The evening sky was unusually dark, as if it were about to rain. Amidst the heavy clouds, Chris Unor stood quietly in the training field, engrossed in meditation.

'Let's clear my mind and think from a pure state. Back to when I first started learning the sword.'

At that time, he had no thoughts or expectations. The only feeling he had was a strange excitement. And the anticipation that he would become like his father, a great swordsman.

'Chasing after my father led me to chasing after Louis without even realizing it.'

Just the act of wielding a sword brought him joy in the past. He delighted in seeing himself grow stronger day by day. But now, it was different. Just having that goal to sustain his sword was no longer enough.

'Why do I want to become stronger? What am I trying to prove with that strength?'

Lost in his thoughts, Chris closed his eyes and remained in the center of the training field. He sensed someone entering the field but paid no attention and kept his eyes closed.

It was Todlon Terry, a member of the Knightly Department's graduating class, who had entered the training field. He held a shabby potion bottle in one hand, and its color and aura felt quite unpleasant.

Ignoring Todlon's presence even when their eyes met, Chris closed his eyes again. After all, if they were both training, they should pay no attention to each other.

"Well, now I'm even being ignored by a fledgling."

However, Tordlon didn't seem to share the same sentiment.

"Did you just talk like that to me?"

"Who else would I have said that to? Is there anyone else here besides you?"

"Todlon Terry. I know your name. I didn't expect the top student of the graduating class to behave so lightly."

"What? Have you gone crazy? Hey, newbie, say that again. What did you say about a senior's behavior?"

As the atmosphere grew tense and unnecessary arguments escalated, Chris furrowed his brow and let out a sigh. Eventually, he threw a practice sword at Todlon.

"If you're so discontent, prove it with your skills."

"Well, this is really annoying. There was already one crazy person I encountered, and now there's another. Fine, I'll teach our little fledgling a lesson."

In an instant, a sparring atmosphere was established. Without any onlookers, the duel was technically forbidden, but Chris and Todlon were not individuals who cared about such things. They drew their swords and clashed against each other.

Thud! Clang!

Todlon, who appeared somewhat unpredictable, used a more flexible sword technique than expected. Chris, still unable to catch the flow, relentlessly pressed forward, nearly overwhelming Todlon.

"What's this? Is that all you've got? You made all this fuss for that level of skill?"

"Don't be so loud."

After the sparring with Adrias, Chris realized his own shortcomings.

If it's a problem, it's because his swordsmanship is not easily corrected due to ingrained habits.

Therefore, consciously trying to go back to the basics, Chris's swordsmanship was a complete mess.

"Huap!"

Bang!

Under Todlon's strong pressure, Chris's sword shook like a reed.

Nevertheless, Chris believed in his sword while maintaining composure.

'I need to fix it even if it's difficult right now.'

He thought it was actually a good opportunity.

It was time to correct his own bad habits.

Bang! Bang!

Crack—Whoosh!

The more he blocked Todlon's sword, the more Chris's own sword was worn down.

He made efforts to eliminate distractions and consciously return to the swordsmanship he learned initially.

Gradually, Todlon vaguely noticed the changing nature of Chris's sword.

Chris, who tried to use himself as a stepping stone, seemed too predictable.

"Where did this bastard come from!"

Mana-infused strike descended, but unlike before, Chris taunted his opponent with ease and slipped away.

'Yes, this feeling.'

It was the sensation when he first mastered the Unor Swordsmanship.

The foundation of Unor Swordsmanship was to mesmerize the opponent.

No other purpose was needed.

'And what complements it is....'

Now it's time to delve into the advanced techniques.

Chris's sword, which smoothly parried Todlon's sword, suddenly underwent a rapid change in speed. His sword, which had been flowing, instantly rushed towards Todlon's throat like a striking snake.

"Ugh!"

Caught off guard by the sudden change, Todlon hastily stepped back but stumbled. With his foot tangled, Todlon's throat was already within reach of Chris's sword.

"It seems like my victory."

The sparring ended in an instant.

As Todlon, with a dazed expression, looked at the sword that touched his throat, he let out a bitter laugh. Then he shook his head and quickly stepped back.

"I can't believe it. I, the top of the graduating class, became a laughingstock."

Hearing Todlon's muttering, Chris sheathed his sword and raised his head.

"A laughingstock? That's unworthy of you. You were more than excellent."

"Hahaha. Do I have to receive comfort from a fledgling now?"

Hearing Todlon's mixed laughter, Chris sighed.

Thanks to him, Chris had grown, but whatever he said now, it didn't seem like it would sit well with Todlon.

In the end, Chris just nodded his head and planned to finish his training and leave.

"Stop."

As Chris turned to leave and headed towards the exit of the training ground, Todlon's voice grabbed him from behind. When Chris turned around to check on Todlon, he saw that Todlon was already drinking a potion he had brought.

"What are you doing?"

"Phew. Just wait and see. It's not over yet."

After finishing the potion, Todlon threw the bottle to the ground and drew his own sword.

