🖤 Chapter 20
⚔️ Training Begins – Unlikely Progress
The entire academy was buzzing with energy.
Students were preparing—physically and mentally—for the upcoming First-Year Grand Ranking Trials.
But there was a twist.
This time… Aeren wasn't sitting alone.
Out in the dusty training fields of Class 5, beneath a sun-drenched sky, Anshi stood beside Aeren with determination in her eyes.
"I'll train you myself. You will survive this."
She didn't care that he was the weakest.
She didn't care what others said.
All she cared about… was keeping him alive.
🌀 Aeren's Change – Noticed but Hidden
They trained day and night.
She taught him how to parry, how to read monster movement, how to conserve stamina, and how to suppress aura.
And while Anshi believed she was helping him—something was different about Aeren.
He wasn't just learning.
He was adapting at lightning speed.
His footwork—flawless.
His counterattacks—precise.
His reading of movements—almost like premonition.
During one fight, Anshi launched a heavy silver-tier technique at him without warning.
Before she even finished chanting it, Aeren moved out of range—perfectly predicting her angle and timing.
"How…?"
She stared at him, breathless.
"You… you shouldn't be this fast. You've never even used aura properly."
But Aeren just smiled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I guess I'm just lucky..."
But he knew it wasn't luck.
It was something else awakening—and he didn't want anyone to see it yet.
💢 The Act of Weakness
Each time he got close to victory during sparring…
He'd slip.
Miss a hit.
Trip over his own foot.
He'd act like the same clumsy Aeren everyone knew.
"If they see what I really am… what if they fear me?"
So he hid.
Only Anshi began to suspect.
Only she saw the glimpses of power he couldn't mask completely.
And those glimpses…
Scared her.
Not because she feared Aeren.
But because she feared he'd be forced into battles far beyond what he was ready for.
📢 The Announcement That Shook Them All
One morning, as students gathered in the main field, Director Elzhar stepped forward with a grim look.
"Due to intelligence reports of shifting monster activity and the unstable nature of the forest dungeon…"
He paused.
"We will now hold a Qualification Round before the Ranking Trial."
Gasps echoed across the crowd.
"Only those who pass the qualification will be allowed to enter the Grand Ranking."
He raised his hand.
"This is not a punishment. It's protection. Too many of you will die if sent in unprepared."
"We will test your ability to handle pressure… monsters… and the unknown."
💔 Anshi's Panic
Anshi froze.
"No…"
Her heart dropped.
"Aeren… he'll be thrown out before he even gets a chance."
She looked at him—calm, quiet, confused by the reactions of others.
He didn't even seem worried.
But she was.
"He's still officially Wood-rank… he can't even channel combat aura... What if he gets hurt? What if I lose him?"
She clenched her fists.
"No. I won't let that happen."
🔥 The Training Intensifies
From that day forward, Anshi doubled the intensity of their sessions.
She pushed Aeren to his physical and mental limits—no more soft attacks, no more pauses.
"Again!"
"Get up!"
"Do it like you mean it, Aeren!"
He never protested.
He trained silently, eyes focused—not on her—but on something no one else could see.
A throne in the sky.
A crown of silence.
A destiny rising.
🕯️ Quiet Moments Between Them
Late at night, they sat under the moon near the edge of campus, both catching their breath after a rough session.
Anshi stared at him quietly.
"Promise me something, Aeren."
"What?"
"No matter what happens… don't leave me behind."
Aeren looked at her—surprised.
Then smiled gently.
"I won't. I promise."
But deep inside, a small voice whispered:
You're not the same anymore, Aeren.
And when your truth is revealed... that promise might be harder to keep.
🌌 End of Chapter 20