The sun had barely risen over the academy grounds when murmurs began to ripple through the other factions. In the training fields, students paused mid-practice, glancing at the scoreboard.
"612 kills already?" a girl in the Wind Faction muttered, brow furrowed. "How did they catch up so fast?"
A boy from the Earth Faction shook his head. "It's impossible for just three students. Even the combined teams of our classes can't move that efficiently."
From the shadows of the Ice Faction pavilion, a tall, slender figure observed with narrowed eyes. "Kairo… Riven… and that girl," he muttered under his breath, lips curling slightly. "Heat Spatial Magic? Bone control? Swordsmanship?" His fingers twitched involuntarily. "They're more than just beginners."
Meanwhile, in the observation towers, professors and supervisors exchanged concerned glances. "Eclipse Faction is performing far beyond expectations," one remarked, tapping the monitor that displayed live heat and mana traces. "If this trend continues, they could disrupt the established hierarchy in a single week."
Even the older students whispered among themselves, spreading the news like wildfire. "Did you see that girl? The fire mage who can sense heat?"
"And that boy controlling bones… the sheer precision!"
"I thought they were low-tier beginners… how is this possible?"
Among the watching students, Sukai's eyes narrowed. His gaze darted toward the area where he had last seen his sister. "Wait… where's Lily?" His brow furrowed as panic flickered across his features. "She was with me… why is she not on the field?"
He pushed through the crowd, calling out softly. "Lily! Lily, where are you?!" But the forest and training grounds offered no answer, only the faint glow of heat signatures disappearing into the distance.
Back in the forest, Eclipse Faction paused to catch their breath. Lily's fire flickered faintly, the heat outlines still glowing softly in her vision. She looked at Kairo and Riven.
"They're talking about us already," she said, a mix of awe and nervousness in her voice.
Riven smirked. "Good. Let them watch. Just don't let it go to their heads… or ours."
Kairo's crimson eyes swept the remaining trees. "Keep focused. This attention will bring challenges, but also opportunities. We adapt or fall behind."
Lily's gaze hardened, determination lighting her features. "Then we'll keep moving forward. Together."
Above the treetops, supervisors and senior students continued to monitor the trio, their whispers growing louder: "This is the Eclipse Faction… they're not just surviving—they're rewriting the rules."
And somewhere in the distance, Sukai's worry grew, his fists tightening. "I'll find her… no matter what."