After the annual celebration, the academic life returned to normal, but the students' mindsets had changed due to recent events—topics everyone discussed or incidents that spread on everyone's lips. Only a few individuals became the center of attention themselves, drawing all eyes toward them. That was the case with Shion Lan, who stepped back into the academy and became the talk of the moment.
"Look! Shion Lan is here!"
"I thought he would stay at home to care his new sword."
"The head of the Lan house is my classmate, something we don't see everyday."
"Yeah, who can imagine a head of a new low noble house is our classmate."
"You—!!"
Shion didn't care and ignored all of it, headed to his wing to unpack his belongings, and prepared for the second half of the academic year. He thought to himself,
' This year, I must reach the fifth level! '
Graduating at Level Four was already considered remarkable talent, but there had been rare cases of students graduating at the fifth level—those were seen as unparalleled geniuses. Yet Shion now aimed to surpass even that level of genius within this year.
"I'll do it."
With those words, Shion made up his mind.
The next day, as Shion entered the lecture hall, all eyes turned toward him—except one. He thought inwardly, ' I don't know what's wrong with her… I should probably get away from her. '
Then he spotted his familiar classmates, Kin Light and Glass Sano, talking while looking at him.
"You've become quite famous lately."
"Seems like you don't care about hanging out with us anymore."
Shion smiled, "You both know I was busy with something important, but I've finished it now."
He sat with them, chatting under everyone's watchful gaze.
"The best from each noble rank gathered together!"
"All three are extraordinary talents—they have swordsmanship, magic, and heritage!"
"One fights to inherit his family, another is already chosen, and the third is already the head of his family!"
The hall buzzed with discussions about the trio, recalling the end-of-year tournament.
"So who do you think will win?"
"Glass Sano! His ice techniques match his inheritance perfectly!"
"No way! Didn't you see the Moon Swordsman performance? Ken Light will win!"
"I think the only winner is Shion Lan—he's fought real battles and won!"
Pearl Jewel trembled slightly before calming herself,
' Ever since I left him, I haven't felt right… what's happening to me?!! '
She looked at Shion who exchanged the glances with her.
"..."
"..."
She turned her face quickly and Shion didn't understand it.
' What happened to her? She acted weirdly lately.... '
When a teacher entered, silence fell over the hall, and the second half of the academic year began.
....
"Ninety-eight… ninety-nine… one hundred!!"
With the final strike, Shion noticed the number of slashes had become eight. He thought,
' By the end of this month, I want to reach ten, just like in the recorded world. Then I'll focus on reaching the fifth level before the tournament. '
He continued training. Other nobles noticed, and although some mocked him out of jealousy, no one dared say it openly—especially since Shion had easily defeated a senior student before.
Suddenly, a group of fourth-year nobles entered, including Violet Night and Shun Ranus. They saw Shion training, and Shun stepped forward.
"Head of the Lan Family!"
Shion looked at him. "Shun Ranus, what brings you here? I thought fourth-grade students were busy gathering credits for graduation."
Shun sneered. "People like you wouldn't understand. What do we expect from someone who claims to be a family head?"
Shion smiled coldly. "People like me? You mean third-rank noble family heads—like your father? Yet you insult that position without realizing it?"
Shun's eyes narrowed as laughter spread around them.
"Shun Ranus," Shion continued, "your younger brother Shion Ranus who was under your control in the past no longer exists. I am now Shion Lan. Treat me accordingly—and don't forget, in rank, you're beneath me."
Flames ignited around Shun as he raised his sword.
"As your senior, let me teach you how to deal with your superiors!"
Everyone gathered, even from nearby training halls.
"Are the brothers going to fight?!"
"Bring the teachers!"
"I bet on Shun!"
"This is about to explode!"
Violet stood beside Ken.
"Aren't you going to stop him? He's on your team."
"He's strong," she replied calmly. "He'll handle this easily."
But instead of fighting, Shion turned away.
"I won't lower myself to this level. When I asked why you were here, I remembered—fourth-grade recruit students for graduation missions. But I didn't remember you as a respected senior. My bad."
Shun smirked. "Why not admit you're afraid?"
The crowd joined in,
"Weren't you strong before? What happened?"
"Afraid of a fourth-year? That's embarrassing!"
' Embarrassed? Is the fourth level that easy for them to smirk? '
Shion replied calmly, "If that level could scare me, I wouldn't have accepted this position or reward."
Suddenly, spirits filled the area, silencing everyone. From the mist emerged Solan Neumann as Sol Hart. She looked at Shun with disdain, then turned to Shion warmly.