Seeing him draw the true blade, Chris narrowed his eyes and spoke.

"Isn't it too petty to lose to a junior?"

"Shut up! You and Vivianne, that woman! And those other bastards at this academy who laughed at me! I'll kill every one of them!"

"You've gone mad."

Though he said those words, Chris inwardly tensed and drew his sword.

Todlon's state, with only black mana visible and the absence of white mana, was peculiar.

'An immense pressure.'

Chris felt mana dispersing around Todlon to the point where it was visible.

Soon, Todlon struck the ground and swiftly approached, swinging his sword.

Kwaah!

"Clang!"

Chris's body was sent flying by the unfamiliar force and speed, despite his attempts to block.

Surprised by the destructive power of this magnitude, even when parrying, he doubted the true nature of the potion.

'First and foremost, I need to survive.'

Todlon's attacks poured relentlessly.

Under the torrential barrage that seemed as if someone else had taken over, Chris struggled to restrain his body, swaying in all directions.

Kwaah!

Kwagagak!

The thunderous sound grew immense enough to envelop the surrounding area, and Chris, with dislocated shoulders from forcing himself to endure the opponent's attacks, struggled to escape.

"What's all this commotion?"

At that moment, someone entered the training ground along with their voice.

And the person who entered spoke with a voice filled with astonishment.

"Chris?"

Seeing Serena enter, Chris shouted.

"Serena! Go outside and ask for help! Something's wrong..."

Kwaah!

Seeing Chris once again swept away by the thunderous sound, Serena was taken aback but quickly understood the situation and drew her sword.

With this level of thunderous noise, there must be someone else coming.

First and foremost, Chris needed to be saved.

"Is that... Senior Todlon?"

Although his physique had grown larger and his eyes had turned crimson, it seemed certain that he was Senior Todlon.

She didn't know why the two of them were fighting, but for now, she had to intervene.

Swish.

Using the longsword she had recently switched to from her greatsword, Serena attacked Todlon.

However, her newly acquired swordsmanship was still inexperienced, and she couldn't even touch the tip of Todlon's hair. "Thank you."

Nevertheless, by evading Serena's sword, the attacks aimed at Chris came to a halt.

Thanks to her, Chris was saved from the crisis, and the two of them regained their stances, standing before Todlon.

Serena wanted to ask how they ended up in this situation, but seeing Todlon's gigantic form growing even larger, she wore an expression of disbelief.

"Now, another fledgling? Do I look that ridiculous? I'll kill every one of you!"

Todlon's shout felt as if mana had mixed in, causing Serena's insides to churn.

Soon, the second battle between Chris, Serena, and Todlon began.

.

.

.

.

'Vivian, I have a favor to ask.'

Recalling the recent situation, Vivianne blushed.

It was none other than Adrias who personally asked her for a favor.

'I won't disappoint you.'

Adrias' request was simple.

He asked her to investigate if a similar incident like the one that occurred at the banquet had also happened in the Knight Academy.

If the same thing was happening, she was to contact the professors of the Knight Academy immediately.

Vivianne got off the train and started running.

Since she didn't know where something might be happening, she planned to take a lap around the Knight Academy campus.

Thud...

However, her thoughts changed briefly as she faintly heard a sound coming from somewhere.

The direction from which the sound came was where the training ground she usually practiced at was located.

Without hesitation, Vivianne dashed towards the source of the noise, and as she got closer, the noise turned into a deafening thunderous sound.

Kwaah!

It was an enormous sound.

It was so absurdly loud that one might think it was produced by magic. Vivianne didn't let her guard down. She needed to first confirm the source of the sound before informing the professors.

Thud! Kwaah!

Vivianne cautiously entered the training ground.

There, she saw two students in a chaotic state, and something massive swinging swords in each hand indiscriminately.

'Adrias told me to contact the professors first...'

What would Adrias have done in this situation?

Judging by the situation, she felt that by the time she brought the professors, both of them might already be dead.

If it were Adrias, he probably wouldn't have left those two and gone to find the professors.

In the end, Vivianne made up her mind to save the two first.

'I won't disappoint you.'

Vivianne, as if making a determination, muttered to herself, and as she drew her sword, the sound of the sword being unsheathed caught the attention of the monster and the students.

"Senior Vivianne..."

"Groan..."

The condition of the students was dire.

They were covered in blood and could barely stand, while in contrast, the monster appeared unscathed.

"Vi...Vi...vianne?"

The monster spoke.

Vivianne hardened her expression and slowly approached the monster, taking measured steps.

"I don't know who you are, but I have to fulfill Adrias' request."

"Do I... Do I not know...?"

"I don't know. You're just a monster."

"Aaargh! Aaaah!"

The already intense aura of the monster began to go berserk.

However, standing before him, Vivianne only stared at the monster with cold eyes.

'I won't disappoint you.'

A trace of the lingering madness remained within Vivianne, flickering sporadically.

Soon, the transformed Todlon, now a monster, collided with Vivianne.

Kwaah!