The next day, the academy was quiet.
Too quiet.
Everyone still talked about the dungeon.
But now, they whispered even more about one person.
Eiden Valtz.
---
In the training hall, students sparred with wooden swords.
Eiden stood at the side, waiting for his turn.
He listened to the sound of wood hitting wood.
Too slow. Too heavy. Too open, he thought.
He watched, learning every move.
---
"Eiden."
A cold voice called him.
He turned.
Elara stood there, arms crossed.
Her eyes sharp like ice.
"Let's spar," she said.
Eiden blinked.
"I have no reason to fight you."
"You do now," she said. "I want answers."
---
The teacher nodded.
"Elara vs. Eiden. Begin."
Students gathered to watch.
Kai leaned against a wall, arms folded.
Sera stood close, worried.
"Be careful," she whispered.
Eiden stepped forward.
---
Elara moved fast.
Her sword sharp, clean, trained.
She attacked from the side.
Eiden blocked it easily.
She's good. Balanced. No wasted steps.
But he saw her weakness.
Her footwork is strong—but not stable when she turns.
---
The battle went on.
Elara attacked again and again.
Eiden only defended.
He didn't fight back.
People whispered.
"He's not even trying."
"Why isn't he attacking?"
Elara's face darkened.
"Fight me seriously!"
She swung harder.
But Eiden stepped aside, and she missed.
He pointed his sword at her back.
"Match over," he said.
---
The teacher raised his hand.
"Winner: Eiden."
Elara turned.
Her eyes were wide.
"…How?"
Eiden didn't answer.
He walked away.
---
Later, Elara sat on a bench, drinking water.
Sera walked up to her.
"You okay?"
Elara nodded slowly.
"He's… different."
Sera smiled.
"He's kind, but strong. I think he hides a lot."
Elara looked at the training field.
"…He's hiding something big."
---
In the library, Eiden sat alone.
He read a book about sword forms.
Not because he needed it.
But to blend in.
Suddenly, he paused.
He felt mana.
A small trace of magic, watching him.
He closed the book.
Someone's spying again.
---
He stood and walked outside.
No one followed.
But the feeling remained.
High above, on the school's roof, a figure crouched.
Black cloak. Silver eyes.
"So… he even noticed that?" the figure whispered.
"A hidden blade. Dangerous. I must report to the Guild."
They disappeared into the shadows.
---
Back in his room, Eiden sat cross-legged.
He closed his eyes.
Mana flowed through his body.
Body control 62%. Mana flow stable. Sword aura syncing… improving.
A small smile appeared.
Still weak… but getting closer.
He opened his eyes.
Outside, the wind blew.
But inside, he felt calm.
Strong.
---
He looked in the mirror.
Not Arkanos.
Not yet.
But soon.
"I'll rise again," he whispered.
"And this time… I won't burn everything down."