Jin sheathed his sword, embers still flickering around him as he let out a frustrated sigh.
"You're lucky I could only use one core."
Kael, already halfway through brushing ash off his uniform, gave him a half-hearted grin.
"Yeah, yeah. Even though that sounds like an excuse… I know I could only win because of that handicap. But hey at least I did."
He turned toward the door, casually waving as if they hadn't just almost burned down the entire training hall.
"Oh, and Elira? Sorry for calling your cousin an asshole... even though he is."
The door closed behind him with a click.
A quiet beat passed before Jin muttered, "That damn idiot's more arrogant than I am."
Elira, brushing ash off her rapier with methodical grace, finally allowed herself a smirk.
"So… you do know you're arrogant."
---
[Cut to Kael's Dorm Room – 10:22 PM]
Kael collapsed onto his bed, a sharp inhale betraying the truth he hadn't admitted during the fight.
"Fuck…" he groaned, one hand holding his side. "I lied to Jin… my ribs aren't fully healed."
He sat up slowly, wincing as pain lanced through his torso.
> I need to create a skill to nullify pain.
No no. I need to save my system points for something that could actually save my life. Mana shielding, time warping, something heavy-duty...
He rolled over and stared at the ceiling, crimson eyes narrowing.
"I'll just ask Phoebe tomorrow for a potion or something… assuming she hasn't decided I'm an idiot again."
He reached for the console by his bed and opened the system screen, its soft glow illuminating his sharp features pale skin, long white hair still damp with sweat, and his crimson pupils reflecting lines of code and system prompts.
> Vael Morvayne… third strongest second year… and he manhandled me like I was nothing.
I held back a little, sure, but he wasn't even serious. That guy's footwork was pure Morvayne calculated, haunting. He could've broken Samuel's ribs if I hadn't stepped in.
Kael exhaled, pressing his fingers to his temples.
"Guess I'll need to start working on a few anti-weapon techniques. My hand-to-hand is decent, but not Vael-level decent."
He rolled off the bed, opened his mana console again, and brought up the new ability he unlocked from the fight with Jin:
---
[Skill Acquired: Mana Composition Perception]
• Allows user to visually perceive and analyze the structure, density, and elemental distribution of mana.
• Enables observation of core alignment, spell layering, and flow nodes in real time.
• Passive when activated, drains minimal mana. Advanced application costs more.
• Cannot be turned on during unconsciousness or null zones.
---
Kael's lips curled into a grin, a new glint forming in his eyes.
"Enough brooding. Time to see what this baby can do."
He stood up in the dim dorm light, the system screen still floating beside him, shadows stretching underfoot like they were waiting for something.
"If I can master this… I might just close the gap."
"Or at least survive long enough to widen it."