The next day came.
The sun was shining.
Birds flew over the academy.
But Eiden felt no peace.
He sat alone in class, quiet.
He remembered last night.
The Watcher.
The warning.
"Others are watching…"
---
Kai sat in the back, arms crossed.
He still looked angry after the duel.
But he said nothing today.
The teacher walked in.
"Everyone, quiet down! Today, we train outside."
The students cheered.
Only Eiden stayed calm.
Outside meant fighting.
Fighting meant more eyes.
---
At the training grounds, students paired up.
Kai trained with his group.
Elara stood with her sword, watching everyone.
Sera waved at Eiden. "Want to pair up?"
Eiden nodded. "Sure."
They stepped onto the sand ring.
Wooden dummies stood nearby.
"Let's warm up with support spells!" Sera smiled.
---
Eiden moved with his sword.
Smooth.
Sharp.
Perfect.
Sera clapped. "You're amazing, Eiden!"
He smiled a little. "Thanks."
But inside, he focused.
He felt the mana.
Twelve people training.
Four teachers watching.
Two strangers on the roof.
Hidden mana signatures... just like the Watcher said.
---
"Eiden," Sera said suddenly. "Can I ask something?"
He paused. "What is it?"
"Why did your sword glow in the dungeon?"
Eiden's eyes narrowed.
"Glow?"
"Yeah… just for a second. Before the monsters fell. Like… light from your blade."
He looked away.
"I moved fast. Maybe it looked like light."
Sera blinked.
"Oh. Maybe I was just nervous."
But she didn't look sure.
---
After training, Elara walked up to him.
"Valtz."
Eiden turned slowly. "Yes?"
"You're hiding something."
He didn't answer.
"You beat Kai too clean. You're not normal."
Still, he stayed silent.
Elara stepped closer.
"Magic?"
"No proof," Eiden said softly.
She frowned.
"I'll find it," she said.
Then walked away.
---
That night, Eiden returned to his room.
He sat in silence.
His sword was on his lap.
It wasn't just a sword.
It was special.
Made with his magic.
Old magic.
Hidden inside.
---
He whispered, "Ignis…"
A faint red glow came from the blade's edge.
The room stayed dark.
But the sword remembered.
It remembered Arkanos.
"So you're still with me," Eiden said.
"But now… we stay quiet."
---
Far away, the Watcher stood on a high roof.
Looking down at the academy.
"He hides his fire well," the Watcher said.
Another person beside him asked, "What now?"
"We wait," the Watcher smiled. "The Ghostblade will shine again. Just not yet."