“I... submit.”
Those two words seemed to drain every ounce of Bell’s remaining strength.
Leovet, leaning against the wall, finally let a genuine smile flicker across his face—the one that usually carried a hint of mockery.
“Submit?”
He repeated the word playfully.
“That is likely the only useful thing you have said all day.”
Leovet looked away from the kneeling Bell and turned his gaze toward Leon, who had remained silent throughout.
“Leon, you may leave.”
“Your mana control is sophisticated enough, but your imagination is pathetically barren.”
Leovet’s voice carried no warmth.
“Go back and think about why a simple Earth Wall caused you to hesitate for a full half-second.”
For the first time, a visible ripple of emotion appeared on Leon’s cold, arrogant face.
He glanced at Bell, who was struggling to stand, with a complex expression.
It was the scrutiny of a genius, mixed with a trace of shock from having his established perceptions shattered.
He said nothing, merely giving Leovet a slight bow before turning and walking out of the tower without looking back.
The heavy wooden door closed behind him.
Only Bell and Leovet remained in the training ground at the top of the tower.
“Now, it is your turn.”
Leovet walked slowly toward Bell, circling him like a lion inspecting its prey.
“Your mana control is a mess.”
“Your mental focus is scattered and fragile.”
“Your body is weak, inferior even to a third-rate knight.”
“The only things you possess are a bit of rat-like cunning and the pathetic survival instinct of a beast driven into a corner.”
Leovet’s voice echoed through the empty space.
Bell kept his head down. Sweat dripped from the tips of his hair, splashing onto the stone floor in tiny, almost invisible droplets.
He did not argue.
Because it was the truth.
“However...” Leovet’s tone suddenly shifted, taking on a playful edge. “A rat may be weak, but it can survive under a cat’s claws.”
“A beast may be feral, but it can bite through its chains when desperate.”
He stopped in front of Bell, looking down at him.
“That punch just now was very interesting.”
Bell snapped his head up.
The corner of Leovet’s mouth curled upward.
“In ten years of teaching at this academy, this is the first time I have seen someone use the vibrational decomposition of an Earth Wall.”
“How did you think of that?”
Bell’s throat felt parched. He licked his lips, his voice raspy.
“Physics.”
“Resonance frequency.”
Leovet raised an eyebrow.
“Physics? What is that?”
Bell froze.
He realized that this world likely had no concept of physics at all.
They only had magic, elements, and talent.
What he possessed was the knowledge system of another world.
“It is... a study of the laws governing the movement of matter,” Bell said, choosing his words carefully. “In my understanding, the essence of magic is the manipulation of elemental particles.”
“Since they are particles, they have mass, frequency, and resonance.”
“I simply tried to use that method to amplify the destructive power of the earth element.”
Leovet was silent for a few seconds.
Then, he laughed.
It was a laugh filled with the excitement of seeing a prey reveal its fangs.
“Interesting.”
“Very interesting.”
He turned, walked back to his desk, and pulled a thick black notebook from a drawer, tossing it to Bell.
Bell scrambled to catch it.
“The content is simple.”
Leovet leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed.
“Every week, you will spar with Leon once.”
Bell’s heart sank.
“Instructor, I... I am no match for him.”
“Nonsense,” Leovet interrupted bluntly. “Of course you aren't.”
“But you will be.”
His tone carried a certainty that brooked no argument.
“In three months, you must last twenty minutes against him.”
“In six months, thirty minutes.”
“In a year, you must be able to fight him to a draw.”
Bell’s eyes widened.
“That’s impossible...”
“It is possible,” Leovet cut him off. “As long as you do not die.”
He walked over to Bell and reached out, clapping him hard on the shoulder.
The force was so great that Bell nearly stumbled.
“Your sister, Cecilia Lucas, is a monster.”
“And you, Bell Lucas, must become the hunter who can kill that monster.”
“Do you understand?”
Bell clenched his jaw tight and nodded with all his might.
