"You're telling me that a first-year student who is still in Circle Zero saw through your illusion magic?"
The academy's director was the one speaking to Damian, who was sitting in front of him.
"I already told you yes. Now, can you give me all the information about him?"
Damian seemed impatient as he waited for the documents.
"That's impossible for a student who didn't even stand out... and only started improving now... Could Angela come here?"
The director took the documents and handed them to Damian, who began reading them. A woman appeared immediately after a few seconds when he communicated through a magical communication stone. She was the maid responsible for the dormitory where Enrico stayed. Angela bowed before the director.
"Yes, sir?"
"I want you to keep an eye on Enrico from now on."
"I was already doing that on Miss Virelle's orders, sir."
That surprised the director.
"That woman? No, that doesn't matter right now. What did you discover? Could he be a demon?"
"That's impossible, sir, because..."
While Angela explained everything about Enrico, the two listened attentively. She told them about his behavior, his training, and everything she had observed since she began watching him.
"After leaving the dungeon, he trains until late and, apparently, sent a request to leave this Saturday."
When she finished explaining, the two seemed even more intrigued.
"So that boy has already killed someone... Those eyes make more sense now."
Damian looked at Enrico's records with even more interest.
"Rapid improvement... It seems Virelle found an interesting boy. Has a new prodigy appeared?"
"I think I'll personally attend the next ranking challenge to see with my own eyes. Angela, continue observing him."
The director had already made his decision, and Angela quickly disappeared.
"I'm going with you. I want to see that boy in action."
Damian stood up and began walking away.
"See you Monday, old friend."
The director sighed deeply.
'A new prodigy? I hope so, because I feel like we really need one.'
Walking through a forest, Enrico held a map while observing the path ahead.
"It should be this way."
[What are you planning to do afterward? I think you should rest.]
'You talk a lot about resting, don't you? Well, I need to spend at least an entire day absorbing that poisonous mana and then, on Monday, I'll enter the fake dungeon to try to defeat those zombies.'
The system remained silent for a moment before responding.
[I saw how hard you worked to find that Jago.]
'Of course. I really need to understand that bastard's personality to kill him.'
Enrico's face twisted into a sadistic smile at the thought of Jago.
[Right, you have a score to settle with him.]
After a few more seconds of walking, Enrico spotted someone ahead destroying an entire tree. It was Serenya, using her control magic while sweating heavily from exhaustion.
'Serenya? What is she doing here?'
Confused, Enrico continued watching as she quickly brushed the dust off her clothes and coughed awkwardly when she noticed him, as if she wanted to hide how tired she was.
"Subordinate, what are you doing here?"
"I came to train in this area. And you, leader?"
Serenya puffed out her chest, clearly proud of herself.
"Of course I came to train like you. There are a few Level One Zaras around here and, just so my subordinate knows, I reached the First Circle. That's why I came."
"Congratulations, great Miss Serenya."
Enrico clapped his hands, pretending to be surprised.
"That's right! Praise me more, subordinate."
Serenya seemed quite pleased with the praise, not realizing that Enrico already knew she had reached the First Circle.
"But, subordinate, this place is dangerous for someone to come alone. As your great leader, I will accompany you."
'But you came alone...'
For an instant, he looked at her with a neutral expression before his face became serious, putting on an act worthy of an Oscar.
"I'm sorry, Miss Serenya, but this is special training assigned by my family."
Serenya stopped and looked at him. Upon hearing that, her expression became even more determined.
"Now I have even more reason to go with you."
"Sorry again, but it's something I need to do alone."
Putting a fake look of determination on his face, Enrico continued forward. Serenya watched his back for a few seconds.
'Enrico, you don't need their approval. Or perhaps he's using this to train... it seems like something he would do.'
She began following him from a distance, trying not to attract his attention.
[It's impressive how sometimes you act very well and, other times, you're terrible.]
'Shut up. But what now? She's probably following me.'
Enrico continued walking until he found a path filled with mud. Without hesitation, he entered it.
'In the original story, she hates getting dirty after training or a battle.'
Serenya stopped in front of the mud and hesitated for a few seconds. Enrico continued walking, hoping she would give up.
But she entered.
'Damn it, she entered.'
Enrico began following different paths to try to shake her off. He even passed through an area full of spiders, something Serenya hated. Even so, she continued following him, insisting on discovering where he was going.
After what seemed like a long time, Enrico finally reached a cave. He stopped at the entrance and turned around.
"Stop following me."
Serenya pointed at him, her eyes teary after everything she had gone through to follow him.
"So you knew! As your leader, I order you to stop trying to run away from me."
"All right, Miss Serenya, but know that this is a family secret, so you can't see or enter this cave. Understand?"
Serenya immediately nodded as if it were obvious.
"Of course. I'll make sure no Zara comes through here."
"I can help too."
A voice came from the side, making Enrico and Serenya turn around. It was Valença.
"So, special training, huh? Just so you know, I also reached the First Circle."
Serenya looked at Valença with sparks in her eyes.
'She's trying to steal my subordinate just like that other woman.'
'Damn it, Valença sees me as a rival, and I want to be the wall that constantly pushes the protagonist forward. Besides... if they discover that I'm still in Circle Zero...'
Enrico looked at Serenya and Valença. Both had already reached the First Circle, and continuing to hide that he was still in Circle Zero could end up raising suspicions.
"I think I should also reveal that I reached the First Circle."
The two girls looked at Enrico. Serenya was surprised, while Valença seemed to have already expected it. Serenya immediately changed her expression and pretended that this was nothing new.
"I knew you could do it, subordinate, but I'm still stronger, so let me take care of you."
"Of course, my great leader."
While he made a respectful gesture toward a puffed-up Valença. Valença carefully clenched her fists. It wasn't anger or envy, but something else beginning to emerge.
'Of course he did. He's a genius... but I won't give up.'
Enrico turned around and entered the cave.
'Great. Now I have a new pressure to actually reach the First Circle.'
Before going farther inside, however, he stopped for a moment and looked at the two girls.
"Just so you know, this may take all of Saturday and Sunday, so you can train while you wait. You can also use the food I brought."
"And you?"
"I'm taking a little with me, so don't worry."
He left his bag on the ground and continued walking deeper into the cave. Serenya turned to Valença with an expression that was not happy at all.
"How did you find us?"
"This is the best training place near the school and, when I saw you two running around like idiots, I got curious."
Valença turned her gaze toward the cave, still thinking about Enrico's words.
"He said it was family training, right? That means he's going far beyond our current level, doesn't it?"
"...Maybe."
Serenya picked up the bag and hid it behind a rock.
'I can't let my subordinate surpass me.'
Having stored it in a safe place, she thought about what to do now. But the commoner's voice behind her interrupted her thoughts.
"Why don't we train together and create a barrier combining our powers so that no Zara or human can enter?"
Valença's idea genuinely interested Serenya, who nodded. Even though she was a commoner, this girl was undoubtedly strong. Especially now that she was in the First Circle.
The two began training together, combining their magic while remaining close to the cave entrance.
Meanwhile, Enrico continued advancing through the interior. After walking for some time, he found a narrow hole that led even farther down. Without hesitation, he began descending.
[Is this really the Mana Zone?]
"Not yet."
Enrico put on the necklace Damian had given him and continued descending. Farther down, he began to see a dense mist filling the passage. Since this part of the Mana Zone had not yet been discovered, no one was guarding the area.
"I'll tell them later. Anyone who enters here without the necklace or below the Eighth Circle will be poisoned and could lose the ability to use magic."
Enrico began sweating just imagining what would happen if someone entered there without protection. Even so, he continued forward until he entered the mist.