The combat grounds of Aetherial Institute had become strangely quiet.
Not because students had stopped talking.
Quite the opposite.
Everyone was talking.
Everyone.
The problem was that every conversation had somehow become centered around one person.
Aedon Flinth.
Or more specifically—
The absolutely ridiculous conversation between Aedon Flinth and Lady Valeryn.
At the center of the training grounds, Kel and Valeryn were still standing opposite each other.
Meanwhile—
The rest of the academy had effectively transformed into an audience.
Students who had found their partners were no longer discussing combat strategies.
Students who had not found their partners had temporarily abandoned the search.
Even some assistant instructors were suspiciously paying attention.
The atmosphere felt less like a training class.
And more like a theatrical performance.
Several students sat upon nearby stone barriers.
Others leaned against weapon racks.
Many had formed observation groups.
A few entrepreneurial students had somehow started accepting bets.
The instructor noticed.
The instructor absolutely noticed.
Yet for some mysterious reason—
He wasn't stopping it.
If anything—
He appeared entertained.
Very entertained.
...
A group of male students stood near a spear rack.
Their conversation had already become heated.
"I still can't believe he actually said that."
One student rubbed his forehead.
His expression looked genuinely exhausted.
"I have spent three years studying noble etiquette, diplomacy, and proper social conduct. Yet somehow that man managed to create an entirely new category of conversation."
Another student nodded vigorously.
"Exactly."
His shoulders shook slightly.
"I've witnessed people challenge Lady Valeryn."
"I've witnessed people confess to Lady Valeryn."
"I've even witnessed someone attempt to compose poetry for Lady Valeryn."
A pause followed.
Then he pointed toward Kel.
"But I have never witnessed someone run away from Lady Valeryn because she was supposedly too beautiful."
The entire group immediately burst into laughter again.
One nearly fell over.
Another had tears forming in his eyes.
Nearby, a female student crossed her arms.
"I think that's not the funniest part."
The group looked toward her.
"What is?"
The girl smiled.
"The funniest part is that he clearly invented the excuse after getting caught."
Silence.
Then realization spread.
Several students immediately nodded.
"She's right."
"Completely right."
"He was absolutely improvising."
A boy slapped his own forehead.
"By the gods..."
"He looked exactly like someone caught stealing food from a kitchen."
Another student laughed.
"The worst part is that he kept a straight face."
"Yes!"
"That was the terrifying part."
"He genuinely tried to sell the excuse."
The group immediately descended into chaos again.
...
Elsewhere—
A cluster of noble students gathered beneath a silver tree.
Unlike the others, they weren't laughing as loudly.
They were analyzing.
Because nobles analyzed everything.
Even comedy.
One silver-haired noble sighed deeply.
"I believe we may have witnessed a historical event."
His companions stared.
"What?"
The noble adjusted his glasses.
"I have known Lady Valeryn since childhood."
His expression became serious.
"Do you understand how impossible this situation is?"
Several shook their heads.
The noble continued.
"Most boys either become intimidated by her strength or fascinated by her appearance."
"Many attempt to impress her."
"Some challenge her."
"Some fear her."
He paused.
Then pointed toward Kel.
"But that man somehow decided that retreat was the optimal strategy."
The surrounding nobles considered this.
Then one finally spoke.
"You know..."
The noble looked thoughtful.
"That actually explains why Lady Valeryn looks interested."
Silence followed.
Then everyone's expressions changed.
"Oh."
"Oh."
"Oh no."
The group immediately looked toward Kel with sympathy.
Deep sympathy.
The sort of sympathy usually reserved for people walking toward active volcanoes.
...
Not far away—
Luna stood among a group of classmates.
Unfortunately—
Her classmates were interrogating her.
Relentlessly.
"Aedon is your friend, right?"
Luna immediately regretted existing.
A second student leaned closer.
"Explain him."
"I can't."
"Try."
"I genuinely can't."
The students looked unconvinced.
Luna sighed.
Then rubbed her forehead.
"You all think this is strange?"
The group nodded.
Violently.
Luna looked toward Kel.
Then toward Valeryn.
Then back toward the group.
"You haven't even seen the worst parts."