"Shion, is this boy bothering you?"
Before Shun could react, he felt restrained and unable to move.
' What is happening with this damned girl?!! '
Shun thought as he found out that he was unable to face Solan.
"You can let him go, Sol," Shion said. "It's not worth it. If he wants to fight, we'll do it in the tournament."
Shun laughed. "It's a long way to reach the tournament and you really want to delay it then?—unless you're hiding behind women now."
Shion turned his back. "Sol Hart is protecting you. Otherwise, you wouldn't last three moves against me."
"Then let's exchange one move. If I win, you don't enter the tournament."
"And if you lose, I don't want to see you again."
"Deal."
The crowd watched eagerly. Even Sol hesitated, but Violet reassured her.
"Don't worry, Shion is strong."
The two brothers faced each other, swords raised.
With a shout, Shun advanced, activating his weapon aura. Flames engulfed his sword.
"(Fire Waves)!"
The flames surged forward in waves following his sword.
Shion drew his sword.
"(Flame Cutters)!"
With a burst of anger, nine slashes erupted at once—cutting through the fire waves and striking Shun, and a slash cut his chest forcing him back.
"…!!!"
No one could believe it. The third level had pushed back the fourth level!
Despite his calm appearance, Shion thought confusedly,
' I had only reached eight slashes… how did I produce the ninth? '
He didn't hesitate and stepped forward.
"Shun Ranos, you're banned from the tournament."
As he turned to leave leaving Shun with a bad condition, a voice interrupted—it was the First Prince, Jaiden Joul,
"Wait! That match wasn't official!"
All the students were upset from the first prince and his prejudice.
"My brother!" The Second Princess, Jina Joul, stepped in with a smile.
"True, it wasn't official, and no one can stop Shun from participating. But if he goes back on his word… what about his credibility?"
Solan interfered also and said, "The word of a noble is an obligation. If your man can't bear it so you must leave him."
She smiled provokingly,
"Aren't the men representing their lord? What does that mean?!"
"You!! How dare—!!!"
Shion intervened,
"Thank you all, Your Highness and Sol, but it doesn't matter. Whether he participates or not, if he faces me again, I'll fight with my full power—and no rule forbids that."
He said that releasing his powerful aura.
"..."
"..."
He looked at Jaiden and left the place, throwing the place into chaos.
...
Back in his quarters, he reflected.
"The ninth slash appeared effortlessly this time…"
Shi Yun Lan's voice replied,
"Don't forget—you've reached this level before. But it seems your brother gave you the final push."
Shion opened his hand—nine threads had formed.
"You can reach ten in both," Shi Yun Lan added. "It'll help form your sword aura. But ten threads are harder than forming the aura itself—and the rewards are greater."
"Then let's continue," Shion said. "We still have time."
He turned to the stellar techniques and the red threads turned into silver threads.
He trained relentlessly—studying, practicing, and even training Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai. His techniques became sharper, stronger, and more explosive.
A month passed.
At the registration office, Violet, Solan, Shion and Jina stepped forward.
"I'm Violet Night. I want to register my team."
The official looked at the group. "Seems like the strongest team."
He prepared his pen and asked,
"Names?"
"Shion Lan—two stars, two circles, second year."
"Sol Hart—four circles, third year."
"Jina Joul—one star, one circle, first year."
After registering, everyone left—except Sol, who held Shion's hand.
He looked at her noticing her blue-geen eyes instead of red.
"Solan?" he asked.
"I want to see you tonight in the Spirit World… is that possible?"
From a distance, Jina watched, feeling uneasy. Violet reassured her,
"Your Highness, she is now in our team so don't..."
"You don't have to tell me."
She noticed Solan with her golden eyes and said,
"Poor girl, she is trying to get Shion but he still stands like a mountain, doesn't affected by anything."
"Your Highness?"
"She won't get him."
She decided to leave.
Meanwhile, Shion replied,
"Is it urgent? We're preparing for the mission tomorrow…"
"It's important," Sol insisted.
"Let me finish the test first. Then I'll listen."
He left without another word.
Sol stood there, saddened.
"Why didn't you let her speak?" Shi Yun Lan asked.
"I felt like she was going to confess… and I'm not in a position for that right now."
"How do you know?"
Shion paused, realizing Shi Yun Lan couldn't feel emotions.
"Didn't you see her eyes? Hear her voice? If it were Sol, she wouldn't… but Solan definitely would."
Shi Yun Lan replied flatly,
"I understand. You're an idiot."
"…."