I trained through the entire night.
Not out of discipline.
Not out of habit.
But out of pure, boiling emotion—frustration, anger, jealousy, desperation, all mixing into something heavy that sat in my chest like molten iron.
Those five trainees…
The five with aura…
I wasn't going to let them stand above me.
I didn't crawl through death, blood, hell, and suffering just to fail here—not at the doorstep of the greatest knight order in the world. I refused.
By the time the first light of dawn glowed between the trees, my body finally forced me to stop. My arms felt like they were tied down with weights. My legs trembled. My fingers barely closed around my sword's grip.
I left the park quickly—I had to return to the academy before someone noticed I was gone. Fortunately, the streets were empty at dawn. No one saw me.
Back in my dorm, I collapsed into my bed—not to sleep, but to think.
Because sleep wouldn't come.
Not with the image of those five trainees flashing through my mind over and over.
The aura surrounding them.
The power.
The ease.
When did they unlock it? How? How far ahead of me are they?
I turned these questions around in my head like a blade spinning in my hand. But no answer came.
Eventually, I pushed myself up and made my way to the food hall.
The place was enormous—ten times larger than any dining hall I'd ever seen. Long tables, banners hanging from the rafters, magical lanterns glowing softly overhead.
But strangely… It was empty.
Where were the actual academy students?
I had only ever seen trainees preparing for the exam.
Did the current students eat somewhere else? Were they busy? Out training? On missions?
I didn't know.
And right now—I didn't care.
The smell of food hit me, and I realized just how starved I was after training all night. They were serving meat and bread, so I grabbed a cooked steak—thick, juicy, hot. Exactly what I needed.
I turned—
And froze.
There they were.
The five trainees who used aura.
Sitting together, like a cluster of shining gold in the middle of dull metal.
Three boys. Two girls.
The boys:
Liam Pippernick, Age 16.
Kai Ruyena, Age 16.
Arion Smith, Age 15.
The girls:
Aelira Zephirel, Age 15.
Liraeth Starne, Age 16.
All older than me by one or two years.
All stronger.
All staring at each other with confidence sharp enough to cut steel.
I clenched my fist so hard my knuckles popped.
They seemed to glow… while I felt like nothing but dull copper in comparison.
I looked away and forced myself to walk toward Juno, who was sitting alone.
He waved. "Morning! Where were you the entire night? I didn't see you come back."
"I was training," I said simply. "The exam's in two days."
His eyes widened. "You trained all night? Rain, that's… wow. You're definitely the most committed here."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"You know only eighteen participants get accepted every year, right? And with those five already having aura… they're basically guaranteed. That leaves just seven spots for the rest of us."
Thirteen.
Thirteen out of hundreds.
I nodded. "I can do this."
Even if it killed me.
Just then—a wave of magic rippled through the hall. A projection spell. A voice echoed across the entire academy, deep and authoritative.
"Hello, students. I am the Head Director of the Knights Academy of Lionhearth. You all know me as Sir Raymond Luneran."
Everyone paused, listening.
"We have two guests arriving soon—two of the Ten Great Knight Captains of Lionhearth. One of them has recently returned from the Kingdom of Ignis."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Returned from Ignis…?
No… It couldn't be…
Sir Zenite…?
But then the voice continued—
"One of our arriving guests is indeed Sir Zenite of the Ten, the other Captain is a surprise.."
I nearly dropped my food.
Sir Zenite was one of the Ten Knight Captains?
One of the ten strongest knights of Lionhearth?
I had no idea…
I knew he was powerful—but that level?
And there were two coming.
Two captains.
Who's the other one?
Before I could finish the thought, the director spoke again.
"They will arrive in four hours—this afternoon. Please prepare yourselves appropriately."
The announcement ended.
My pulse was still racing, but I forced myself to shove the last bite of food into my mouth. I stood up so fast Juno blinked in surprise.
"I'm heading to the training grounds," I said.
Juno nodded and waved me off. "Go get stronger."
I will.
I have to.
Because the storm inside me wasn't calming.
It was only growing.