Fiore could hardly grasp what he had just heard. He had actually succeeded in forming the first star of a feminine technique—something he had never imagined possible. What did Shion mean by it affecting his mind? The thought left him shaken to his core.
Shion's gaze fell on Fiore.
"For now, it seems some people have noticed this clash, and they might try to take advantage of it. So… let me guide you before the trials begin. That way, your chances of success will be higher. Ah… Lady Vivi, may I instruct him at this time?"
Shion scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face, forgetting for a moment that Fiore was Vivi's pupil. Vivi responded firmly:
"If there's any hope for Fiore, then do as you wish. My evaluation at the family council depends on him."
"Thank you! Fiore, Baro—come with me!"
Without further delay, Shion set off, Baro walking at his heels, while Fiore followed after a brief moment of hesitation.
As they walked, Shion's thoughts drifted. A family evaluation? That system existed in Shi Yun Lan's world as well. In great clans, every member was judged to see if they were worthy of their positions. At the very least, one had to achieve certain goals—or else duels would be held among the younger generation to decide who deserved the role. But back then, as the son of a servant, that so-called father of mine never once invited me to such evaluations…
After covering some distance, Shion halted, noticing a nearby empty building. He led them inside.
"Baro, stand guard outside. I need some quiet."
"Yes, master!" Baro replied before stepping out.
Shion turned his sharp gaze on Fiore.
"Listen well, newcomer. What I'm about to teach will help you only until the end of the trials. If you fail to find a technique suited for you afterward, you'll be gambling with your future! Now, focus on these movements!"
He demonstrated several sequences—some from the feminine technique, but subtly modified.
"Now, perform them."
"Yes, sir!" Fiore obeyed instantly, his precision surprising Shion.
"Well done," Shion said, nodding with approval. "As I thought, you have talent. But now, let's focus on the most important part: releasing and moving your aura!"
Fiore's eyes locked onto him, absorbing every word.
Suddenly, Baro's voice came from outside:
"Master! Someone requests your presence!"
"I'm busy," Shion snapped.
"But—"
"Send them away!"
Annoyed at the interruption, Shion returned to instructing Fiore, showing him the points where aura gathered and how to release it.
"Now—do exactly as I taught you!"
Fiore tried, releasing his aura—only for Shion to strike him lightly in the side.
"You forgot this spot! Again!"
Another attempt. Another strike.
"You missed this region! Again!"
"Again!"
Inside the deserted training hall, Fiore's heavy footsteps echoed against the stone floor as though he carried the weight of the world on his back. Shion's silver aura pulsed faintly around his body, filling the air with a sense of awe, while dust motes swirled with every movement he made.
On and on it went, until a booming announcement spread across the entire area:
> "All candidates for the examination, report to the teleportation circle in the central plaza. Companions and honored guests may proceed to the combat arena!"
The announcement thundered across the sky, making the hall tremble as if the academy itself shuddered at the sound. Outside, the roar of the crowd rose higher and higher, surging toward the teleportation circle like a river breaking free from its banks.
The message repeated three times before fading.
"Baro! Come in," Shion called.
Baro entered, but before he could speak, Shion cut him off:
"As you both heard, you'll head to the plaza now. Do your best. I'll be watching from the arena."
Baro finally managed to get his words out:
"Master… the Second Princess requests your presence. She awaits you at the combat arena."
Fiore expected Shion to panic at such news, but instead—
"What does that girl want now?!" Shion muttered with irritation.
Fiore blinked in confusion, glancing at Baro, who wore an expression of unwavering pride. Questions stirred in Fiore's mind, but he chose to save them for later. Together, he and Baro rushed toward the plaza.
"See you, Sol!"
"Goodbye, teacher!"
With a brief farewell, they disappeared from sight.
Shion emerged from the room soon after, and Vivi approached him with unease.
"Will he be alright?"
"I've given him the best guidance I could in such a short time. There's hope he'll pass the trial." Shion stretched his back and turned to Sol. "Go ahead of me. There's something I need to handle first. I'll catch up."
"Alright," Sol replied, leaving.
Shion lingered a moment, trying to clear his head. Why is that princess calling for me? Could it be she's still dissatisfied with merely having me expelled from my family—does she want me removed from the academy as well? No… unlikely. She's competing with the First Prince; she needs to maintain a good image. Or… could it be she was the one who let me pass the exam? But why? Or perhaps she wants to know who helped me pass… Ugh, what a headache. I'll just go and see what she wants.
With that, he made his way toward the combat arena.
The gates loomed before him, massive and ornate, adorned with carvings of heroes and beasts, with epic poems etched onto stone slabs. Statues of great champions lined the entrance, yet none of it could mask the throng gathered before one of the gates.
