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  The atmosphere on the palace's training grounds grew heavy with anticipation as Minho’s words hung in the air. Soldiers, bonds, and spectators watched with rapt attention, their eyes flickering between the seasoned wyvern rider and Si-Woo, whose calm yet focused demeanor marked him as someone ready to step into the next chapter of his growth.

  Minho’s voice carried the authority of a veteran as he began his lesson. "Now that you've awakened, Si-Woo, your Ariel combat potential will have skyrocketed. Toeju’s nature allows for unparalleled mobility in the air and unmatched precision in battle. That’s why wyvern riders like myself have been the most feared warriors throughout history.”

  He pointed briefly toward Z, who was perched on the sidelines near Lirin and Ha-Yoon's bonds. The young whiteblood wyvern cooed softly, its eyes locked on Si-Woo with a look of almost knowing expectation. Minho continued, "One day, when Z is fully mature and ready to fight by your side, you’ll understand why wyvern riders hold that reputation. Together, you’ll be unstoppable."

  Then, Minho’s expression grew serious. "And later, when you become a true master of serein—" He paused dramatically, the air shifting as he drew deeply from within himself. A powerful surge of crimson light exploded from his body, filling the area with a radiant glow. The crimson-red hue of Minho’s serein was vivid, vibrant, and almost hypnotic as it enveloped him like a blazing aura.

  Dust scattered in all directions, spiraling away from Minho's feet as he began to lift off the ground. Si-Woo’s sharp, newly awakened senses allowed him to see the intricate details of Minho’s flowing energy with perfect clarity. It was awe-inspiring—a display of raw power and finesse.

  Minho's voice carried through the trembling air as he hovered above the ground, the crimson light pulsating with intensity. "When you master serein, you won’t be limited to just one plane. You’ll command not only the earth beneath your feet but the skies above you as well."

  The spectators murmured in amazement, some shielding their faces from the force of Minho's display. Ha-Yoon's bonds huddled close to her, their ears flicking nervously, while Lirin leaned forward with wide eyes, captivated by the demonstration. Z, in contrast, seemed unaffected, calmly observing Minho’s display of power, as if acknowledging a fellow master.

  Si-Woo, standing rooted to the ground, couldn’t help but feel the weight of Minho's words. The path ahead was daunting, but for the first time since awakening, he felt a flicker of excitement mingled with determination.

  The training grounds buzzed with energy as Minho hovered above the platform, his crimson serein blazing like a fiery storm. The air crackled with anticipation as he gazed down at Si-Woo, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the murmurs of the spectators. "Prepare yourself," Minho commanded, the intensity in his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

  Si-Woo’s grip tightened on Eternity, Breaker of Mercy, and just as he was about to draw the kunai from its sheath, a translucent notification flashed before his eyes:

  [System Notification: Due to your proficiency with Eternity, Breaker of Mercy, you've unlocked the skill Quick Summon. Simply think of using the skill to activate it.]

  Si-Woo froze for a brief moment, processing the sudden message. Then, without hesitation, he took his stance, the system's words echoing in his mind. With a clear thought, he activated the skill. Instantly, the kunai materialized in his mouth, the hilt secured firmly between his teeth.

  Minhos eyes widened."So hes gained a new skill," he thought to himself. "This will be interesting,"

  Another notification appeared in the corner of his vision:

  [Mission Alert: Surprise Attack the Martial Arts Master.]

  Difficulty: Hard

  Rewards: Instant 5 Levels & Insight Skill.

  Failure To Complete:???

  Before Si-Woo could fully grasp the implications, Minho moved. His fist shot forward with the force of a cannon, closing the distance between them in an instant. The sound of the blow was like the snap of a thick wooden plank, echoing across the training grounds as Si-Woo was hurled five feet backward.

  Mai let out a startled yelp, her hands covering her mouth in shock, while Ha-Yoon’s calm voice broke through the tension. "Don’t worry," she said, pointing toward the dust cloud that had formed where Si-Woo landed. "Look."

  As the dust settled, Si-Woo emerged, standing tall with both arms raised defensively in front of him. His breathing was steady, and his stance showed no sign of faltering. The area where Minho's punch had landed was red and throbbing, but Si-Woo was unyielding.

  Minho's midnight blue eyes gleamed with approval as he floated above, his aura still radiating power. "Not bad," he said with a slight smirk. "Let’s see if you can keep up."