A dangerous silence followed.
"What do you mean?"
Luna smiled weakly.
"I once asked him how he passed an examination without studying."
The group immediately became interested.
"And?"
"He told me he remembered everything he read."
Several students frowned.
"That doesn't sound too strange."
Luna nodded.
"That's what I thought."
Then her expression became blank.
"He proceeded to remember details from a book he had read years ago."
The group blinked.
Luna continued.
"He also remembered what he ate three years ago."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
One student looked horrified.
Another looked fascinated.
A third looked concerned.
The group slowly turned toward Kel.
The laughter temporarily disappeared.
"What exactly is he?"
Luna immediately answered.
"I don't know."
And for once—
She wasn't joking.
...
Near the center of the training grounds—
Several boys stared toward Valeryn.
Their expressions were complicated.
Very complicated.
One finally spoke.
"I was jealous of him earlier."
The others nodded.
They understood.
Valeryn was beautiful.
Exceptionally beautiful.
Long crimson hair.
Sharp crimson eyes.
An elegant figure.
A powerful noble lineage.
Many students secretly admired her.
The boy sighed.
"I thought being her partner would be amazing."
A second boy immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"My friend."
His voice carried deep emotion.
"That was before we remembered who she is."
The first boy froze.
Then slowly nodded.
The memories returned.
Broken training dummies.
Broken weapons.
Broken pride.
Broken opponents.
The jealousy vanished immediately.
Instantly.
Like mist before sunlight.
A third boy clasped his hands together.
"Actually..."
His expression became sincere.
"I would like to thank Aedon."
The group blinked.
"What?"
The boy pointed toward Kel.
"He has sacrificed himself for our entertainment."
Silence.
Then realization spread.
The group immediately stood straighter.
Several even placed hands over their hearts.
A moment of respect.
A sacred moment.
One student spoke solemnly.
"Your sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Another nodded.
"We shall remember your bravery."
A third added—
"Or your foolishness."
The group immediately laughed.
...
Meanwhile—
Two female students were discussing the situation.
Unlike the boys—
Their focus was entirely different.
One crossed her arms.
"I don't think he's afraid of her."
The second blinked.
"What?"
The first pointed toward Kel.
"Look carefully."
The second did.
The first continued.
"He's nervous."
"Very nervous."
"But not because she's strong."
The second frowned.
Then slowly observed again.
Valeryn stood confidently.
Kel stood calmly.
Yet there was indeed a subtle difference.
Eventually realization appeared.
"Oh."
The first girl nodded.
"He reacts differently."
The second looked thoughtful.
"He acts like someone trying to avoid attention."
"Exactly."
The first smiled.
"And Lady Valeryn is probably one of the most noticeable people in the academy."
The second immediately understood.
A dangerous possibility emerged.
"He didn't run away because of her."
The first nodded.
"He ran away because being partnered with her guarantees attention."
The two girls exchanged glances.
Then simultaneously looked toward Kel.
Their expressions suddenly became far more interested.
Because that explanation somehow made much more sense.
...
At the center of it all—
Valeryn was still observing him.
And Kel was beginning to notice something troubling.
More and more students were watching.
Far too many students.
Entire groups were staring.
Others were whispering.
Some pointed.
Several looked excited.
One group appeared to be taking notes.
Taking notes.
Kel genuinely wanted to know why.
Far away beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren's laughter echoed once more.
"Congratulations."
Kel sighed internally.
"About what?"
"You wanted to avoid attention."
The goddess sounded delighted.
"I believe you have achieved the exact opposite."
Kel looked around.
Students.
Everywhere.
Watching.
Listening.
Gossiping.
Analyzing.
Laughing.
He slowly realized something.
This had somehow become the main event of the combat class.
Not the team battles.
Not the combat exercises.
Not the instructors.
Him.
And Valeryn.
The realization filled him with profound regret.
Meanwhile—
Across from him—
Valeryn seemed to be enjoying herself.
Which was perhaps the most worrying development of all.
Because if there was one thing Kel had learned today—
It was that escaping monsters, ancient curses, and Leviathan Kings was significantly easier than escaping academy gossip.
And unfortunately—
The gossip had only just begun.