For someone like Lyria, breaking past level ten was trivial. For normal students, however, that threshold marked the beginning of the elite class.
Lilith had considered the possibility that this new girl was simply teasing her, that maybe she was not as weak as Lyria implied, and maybe Jace had not gone easy on her after all.
But Lyria's sword theory came pouring out like water.
Every detail was precise.
Which meridian delayed for half a beat.
Which technique deviated by two degrees.
Where stamina faltered.
Where posture was off balance.
She dissected the entire match flawlessly.
By the time the review ended, Lilith was thoroughly convinced.
She did not need to cross blades to know this girl was far above her.
A person's eye for technique correlates with their actual power. True experts can spot flaws instantly. If someone lacks that strength, they simply cannot see it.
And so Lilith became depressed.
She walked off and curled into a tiny miserable ball in the corner, looking heartbreakingly like someone who had just been dumped.
Lyria whispered, Did I say something wrong?
Jace sighed. You tell me.
Every word had been truth. Brutal truth. As expected of someone raised to merge with the sword. She understood everything except human feelings.
Then Jace noticed Lyria take out a tiny custom notebook and begin carving Braille into it.
What are you writing. He could not stop himself from asking.
Lyria bent over the page. I am recording today's wrong answers. So that my friends will not hate me later.
She knew nothing about social nuance. She only understood that friendship required being mindful of others.
Jace muttered under his breath. Braille must be hard to learn.
Lyria looked up and smiled. Not really. For someone like me who has never seen light, it is easier than normal language.
If you cannot see, you have no choice but to put all your focus into the things you must do.
Jace remembered the time he searched online for Braille. If he lost his sight, he doubted he could ever memorize it.
For the rest of the class, Lyria quietly reviewed her notes and did not interrupt him again.
This almost made Jace wonder if he had misjudged her.
But his instincts insisted that her constant proximity was too coincidental. Maybe the first two meetings were barely explainable as chance.
Lilith's fight definitely was not.
Too many students had sparred today. Lyria had no reason to single out his performance. The only way she could have noticed his inconsistencies was if she was looking for them.
He had hidden his identity for years. His disguise techniques were perfect. The only person who could expose him would be someone who already knew what to look for.
And yet… she did not feel hostile. If anything, she felt genuinely harmless.
Strange. Very strange.
Break for ten minutes. Quill called out.
Martial arts class was unlike other courses. Once it began, it usually lasted half a day. Less than two hours was nothing more than a warm up for anyone with enhanced physique.
The second break brought far more people to the bathrooms. The room nearly emptied.
Quill approached Lyria, checking on her.
How was class for you?
Very good, Teacher Wang. Back home, the teachers could not explain things as clearly as you. Lyria closed her notebook with confidence.
Quill's eyelid twitched.
First of all, no swordsman from the Stormveil family was weaker than him.
Secondly… he had not taught anything today.
Ahem. As long as you like it. He rubbed his hands awkwardly. But just sitting here does not give you the full experience. Would you like me to find a classmate to practice with you?
Lyria's head tilted. Any classmate?
Well… normally we follow student numbers…
Her expression darkened instantly.
Quill panicked and changed course.
But you do not have a number. So technically you can choose whomever you want.
Outside the martial arts building, in the men's restroom.
Jace washed his hands, patted Maxwell's shoulder. Come on, stop spacing out. Think about lunch.
Maxwell did not move. Instead he frowned and gestured for silence.
Jace immediately followed his gaze.
Three male students stood at the doorway. One of them from their class. The other two he recognized vaguely from military training.
Dude, this is wild. Someone actually did that on day one?
The classmate smirked. Of course. Girls mature fast these days. You should have seen her at the nightclub. Even I couldn't believe it.
You try her?
Forget it. She had already been picked by another guy. We agreed on a price, then she suddenly raised it. Tell me that is not infuriating.
Shady business. Sounds like a scam.
So who is she? Come on, spill.
The classmate lowered his voice, grinning. It was…
He whispered the name. Jace and Maxwell heard it clearly.
The other two froze in shock.
Her?
Tsk. People really are not what they look like. Someone in our class already fell for her on day one. So cheerful and straightforward too. Why would she do that kind of work?
The three finished gossiping and left.
Jace and Maxwell exchanged a look.
Both their expressions twisted with the same barely contained anger.
Go?
Go.
In perfect sync they turned left and marched out.
Inside the women's restroom, Willa was washing her hands when two girls walked by whispering to each other.
That is her.
Word spreads fast.
Willa shook off the water, splashed her face, and lifted her head.
Only to find two very familiar silhouettes standing behind her.
She forced a smile. I am pretty sure this is the girls restroom.
Jace lifted his hand, cutting her off.
Save it. We need to talk.
Maxwell added, Come with us.
Before she could protest, he grabbed her ponytail and pulled her out.
Hey, I am still washing my face.
Jace walked behind them. Girl, your face has been thrown away already.
They dragged her into a quiet hallway corner. No small talk.
Willa shrugged. Alright. I think I know what you want to ask.
First of all, that rumor is fake.
Jace's voice went stern. Tell us something we do not know.
Willa's eyes softened a little. You two really are my boys. You believe in my character that much.
Maxwell replied, Not exactly. If the roles were reversed, we would trust you maybe seventy percent.
Willa blinked.
So you do not trust me as a seller, but you trust me as a buyer?
My good brothers indeed.
But Maxwell, you misunderstood. Hiring male models only exists in my imagination. Deep down, I am a very traditional girl.
Well… maybe he never considered me a girl to begin with.
Willa continued, Last night I went to deliver a shipment. When I came out, I bumped straight into Clayton. He saw me leaving a big boss's private room and followed me.