The night air felt heavy.
Not with danger.
But with inevitability.
Luxe stood in the training ground, his small figure illuminated by faint lightning flickering around his hand.
"…This is the limit of what I can achieve with this body at its current stage," he said quietly. "No matter how much I refine my techniques, growth will slow without time."
Lumi stood behind him, watching silently.
"…Your progress has already exceeded what most would consider possible at your age," she said softly. "Even experienced knights would struggle to match your current level of control and precision."
Luxe shook his head slightly.
"…That is still not enough," he replied. "Not for what is coming, and definitely not for what I must face."
Lumi tilted her head.
"…You speak as if you are preparing for something far beyond ordinary expectations," she said. "Is there truly something that requires this level of urgency from you?"
Luxe paused.
"…Yes," he said calmly. "And when it begins, there will be no time left to prepare."
He raised his sword.
"Flash Step."
Slash.
Fast.
Clean.
Precise.
"…Your movements are already nearing perfection for your current physical condition," Lumi said. "Continuing at this level may not yield significant improvement without further growth."
Luxe lowered his sword slowly.
"…Exactly," he said. "That's why I need time."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Luxe spoke again.
"…From this point onward, I will focus on long-term growth rather than immediate results," he said. "I will refine everything continuously until my body and mana reach the level I require."
Lumi observed him carefully.
"…Then you are planning to endure a prolonged period of training without interruption," she said. "That approach will demand both physical and mental endurance."
Luxe nodded.
"…Yes," he replied. "And I will not stop until I reach the level I need."
The wind moved gently.
And time—
Began to pass.
⏳ TIME SKIP — SEVERAL YEARS LATER
The same training ground—
But completely different.
The air—
Dense with mana.
The ground—
Cracked from repeated battles.
And standing in the center—
Was no longer a child.
But a young man.
Tall.
Sharp.
Composed.
Luxe.
At fifteen.
Lightning flickered around his hand—
Effortlessly.
"…Again," he said calmly. "That was still too slow."
Lumi stood nearby—
Unchanged in appearance.
But sharper in presence.
"…Your speed already exceeds most academy-level students, yet you continue pushing beyond that level," she said. "At this rate, you may surpass even advanced trainees soon."
Luxe lowered his hand.
"…That is the goal," he replied. "If I enter the academy at their level, I will only waste time."
He stepped forward.
"Volt Acceleration."
His body vanished—
Reappeared instantly behind the target.
Slash.
Clean.
Effortless.
The target split instantly.
Lumi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Your movement speed has reached a level where it becomes difficult to track visually," she said. "Even trained observers would struggle to follow that motion accurately."
Luxe exhaled slowly.
"…Speed alone is not enough," he replied. "If my attacks lack precision, it will still leave openings."
He raised his hand.
Lightning gathered—
Dense.
Controlled.
"Thunder Lance."
CRACK—!!
The attack pierced through multiple targets in a straight line.
Lumi observed carefully.
"…Your mana efficiency has improved significantly, and the output remains stable even under higher intensity," she said. "You can now sustain repeated attacks without rapid depletion."
Luxe nodded.
"…That was the main weakness before," he replied. "Now it's no longer a limitation."
He picked up his sword again.
"…Now combine everything," he said quietly. "Speed, precision, and mana must function as one."
He moved—
"Flash Step."
Slash.
"Volt Acceleration."
Slash.
Lightning trailed each movement—
Sharp.
Controlled.
Deadly.
Lumi stepped forward slightly.
"…Your fighting style has completely evolved compared to before," she said. "It is no longer basic swordsmanship supported by magic, but a fully integrated combat system."
Luxe stopped.
"…That was intentional," he replied. "Separating them creates weaknesses. Combining them removes gaps."
A brief silence passed.
Then—
Lumi spoke again.
"…Your Highness, your departure for the academy has already been scheduled," she said. "Everything is prepared for your journey."
Luxe looked toward the horizon.
"…So it's finally time," he said quietly. "The stage where everything begins again."
Lumi nodded.
"…Yes," she said. "From this point onward, your actions will influence not only yourself, but the entire kingdom."
Luxe gave a faint smile.
"…Good," he said. "That's exactly what I want."
The next day—
At the palace gates—
A carriage stood ready.
The King stood before him.
"…You have grown significantly over the years," the King said calmly. "But growth alone is not enough. You must understand how to use your strength wisely."
Luxe bowed slightly.
"…I understand," he replied. "And I will not waste what I have gained."
Lumi stood beside him.
"…Everything is ready," she said softly. "We can depart at any moment."
Luxe stepped forward.
"…Then let's go," he said. "There is no reason to delay any longer."
The gates opened.
The carriage began moving.
Luxe looked ahead.
"…This time," he said quietly,
"I will not lose."