The day after his victory, Lohan's name was whispered through the academy—not in ridicule this time, but in curiosity. Rumors spread fast. Who was this quiet failure who suddenly moved like a master?
But most dismissed it.
A fluke, they said.
They wouldn't for long.
---
Combat Class – Group Sparring Session
"Team A: Cairn, Elisa, Reno. Team B…" the instructor paused, then snorted. "Lohan Ardyn."
The room laughed again.
Three mid-rank combat students vs. the weakest.
Perfect.
> [System Alert: Team Match – Initiating Skill Link Mode.]
[Skill Configuration: Windflame Slash, Flame Edge, Copy Blade (Custom).]
[Bonus Activated: Duel Reputation Perk.]
Lohan stepped into the circle. He didn't speak. Didn't posture.
But the second the match started, he vanished.
Not literally—but his movements were too fast for untrained eyes. He ducked under the first strike, flipped behind Reno, and knocked him out with a palm strike to the neck.
Gasps erupted.
Elisa screamed and cast a lightning spell. Lohan deflected it with wind, redirected it with his flame, and sent it flying into the ceiling.
Only Cairn remained.
Again.
This time, there was no mercy.
Lohan activated his new custom skill—Copy Blade—manifesting a sword of condensed energy based on his opponents' style.
He mimicked Cairn's stance perfectly—then outclassed it.
> [Victory: Team Match Complete.]
[Skill Copied: Heavy Blade Strike (C-Rank).]
[New Trait Unlocked: Echo Instinct.]
Silence filled the hall.
Even the instructor stared at him with narrowed eyes.
And from the observation balcony, Winter crossed her arms, intrigued. "You're improving too fast…"
---
After Class – Rooftop
Winter waited for him again.
"You're not normal," she said. "You learn as if you've fought a thousand wars."
Lohan looked at her, unblinking. "I have."
There was no smile. No joke.
Just quiet, cold truth.
She paused.
"I want in."
He raised an eyebrow.
"In what?"
"Whatever you're planning. I want to climb too."
"…Why?"
Winter's eyes sharpened. "Because I remember pieces too. Of another life. A war. A tower. I think… I was part of it."
Lohan froze.
> [System Warning: Past-Life Connection Detected – Subject: Winter Elshade.]
[Memory Fragment Unlocked – Name: Silver Vow.]
This changed everything.
---