Of the entire training grounds, only Lumi clapped with open enthusiasm. Tobias started to clap as well, but the moment he noticed the sharp looks from the other trainees, he awkwardly cleared his throat and quickly stopped.

Lumi, however, didn’t seem to care in the slightest. She stared at Zephyrion with a bright smile. She had obtained fourth place, just behind Logan, placing her among the top of the steel training grounds.

Though her position had already drawn numerous gazes, it was nothing compared to the attention Zephyrion received.

He might have been the young lord, but he was ultimately still an iron trainee. Never before had it been recorded that an iron trainee claimed first place in the Choosing.

Such a precedent alone was enough to draw countless complicated looks from the steel trainees.

"Alright! That wraps things up. Now get out of here and return to your miserable little lives!"

Throwing Zephyrion a wink, Garrick turned and strode out of the training grounds.

As Zephyrion moved to leave alongside the other iron trainees, he suddenly paused. Beside him, Lumi stopped as well. She lifted her gaze toward him, her large eyes fixed intently on his face.

Lumi had been walking beside him as though it was the most natural thing in the world. If he hadn’t said anything, she likely would have continued following him to the Iron training grounds.

"...you can’t follow me."

Lumi immediately pouted. She pointed at herself, then at him, before stubbornly shaking her head.

"...we’ve already gone through this." Zephyrion said as he walked past the open gate. "You’re a steel trainee. This is where you train. We’ll meet after training."

He gave her a slight nod before continuing forward. Even without turning around, he could still feel her intense gaze lingering on his back.

"Damn... my protege, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think your heart was forged from cold steel itself. How do you look at something that adorable and still say no?" Demorian said in utter disbelief.

’...it’s just appearance. Meaningless. It changes nothing.’

Zephyrion had long since trained his mind to disregard such things. A person’s appearance was fleeting.

Whether sexual attraction or childish cuteness, none of it truly mattered. The only thing that mattered was what he stood to gain.

"...of course that’s what you’d say." Demorian scoffed loudly. "You’re a seventeen-year-old virgin who’s never even tasted ambrosia before. Come back and lecture me after you’ve experienced life a little."

’Who says I’m a virgin?’

Demorian froze.

Complete silence followed for several long seconds before his voice suddenly erupted through Zephyrion’s mind.

"WHAT!??????"

...

After returning to the iron training grounds, training resumed as usual. The only difference was Demorian constantly pestering him for details regarding his earlier statement.

Even after being sealed within the rod, the man still refused to give up.

Regardless, Zephyrion had no intention of divulging such things, especially not to a creepy ancestor like Demorian.

The only other noticeable change was the way the trainees now looked at him. Before, their gazes had been filled with awe, disbelief, and curiosity.

Now, however, one dominant emotion had replaced them all; respect.

Kaiden and Fiona received similar looks as well, though nowhere near as intensely as Zephyrion.

As iron trainees, the three of them had managed to claim spots in the Proving. The pride each of them felt was palpable, and that day, every single one of them pushed themselves far harder than usual, training until they nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

As training came to an end, Zephyrion made his way out of the grounds. However, Fiona suddenly stepped in front of him.

"...young lord! I-I made this for you!"

Fiona bowed slightly before carefully extending an object wrapped in cloth toward him.

Zephyrion stared at it with a faint frown.

"Are you still trying to repay me for that? I already told you not to worry about it."

"N-no young lord, it’s not like that!" Fiona hurriedly shook her head. "I-I just... wanted to make it for you..."

"...."

Zephyrion allowed a brief silence to linger before eventually nodding.

"...alright."

He accepted it before unwrapping the cloth, revealing a sleek metal belt fitted with several small appendages along its sides.

"A belt."

"...yes! I-I noticed you never wear one, so I thought... maybe it could be useful..."

It was true. Zephyrion currently wore the sleek black training armor alongside well-fitted trousers. Most warriors equipped tactical belts to carry elixirs, pulsewood, or other useful battle supplies, but he had never seen the need for one.

And as he stared at the belt, that likely wouldn’t change. The craftsmanship was refined, but it was still metal. Such a thing could easily be used against him during combat.

It was inefficient.

"...so... what do you think?"

He glanced toward Fiona, only to find her staring at him intently with an expectant gaze.

"...it looks good. No visible flaws, it’s flexible, and the craftsmanship is clean. You made it well."

A smile instantly bloomed across Fiona’s face, though she immediately blushed furiously the moment she realized Zephyrion was still looking at her.

"T-thank you, young lord..." Fiona’s voice immediately shrank. "I’m glad you like it..."

"It’s alright. You did well. Also..." Zephyrion smiled faintly. "You can just call me Zephyrion."

Fiona’s eyes slowly widened.

"What...?"

"We’re friends, aren’t we? You don’t need to keep calling me young lord."

"Friends..."

The word alone sent an intense flutter through Fiona’s chest. Did he truly consider her a friend...? A bright smile slowly spread across her face. She was his... friend.

"Yes. Friends." Zephyrion frowned faintly. "...or are we not?"

"We are!" Fiona blurted out without thinking before immediately blushing again. "I-I mean... we are."

Zephyrion suddenly smiled. The sight alone froze Fiona in place and emptied her mind entirely.

"Then try it."

"...w-what?"

"My name."

Fiona’s face instantly turned crimson as she quickly lowered her gaze.

"...Ze-Zephyrion..."

The instant his name left her lips, it looked as though steam might erupt from her head.

"Good." Zephyrion nodded faintly before turning away. "Then I’ll see you later."

"Y-yes... later..."

As Zephyrion walked away, Demorian’s disbelieving voice echoed through his mind.

"...you terrifying little monster. That girl is completely finished."

...

Word of Zephyrion claiming first place in the Choosing spread through the house and the south like wildfire. It wasn’t long before both the high houses and lesser houses were discussing it.

That he had defeated a mark 7 was still something many were struggling to comprehend. Regardless, there was no doubt this year’s Proving was something to anticipate.

The moon hung high in the night sky, bathing the training grounds in an ethereal glow.

Huff. Huff.

Under the pale moonlight, Kaiden pushed himself forward. His face was deathly pale, and he looked like a corpse barely managing to keep itself moving.

"Not enough."

Still, he forced himself onward, staggering with nearly every step.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the silent night.

"Hey."

"ARK!"

The sudden voice startled Kaiden so badly that his exhaustion instantly caught up to him. His footing slipped, and he crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Damn... who the hell..." Kaiden cursed as he lifted his gaze.

Then he froze.

Under the moonlight, a pair of purple eyes stared down at him.