"Fire Arrow."
The spell formed almost instantly.
A sharp burst of flame shot forward, striking the target with a loud impact. The wooden dummy cracked further, smoke rising from the point of contact.
Hiro lowered his hand slowly.
"…Faster again."
There was no excitement in his voice.
Only observation.
Over the past few days, his control had improved at a pace that didn't feel natural.
Not trained.
Not earned.
Just… there.
He frowned slightly.
This isn't normal.
Before he could think further—
"Young Master~"
A familiar voice called out.
Hiro didn't even turn.
"What is it, Lina?"
A few seconds later, Lina appeared beside him, slightly out of breath.
"You didn't even look back."
"I didn't need to."
She pouted.
"That's no fun."
Hiro ignored her.
"What do you need?"
She straightened slightly.
"Lord Albrecht is calling you."
Hiro paused.
"…Now?"
"Yes. And judging by the atmosphere…"
She leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"…it's serious."
Hiro gave her a flat look.
"You say that about everything."
"That's because everything feels serious in this house," she replied instantly.
Hiro sighed.
"…I'm going."
"Good luck," Lina said with a grin.
"You'll need it."
The Study Hall
Hiro entered the large study hall where his father was already waiting.
Albrecht stood near the window, his back turned.
The moment Hiro stepped inside—
"I heard about your recent training."
Hiro stopped.
"…From Magnus?"
"From everyone."
Hiro silently cursed.
Of course.
Albrecht turned to face him.
His expression was calm, but there was a certain sharpness behind his eyes.
"The Royal Academy entrance is approaching."
Hiro straightened slightly.
"I know."
"You do," Albrecht replied. "But knowing is different from understanding."
He walked closer.
"The Academy is not simply a place of learning. It is a battlefield."
Hiro didn't interrupt.
"There, you will face nobles who have trained their entire lives. Some will be stronger than you. Some will be more talented."
A brief pause.
"And some will see you as a rival the moment you arrive."
Hiro met his gaze.
"…That's fine."
Albrecht studied him for a moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"Good."
He turned slightly, picking up a sealed letter from the table.
"This arrived this morning."
Hiro's eyes shifted toward it.
The seal was unfamiliar—but carried a sense of authority.
"The Royal Academy has sent preliminary evaluation notices."
Hiro's expression changed slightly.
"…Already?"
"You will be tested before formal admission."
Albrecht handed him the letter.
"You leave in a few days."
Hiro took it slowly.
For a brief moment, the weight of it felt heavier than expected.
This wasn't training anymore.
This was real.
"You represent the Valenhart name," Albrecht said.
His voice was calm—but firm.
"Do not forget that."
Hiro nodded.
"…I won't."
Training… Again
Later that afternoon, Hiro returned to the training yard.
This time, his movements were sharper.
More focused.
He raised both hands.
Mana flowed faster than before.
Let's try something different…
Instead of releasing the spell immediately, he held it.
Compressed it.
The flame grew unstable.
"…This might work."
Then—
The mana suddenly shook.
The spell collapsed.
Boom—!
A small explosion pushed Hiro backward.
"—!"
He stumbled, barely maintaining balance.
Smoke rose around him.
"…That didn't work."
"You think?"
Hiro froze.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Lina and Mira stood a few steps away, staring at him.
Mira crossed her arms.
"You almost blew yourself up."
"I had it under control."
"You were covered in smoke," Lina said.
"That's part of the process."
"Is it?" she asked, clearly unconvinced.
Hiro brushed ash off his sleeve.
"…It will be."
The maids exchanged a look.
"He's getting weirder," Mira whispered.
"I heard that."
The Return of Magnus
"Experimentation without proper understanding leads to failure."
Hiro didn't even react this time.
"…Of course you're here."
Magnus stood behind him as usual.
Watching.
Judging.
Existing.
"Young Master," Magnus continued, "if you intend to pass the Royal Academy evaluation, you must refine both theory and execution."
Hiro sighed.
"I just practiced for hours."
"And now you will study."
Hiro looked at the sky.
"…I miss the wolf."
Lina laughed.
Magnus remained serious.
"The wolf would not help you pass a written examination."
Hiro muttered:
"I'm starting to think it might."
Night — A Quiet Realization
That night, Hiro sat by his window once again.
The letter from the Academy rested on the table beside him.
He had read it multiple times already.
Date.
Location.
Evaluation details.
Everything was clear.
Too clear.
"…So it's finally starting."
He looked down at his hand.
For a moment—
A faint flicker.
[Condition: Unstable Growth]
Gone.
Hiro's expression hardened slightly.
That message…
It wasn't normal.
And it wasn't random.
Whatever the system was—
It was watching.
Adjusting.
Preparing something.
He leaned back slowly.
The calm days were ending.
The estate.
The training.
The quiet life.
All of it would soon change.
And this time—
Hiro wouldn't be the one caught off guard.