Miko jumped into the arena, dust rising around his feet as he landed. The crowd's roar faded to a low hum of anticipation. "You sure about this?" Akiya called from above. "Not really," Miko grinned. "That's what makes it fun." The Cat stood motionless, their white mask catching the dim light. Up close, Miko could see frost patterns on their clothes, remnants of previous fights. "The boy who walked out of the Abyss," the Cat's voice carried across the arena. "Show me if you deserved to survive." The fight started without warning. The Cat moved first, the air around them crystallizing. Shards of ice shot toward Miko like glass daggers. Miko dodged, but the Cat was already moving, the ground freezing beneath their feet as they flanked him with surprising speed. Another burst of ice forced him back. "Cold welcome," Miko said, studying his opponent's movements. "Let's see how your fire holds against true ice." He launched his own attack, flames mixing with ash in a gray-orange burs

The staff room was unusually quiet. Morning light filtered through tall windows, illuminating the faces of assembled professors as they waited for the Principal to speak. His expression was grave as he studied the papers before him."Our barrier was breached," he said finally. "The Academy's protection array - a shield that would take two sword grandmasters and two 8th circle mages working together to crack - was bypassed by nobodies in minutes."Professor Vale shifted uncomfortably. "Surely you're not suggesting—""A traitor?" The Principal's eyes swept the room. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting."Whispers broke out among the staff. Mrs. Rose remained silent, watching the exchange with sharp eyes."And now," the Principal continued, "we face another challenge. It's time for the capital games. The Anti-Abyssal Unit trials approach.""Ah yes," Professor Vale straightened. "About that. I move that we send Clan Zenith to represent the academy. They have the experience, the lineage—""

The magic tower stood apart from the rest of the academy, its pale stone walls stretching toward the clouds. Miko stared up at it, wondering how many students actually bothered to come here.The entrance hall was empty except for a bored-looking clerk who barely glanced up from his book."Science section's on the third floor," he mumbled. "Try not to break anything."The stairs wound upward in a tight spiral. Each floor he passed had different magical formulas floating in the air, glowing softly in the dim light. The third floor was darker than the others, lit only by the glow of magical diagrams."Hello?" Miko called out.No answer. Just rows of dusty books and floating diagrams. He was about to leave when he heard scratching sounds coming from behind a bookshelf.A girl sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by open books and floating circles of light. Her dark hair was tied back messily, and she was muttering to herself as she scribbled in a notebook.mn"Wrong... that's wrong to

Sara paced the tower room, her notes scattered across three different tables. Morning light streamed through the high windows, catching dust motes in its beams."Try it again," she said, pencil poised over her notebook. "But this time, focus on the outer edge of the circle."Miko closed his eyes, letting his magic flow naturally. The circle appeared around him, stronger than yesterday, its edges rippling like smoke in wind."Now the acceleration technique."He vanished. The books on the nearest table fluttered as he reappeared across the room."Sweet mother of magic..." Sara's pencil dropped. "That was... you just... the speed...""Was it faster?""Faster? Miko, you moved so fast I couldn't track the displacement pattern!" She scrambled to pick up her pencil. "Your circle isn't just channeling the magic more efficiently - it's actively adapting to each technique!"She rushed to one of her diagrams. "Normal circles are static. They help channel magic but the pattern stays fixed. Yours.

Ice shards flew through the air like deadly stars. Miko's circle pulsed as he moved, his new speed making him almost invisible to the crowd."Better," the Cat said, sounding pleased. "Much better than before."Another barrage of ice, but this time Miko didn't just dodge. His flames adapted, smoke-like patterns shifting as he countered with his own attack. Fire swirled, meeting the ice head-on.The crowd roared."Look at those flames!""Never seen one move like that!""The ash user's gotten stronger!"The Cat stepped back, head tilting. "You've learned to utilize your natural flow. Smart. Most mages try to force traditional patterns.""Had a good teacher.""Indeed." Ice crystals began forming in the air. "But theory can only take you so far. Show me what else you've learned."The temperature plummeted as the Cat launched their next attack. Walls of ice erupted from the ground, trying to trap Miko in a deadly maze.But Miko's flames flared brighter. He accelerated through gaps that shou