Forest of Technique was a special place within the academy, long used for cultivating techniques.

It was said that it all began with the academy’s founder, who once trained there. Students followed him, practicing while seeking his guidance.

Over time, as more and more people successfully cultivated their techniques in that forest, the place itself became blessed.

Training there became twice as effective.

No one knew exactly how it worked, but no one doubted its benefits.

Of course, developing one’s own technique was still difficult—even in that forest.

However, for lower-class techniques, it was much easier to train there.

Towering trees filled the entire forest.

Some students leaned against individual trees.

The closer one was to a tree, the stronger the effect—and the largest tree at the center provided the greatest benefit of all.

Sunlight barely reached the ground, blocked entirely by the dense canopy above.

The air was incredibly refreshing—so much so that even without consciously breathing, it seemed to flow into the body through every pore.

Fighting was strictly forbidden.

Whoever claimed a spot first had the right to it.

At the center stood the largest tree, surrounded by four students carrying swords.

Victor recognized them—they were from the Immortal Sword Sect.

That sect had the most dominant presence in the academy.

Compared to them, the Holy Light Sect had sent far fewer students.

Victor’s presence made some students uneasy. They feared his aura.

But not the disciples of the Immortal Sword Sect.

As Victor observed, he even noticed Martin in an inconspicuous corner, choosing a relatively small tree and staying alone.

Victor decided not to stir trouble.

He picked a small, vacant tree.

For him, this wouldn’t be complicated.

After sitting down, he immediately closed his eyes, focusing on understanding the Emotion Eater technique.

The technique was easy for him to grasp.

Compared to other Sky Class techniques, it was likely far more difficult—but for Victor, it only took ten minutes to comprehend the first 1%, and twenty minutes for the next.

He decided to push it all the way to 100%, no matter how many days it took.

There were no real obstacles—only the increasing time required for each percentage of progress.

At this rate, at least two weeks would be needed to reach full mastery.

That was his conclusion.

So he trained without pause, even as heavy rain poured down.

There was no shortage of students who trained for long periods.

At higher realms, it wasn’t unusual for someone to cultivate continuously for years.

Victor wasn’t the type to sit still like this—unless forced.

That was why he preferred shortcuts.

But he understood that he also needed to rely on himself.

Two weeks?

That was nothing compared to the time he had once been locked away by his mother.

Even after accumulating enough anger, he still had a long path ahead—merging two Heaven-Class Elements into his fist.

One year?

He doubted it would be enough.

It could take two years... or even longer before he reached the Sovereign Realm.

Two weeks later, a faint smile appeared on his lips as his eyes slowly opened.

[Technique:]

Explosion of War Aura (Locked)

Fist of Wrath (Saint Class >100%) 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

True Dragon Transformation (Locked)

Emotion Eater (Sky Class >100%)

He had finally fully comprehended it.

Without reaching 100%, using a Sky Class technique properly would be far more difficult—unlike Saint or Heaven Class techniques, where even 1% held immense depth.

Victor stood up.

His appearance remained neat.

No facial hair had grown.

If he didn’t want it, it simply wouldn’t appear.

It was a new morning—just like the day he first arrived.

What puzzled him was that almost no students were training anymore.

Victor couldn’t help but wonder if they had left because of him—but that seemed unlikely.

As he walked away, he encountered a member of the Russell Clan, though he didn’t know his name.

He motioned him over.

"Young Master..." the youth greeted respectfully.

"Why is it so quiet?" Victor asked.

"Young Master, the students have gone to the city to face a challenge issued by William Holylight," he replied.

"William Holylight..."

Victor had certainly heard that name before.

A direct descendant of the Holy Light Sect’s main lineage—of the Holy Light Monarch himself.

They were the core branch of the sect.

Naturally powerful.

That didn’t mean others lacked connections.

Take Alexandra, for example—her mother also bore the Holylight surname.

But the most prestigious were still the direct descendants.

William Holylight was a top-tier genius of the same generation as Alex.

Even more renowned than her, he possessed one Heaven-Class Talent and three Saint-Class Talents.

These were innate talents—not Merit Laws or Bloodlines—making them far more valuable.

Victor headed toward the academy gate.

The entire academy felt empty.

"Victor..."

His name was called just before he stepped out.

It was Alexandra.

She appeared elegantly—without her veil.

Victor was slightly surprised.

She had revealed her face completely.

The few remaining students couldn’t help but be captivated, though it wasn’t their first time seeing her unveiled.

Beside her, Lily looked displeased at Victor but said nothing.

"Did you gain some special enlightenment?" Victor asked with a curious expression.

He didn’t care whether she wore a veil or not—that was her personal choice.

Though her style had changed, her demeanor remained the same—gentle and refined.

"Not like that," she replied calmly.

"Because your heart already belongs to someone?" Victor smiled as he casually touched her face, even with others watching.

She blushed and lowered her head.

"Is this some kind of tradition among Heavenly Women? Though I heard someone saw your face before I did."

Alexandra couldn’t respond.

"Yeah, it doesn’t matter who saw it first. What matters is who you choose."

Victor took her hand and pulled her along.

"Do you want to see William Holylight?" he asked.

"Yes. He is my senior in the sect. It would be rude if I didn’t show up."

"But you’re worried about going alone? Your senior likes you—and now there’s nothing stopping him from approaching you."

Victor saw right through the situation.

Alexandra remained silent, but her eyes revealed the truth.

"People need to understand..."

Victor tightened his grip on her hand slightly.

"...that you only want me."