Calen returned to his room, his mind still struggling to process the incredible turn his life had taken in just a few days. From being the discarded and mocked man to now having a genuine opportunity to prove his worth and perhaps even claim a high position in the military. It felt surreal, as if everything he had known before was a distant memory.As he stood by the window, staring out into the vast grounds of the military camp, the sound of a knock on his door broke his concentration. He turned around, puzzled, and opened the door to find a servant standing there, holding a bundle of clothes and armor."Lord Storm," the servant said respectfully. "I have been sent by General Ironheart to deliver your new uniform and armor. You are to be ready for the upcoming examination."Calen nodded, taking the items with a soft thank you. As the servant left, Calen glanced down at the polished armor, his fingers brushing over the intricate design. He couldn't help but smile slightly. This was it

Calen stepped out from behind the cover of a barricade, his eyes locked on Evan. With a powerful burst of speed, he closed the distance, unleashing a fierce barrage of strikes. His sword danced in his hands, each swing filled with precision and strength. The force behind his blows made the air around them hum, forcing Evan to focus entirely on dodging.Evan, however, remained calm. He moved with practiced ease, his movements fluid and deliberate. Each attack Calen delivered was narrowly avoided, the blade missing him by inches. Evan smirked, his confidence building as he gradually gave ground, retreating further into the arena.Unbeknownst to Calen, Evan’s retreat was not random. He was leading Calen to a specific area of the arena—a section where the ground was lined with faintly glowing symbols. These symbols, part of an old military training mechanism, activated when pressure was applied, triggering a web of energy whips that lashed out violently at anything within range.Evan fina

Rumors spread like wildfire, and it wasn’t long before the Frost household was abuzz with whispers of the latest spectacle at the military training grounds. Lila sat stiffly in the sitting room, her hands clutching a teacup as her mind raced. The image of Calen—once dismissed as weak and unremarkable—standing victorious over Evan with power no one had expected haunted her. It wasn’t just the duel; it was the unanimous recognition from the military elites that had turned the tide of perception.“Lila, darling, this is becoming quite a problem,” Marylin said as she paced the room, her delicate face pinched with concern. “I never imagined Calen could rise this far. He was supposed to fade into obscurity, not outshine someone like Evan.”Lila put the cup down, her hands trembling slightly. “I… I don’t know what to think anymore, Mother. Evan was supposed to be my future, but now… Calen… He’s—” She hesitated, unsure how to express the storm of emotions inside her.“Enough of this nonsense!

Elijah stammered, his usual composure cracking under the weight of Helena’s words. "I—Reginald, you must understand... your family’s support has been a lifeline for us. Without Reginald’s investment in our shipping enterprise last year, we would have..." He trailed off, unable to voice the catastrophic outcome that had nearly befallen them.The Frosts’ shipping business, a cornerstone of their wealth and influence, had been saved by the Drakes during a financial crisis that threatened to sink them entirely. Without that support, not only would they have faced ruin, but they would also owe debts they could never repay.Helena’s eyes glinted coldly, her tone sharp. "You would have lost everything, Elijah. And now, after all we’ve done, you think you can treat my son like some passing suitor? Delay his rightful place beside your daughter as though he hasn’t earned it?"Reginald added, his voice steady but firm, "Evan

Calen walked back to the military barracks, his steps steady despite the murmurs and pointed stares of the soldiers gathered along the way. His clothes were singed from the lightning strike, the edges blackened, and faint scorch marks marred his skin. Yet, he moved as if untouched by the ordeal—a living anomaly that left everyone speechless."How is he even walking?" a young soldier whispered, his voice hushed but audible enough to carry through the tense air."Shouldn't he be dead?" another muttered, incredulous.Calen ignored the whispers, his gaze fixed forward. He had no time to entertain their astonishment or their questions. Instead, he headed straight to the military bathing quarters, eager to wash off the grime, sweat, and remnants of his burned clothing.The warm water cascading over his body was soothing, melting away the tension that clung to his muscles. As he stood under the shower, something extraordinary began to happen. The cuts, bruises, and deep aches from his duel w