The results board slowly faded away.
But the silence didn't.
All eyes were still on Leo.
"Rank 1… seriously?"
"He failed the first test…"
Whispers spread everywhere.
Leo ignored them.
---
"Students will now be assigned to classes," the instructor said.
"The top ranks will enter Elite Class A."
More murmurs.
"That's the best class…"
"Only geniuses get in…"
---
Names began appearing again.
"Rin."
"Ray."
"…Leo."
---
Ray smiled. "Looks like we're together."
Leo nodded. "…Yeah."
---
They walked toward the academy building.
The atmosphere was different now.
No one laughed at Leo anymore.
But they weren't friendly either.
They were… cautious.
---
Inside Class A—
The room was large and clean.
Magic circles were carved into the walls.
This was where the best students trained.
---
Students took their seats.
Rin sat near the front.
Leo sat by the window.
Ray dropped beside him.
---
"You're hiding something," Ray said quietly.
Leo glanced at him. "…No."
Ray smirked. "Yeah, sure."
---
The door opened.
A new teacher entered.
Tall. Calm. Sharp eyes.
---
"I am your instructor," he said.
"In this class, talent means nothing without results."
---
His gaze moved across the room.
Then stopped at Leo.
---
"…Interesting."
---
He turned back.
---
"Today, we test control."
---
He raised his hand.
Small orbs of light appeared in the air.
---
"Maintain this spell."
"No power. No size."
"Only stability."
---
Students began.
Mana filled the room.
Lights flickered everywhere.
---
Some were stable.
Some shook.
Some broke instantly.
---
Rin's orb—
Perfect.
Not a single movement.
---
"Impressive," the teacher said.
---
Then—
He looked at Leo.
---
Leo's orb was small.
Very small.
---
But—
It didn't move at all.
---
Not even slightly.
---
"…Perfect balance," the teacher muttered.
---
Rin noticed.
Her eyes narrowed.
---
Time passed.
One by one—
Orbs began breaking.
---
Ray's cracked.
"Ah… I lost it."
---
Others failed.
---
Only two remained.
---
Rin.
Leo.
---
The room was silent again.
---
Rin focused harder.
Her orb stayed stable.
---
Leo didn't even look at his.
He was staring outside.
---
"…He's not even trying," someone whispered.
---
Seconds passed.
---
Then—
Rin's orb shook.
Just a little.
---
Her expression changed.
---
"…No."
---
It broke.
---
Silence.
---
Only one remained.
---
Leo's.
---
Perfect.
---
The teacher raised his hand.
Leo's orb disappeared.
---
"…Rank 1 confirmed," he said.
---
Rin looked down.
Her hand tightened.
---
For the first time—
She lost.
---
Not by power.
---
But by control.
---
Leo stood up.
---
"I'll go rest," he said.
---
The teacher didn't stop him.
---
As Leo walked past—
Rin spoke.
---
"…Leo."
---
He stopped.
---
"…Next time," she said, "I'll beat you."
---
Leo didn't turn.
---
"…Then fix your magic first."
---
And he walked away.
---
Rin stayed silent.
---
But this time—
She didn't feel anger.
---
She felt challenged.