The training grounds of the academy echoed with the sharp crack of wooden weapons colliding. A hundred new disciples lined the edges of the arena, watching as match after match unfolded.
Most matches were forgettable—sloppy footwork, predictable techniques.
Then came the voice of Instructor Ma.
> "Next—Jin Seo-Won of the outer quarters, step forward."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
> "He's participating?"
> "What's he thinking? He'll get crushed."
> "Just watch. This will be over in seconds."
Seo-Won stepped into the arena without a word. His expression was calm, unreadable.
Instructor Ma glanced sideways.
> "Opponent: Jin Seo-Mok, third son of Elder Mok from the Spear Clan."
A tall boy with confident eyes and a sneer on his lips entered the ring, spinning his spear with flair.
> "So you're the trash son everyone whispers about," Seo-Mok said with a grin. "This'll be fun."
Seo-Won didn't respond.
He simply took his stance—no weapon, no flourish, no emotion.
---
> "Begin!"
Seo-Mok dashed forward with practiced aggression, his spear a blur of silver light. He aimed straight for Seo-Won's chest.
Gasps rose from the watching crowd.
But Seo-Won didn't move.
At the last second, he twisted his body—just enough to avoid the strike—and stepped inside Seo-Mok's reach.
A blur.
A sound like thunder.
**CRACK!**
Seo-Mok's body flipped midair before crashing to the ground in a heap. His spear rolled away, forgotten.
Silence.
Not even the wind dared to move.
Seo-Won straightened his posture, expression unchanged.
> "Your form is sloppy," he said coldly. "Too many openings."
He turned to walk away—but then paused.
> "If you plan to insult someone... make sure you can stand after."
The crowd erupted—not in cheers, but in stunned disbelief.
---
From the shadows, Jin Seo-Jin clenched his jaw.
> "He's grown stronger... too strong for someone like him."
> "What are you hiding, little brother?"
---
Later that evening, Do-Yoon sprinted into their room, eyes wide with awe.
> "You shattered his ribs with a single strike! Everyone's talking about you!"
Seo-Won didn't even lift his gaze from the book in his hands.
> "Let them talk."
> "Dogs always bark louder when they're afraid."
Do-Yoon chuckled under his breath.
> "Then I'll make sure they bark in the other direction, Prince."
Seo-Won looked up, the corner of his lips twitching.
> "Good. Let them fear shadows they can't see."
---
Far above, Guardian Baek Ho-Gun's crystal pulsed faintly.
> "A single spark… and the forest begins to burn."
---