The days following the ambush were heavy. The third test had ended, but the academy was no longer the same. Teachers increased the guards around the training grounds, especially around noble students. Everyone was still in shock from the sudden attack.
Teacher Vairon had taken both Kain and Kai to a healing camp just outside the main academy grounds. Many teachers had gathered there to discuss what had happened and make sure it never happened again.
Two days passed. Kain slowly opened his eyes to a ceiling he didn't recognize. His body ached, but he could feel the warmth of healing magic still lingering on his skin.
"Where… am I?" he whispered.
He sat up slowly, and the memories of the fight hit him like a wave. The goblin forest. The attackers. Kai getting injured. Kain fighting until everything went black.
"Did I… fail?" he asked himself in a low voice, dread curling in his chest.
Just then, the door opened.
A man with silver hair and sharp eyes entered. Kain recognized him immediately—it was the teacher who explained the third test.
"Teacher Vairon?" Kain asked, surprised.
Vairon gave a small smile. "I see you're finally awake."
Kain didn't wait. "Did I pass the test?"
There was a pause. A silence that stretched just long enough to make Kain's heart drop.
"You got unconscious during the third test," Vairon said. "That should mean you failed."
Kain's stomach twisted.
"But," Vairon continued, his voice firm, "it was a hidden ambush, something outside of the test's design. And before that, your performance was impressive."
Kain looked up, eyes wide.
"So I passed you."
A wave of relief hit Kain like a storm. He let out a long breath. "Thank you."
Vairon nodded. "You earned it."
Kain hesitated. "Who were those attackers?"
Vairon's face darkened. "They call themselves an organization fighting against the noble-commoner system. But I believe they're just using that as a cover. Their actions speak differently. Kidnapping, attacking students—they don't want equality. They want control."
"Do you know who leads them?"
Vairon looked serious. "Not yet. But their leader is dangerous. A powerful individual blessed with a strong divine ability."
Before Kain could say more, the door opened again. This time, Kai entered, his left arm still wrapped in bandages.
"You're awake," Kai said with a grin. "Good. I was starting to worry you'd sleep through the rankings."
Kain raised a brow. "Rankings?"
Kai sat beside his bed. "Yeah. The results for the third test came out. I ranked eighth."
Kain blinked. "That's… really good."
Kai nodded. "You made it to twenty-fourth."
"Wait—me?" Kain asked, eyes wide. "Even without a divine mark?"
Kai smirked. "Apparently, the teachers were impressed. Also, the royal family's youngest daughter, Princess Elira, ranked second. And that girl Anna from the Morgan family? She ranked third."
Kain leaned back. "That's amazing… I didn't think I did that well."
Kai shrugged. "Neither did I, to be honest. But you surprised a lot of people."
Kain paused, deep in thought. He had no divine mark. No noble background. Yet he was standing among them.
Then, suddenly, something pulsed in his chest.
A new screen appeared before him.
---
You have obtained a new Blessing: Iron Will.
Effect: When standing against an overwhelmingly strong opponent, if the user shows great determination, all stats will slightly increase temporarily.
Kain stared at the words.
And then he heard that voice again, soft and almost amused.
"They like you."
Kain didn't respond. He just closed his eyes for a moment.
Inventor…
More than ever, he needed answers. But for now, he had one goal—get stronger.
---
Meanwhile, in a separate building, teachers gathered around a long table.
"We underestimated them," one said grimly. "They were well-organized."
Another nodded. "They used our students as bait. We must increase security for all noble students."
Teacher Vairon stood at the head of the table. "They've shown their intentions. The academy is no longer just a place for training... it's becoming a battlefield."