The dimly lit training hall echoed with the sound of bodies hitting the ground. Ethan stood at the center, his body drenched in sweat, his fists clenched. Around him, several students groaned in pain, some struggling to rise, others unconscious.
"He… took them all down?" a whisper spread through the onlookers.
Just weeks ago, Ethan was the academy's laughingstock. But now, after relentless training and the discovery of his new passive ability, Iron Body, the story was beginning to change.
The new passive ability wasn't overwhelming, but it made Ethan's muscles denser, his bones sturdier, and his resistance to attacks greater. It wasn't visible, it wasn't flashy, but to him, it was a step forward.
Ethan exhaled sharply, his golden eyes sweeping the crowd. He could still see contempt in some eyes, but now, there was also hesitation—uncertainty. They still saw him as an F-Rank, but they couldn't deny his strength anymore.
"You bastard…" Logan Pierce groaned, getting up from the ground, his face twisted with rage and humiliation. "How the hell did you—"
Before Logan could finish, a cold voice cut through the air like a blade.
"That's enough."
The hall fell into silence as Sylvia Frostheart stepped forward.
The Ice Queen of Orion Academy.
Every eye in the hall turned toward her. She was known not only for her immense talent as an A-Rank Awakener but also for her unapproachable demeanor. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, her piercing blue eyes resembling shards of ice, and her beauty was as breathtaking as it was untouchable.
Ethan had never spoken to her before, nor did he have any interest in the so-called 'elite' students. But now, she was looking straight at him.
With interest.
"Ethan Cross," she said, her tone emotionless. "Spar with me."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"What?" Logan blurted out. "Sylvia, you're going to fight that low-rank trash? He's nothing!"
Sylvia didn't even spare Logan a glance. She only continued to stare at Ethan, waiting for his response.
Ethan wiped the sweat off his forehead and met her gaze. A few weeks ago, he would've hesitated. But now? Now, he was different.
"…Fine."
A hint of amusement flickered in Sylvia's icy eyes. She gestured toward the sparring platform.
"Then let's begin."
A Clash of Fire and Ice
The match began with an explosion of movement.
Sylvia didn't hold back. Shards of ice erupted from the ground, rushing toward Ethan like spears. The temperature in the training hall plummeted as frost spread across the floor.
Ethan moved, narrowly avoiding the spikes. His passive abilities kicked in—his enhanced endurance and pain tolerance allowing him to keep going despite the numbing cold biting at his skin.
She's fast.
Faster than anyone he had faced before.
But speed wasn't everything.
Ethan dashed forward, closing the gap. He swung a fist, aiming for her shoulder—
But Sylvia moved with inhuman grace, twisting her body to avoid the blow. She retaliated instantly, her palm glowing with chilling mana as she struck his chest.
A surge of cold flooded his body. Frostbite Pulse.
Ethan felt his muscles stiffen, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through, Iron Body resisting the worst of the damage.
Sylvia's eyes narrowed. "You're persistent."
Ethan smirked. "I get that a lot."
She moved again, faster this time. Ethan reacted purely on instinct. He dodged left, barely escaping a freezing blast. Then, without hesitation, he launched a counterattack—
A clean punch to Sylvia's wrist.
She flinched, the ice around her hand cracking slightly. He had actually landed a hit.
For the first time, genuine surprise flashed across her face.
"Interesting," she muttered.
But Ethan wasn't done. He surged forward, pressing the attack. Sylvia defended, dodging, blocking, and countering with precision. The fight continued, the air thick with frost and heat from exertion.
Minutes passed, and still, Ethan stood.
The crowd was in shock. They had expected him to lose instantly.
Finally, Sylvia stepped back, raising a hand. "Enough."
Ethan stopped, breathing heavily. His knuckles were bruised, his body aching, but he was still standing. And more importantly—
She was acknowledging him.
A rare smirk appeared on Sylvia's lips. "You're stronger than I thought."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "That supposed to be a compliment?"
She tilted her head. "Take it however you like." Then, with a flick of her wrist, she turned and walked away.
The crowd remained silent as she left. Then, as if the tension broke, the murmurs began.
"Did he really just hold his own against Sylvia?"
"No way…"
Logan clenched his fists, his face dark with fury. Ethan ignored him.
Instead, he glanced toward Sylvia's retreating figure. For the first time, he had drawn the attention of someone truly strong.
And strangely enough…
He had a feeling their paths would cross again.
The Beginning of Something More
Later that night, as Ethan trained alone, he pulled up his system panel. His passive ability had grown slightly.
Passive Ability: Iron BodyProgress: 3%
It was slow. Too slow. But he didn't care. He would keep pushing forward, no matter what.
Suddenly, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You don't stop, do you?"
Ethan turned to see Sylvia standing at the entrance of the training grounds, arms crossed.
He smirked. "Didn't peg you for the type to check up on people."
She scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. I was simply curious."
Ethan didn't respond. He just returned to his training.
Sylvia watched him for a moment before speaking again. "Tell me, Ethan… what exactly are you aiming for?"
He paused, then looked her in the eyes.
"…To be the strongest."
For the first time, Sylvia smiled.
"Good," she said. "Then let's see if you can back those words up."
Ethan grinned.
A challenge? He wouldn't have it any other way.