"Thank you for your trust, Teacher Lia."

With a respectful bow, Xueluo took a slight step back, then smiled.

"It’s my honor to join you."

"Tsk!"

Odell just tightly bandaged the wound on his wrist with gauze and let out an annoyed breath. Ignoring him, Irina quickly ran over, took Xueluo’s arm, and grinned.

"Congrats, little sister~ We get to go to school together~"

"Ah, right. And I’m your older brother."

Seeing Irina’s expression, Xueluo felt inexplicably troubled. Just then, Lia slowly raised her hand and clapped twice.

"Save the congratulations until after you’ve actually passed, Miss Xueluo. Come here."

Lia lifted her Soulblade and murmured, "I’ll show you its structure. Then we’ll start the real lesson."

As she finished, the Soulblade floated into the air. With several metallic clicks, the cylinder unfolded mid-air, its parts drifting apart. Xueluo saw the dense tangle of wires and gears inside. But the most striking part was the crystal at its center, glowing with a soft blue light.

"This is Yileng Crystal," Lia said, pushing it out gently. "It’s the Soulblade’s core. The crystal channels mana flow, and its traits shape the blade’s color and attack attributes. Rare crystals can even boost a user’s mana sensitivity." She pulled it back slowly. "The finest Soulblades are self-crafted—they resonate best with your mana. Crystal purity defines power: purer color means higher quality. And a blade’s hue always mirrors its wielder’s mana."

With a light wave, the Soulblade snapped back together and landed in Xueluo’s palm. "Yours are training tools—non-lethal. Join the Hymn Guild, and you’ll mine Yileng Crystals yourself to forge a true blade." She added quietly, "The Guild monopolizes the mines now. Outsiders pay black-market prices few can afford." Tossing the Soulblade to Xueluo, she continued, "Basics are done. Now, the First Stance. Simple and versatile, it’s unchanged since the last Holy War."

*Tsk.*

Xueluo heard Guya’s disdainful voice in her mind.

*What’s wrong? Find something interesting?*

*No. Just boring.* Guya’s tone was unmistakably proud. *Humans have seven stances—not bad. But we Blood Kin crafted a sword art to counter your Soulblades.*

*Huh?*

Sensing Xueluo’s interest, Guya pressed on haughtily. *With my Bloodsword, forged from blood, I’ve slaughtered countless arrogant Mages. A technique made purely for butchering them. We call it—the Shatter Sword Art.*

*Shatter Sword Art...*

Just as Xueluo wanted to ask more, Lia spoke up. "Miss Xueluo, let’s draw lots for teams. I’ll assess your skills to tailor training."

"Pair up and spar. Keep it light."

The kids scrambled to draw lots. Xueluo held hers high. "Who’s number two?"

"Me!" Odell shouted, waving his slip excitedly.

Ugh...

Xueluo’s face twisted in clear disgust. Odell smirked, drawing a finger across his throat.

*Arrogant brat. Contractor—this chance is rare.* Guya’s voice held a hint of glee as Xueluo watched Odell swing his Soulblade recklessly. *Let me show you the Shatter Sword Art—the Mage-slayer’s art.*