Cedric had been watching Kyle for a while now.
Not in an obvious way. He wasn't the type to stare.
But ever since that first day at the entrance exam. Something about Kyle had caught his attention.
It wasn't just skill.
It was something deeper.
His blessing.
The divine gift he'd received from Goddess Solmora, the Lady of Sun and Judgment.
It had stirred when he first saw Kyle.
Just a faint pulse, like a distant bell ringing.
At first, Cedric thought he had imagined it.
But then he saw Kyle fight.
The way he moved in the ranking match against Kaelith.
Effortless, precise, like he already knew every move his opponent would make before they made it.
Kaelith was higher-ranked, stronger on paper.
Kyle dismantled him like it was nothing.
Then came the VR exam.
That lightning construct. The one Kyle had summoned at the end.
He had nearly ended Cedric. He'd barely survived that lightning spell.
Most Bronze-ranks couldn't produce that kind of power.
But Kyle had.
And now.