  Si-Woo lowered his arms slightly, his gaze locking onto Minho’s. The kunai glinted in his mouth as he crouched into a ready position, his adrenaline surging. He thought to himself, Five levels? Insight skill? Let’s see what you’ve got, system.

  The match had just begun, but the stakes were already higher than ever.

  The training ground erupted with tension as Si-Woo charged forward, his enhanced senses buzzing with awareness. Minho’s gaze was calm but focused, his midnight blue eyes locked onto Si-Woo. The seasoned martial artist's stance was loose yet impenetrable, radiating confidence.

  Si-Woo darted to the side, his speed noticeably faster than before. He feinted left, forcing Minho to step slightly in that direction, then sprang to the right, aiming for an opening in Minho’s stance. He hurled his kunai, Eternity, with a calculated trajectory toward Minho’s midsection, but before it could land, Minho’s hand shot out with blinding speed, catching the kunai mid-air.

  “Good attempt,” Minho said, smirking as he tossed the kunai back. “But you’ll have to do better than that.”

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  Without missing a beat, Si-Woo activated the quick summon skill again, the kunai materializing instantly back in his grip. Using his enhanced agility, he dashed behind Minho and aimed for a low strike at the ankle. However, Minho spun on his heel, countering with a perfectly timed kick that sent Si-Woo skidding backward.

  “That was clever,” Minho said, his tone carrying a mix of pride and amusement. “You’re adapting quickly.”

  Si-Woo took a deep breath, his mind racing. He decided brute strength wouldn’t work. He needed to outthink Minho, using the environment to his advantage. Spotting a patch of dirt near Minho’s feet, Si-Woo lunged forward, sliding low to sweep the dust upward as he rolled away. The debris clouded Minho’s vision briefly, giving Si-Woo a window.

  He darted in from the side, aiming a precise strike with his kunai toward Minho’s ribs. Just as it seemed he might land the blow, Minho leaned back with an almost casual grace, the kunai passing harmlessly by his chest. With a lightning-fast movement, Minho grabbed Si-Woo’s wrist and twisted, sending him tumbling.

  “You’re thinking on your feet. That’s good,” Minho said, releasing him. “But instincts aren’t enough against someone who’s mastered every angle.”

  Si-Woo sprang back up, determination burning in his eyes. He noticed how Minho never completely committed to any movement—always ready to counter, always a step ahead. Si-Woo feinted another direct assault but suddenly flipped backward, hurling the kunai above Minho’s head to arc down from behind. Simultaneously, he rushed forward, hoping to exploit Minho’s attention split between two directions.

  For the first time, Minho looked mildly surprised, his midnight blue eyes flicking upward to track the kunai. He sidestepped the aerial attack with ease, but Si-Woo was already mid-strike, aiming a spinning kick toward Minho’s side.

  Minho blocked the kick with his forearm, the force sending a faint shockwave through the air. “Impressive,” he admitted, his tone more serious. “You’re faster than I expected.”

  But before Si-Woo could follow up, Minho retaliated with a sweeping kick that sent Si-Woo sprawling again. This time, Si-Woo rolled to his feet instantly, refusing to stay down for long. His mind churned with strategies, his body burning with newfound energy.

  “I haven’t landed a hit yet,” Si-Woo muttered under his breath, gripping Eternity tightly. His senses sharpened further, and he studied Minho’s every move, searching for any subtle openings.

  The battle continued, Si-Woo pushing himself to his limits, determined to prove he could match wits and skill against the master before him.

  The battle reached a fever pitch as Minho launched an overwhelming assault, forcing Si-Woo onto the defensive. Minho’s attacks were relentless, each blow calculated and precise, leaving no room for error. Fists blurred, feet shifted, and Minho’s crimson red serein flared with every calculated movement. Si-Woo barely managed to keep pace, activating Wistful Halo to optimize his body movements and agility. He dodged each strike with precision, but only just—his form teetered on the edge of collapse as Minho’s blows came faster and heavier.

  Minho swept his foot across the ground in one fluid motion, forcing Si-Woo to leap into the air to avoid the low strike. But Minho was already prepared, his fist aimed directly for Si-Woo’s chest as he smirked and said, “That was a big mistake.”

  Si-Woo’s mind raced. He was out of options—or so it seemed. At the last moment, he twisted his body horizontally mid-air, angling himself so that Minho’s arm was directly in front of him. Channeling serein to its maximum efficiency, Si-Woo activated a recently mastered body formation, Heavens Bind.

