[Academy Infirmary – Morning After the Fight]
Lohan sat up in bed, his wounds mostly healed. Not from the academy's healers—but from the system.
> [System Notification: Vital Recovery Boost – 87% Complete]
[Warning: Excessive Skill Use Detected – System Cooldown Imminent]
"Figures," Lohan muttered. "Even the system wants me to rest."
The door opened.
Winter stepped in, her silver hair slightly damp from morning dew. She didn't speak—just stared.
"…You fought someone last night."
Lohan gave a tired smile. "You have good instincts."
She crossed her arms. "He had divine energy. Who was he?"
"A reminder from my past," Lohan replied. "And a warning."
Winter's gaze sharpened. "You're not just a weak student."
He looked away. "I never was."
---
[Faculty Observation Room]
Behind a one-way mirror, three professors watched the infirmary feed.
Professor Varis: "He's dangerous."
Professor Elden: "He's necessary. His power might be the key to understanding Tower anomalies."
Professor Mira: "Or the reason they started."
They all turned to Headmaster Arval, who stood with arms behind his back.
"Keep watching him. But don't interfere… yet."
---
[Training Grounds – That Afternoon]
Back on his feet, Lohan resumed his usual routine—drawing no attention.
But students were whispering.
"That's him… the guy who got a private mission."
"They say he fought someone at midnight."
"Winter's always near him now. Weird, right?"
Even some instructors began sending scouts to "observe" his sessions.
Lohan didn't care.
He trained harder.
Faster.
Smarter.
> [Skill Copied: Phantom Step (Grade B)]
[Skill Adapted: Flame Vein Strike (Modified – Compression Variant)]
---
[Library Tower – Top Floor]
Winter sat at a window, watching Lohan train.
Professor Mira appeared beside her.
"You've taken quite an interest in him."
Winter didn't look away. "He reminds me of someone… someone strong but burdened."
Mira smiled. "Be careful. Those who carry burdens tend to break others when they fall."
---
[Later That Night – Lohan's Room]
Lohan sat on the floor, meditating.
His system window blinked.
> [Tower Sync: 4.7%]
[Special Trial Available – Floor 3: Trial of Shadows]
[Warning: Divine Influence Detected – Entry May Trigger Enemy Response]
He exhaled slowly.
"Let them come."
He touched the sigil—and vanished.
---