As soon as Gabby and Clara stepped out of the infirmary, the hallway buzzed with quiet murmurs. A few students who had also passed the trial turned to watch them.
Their eyes followed Clara with admiration. So even smiled or nodded in respect. She had proven herself during the trial, and her na was already spreading among the freshn.
But when their eyes shifted to Gabby, the mood changed.
Whispers turned sharp. Faces twisted with disgust or disbelief. So students scoffed, others looked away entirely. To them, Gabby didn’t belong beside soone like Clara. He was the quiet one, the one who didn’t look like much and a useless partner who got carried to pass the trial. And yet, he had ranked third.
A towering figure suddenly stepped into their path.
He was six feet four inches tall, with a low fade haircut and a body built like a fortress—bulky, muscular, and intimidating. He walked straight toward them with heavy steps and a cold glare.
Without a word, he slamd his shoulder into Gabby’s, knocking him off balance.
"Watch where you’re going, weakling," the giant muttered, not even sparing him a glance.
Gabby stumbled from the impact, barely catching himself. His shoulder throbbed, but he didn’t react with anger.
Instead, he looked up at the man and muttered, "He’s huge for soone my age... what a strong presence."
He quickly bowed his head and said, "I’m sorry."
The giant ignored him and turned to Clara, his expression softening just slightly.
"My na is Kael Caskore," he said. "I ranked seventh during the trial. Let’s be friends."
Clara raised an eyebrow. She crossed her arms, unimpressed by his sudden shift in tone.
With a sharp grin, she replied, "You’re bold for soone who ranks lower than us."
Kael’s smile faded. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flicked back to Gabby with a glint of malice.
"Really?" he said, voice low. "Then I guess I just need to crush the current rank three to win you over."
Gabby sighed quietly. "She puts in an unnecessary predicant," he thought.
But before anyone could say more, the air in the hallway changed.
A hush fell over the students. Heads turned. Conversations stopped mid-sentence.
All eyes were drawn to the far end of the corridor, where a blond young man walked with effortless grace. His steps smooth and confident. He didn’t need to speak—his presence alone commanded attention.
It was Jin Claye.
First batch. Rank one.
Though rumors painted him as a troublemaker back in his estate, within the academy, Jin was sothing else entirely. He was the standard. The one everyone looked up to. The one everyone wanted to be.
Clara’s breath caught in her throat. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart began to race. She trembled slightly, unable to look away.
"He’s staring at ," she thought, barely able to breathe.
Students stepped aside as Jin approached, clearing a path straight toward Clara. So bowed their heads. Others simply stared in awe.
When he reached them, he paused.
"Congratulations on ranking third," he said.
Clara opened her mouth to respond, her voice caught in her throat.
But Gabby spoke first.
"I was lucky to have partnered with soone strong," he said humbly.
Clara froze. Her smile faltered.
"He wasn’t talking to ?" she realized, stunned. "How do they know each other?"
Kael clicked his tongue in frustration. His fists clenched at his sides.
"With Jin’s support, Gabby will be untouchable," he thought bitterly. "So that’s why this bastard isn’t afraid of anyone... not even Yin Farrock, the criminal who ranked first during the trial. It’s because he has soone like Jin Claye backing him."
Jin then turned to Clara, his gaze softening.
"Thank you for taking care of Gabby," he said.
Clara blushed deeper and looked down. "You’re welco," she murmured.
With a faint smile, Jin turned away. "Now that the trial’s finally over," he said, "Gabby, we’ll have to enjoy our free ti."
Without a word, Gabby followed him, leaving Clara and the others behind in silence.
As Jin walked down the hallway, the atmosphere shifted again.
Whispers followed him like shadows.
"That’s him."
"Jin Claye."
"The rank one freshman."
Students watched him with wide eyes. So filled with admiration, others with envy. A few even looked inspired, as if just seeing him gave them hope.
He didn’t walk like soone trying to impress. He didn’t need to. Every step was calm, every movent precise. There was no arrogance in his posture—only quiet confidence. The kind that ca from knowing exactly who he was.
Once they were outside the academy gates, Gabby finally spoke.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
Jin didn’t look back. "I’m eting a friend from the Okstin Mountains."
Gabby raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like we’re really enjoying our free ti."
Jin gave a small chuckle. "This is an important one."
They walked in silence for a while, the academy fading behind them. The path ahead led toward the forested edge of the academy grounds, where the trees grew taller and the air felt cooler.
Gabby glanced at Jin, still trying to understand him.
He rembered the first ti they t—how Jin had saved him from the twin-head ogre.
"I had barely defeated Sarah... the South’s finest assassin," Gabby thought. "She was fast, ruthless, and precise. If she hadn’t underestimated , she would’ve won. But those tiny mistakes. Those micro misjudgnts had cost her everything."
"Though I won, the victory ca at a cost. My legs gave out from aura exhaustion. I couldn’t even stand after the fight."
He clenched his fists slightly as he walked beside Jin.
"If I really want to beco stronger, I need to improve. I have to master the Heavenly Swordstyle more efficiently—and learn to control my Aura Core better."
He knew the truth: Heavenly Swordstyle wasn’t like regular swordsmanship. It was powerful, elegant, and deadly—but it ca with a price.
"Unlike normal sword techniques, it burns through aura much faster. Even the first form can drain . If I keep fighting like this without control, I’ll collapse before I can even finish a battle."
Gabby took a deep breath.
"I can’t rely on luck or instinct anymore. If I want to annihilate the Southern Dukedom, I need to improve."
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