The next morning, Kael woke before dawn.

  In four months, he would turn nine.

  He sat cross-legged outside the cabin, breathing slowly, drawing the air into his lungs and holding it there until his pulse matched the rhythm of the forest.

  Hours later, Darius stepped out, stretched his half-regenerated arm, and without warning flicked a small stone.

  It struck Kael's forehead.

  "Hey, kid. Time for the test site."

  Kael opened one eye. He stood silently and followed his master, though a faint irritation lingered. His head still throbbed.

  They moved through the forest at what would seem like an athlete's full sprint—yet for them, it was merely travel pace.

  Minutes passed.

  Then Kael felt it.

  Something watching.

  A presence tucked between trees.

  Darius smiled faintly. His torso had almost fully regenerated. Only his hands remained incomplete. He raised his arm, ready to flick a shuriken—

  —and froze.

  Killing intent.

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  Dense. Focused. Sharp.

  It wasn't coming from the trees.

  It was coming from behind him.

  From Kael.

  The boy stood still, eyes locked forward. The demon lurking in the shadows grinned, unaware of the shift in hierarchy.

  Darius let the shuriken dissolve in midair.

  "Show me," he said quietly.

  Kael vanished.

  Ten meters in one and a half seconds.

  The demon barely reacted. A fireball formed between its hands—

  A breeze passed.

  Kael was already above it.

  The air around him began to rotate as an eye formed around him.

  From the demon's perspective, the child reappeared behind it, hovering a few centimeters above the ground.

  The demon turned his back

  Before the creature could scream or release the fireball—

  Its body was shredded to pieces.

  Green blood and flesh compressed into a violent pulp.

  Silence.

  High above, concealed completely, an old man stood on a branch.

  "Hoo… hoo… promising."

  His presence left no ripple in the air.

  "Let's see the other two."

  He disappeared.

  The force of his departure shattered half the tree, sending it crashing a hundred meters away.

  Kael tensed instantly, preparing another strike—

  But Darius placed a hand on his shoulder.

  "It's fine."

  Elsewhere in the forest—

  A woman in a crimson dress floated effortlessly above the ground.

  Two students ran below her.

  The first was a thirteen-year-old boy with blue hair. Three glowing dice spun between his fingers.

  He threw them.

  They struck the ground.

  3-3-1

  A wicked smile formed.

  A small flame appeared in his palm—

  Compressed power surged outward as the fireball swelled to a two-meter radius.

  The demons charging beside them never finished their roar.

  They vaporized.

  At the same time—

  The girl extended her arms.

  White light shimmered.

  Particles gathered.

  A crystal bird formed midair, radiant and sharp-edged.

  It shot forward in a streak of brilliance—

  Piercing both demons' skulls cleanly.

  It returned to her, stained faintly red before dissolving into drifting light.

  Her master seemed very satsfied as she thought.

  Darius, who may be that kid who got your attention.

  As they ran, three minutes later, both groups encountered.