Instructor Althea’s Curiosity

The soft glow of dawn gently filtered through Kaelan's dormitory window, illuminating the neatly organized room. Kaelan stood calmly before a polished mirror, adjusting his uniform meticulously. His thoughtful gaze settled briefly on his reflection—clear sapphire eyes reflecting maturity beyond his years, his raven-black hair neatly combed, his expression calm and poised.

Today marked another crucial step forward: the final preparations for the academy's first-year tournament. Kaelan recognized the importance of managing perceptions carefully—showcasing believable strength while maintaining his hidden potential.

As he exited the dormitory, Liam eagerly approached, Marcus and Selene close behind.

"Morning, Kael!" Liam greeted cheerfully. "Ready for the tournament?"

Kaelan smiled warmly. "Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

Marcus grinned. "Everyone's betting whether you or Lucien will come out on top. Even instructors seem curious."

Selene chuckled softly. "Instructor Althea has definitely been watching you closely lately."

Kaelan nodded lightly, noting privately that Althea's scrutiny had indeed grown more intense recently. He would need to remain vigilant.

Instructor Althea soon called the class to order, her composed presence immediately quieting the chatter.

"Today, focus on refining your strongest combat skills in preparation for tomorrow's tournament. I'll observe your progress personally."

She briefly met Kaelan's gaze, subtly indicating her heightened interest. "Kaelan, please demonstrate first this time."

Kaelan stepped forward calmly. To maintain credibility while still being impressive, he chose a skill he'd publicly shown but refined significantly—Mana Needles (B). This time, however, he infused it with meticulous precision, rapidly forming and dispersing multiple needles simultaneously, striking multiple targets with perfect synchronization.

Althea's eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard by the increased sophistication of his mana manipulation.

"Your control continues to surpass expectations, Kaelan," she remarked, her voice measured but clearly intrigued. "Such seamless coordination usually takes several years of intensive practice."

Kaelan lowered his hand modestly, maintaining his humble demeanor. "Thank you, Instructor."

This time, instead of pressing him openly, Althea paused thoughtfully before moving on, her expression unreadable.

Lucien stepped forward confidently, his competitive fire subtly ignited by Kaelan's demonstration. He unleashed a powerful, precisely formed Flame Spear (B), piercing multiple targets neatly, demonstrating clear improvement.

Marcus eagerly showcased his Wind Slice (C) with increased speed, Liam cautiously but effectively projected a more stable Mana Shield (C), and Selene gracefully refined her Aqua Sphere (C+), displaying her evolving control.

Throughout the session, Kaelan felt Instructor Althea's subtle but persistent gaze on him—observant yet nonintrusive. He recognized her growing suspicions were natural, given his visible rate of improvement, yet they could become problematic if left unchecked.

After class concluded, Althea approached Kaelan privately, her expression calm but focused. Instead of repeating previous questions about skill fusion, her words carried a subtle probing curiosity:

"Kaelan, your mana manipulation is extraordinary for someone your age. May I ask—do you possess any special affinities or perhaps a unique approach to mana control?"

Kaelan met her questioning gaze directly, choosing honesty framed by careful restraint. "I've found that imagining mana as precise threads helps me control it more clearly. It's just a personal method."

She tilted her head slightly, thoughtfully processing his response. "Threads…interesting. That visualization is usually quite advanced. Did someone instruct you in this?"

Kaelan shook his head gently, maintaining his composure. "I just discovered it naturally through practice."

Althea's eyes showed brief surprise, followed by genuine appreciation. "Very impressive. Such intuitive understanding is exceedingly rare."

She hesitated briefly, then nodded firmly, clearly deciding not to press further. "Continue cultivating that technique. It will serve you well, especially in the tournament."

Kaelan inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, Instructor."

As she left, Kaelan exhaled subtly, recognizing clearly that his careful secrecy was becoming more challenging. Instructor Althea's probing had shifted subtly but significantly—moving away from generic curiosity toward genuine insight into his unique talent.

That evening, alone in his room, Kaelan sat cross-legged, carefully considering the implications. If instructors were growing suspicious even now, his cautious strategy needed adjustment. Tomorrow's tournament would test his ability to balance realistic displays of strength with careful restraint.

Decisively, he began quietly fusing and refining skills with renewed urgency. His previous hesitation now replaced with clear determination—every advancement would matter profoundly from here on.

He methodically visualized and combined two familiar skills: Shadow Veil (B-) and Silent Burst (B). He felt their mana threads intertwining naturally, forming a far more potent and versatile stealth and mobility ability.

A moment later, a soft surge resonated within him:

[Skill Fusion Successful] [New Skill Created: Shadowstep Burst (A-)] [Experience Threshold Met] [Level Up: 17 → 18]

Kaelan quietly absorbed this new strength, acknowledging explicitly the necessity of continual evolution. Every fused skill and every subtle increase brought him one step closer to mastering his true potential—something he'd soon be forced to rely upon fully.

Very soon , the tournament awaited—alongside increasingly watchful eyes.

==================[Status] =================

 Name: Kaelan Elysian

Talent Grade: S (Public) | True Grade: SSS (Hidden)

Physique: Mana's Chosen (SSS)

Trait: Arcane Prodigy (SSS)

Level: 18 [▲1]

Skills :

- Shadowstep Burst (A-) [New Fusion] - Mana Lance (A-) - Woven Mana Barrier (A-) - Mana Awareness (A-) - Flame Dash (B+) - Froststone Barrier (B+) - Mana Needles (B) - Elemental Cloak (C+)

Trait Skills [Arcane Prodigy]:

- Arcane Mind (A) - Adaptive Affinity (A) - Spellweaver's Focus (A-) ===================================