Recess was almost over, but Leith was still sitting casually on Myra's bench, right next to Liyn. Liyn's heart began to race. She glanced nervously around the classroom, which was filling with the sounds and footsteps of students returning from recess.
"E-eto… Senpai," Liyn said frantically, whispering softly. 'Are you sure you want to stay here? If other students see us, they might misunderstand…'
Leith didn't take his eyes off the book he was reading. 'What's wrong with them seeing us?' he asked casually. "What's wrong with a teacher sitting next to his student?"
Liyn bit her lip. "It's not him who'll get in trouble… it's me…" she muttered to herself, growing more anxious.
It didn't take long before, sure enough, a few female students started whispering while glancing their way. Their stares were piercing, filled with curiosity… and jealousy. Liyn lowered her head, pretending to read her textbook. She hoped she could disappear from their sight.
Soon after, Myra and Nico entered the classroom, still chatting casually. By the way, they had already been in a relationship even before Liyn joined the Academy. Upon seeing Leith still sitting at Myra's desk, the two immediately approached him.
"Ahem," Myra cleared her throat, mimicking the speaking style of a company manager. "Excuse me, sir. That… is my seat. Your seat is in front, remember?"
Leith lowered his book slightly, gazing at Myra and Nico with his lazy eyes.
"Talkative," he muttered flatly, yet with a hint of sarcasm. He finally closed the book slowly, sat up straight, and stood… of course, taking Liyn's book with him.
Liyn was startled. "Eh… the book… I…"
"I'll borrow this for now, Liyn," Leith said casually, lifting the book slightly so she could see it. Before Liyn could respond, the class bell rang loudly.
Cring… Cring… Cringgg.
As soon as Leith left the table, Myra sat down and sighed deeply.
"Phew… finally that guy is gone," she said bluntly, though her smile hinted at amusement.
"You seem close with Mr. Leith," Liyn said softly, turning to her. Her tone tried to sound casual, but there was a hint of sharpness she couldn't hide.
Myra raised her eyebrows and chuckled. "Hey, who were you sitting with earlier?" she teased, gently nudging Liyn's arm.
"I was just… well… talking to him by accident…" Liyn looked down, embarrassed.
"I've talked to him before, when he was still a student here," Myra replied casually, taking her textbook out of her bag.
Soon after, Leith's firm voice echoed from the front of the classroom.
"Alright, let's begin the lesson."
The classroom fell silent again. But deep inside, Liyn's heart was still racing. Especially when she caught Leith glancing at her—and smiling slightly.
"Everyone has completed the check. Thankfully, no one is below level 5. If there were, it would be very embarrassing."
Leith stood at the front of the class, his tone firm yet calm, capturing the attention of all the students.
"Next, we will move on to the combat test phase. You don't know what you'll face when you're released into the outside world. Being a true Syntara means you must be prepared for any possibility."
He looked at each student one by one.
"It's not just the Warrior Division that must be able to fight. The other divisions are the same—whether it's Memyora, Magic, or even Medical. Every Syntara must be able to protect themselves."
After a brief pause, he continued in a louder voice.
"Therefore, all students—get ready. We're heading to the Battle Arena."
At the Battle Arena, Liyn could do little more than warm up like the other students.
"Alright, are all the students ready? For the Warrior Division, please separate yourselves." Leith's voice echoed across the field.
Liyn, seeing Myra still in her place, looked confused.
"Myra, aren't you separating? Aren't you in the Warrior Division?"
Myra chuckled. "Why? I'm in the Medical Division."
"Eh? But you're so strong…" Liyn was surprised.
"Well… actually, I have two Divisions," Myra replied casually while stretching her body.
"Two? Is that even possible?" Liyn grew more curious.
"It's possible, but in the end, we have to choose one main Division," Myra explained with a smile.
"Then why did you choose Medical?" Liyn asked, still confused.
"Because my Medical level is higher than Soldier. Besides, healers also need to be able to survive," she answered casually.