Among them, Shion spotted familiar figures—Kin Light, Nell, and the Second Princess, Jina Joul—surrounded by nobles eager to curry favor.
Shion narrowed his eyes, steadying his steps as he approached.
One of the nobles stepped in front of Shion. It was obvious he belonged to a minor faction, trying to flaunt his authority before the crowd. Raising his voice, he shouted:
— "You lowborn! How dare you approach us without bowing?"
In an instant, all eyes turned toward him, including those of the Second Princess Jena, Ken, and Neil. Jena stared at Shion in surprise, while Shion replied calmly, a faint smile on his lips:
— "I came here under the orders of the Second Princess, but some fool who thinks himself a monkey tried to stop me and put on a show."
A few people chuckled at the insult, while the noble himself seemed too slow to realize it. Shion leaned closer and whispered:
— "The man you're looking for is behind the administrative building. The hall will be on your left, and you'll find him in the center. He's a supporter of the First Prince, so I suppressed him there. If you bring him, the princess might commend you."
The noble's eyes widened.
— "Really?"
— "Yes."
— "And what will you gain from this?"
— "Just a favor you'll owe me someday."
— "Deal!"
Turning to the princess, the noble bowed deeply.
— "Forgive me, Your Highness. I'll bring that monkey here to be punished. I may be a little late."
He hurried away, while Princess Jena turned to the others:
— "You may leave. There's something I wish to discuss with him alone."
Everyone obeyed, including Ken and Neil, leaving only Shion, the princess, and the royal guards. Jena studied him quietly for a long moment before speaking:
— "You look completely different from the last time I saw you."
— "That's because I started taking better care of myself."
Indeed, Shion had grown strikingly handsome. His physique had changed remarkably, unlike the weak and worthless figure he had once been.
The princess drew a slow breath, then said:
— "I heard you passed the trial… don't you know who helped you?"
She's very straightforward, Shion thought, before answering:
— "I'm sorry, but I truly don't know. I asked the administrative office, but they told me the higher officials arranged it."
Her golden eyes sparkled, as though peering straight into his soul. But suddenly, she screamed in pain and collapsed. Shion rushed to support her, only to notice something in her eyes that shocked him.
The captain of the guards shouted:
— "Your Highness! You bastard, what did you do to her?!"
Before Shion could respond, he lost consciousness and fell, with the princess collapsing on top of him. Chaos erupted.
— "Bring a healer, quickly!" the guard captain commanded.
…
Shion awoke in his inner world, facing Shi Yun Lan within the veins. Fury rose in his voice:
— "Was this your doing?! I saw the aura of death on the princess!"
Shi Yun Lan yawned lazily, replying in a cold, detached tone:
— "It wasn't me. It was the second vein. That foolish girl tried to see through you, but the vein carries blood power equal to a four-circle mage. She'll suffer for a while."
Anxious, Shion asked:
— "Did she see anything?"
— "Of course not. If a mere girl like her could see through me, I'd smash my head against a wall out of shame."
Relieved, Shion calmed down. This secret was the core of his strength; no one, especially the princes, could ever discover it.
…
When he regained consciousness, Shion found himself surrounded by bewildered healers.
— "We tried to wake you, but nothing worked! Neither magic nor medicine helped. We were worried…"
He asked quietly:
— "How is Her Highness?"
— "She's being treated at the hospital. Her eyes were severely injured, almost as if struck by a curse."
The royal guard captain stepped forward, his voice heavy with accusation:
— "Boy, what kind of curse did you place upon Her Highness?"
Shion exhaled slowly. Silver light flickered in his eyes as a stellar aura surged around him.
— "I am no curse caster. If you don't believe me, see for yourself."
The captain's eyes widened in shock. This was no dark and twisted aura—it was vast and brilliant, utterly incompatible with a blood curse. He felt his instincts scream, forcing him to acknowledge the boy before him.
Shion let the aura fade, his eyes returning to normal silver.
— "Forgive me, sir. But I came here for someone, and I'd like to take my leave now."
Without waiting, he left. The captain stood frozen, torn between instinct and duty. When he finally moved, he went to check on the princess—only to cross paths with the First Prince, Jaiden Joul.
The prince smiled mockingly.
— "I heard my sister was attacked. Care to explain what happened?"
— "We don't know, Your Highness. She was speaking normally, then collapsed. So did the boy she was with."
— "And where is he now? At the hospital?"
— "No, he woke up. I questioned him, and I'm certain he wasn't responsible. He went to the combat arena."
— "Who is this boy?"
— "I don't know. White hair, silver eyes, and…"
— "A stellar aura?"
The captain froze. The prince chuckled.
— "I didn't expect Shion to cause a stir the very moment he entered the academy. Hahaha!"
Jaiden Joul strode toward the arena with his guards, leaving the captain silent in their wake.