After several minutes of training— or more accurately, deep meditation that demanded every ounce of focus from him...

"I did it!"

Raven's voice rang out across the training ground, carrying both disbelief and satisfaction.

"Haha..."

His eyes widened slightly as he slowly exhaled, realizing what he had just accomplished. At long last, he managed to suppress and keep his presence under firm control!

Just like Ruby had told him earlier, releasing his presence to the maximum output truly made the training much easier. By forcing it to its limit, Raven was finally able to sense the overwhelming energy he carried within, and from there, pull it back under his will.

Anyway, Ruby immediately walked closer to him. Her footsteps echoed lightly against the ground as her lips curved into a smile.

"You're amazing, you learned so fast."

She said it with honest admiration. Her voice carried no exaggeration, only a genuine tone of surprise and awe.

Ruby had trained many people before, but Raven's ability to grasp techniques and understand abstract teachings so quickly was on a level beyond what she was used to. To her, it was as if she was pouring knowledge into a bottomless well, and Raven absorbed it endlessly like a sponge soaking in water without resistance.

Raven blinked, then turned his head toward her. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and without even realizing it, Raven's lips curved into a small, sweet smile that naturally appeared on his face. It wasn't forced— it was instinctive.

"It's all thanks to you."

Those words slipped out quietly, sincere and untainted, carrying a weight that struck Ruby directly in her chest.

"Grgh..."

Ruby almost coughed, but it wasn't from discomfort. Her cheeks flushed faintly, her ears burning red as if someone had whispered something far more intimate than it really was.

She struggled not to let her face betray how much those simple words affected her. Her heart throbbed faster, and she was seconds away from smiling like a fool.

In the end, unable to maintain her composure completely, she quickly turned around.

"Heh! Of course, I'm great at teaching!"

Ruby boasted, raising her chin and puffing her chest out with pride. But truthfully, she had only done that to hide her expression. If Raven saw the wide grin tugging at her lips, she would never hear the end of it.

Raven, however, wasn't oblivious. He could easily tell how much she was holding back, but instead of pointing it out, he chose to continue.

"Yeah, you're really amazing."

His tone was serious again. Compliments weren't something he threw around lightly. When he said it, he meant it.

"Oh, by the way..."

Raven added smoothly, tilting his head slightly.

"You look beautiful today as well."

"Krghhh..."

Ruby felt like she was going to melt. Each word he spoke was like a sweet drug running through her veins, leaving her addicted and wanting more.

She kept composure, but her cheeks feeling kind of sore from trying her best not to smile like an idiot.

But she just really couldn't stop the corners of her lips from twitching upward.

...

...

...

Time passed quietly after that, both of them regaining their composure. Then, Raven broke the silence.

"Ruby."

His calm voice called her out. Ruby, who had just managed to settle down her racing heartbeat, turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were filled with curiosity, waiting for what he wanted to say next.

And then—

"Can we spar?"

Raven asked, completely out of nowhere.

"...?"

Ruby's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that question at all. A spar? Right after training?

Still, even though his request caught her by surprise, Ruby already knew her answer before he even asked. Her lips curled upward mischievously.

"Of course."

She replied without hesitation, her tone confident, but her smile carried a playful sharpness.

She was curious how strong Raven had gotten.

*****

(Raven's POV)

"Huuuuu..."

I let out a deep breath, filling my lungs with air before slowly exhaling it. My chest felt lighter.

Fwoosh–

From my spatial storage, I pulled out [Emmeranne], its weight familiar in my hands, the balance perfectly aligned with me. My fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt as I raised it, naturally sliding into my fighting stance.

"..."

I stood firmly at one end of the rectangular training ground, my gaze fixed on Ruby who stood on the opposite side.

She looked calm, relaxed even, with a training sword in her hand.

The weapon wasn't hers but one provided by the academy. Despite its simplicity, Ruby wielded it like it was her personal blade.

"Ready when you are."

Her voice carried across the ground with ease, clear and steady.

In response, I gave her a short nod. No words were needed.

I wanted this spar to test myself. I wanted to measure how far I could go against someone who had already reached the level of [S] rank. And to make it worthwhile, I decided right from the start—

'I wouldn't hold back.'

So without wasting time, I activated one of my skills.

"[Thought Acceleration]"

The moment I muttered that, the world around me seemed to slowdown.