Soon, Leith walked over to them.
"Has everyone warmed up?" he asked in a slightly stern tone.
"Yes, sir!" the students replied in unison.
"Good. Now, line up according to your divisions. After that, form pairs!"
"Yes, sir!"
Liyn, who joined the Magic Division line, stood at the back, feeling awkward.
"Hmm... who should I pair up with?" she muttered, counting the number of students. Even or odd? She hoped there would be someone she could pair up with.
While she was counting, suddenly a voice called out from the front.
"Hey, you. Come with me."
Viola stood with her arms crossed, her tone sharp and her gaze piercing. Liyn immediately felt uneasy, but all the students were already paired up—there was no other choice.
"B-Okay... please work with me," Liyn said softly, sounding a bit nervous.
"Are all pairs formed?" Leith's voice rang out again, firm and controlling the atmosphere.
"Yes, sir!" the students shouted.
"Alright. For this battle, we'll use our bare hands. No weapons or magic spells. Got it?"
"Got it, sir!"
"Alright, everyone, start fighting."
Viola immediately took her fighting stance, her body tense and her eyes filled with anger. Meanwhile, Liyn, who had no fighting experience at all, could only rely on the basic stances she had learned in science school—and even then, her physical education grades were always below average.
"What's your relationship with Mr. Leith?" Viola asked sharply, her voice rough and full of suspicion.
"A lower-class clan like yours has no business dealing with the Upper Clan!" she continued, this time with a tone of contempt.
Without mercy, Viola delivered a powerful kick that sent Liyn crashing to the ground. Before she could get up, Viola dragged her body, flipped Liyn onto her stomach, and pinned her down from above. She grabbed Liyn's left hand and twisted it roughly behind her back.
"AAAHH… Please… Stop!" Liyn tried to hold back her screams so as not to appear weak, but—
"A terrifying sound echoed—creck!—freezing the entire arena in place."
"AAARRRGHH!! It hurts… please… let go…" Liyn's tears were about to break, the pain was unbearable.
Viola finally let go. Liyn lay on the ground, gasping for breath, trying to endure the excruciating pain in her arm. Some students began to notice them, stopping their own fights. Even from a distance, it was clear how unbalanced the fight was.
Liyn tried to return to her original position, holding her left hand, which hung limply, blood dripping from her nose. But Viola only looked at her with contempt, as if enjoying Liyn's suffering.
With all her strength, Viola attacked again. She moved quickly and delivered a powerful kick to Liyn's stomach. Liyn's body was thrown and slammed into the arena floor. The back of her head hit hard, and blood spurted from her mouth.
Liyn tried to stay conscious. With her right hand, she attempted to support her body. But before she could stand up, Viola was already approaching again—this time ready to strike her face.
However, just before the blow hit Liyn—
"Enough."
Leith's hand appeared and blocked Viola's attack, just a few centimeters from Liyn's already battered face.
"Enough, Viola. You've won," Leith said calmly, without anger, but firmly enough to stop Viola.
He then looked at Liyn, who lay weakly on the ground. Slowly, Leith knelt down, then lifted Liyn's body with his left hand, holding her carefully.
With one movement, Leith removed the white glove from his right hand using his mouth. Then he bit his own skin, causing blood to flow.
"Drink," he said softly but firmly.
Leith brought his hand to Liyn's lips. The blood dripped, and Liyn, too weak to refuse, drank it.
In a few seconds, something extraordinary happened.
The wounds on Liyn's body began to heal. The nosebleed stopped. Even her broken arm… began to mend.
The students around them started whispering to each other. Especially those from the Medical Division, who realized what was actually happening.
"That… that's forbidden healing…!" whispered one of the Medical Division students in a panicked tone.
"Yes, that's right… The technique of healing by transforming the user's blood into medicine. But it's… extremely dangerous… and far too difficult to perform," another student replied softly, her eyes fixed on Leith with seriousness. "Many have died trying to master it."