The next morning felt different.
Word had already spread.
"Rank 1 and Rank 2…"
"They were in the library together…"
Students whispered as Leo entered the class.
He ignored them and took his seat.
Ray leaned over. "You're famous now."
"…Not interested."
Ray laughed. "Too late."
The door opened.
The instructor walked in. "Today, we begin practical combat basics."
The room went quiet.
"Magic is not just control," he continued. "It is also application."
His eyes scanned the class.
"Pair up."
Chairs moved. Students stood.
Ray stretched. "Guess I'll find someone—"
"I'll take him."
The voice was clear.
Rin.
Everyone turned.
She was looking straight at Leo.
Ray slowly stepped back. "Yeah… I'm out."
Leo stood up.
"…Fine."
They moved to the center.
The rest of the class formed a circle.
Tension filled the air.
"Begin with simple attacks," the instructor said. "No overuse of mana."
Rin raised her hand.
A sharp, clean light formed instantly.
Perfect as always.
Leo didn't move.
"Defend," she said.
The light shot forward.
Fast.
Precise.
Leo lifted his hand slightly.
A small barrier appeared.
The attack hit—
And vanished.
No impact.
No sound.
Just gone.
Rin's eyes sharpened.
"…Again."
This time—
Faster.
Stronger.
Multiple shots.
Leo moved once.
Tiny adjustments.
Each attack disappeared the moment it touched his defense.
Students stared.
"…What is that?"
"He's not even blocking properly…"
Rin stopped.
Her breathing steady.
But her eyes focused.
"…You're not using normal defense."
Leo replied calmly.
"…I'm removing the force."
Silence.
Rin understood immediately.
"…You're breaking the spell structure."
Leo didn't answer.
That was enough.
Rin smiled slightly.
"…Good."
Mana surged.
This time—
She changed her pattern.
Less direct.
More complex.
Leo's eyes moved.
Tracking everything.
"…Better," he said.
Her attacks curved.
Shifted.
Changed angles.
But—
Leo stepped once.
Raised his hand.
And everything stopped.
Her magic dissolved mid-air.
Rin froze.
"…You read it?"
"…Yes."
Another pause.
Then—
Rin lowered her hand.
"…I lost."
The instructor spoke.
"Correct decision."
The class remained silent.
No one expected this.
Not this fast.
Not this clearly.
Rin looked at Leo.
"…Teach me after class."
Leo nodded once.
"…Okay."
No pride.
No victory.
Just normal.
But for Rin—
That was exactly what made him different.
And for the rest of the class—
Rank 1 was no longer a surprise...