Kyle's time in the Academy seemed to be passing very peacefully as the only thing he did for the next five months was to attend lectures, train, and learn about Arrays.
Even though he was confined within the Academy he didn't mind it because he knew he wasn't strong enough yet.
During these months he didn't notice any changes in his body. Everything stayed normal. The disadvantage was that it was too normal and Kyle became worried because he showed no sign of a breakthrough even though he was working as hard as everyone else.
Unlike him, the others were progressing at the same speed as before.
Alec was already (C-)-Rank so everyone knew it would take some time for him to break through again but two months later Carcel broke through to to (D+)-Rank while training.
His breakthrough was a surprise for all the students and professors but the excitement died down and everyone became numb because Mia also broke through to (D)-Rank after a week.
Even Nine the one who for some reason always slipped out from the Academy and would return after a few days broke through to (D)-Rank.
Nine was very happy after he broke through. He laughed and boasted to almost everyone in the classroom.
He even challenged Kyle because he was still sour about the mana stones he lost. In the end, he lost within half a minute. It was a very miserable defeat because even though Kyle didn't break through to the next rank, he was stronger than Nine in terms of combat.
Kyle was very frustrated because of his progress but in the end, he just sighed because he wasn't able to do anything.
At the end of the fifth month, after thinking for a week he made a big decision and decided to tell Elder Han about his bloodline so the latter could see if anything was wrong with his body but when he went to the secret room he didn't find Elder Han anywhere.
He waited for a few days but Elder Han didn't return to the secret room.
With a sigh, he was going to give up when another Elder from the Academy approached him and gave him a letter and a life-saving Artifact that Elder Han left behind before leaving the Kingdom for some reason.
Kyle thanked the Elder and read the letter. He was shocked because inside the letter Elder Han told him that he knew about Kyle's actual talent which was (SS)-Rank. The letter even gave him information regarding the 'Secret Realm'.
Han said it was a very dangerous place but if Kyle wanted to enter the Realm he would talk to the Principal about the matter regarding his talent and take care of everything.
At the end of the letter, Elder Han apologized as he wasn't able to tell everything directly to Kyle because he had to leave due to some matters related to the secret Realm.
Kyle was frozen on the spot. He massaged his temples, the old man was sly. He found out about Kyle's talent through some artifact without his knowledge!
With a sigh, Kyle looked at the life-saving Artifact Elder Han left behind with the letter.
It looked like an ordinary white broach. Even when Kyle placed it on his shirt it wasn't much attractive to the others.
"I didn't know the details about this Artifact because master didn't explain anything about it in the letter."
Kyle shook his head and went to the training ground because today Professor Aliza was going to announce something important.
After a few minutes, he arrived at the training ground. It was filled and all the first-year students were standing in rows. In front of them, Professor Liam and Aliza were standing with serious expressions.
-'We are a little late.'
Bia's voice resounded inside Kyle's head. She was flying above him because recently she gained a lot of weight and Kyle forbade her to sit on top of his head.
Kyle gazed at Bia.
'She should increase her size instead of weight.'
He chuckled inwardly and stood with the students. He gazed around and could see many familiar faces. Alec, Carcel, Tray, and the others. The only one missing was Nine.
'Did he go out again?'
While Kyle was thinking, Professor Liam clapped his hands and gathered the student's attention.
"Kids, please listen carefully as to what Professor Aliza is going to explain because it's very important."
He stepped back and Professor Aliza nodded at him before looking at the first-year students.
"As you all know within two months, the final exam for each year will arrive but this year we are doing something different."
His gaze swept through the students who were listening carefully.
"After careful discussion with the King. The Principal had decided to hold a friendly tournament between all the Academies present in the Kingdom. So the students of each Academy can exchange combat experience with the students from the other Academies."
She wasn't finished, when the students erupted into a huge uproar.
"A tournament?"
"Something like this never happened before. Why did they want to hold a tournament so suddenly?"
"I think the King wants to recruit some talented individuals through this method."
"But the students of the Royal Academy are the more powerful. Why do they need to hold a tournament?"
Their whispers were disturbed when Professor Aliza shouted.
"Silence."
Kyle looked at the Professor he already knew about this topic so unlike the others he wasn't surprised at all.
"It's just a small friendly tournament between Academies. So I don't think there's any need to become anxious."
"Even though it's a friendly tournament there will be a lot of rewards for the students who will participate but not everyone can participate in the tournament."
The whole training ground was silent as Professor Aliza narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Only the top ten students from each year can participate in the tournament. After the mid-terms, the ranking of each class was adjusted and I believe you all know who are the top ten students from your class."
"I know you all are feeling bitter and think it's too wrong that except for the top ten students, others are not given a chance to prove themselves even after so much hard work. That's why after careful consideration the Academy has made a new rule."
"For the next two months, all the students can challenge the top ten students for a battle. If you can defeat any one of the top ten students you will get their spot for the tournament. Of course, this will continue for two months. In these two months you can challenge the top students whenever you want but to make the process fair each student is only allowed to challenge all the top students a single time."
Professor Aliza nodded when she saw the series of expressions of the students.
"I hope I get to see some surprises in these two months because one of the rewards for the students participating in the tournament is that Principal Ratric will give them a special training session himself."
Some of the students gasped when they heard the Principal was going to give a special session to the students who entered the tournament. It was not every day they stumbled upon such a big chance. Principal Ratric was the strongest in Kingdom Escalante and his lessons would surely bring benefits to the students.
Even if they didn't get any other reward, getting a training session from the Principal was already enough to ignite the flames within each student!
All the students turned their heads and stared at the top students with serious expressions. They were ready to fight and snatch their spots! But when they saw Alec they instantly shook their heads because the target was too strong.
Then their eyes landed on Carcel. He was too strong as well. Afterward Kyle, Mia, and Lara. They were also out of the list because no one was in the mood to get beaten up.
Professor Aliza saw their serious expressions and sighed. She clapped her hands.
"That's it. I don't have much to say. Remember you can only challenge the top students in the training ground in front of Professor Liam who will judge your battles. Alright, now leave. I know you have a history class an hour later."
When she was done suddenly a voice resounded from behind her.
"Sorry, I was a little late!"
Aliza turned around to look at the person who just entered the training ground. Her eyes narrowed.
"You are not just a little late Nine! The announcement is already over. I hope you have a good reason for being so late or else I have to give you a proper punishment."
Her voice turned angry.
Nine blinked his eyes innocently.
"The Vice Principal called me. I am sorry for being late."
He said with a sigh. Aliza wanted to scold him but when he talked about the Vice Principal she stopped.
"I will confirm your words. If you are lying don't blame for being merciless."
She said and instantly left the training ground. With a smile, Nine approached the students. For some reason, he felt like a lot of students were staring at him with burning eyes.
"Huh?"
He approached Kyle and whispered slowly.
"Why are they staring at me like they found their prey? Also, what did Professor Aliza announce?"
Kyle looked at him from head to toe with a raised brow.
'Why do I feel like his skin is glistening?'
He thought inwardly and explained everything to Nine who was late. Nine facial expression darkened when he heard about how the students were allowed to challenge any top student.
He looked at the other students with a snort.
"I am not an easy prey! Don't pick me for a battle or else you will regret it!"
