Michael slowly opened his eyes.
A white ceiling stared back at him — unfamiliar, cold, illuminated by fluorescent lights mounted along the wall behind him. The sterile brightness made him squint.
He turned his head slightly.
The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air.
He was lying in a hospital-like room, separated from the rest of the space by a thin white curtain. The quiet hum of distant machinery filled the silence.
And then he noticed her.
Lucy was seated calmly beside his bed.
"Rise and shine, Michael," she said.
Her voice was light — almost casual.
"Yeah… thanks for watching me," Michael replied, his voice still rough from exhaustion.
Lucy tilted her head slightly. "Watching you? Sorry, but you're mistaken. I just got here not long ago. I calculated you'd be waking up soon."
Michael blinked. "Really? Okay… then if you were waiting for me to wake up, what did you want to tell me?"
Lucy looked at him — and a faint grin appeared on her lips.
"Well, first… congratulations. You took top rank among the C-Rank recruits."
Michael's tired expression softened into a small smile.
"Yeah… that match was tough. But I'm glad I won."
Lucy studied him carefully.
"You should continue resting. By tomorrow you'll be fine. And tomorrow, you'll represent your rank in the inter-rank duels."
Michael straightened slightly.
"You'll face the top recruit of the D-Ranks. The second of the C-Ranks will face the second of the D-Ranks. The same applies to the B and A ranks," she continued evenly. "But the winner between the C and D ranks will then face the loser between the B and A ranks."
Michael listened closely.
Lucy's tone sharpened slightly.
"You should also know that no one from a lower rank has ever beaten someone from a higher rank."
A pause.
"But that doesn't mean you should let your guard down against the D-Ranks."
Michael nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks for telling me. I managed to beat Warren — and he's a pro B-Rank — so I think I should be able to beat the higher ranks."
Lucy suddenly covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
Michael frowned.
"Why are you laughing?"
Lucy composed herself, though a faint smile remained.
"It's a bit funny," she said gently. "Warren was probably holding back against you. Did he use any spear techniques or abilities?"
Michael looked down.
"…No."
Lucy's expression turned serious.
"Then he only used pure skills. And you beat him in that. He was likely testing your fundamentals — showing you that your pure combat skill is already on the level of a professional."
She paused.
"Smith probably asked him to spar with you so you'd gain confidence before facing other recruits. So don't be too disappointed."
Michael remained silent.
I already suspected it…
He had figured it out during Warren's lesson on celestial energy.
The memory resurfaced.
"Celestial energy combat techniques are divided into three categories," Warren had explained.
"Weaponized techniques. Manifestors. And hybrid techniques."
He had held his spear firmly.
"Weaponized techniques use physical weapons as the base. The user channels celestial energy through the weapon, combining it with their fighting style. The result is a unique combat system — one that becomes immensely powerful depending on the mastery of the wielder."
Michael looked back at Lucy, determination rising in his eyes.
"I know. But even if they're stronger than me… I want to overcome them. I want to grow stronger so I can become a powerful Guardian."
For a brief moment, Lucy looked genuinely surprised.
Then she composed herself.
"Well then," she said calmly, standing up, "be ready tomorrow. And don't show up late."
She turned slightly.
"Your friends were here earlier. I sent them to their temporary rooms."
Michael nodded.
"Thanks for telling me. By the way… how did they do in the recruitment duels?"
Lucy faced him directly.
"Your friends both took first place."
Michael's eyes widened slightly.
"Gideon was the only A rank, so he automatically took top. Though even if there had been another, he probably would've won anyway."
She paused.
"And Thomas… he's much stronger than he looks. You might end up facing one of them. If you do, don't lose to the D-Ranks first."
Michael stared at her in surprise.
"I expected Gideon… but Thomas too? That's surprising."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Everything you just said… you could've sent someone else to tell me. Or let Gideon or Thomas stay and tell me themselves. So why did you come personally?"
He studied her carefully.
"It can't be that you just missed talking to a classmate… right?"
Lucy stared at him blankly.
Michael blinked.
"Wait… did you actually just miss me?"
Lucy shook her head immediately.
"Whatever you were dreaming about is clearly still affecting you."
She crossed her arms lightly.
"You're right though. I didn't come here just to say all that."
Her voice lowered.
"You need to be more careful when using your blue energy. If someone recognizes it, it'll become troublesome — for you and for the Southern Riftguard."
Michael froze.
"I barely managed to cover for you by adjusting the arena lighting. I altered how your eye color appeared to the audience."
Michael's face went pale.
"You… know? How did you know? Did Smith tell you? Or can you actually see energy?"
Lucy shook her head.
"No. I can't see it. Which means most people probably can't either."
She looked away slightly.
"I found out while investigating some suspicious activities."
Well… the real reason is because I read the novel, she thought. But that's not something I can tell him.
Michael exhaled slowly.
"Thank you. For covering for me… and for making me aware. I won't get arrogant and lose tomorrow."
She probably did all this so I wouldn't be discouraged if I lose, he thought quietly.
Lucy smiled faintly as she walked toward the exit.
"Don't worry about it. Just do your best."
I don't want the novel to derail any further, she thought. If things change too much, the story could end early… and that would be disastrous.
The door slid shut behind her.
In the hallway outside the clinic, Lucy let out a slow breath.
"He's really determined," she murmured softly. "Guess that's why he's the protagonist."
Her expression turned thoughtful.
"But he doesn't remember the real reason he wants to get stronger."
A faint nod.
"That's good. The novel is still on track."
Her eyes darkened slightly.
"If he learns too much too early… it'll cause problems later. He'll find out the truth about his life after this arc. Smith has probably noticed something already… but it's better if Michael discovers it himself."
She looked down the empty hallway.
"Starting tomorrow… things are going to get much harder for him."
Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked away.
And beyond the sterile walls of the clinic, the next stage of his journey was already waiting.