  The energy surged through him, reconstructing his muscles and hardening his body. His very frame became like the binds of the heavens, unyielding and unbreakable. The instant Minho’s arm was within range, Si-Woo’s hand snapped out, gripping it with unimaginable strength halting the master’s strike mid-motion.

  Minho’s midnight blue eyes lit up in recognition. “Heavens Bind?” he muttered, his tone a mix of astonishment and approval. “Impressive.”

  But Minho wasn’t deterred. Smiling faintly, he adjusted his stance and aimed a crushing blow at Si-Woo’s right shoulder with his free hand. The strike came from an angle Si-Woo couldn’t possibly see—but Si-Woo was prepared.

  Activating Deific Eye of the Storm, a skill born from his mastery of reactive focus, Si-Woo saw the attack coming as if time had slowed. The future paths of Minho’s strike unraveled before him like threads in a storm, allowing Si-Woo to react just in time.

  Si-Woo twisted, extending his other hand to intercept Minho’s incoming fist. His grip closed around Minho’s wrist, halting the crushing blow mere inches from his shoulder. The force of the blocked strike created a shockwave, sending loose debris flying in all directions.

  Minho’s smile widened, the thrill of seeing his pupil’s unexpected growth shining in his expression. “You're running on fumes, huh?” he said, his voice brimming with pride and challenge.

  Sweat beaded on Si-Woo’s forehead as his muscles screamed under the strain of maintaining Heavens Bind. “Maybe a little,” Si-Woo admitted with a strained grin, his eyes locked on Minho’s.

  Si-Woo, still airborne and gripping Minho’s arms, adjusted his body with precision, using them as balancing beams. Twisting mid-air to face Minho head-on, he pulled his legs up and delivered a double kick aimed squarely at Minho’s stomach. Minho, quick as ever, raised his knees to his chest to block the strike, the impact sending a resonating crack through the air.

  At the very last second, Si-Woo released his grip on Minho’s arms, using the momentum to push himself back to the ground while sending Minho hurtling into the air, flying backwards.

  “You almost had me,” Minho admitted, his voice carrying a note of approval even as he regained his balance mid-flight.

  In Si-Woo’s head, a single thought screamed louder than the pounding of his heart: DO IT NOW!

  Minho, in the midst of steadying himself, suddenly felt a powerful presence behind him. But by the time he turned his head, it was already too late. Z, having been silently preparing his move, had charged a purple world-ending breath attack. The glowing plasmic energy crackled and swirled, its intensity shaking the air. With a fearsome roar, Z unleashed the devastating attack, the purple mass of energy barreling toward Minho at a blinding speed.

  At the exact same moment, Si-Woo, his footing regained, charged forward, kunai in hand, ready to capitalize on the opening. The combination of Z’s attack and Si-Woo’s coordinated assault formed a pincer maneuver, designed to overwhelm even the most seasoned opponent.

  In the heat of the moment, Minho smiled—a genuine, proud smile—as he admired the ingenuity and synchronization between his student and his bond. “Well done,” he whispered to himself.

  But this was far from over. Deciding to show them the true gap in their abilities, Minho allowed himself to use 25 percent of his full power. His crimson serein flared to life, roaring like a wildfire around him. With a swift motion, Minho swatted the premature plasmic ball fired by Z, dispersing it harmlessly into the sky.

  Before Si-Woo could close the gap, Minho appeared behind him in an instant, moving so quickly that even Deific Eye of the Storm couldn’t fully process his motion. A single, precise strike to the back of Si-Woo’s neck rendered him unconscious, his body collapsing to the ground.

  In the same fluid motion, Minho turned to Z, who was still recovering from expending such a tremendous amount of energy. With a controlled strike, Minho swatted Z down to the platform, ensuring the wyvern wasn’t harmed but fully subdued.

  The sparring session was over.

  Minho landed gracefully on the platform, his crimson serein slowly fading. He glanced down at Si-Woo, unconscious but unharmed, and then at Z, who let out a low, tired growl before laying still. Minho turned toward the spectators and said calmly, “That’s enough for today.”

  Despite the defeat, pride shone in Minho’s midnight blue eyes. “You’ve come a long way, Si-Woo,” he murmured softly, his voice carrying admiration. “But there’s still much further to go.”