The air was still.
Everyone was staring at Leo.
---
"…What was that?"
"Did he just walk… in the air?"
---
Whispers spread across the cliff.
No one understood what they had just seen.
---
The instructor stepped forward.
His eyes locked onto Leo.
---
"What was that spell?" he asked.
---
Leo paused.
"…I don't know."
---
Silence.
---
"You don't know?" the instructor repeated.
---
Leo nodded.
"I just adjusted the flow… and reduced the waste."
---
The instructor's expression changed.
Slightly.
---
"…I see."
---
Back on the other side—
Students began crossing again.
But now—
The atmosphere had changed.
---
No one was laughing anymore.
---
Rin stepped forward.
Her eyes still on Leo.
---
"…I'll go."
---
Mana gathered instantly.
Sharp. Clean. Perfect.
---
She jumped—
A powerful burst pushed her forward.
---
She landed smoothly on the other side.
---
Applause broke out.
---
"Of course, it's Rin."
"So strong…"
---
Rin didn't react.
Her gaze went straight to Leo.
---
"…You."
---
Leo looked at her.
---
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
---
Then Rin frowned.
---
"What was that?" she asked.
---
Leo answered calmly.
"…Just a better way to use magic."
---
Her expression hardened.
---
"…Better?"
---
For the first time—
Someone challenged her ability.
---
"You're saying my magic is wrong?" Rin said.
---
Leo shook his head.
"…Not wrong."
---
A small pause.
---
"…Just inefficient."
---
Silence.
---
The words hit harder than anything else.
---
Rin clenched her fist slightly.
---
"…Prove it," she said.
---
Before Leo could reply—
The instructor spoke.
---
"Enough."
---
"All students, gather."
---
Everyone returned to the center.
---
The instructor raised his hand.
A board of light appeared in the air.
---
"Entrance results will now be announced."
---
Names began appearing.
---
Lower ranks first.
---
Students watched nervously.
---
Then—
The top ranks.
---
"Rank 2… Rin."
---
Murmurs spread.
---
"…Second?"
"No way…"
---
Rin's eyes widened slightly.
---
Then—
The final name appeared.
---
"Rank 1… Leo."
---
Silence.
---
Complete silence.
---
"…Him?"
"The failed guy?"
---
All eyes turned to Leo.
---
He stood there quietly.
---
No reaction.
---
No pride.
---
Just thinking.
---
"…Rank 1," he whispered.
---
Rin stared at the board.
Then at Leo.
---
Her expression changed.
---
Not anger.
Not arrogance.
---
Something else.
---
"…I won't lose next time," she said quietly.
---
Leo looked at her.
---
"…There won't be a next time."
---
Not as an insult.
---
Just a fact.
---
And that—
Made it worse.