Several days had slipped by since the brutal and grueling assessnts for the intra-tournant competition.
Despite Grey being barred from participating—thanks to Instructor Eric declaring him unqualified after supposedly failing every assessnt—he remained undeterred.
Not once did he let the unfair judgnt shatter his focus. Instead, he trained harder than ever, as if nothing had happened.
While his comrades moved forward, having passed their trials in various ways, Grey stayed behind, exiled from the tournant by Eric's petty vendetta.
Vanica had been granted entry into the tournant, her key role during the students-versus-instructors duel earning her that privilege.
But Grey's contributions had been overlooked, buried beneath Eric's personal grudge.
Exactly what Grey had hoped for.
When Eric submitted the final list of qualified participants, Captain Amir was visibly stunned to see Grey's na missing.
But then he recalled a past conversation—Grey had told him plainly that he had no interest in joining the tournant.
Realization hit Amir like a wave, and he shook his head with a wry smile. Grey had outplayed them all, quietly stepping aside.
With the assessnts concluded, the students returned to their usual regin under Magnus. But this ti, sothing had shifted—Magnus had beco a different beast.
His training style turned ferocious, relentless. Every session was a gauntlet, and he didn't just supervise—he pushed, prodded, and tore down limits.
According to him, the third-year students had already mastered Magus Dominion, and that ant they would undoubtedly wield it during the upcoming tournant.
If his squad had any chance at standing toe-to-toe with the veterans, they needed to learn how to break through—and fast.
For Grey, though, the breakthrough process was old territory. He had already mastered it. His focus now was on optimization—studying the finer details of the process to improve his efficiency.
If it once took him a minute to break through, he now aid to halve that ti. Every second shaved was a weapon honed.
anwhile, Raze had adopted his own unique training thod—one that seed chaotic on the surface but was actually highly strategic.
Rather than focus on breakthroughs, he fixated on deepening his mastery over the elents.
He would begin by tapping Vince, copying his tal Magic, and sparring fiercely against Greg.
Mid-combat, he'd smoothly touch Greg, swapping to Lightning Magic, and suddenly, the entire tempo of the fight would shift into an electrifying explosion of raw force.
That was Raze's training: a whirlwind of elent absorption and instinctual adaptation. He wasn't just learning the magic—he was becoming it.
The tournant lood closer, now only a week away. The pressure in the air was palpable.
Progress varied. Scarlet and Greg had achieved incomplete breakthroughs, unstable yet promising.
Jay managed a full breakthrough, but it fizzled after less than thirty seconds. The rest remained at the cusp, straining for sothing just out of reach.
And still, the training continued.
"You must learn to feel your affinities!" Magnus barked, pacing like a caged beast. "Talk to them. Sync your willpower with your core. Don't just channel the magic—beco it!"
His voice was thunder in the courtyard.
"For those of you who experienced an incomplete breakthrough—dig deeper. Flash back. Feel the mont. Relive the spark. Now, look at Grey."
All heads turned to where Grey was leaning against a wall, arms folded, eyes closed like a ditating warrior. The mont his na was called, his brown eyes snapped open.
"Huh? What did I do this ti?" he muttered, blinking at Magnus in mild confusion.
"You're the example. Inspiration." Magnus gestured to him with intensity. "Tell them—what were you feeling during your breakthrough?"
Grey's eyes glead. "Anger."
Magnus nodded sharply and turned back to the class.
"There it is! Emotion fuels magic! So of you—fear might be your catalyst. Others—joy, sorrow, desperation. Tap into it. Rember that feeling. That's your key!"
"I won't lose face to that smug third-year instructor," Magnus growled. "Now get to work!"
'Damn,' Grey chuckled to himself. 'He's gotten way more intense over the days. Didn't know he had such a competitive streak. Definitely not like Instructor Von. He's got bite—but with a sense of fun, too.'
A roar broke Magnus' next lecture. "No! Damn it! Not like that. Feel the mana! Feel it swirling around you and within you. This is why I told you to master ditation first!"
He spun and stord toward Arthur.
"Hey! What in the blazing pits are you doing?! Quit chatting and break through! Now!"
'Yup. Aggressive,' Grey chuckled again, just as he was about to close his eyes.
The door to the training hall burst open.
A gust of wind carried in a commanding presence that pulled every eye toward the entrance.
Captain Amir strode in like a lion surveying his pride, a broad grin stretching across his face.
"Look at this. My favorite squad in all the kingdom."
"Favorite? I thought Kael was your favorite?" Grey asked as he peeled himself off the wall and sauntered over, hands buried casually in his pockets.
"Oh Grey," Amir said, grinning. "My real favorite."
Magnus gave a respectful salute, palm across his chest, eyes straight ahead.
"Captain," he greeted.
"Yo, Cap! What brings you?" Raze said, walking over with a smirk.
"No trouble. I've actually got a mission for you all," Amir replied, and instantly, every student's posture sharpened. Their ears perked up like wolves scenting prey.
"Finally!" Grey cracked his neck and stretched. "I was starting to get bored."
"What's the mission, Cap?" Scarlet asked, a smoldering glint in her eyes like fire ready to ignite.
"A portal break? Bandits, maybe?" Arthur suggested, heart pounding.
"Or even better—a dungeon raid," Greg added, lightning sparking excitedly around his fingers.
Amir chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Actually... you might not like this one."
"What is it? Another invasion from so upstart kingdom?" Grey smirked, stepping forward. "Drakesville again? I've got unfinished business with them."
"No," Amir said, his smile turning sheepish. "It's an escort mission."
Grey's face froze.
"Forget it," he muttered, turning around. "I'm no bodyguard."
"You didn't let
finish," Amir said, tone lowering. "It's an escort mission to... Kiten Town."
Grey stopped cold.
Ti froze with him. His heartbeat pounded in his ears like war drums. His breath caught as a storm of emotions rushed in.
'Kiten Town? My hotown? Will I... finally see Mum? Jesse?'
His heart surged with hope, trembling with an overwhelming mix of anticipation and joy.
___
{A/N}
Once again, A happy birthday to my dad and he's the reason this mass release is possible today. Please guys, send your wishes and prayers to him on this his joyous day!
I would love to show him how my readers are praying for him ?? thank you in advance guys!????
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