Inside a vast training room two figures clashed in a blur of light.

The black-haired boy moved with precision and ferocity toward a pink-haired woman.

She wore a white judo-like outfit that highlighted her sexy figure, the fabric fitted perfectly around her waist and hips. The top was tied loosely, exposing a bit of her collarbone and a hint of her bosom beneath.

Arthur wore the same outfit—simple, functional, and combat-ready.

With blurring speed, Arthur moved toward Yuna.

She stood casually, arms at her sides, not making any moves.

A kick came toward her head.

Yuna stopped it casually with her elbow, her expression calm and unbothered.

"Do you really think you can beat me in a physical fight?" she said. "Even if I’m limiting myself to the power of a C-ranker?"

Arthur stopped in front of her, grinning.

"Well, I’ve also learned some new tricks. Let me show you."

In his mind, a system message appeared.

[ Talent: Elemental Convergence has been activated. ]

In the next second, hundreds of blood spears materialized in the air behind Arthur, floating in formation like a crimson storm.

He immediately unleashed them all toward Yuna.

Her eyes lit up with a smile.

She dodged several of them with fluid, effortless movements, her body twisting and weaving through the barrage.

Some spears even changed trajectory mid-flight, following her as she moved.

She looked surprised.

’He can even control them with this much precision?’

In the next second, her aura flared.

The spears shattered instantly—destroyed by nothing but the sheer pressure of her presence.

She looked toward where Arthur had been standing.

"You’ll have to try harder than—"

He wasn’t there.

Her eyes widened.

She felt a presence blazing behind her, crackling with lightning.

A punch came for her midsection.

She immediately blocked the attack with her forearm.

But suddenly, Yuna realized—it was a feint.

She tried to move, but felt something weighing down on her body. Her blood wasn’t flowing as she expected.

’He got the perfect timing.’

Arthur landed a straight hook right to her face.

BAM!

Her body flew backward.

She balanced herself mid-air with perfect control and landed flawlessly with a backflip.

Arthur grinned wide.

"Yes! Finally, I’ve landed an attack!"

Yuna was surprised again.

She knew Arthur didn’t have any talent that could use lightning mana. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

And even the ability of blood manipulation shouldn’t have worked on her so effectively.

’The more time I spend with him, the more mysterious he gets.’

She spat a drop of blood onto the floor.

A faint scar had formed on her cheek.

Suddenly, lightning covered her entire body as her talent flared to life.

She spoke in a menacing voice.

"Looks like you’ve made some progress. So let’s take it up a notch."

Arthur’s expression darkened.

"I’m sorry," he muttered.

In the next second, a fist passed by his face—so fast he barely dodged it.

A scar formed across his cheek.

He made some distance between them, breathing hard.

Lightning mana flared around Arthur as well.

He smiled.

"Looks like I made you angry, my dear master."

Yuna’s mouth twitched.

"Less talking and more training," she said.

They both moved.

A cataclysmic impact echoed through the training room.

BOOM!

For the next half hour, they clashed like bloodthirsty enemies, fists and techniques colliding with explosive force again and again.

Half an hour later, Arthur was sprawled on the floor.

His face was swollen on both sides, bruised and battered.

He groaned.

"Damn... if we fought a little more, I’d need plastic surgery," he said.

Yuna crossed her arms, looking down at him.

"Who told you to touch my face?" she said flatly.

Arthur grinned despite the pain.

"Yeah, yeah. You’re just upset that I managed to outsmart you."

Yuna’s mouth twitched.

"Do you want to go for another round?" she asked, her tone dangerously calm.

Arthur immediately bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the floor.

"Thank you for training this unworthy disciple of yours, Master!" he said quickly.

Yuna smirked.

"Now that’s what I wanted to hear."

She tilted her head, her grey eyes studying him.

"When were you able to manipulate blood and even use lightning mana?" she asked.

Arthur’s breath hitched.

He looked away.

"Well... you know... I’m just a late bloomer, that’s all," he said.

Yuna narrowed her eyes.

"Suspicious," she said.

Arthur looked away, whistling innocently.

Yuna sighed.

"Fine. Don’t tell me. You keeping more secrets is nothing new to me."

Arthur smiled.

Yuna’s expression turned serious.

"But let me warn you of something. Whatever you’re holding inside that ring of yours, you better be careful with it. The level of hatred and bloodlust I’m sensing from it is on another level."

Arthur looked at the ring on his hand.

It was the Containment Ring—the one in which Elizabeth was trapped inside.

He looked back toward Yuna.

"Just believe in me, Master. I know what I’m doing," he said.

Yuna met his gaze.

"I do," she said. "That’s why I’m not taking it away from you."

She stepped forward and hugged him.

Arthur’s face was pressed into her bosom.

He thought, ’Now this is heaven.’

Yuna spoke softly.

"Just be safe. That’s all I want."

Arthur nodded against her.

"I will," he said.

Yuna pulled back and smiled faintly.

"Alright. I’m leaving. You can train more if you want. Just remember—the day after tomorrow is the entrance exam. Don’t push yourself too hard."

Arthur nodded his head.

Yuna walked toward the exit. The automatic door slid open with a soft hiss, and she left.

Arthur sat up slowly, wincing at the soreness in his body.

He looked at the ring on his finger.

"System, give me the two upgrade cards that I got when we completed the quest and defeated Elizabeth," he said.

Two glowing cards materialized in the air in front of him.

He pulled them from his inventory.

A system window appeared.

[ Item: Upgrade Card (Unranked) ]

[ Description: Can be used to upgrade any skill or artifact, no matter the rank. Effects are permanent and irreversible.]

Arthur stared at the cards, then at the ring.

He smirked.

"It’s time to make use of Elizabeth," he said.