Morning in Dornwald began with a cool breeze.
Light clouds slowly drifted across the sky, sometimes covering the sun, as if the world itself could not decide whether the day would be bright or gloomy.
Kael woke up earlier than usual.
For a few seconds, he lay still, staring at the ceiling, listening to himself.
To his body.
To his breathing.
To that quiet sensation inside him that now followed him constantly.
His soul power.
It was no longer something abstract.
He felt it — like a gentle warmth deep in his mind, like a weak but living presence.
"So… this is what it feels like," he whispered.
He sat up and slowly closed his eyes.
Just as Elion had taught him.
Don't rush.
Don't force it.
Listen.
A faint spark flared inside him.
And immediately faded.
Kael frowned.
"Too sudden…"
He exhaled and tried again.
More carefully this time.
He did not try to control the power.
He let it move on its own.
And suddenly, the sensation became clearer.
Like a small candle lighting up in the darkness.
Kael froze.
His heart began to beat faster.
"It worked…"
Only a little.
But it worked.
In the courtyard, Rein was already training.
He was striking a wooden post that Elion had set up.
Strike.
Step.
Strike.
Sweat covered his body, but he did not stop.
"You're up early today," he said when he noticed Kael.
"You too," Kael replied.
Rein snorted.
"I'm not going to fall behind."
Lumi appeared next, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"You're both crazy…" she muttered. "People are still sleeping at this hour."
"Then why are you awake?" Kael asked.
"Because if I don't get up, you'll leave without me again!"
She sat down on a bench and crossed her arms.
"I'm trying too, you know."
Rein smirked.
"You're trying to command."
"That's a talent too!"
Elion came out when the sun rose higher.
A thin wooden stick was in his hand.
"Today, we'll work on endurance," he said.
Rein blinked.
"Endurance?"
"Yes," Elion nodded. "Without it, neither warriors nor mages can last long. Power is useless if your body can't endure it."
He looked at them.
"Today, you'll run. A lot."
Lumi gasped.
"Again?!"
"No 'again,'" Elion replied calmly. "Ten laps. For a start."
Rein clenched his teeth.
"Understood."
Kael nodded silently.
Soon, heavy breathing filled the courtyard.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Their legs felt like lead.
Their lungs burned.
Rein stumbled several times but always stood back up.
"I… won't… stop…" he gasped.
Kael ran beside him.
Calm.
Steady.
He felt his body resisting, but not breaking, slowly yielding to his will.
Lumi counted from the bench.
"Seven… eight… hey, are you still alive?!"
"Barely…" Rein replied hoarsely.
When they finished, both collapsed onto the ground.
Elion approached.
"Remember," he said. "Strength is not built in a day. It is created by patience and perseverance."
Lumi looked at them with admiration.
"You're so serious… like real heroes."
Kael smiled weakly.
"For now — just students."
After lunch, Elion left the church.
He headed to the duke's residence.
The Duke of Dornwald received him in his office.
He was a tall man with white, almost silver hair.
A gentle, calm smile was always on his face.
But his eyes…
Sharp.
Perceptive.
Dangerous to enemies.
"So Arden went to investigate the anomalies…" he said thoughtfully.
"Yes," Elion nodded. "Since both the Emperor and the Church requested it…"
"Then it's serious," the duke continued. "Does the Church know something, if they didn't send a High Heavenly Knight?"
He folded his hands.
"I need to meet the Emperor and learn how dangerous the situation is."
Elion paused.
"I think it will be difficult. The aristocrats won't allow it."
The duke smiled.
"I have my own methods."
That evening.
Far beyond Dornwald.
Where humans never walked.
Where even beasts avoided.
Arden stood before a thin crack in space.
It was barely visible.
Like a scratch in the air.
But cold flowed from it.
Dead.
Wrong.
He reached out.
Then immediately pulled back.
"It's getting worse…" he whispered.
A sinister aura flowed from the crack.
As if something on the other side…
Was watching.
Waiting.
Arden frowned.
"What lives there…?"
He looked toward Dornwald.
"I hope Elion already told the duke about our conversation…"
And the crack…
Became a little wider.