SWOOOOOSH–

Mana surged inside me, circulating rapidly throughout my body like an unstoppable current.

Bzzzt– Bzzzt–

Sparks danced around my legs, tiny arcs of electricity crackling restlessly. My weapon, [Emmeranne], resonated with my mana, glowing faintly as electric particles gathered around its blade.

FWOOOOH~

A gust of wind whirled around me, summoned by the excess mana that was overflowing. The air felt heavy, compressed as if the atmosphere itself was bending to my will.

But I wasn't finished yet.

FWISH–

[Celestria] stirred awake, the artifact crawled along my torso before latching firmly onto my body.

FWAAAAH–

With a ripple of mana, it transformed into a pair of majestic black wings that spread widely from my back, radiating a suffocating aura!

TAP–

I stomped the ground unconsciously, and cracks appeared beneath my feet. But I ignored them!

Every muscle in my body tensed, prepared for what was about to happen...!

"[Strengthen]"

"[Accelerate]"

I layered buffs upon myself, enhancing my speed and power further.

FWIP-

My grip around [Emmeranne] tightened, my heartbeat pounding in rhythm with the flow of mana.

'Now… let's see what this skill can truly do.'

And with that in mind—

"[Emperor's Aura]"

I muttered that.

Unlike before, I didn't release it recklessly.

SHWAAAA—!!

Instead, the <Emperor's Aura> directly materialized itself, engulfing [Emmeranne] entirely!

The sword trembled in my hand, not in resistance but in excitement— as though it was alive and rejoicing at the synchronization!

The moment it happened, I felt a shiver run down my spine. My connection with [Emmeranne] is 100% synchronization after all.

Its blade felt infinitely sharper, its weight perfectly in tune with my movements. I wasn't just wielding it... it feels like the sword was an extension of me...

"..."

I caught Ruby staring at the weapon, her eyes slightly widened. She sensed it too— this wasn't normal.

But I wasn't done.

"[Vicious Lightning Sword Technique—]"

I murmured, not hesitating in the slightest.

Then the next instant—

BAM— FWOOSH—!

I dashed forward.

The world blurred. The air split.

And before I realized it—

"Eh?"

Ruby's face was suddenly right in front of me, only half a meter away!

SWAAAHH–!

A violent gust of wind trailed behind me, rattling the ground from the sheer speed. Ruby's expression shifted into one of mild surprise as she locked eyes with me.

I didn't waste that moment—

"[Soaring Slash]"

FWIISH—!

I swung my sword diagonally upward, aiming directly at Ruby's neck!

TIIIIIIIIIIING–!

But my blade never reached her. With a casual motion, Ruby lifted her training sword, mana surging into it as she blocked my attack one-handed!

The collision rang sharply, sending vibrations up my arm.

"Fuck."

I muttered.

But I had already anticipated this.

"GRRRGH—!"

Twisting my waist violently, I dragged my entire upper body into the motion, forcing my blade to continue the momentum.

"HAAAAH!!!"

TANG!

Ruby's hand was blown back by the sheer force, her training sword sent flying away!

"Wha–"

Her eyes widened in shock.

I didn't let the opportunity slip.

"[God of Lightning...]"

I murmured, extending my empty left hand toward her chest.

Fwish-

[Nyx] appeared instantly in my grip, pulled from my [Quick Slot].

"[... Clap for me...]"

PSH– PSH– PSH– PSH– PSH–

Five bullets fired in rapid succession as I continued chanting.

SLOSH–

But Ruby reacted swiftly, water-attributed mana swirling in front of her.

Blop– Blop– Blop– Blop– Blop–

My bullets were absorbed by the watery shield like stones sinking into a pond.

Our gazes met through the barrier. She was grinning, her expression both playful and challenging.

And in that moment, I couldn't stop myself either— A sly smile stretched across my lips.

ZHUUUUNG–

The hum of power filled my ears.

"[Lightning Strike]"

Then the last part of the chant left my mouth.

FWOOOSH–

Blinding white filled the entire training ground.

BZZZT–

Then, from the magic circle in the ceiling, a massive pillar of lightning fell directly onto Ruby!

BOOOOM!!!

The ground quaked, and thunder roared so loudly it threatened to shatter the ears of anyone nearby.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.