“I understand.”
“Good.” Leovet released him and turned back to his desk. “Today’s training ends here.”
“Tomorrow night, at midnight, come here.”
“Remember, do not be late.”
Bell clutched the heavy black notebook and turned toward the door.
Just as his hand touched the handle, Leovet’s voice rang out again.
“By the way, Bell.”
Bell stopped and looked back.
Leovet wasn't looking at him; he was staring at the spinning azure wind blade in his hand.
“The way you rejected Kyle just now was stupid.”
“That kind of rejection will only make him want to get closer to you.”
“Next time, use a smarter way.”
Bell’s heart skipped a beat.
“What way?”
Leovet looked up, those eyes that seemed to see through souls staring straight at him.
“Utilize him.”
“Make him your pawn.”
“Not your burden.”
Bell stood frozen on the spot.
Leovet waved a hand, signaling him to leave.
“Go.”
“Remember, from now on, you are no longer prey waiting to be struck.”
“You are a hunter sharpening your claws.”
Bell took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and walked out.
The heavy wooden door closed behind him.
Standing outside the black stone tower, he looked up at the cold moon in the night sky.
For the first time, he felt as if he held a weapon in his hand with which he could strike back.
Though the weapon was still fragile.
At least it existed.
...
Bell’s footsteps were light on the way back to the dormitory.
He didn't encounter anyone.
The night was deep, and the academy’s streetlamps cast dim yellow halos along the road.
He kept his head down, clutching the black notebook, his mind replaying everything that had happened today.
Leon’s ice wall.
And Leovet’s words.
“Utilize him.”
Bell stopped walking.
He thought of Kyle’s hurt face.
That red haired boy had been sticking to him like a foolish dog since the first day of school.
He had tried to push him away, tried to hurt him, tried to keep him away from this whirlpool.
But Kyle still hadn't given up.
Perhaps... Leovet was right.
Rejection was the stupidest way.
Because rejection would only make Cecilia more vigilant.
But utilization...
Bell’s fists clenched at his sides.
If he could make Kyle his “friend” on the surface.
If he could make Tia his “support” in the academy.
If he could make Leon his “rival” and “whetstone.”
Then, within this cage woven by Cecilia, he could quietly weave a web of his own.
A web strong enough to counter her.
Bell began to walk again.
This time, his steps were no longer heavy.
...
The dormitory door was unlocked.
Bell pushed it open; the room was pitch black.
He didn't turn on the light, walking straight to the bed and tucking the black notebook under his pillow.
Then, he shed his coat and collapsed onto the bed.
Exhaustion washed over him like a tide.
He closed his eyes, but his mind refused to be still.
Cecilia’s face surfaced again and again.
His own pale, distorted face was reflected in those clear eyes.
Bell snapped his eyes open.
He rolled over and sat up, clamping his hand tightly over his mouth.
His stomach was churning.
He rushed into the washroom, leaning over the sink and dry heaving several times.
But nothing came out.
He hadn't eaten anything all day.
Only that lemon flavored candy Tia had given him.
And... Cecilia.
Bell turned on the faucet, desperately splashing his face with icy water.
The water flowed down his cheeks, mixing with a liquid that could have been sweat or tears.
He looked up, staring at the pale, wretched face in the mirror.
“Bell Lucas.”
He spoke to his reflection, word by word.
“You cannot lose.”
“You cannot die.”
“You must survive.”
“And then... kill her.”
The face in the mirror gave no response.
It only silently reflected the faint but stubborn spark of fire in his eyes.
Meanwhile.
In another building within the luxury dormitory area prepared by the ducal manor for the two of them.
Cecilia lay on a soft, large bed, hugging a bolster embroidered with the name “Bell.”
Her eyes were closed, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, spilling over her long golden hair and coating her in a holy halo.
She stuck out the tip of her tongue and lightly licked her lips.
“Big brother tastes like lemon...”
She murmured to herself, her voice carrying a hint of intoxication.
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