ng! ng! ng!


    Within the Sword Tempering Cave, Cedric could be found fending the sharp breeze using his sword. His face wore a focused expression as he challenged the harmful winds from the depths of the cave.


    Although only a month passed since he became a student of the Academy, Cedric''s progress had been immense, especially with his Sword Intent.


    With his diligent effort, he reached the 1000-mile mark of the Sword Tempering Cave, meaning that he was a tenth of the way through this cave in just a month.


    While this has something to do with his talent, without his diligence, he wouldn''t have necessarily reached this far.


    At this depth, the sharp winds he''s facing pose a serious threat to him. It''s actually already impressive that he managed to get this far while only being Tier 3 because usually, this should be impossible. Then again, so does having a matured Sword Intent at Tier 3, so he doesn''t fit the regr standards.


    With his unique physique and perception, as well as having a matured Sword Intent, Cedric was able to reach this far. Thirdy once told him that he already surpassed some of his ssmates.


    This depth was his bottleneck for Cedric as he discovered it. Even after mustering up sufficient power, he couldn''t advance a single step. Therefore, he could only stay here for now.


    It isn''t as bad as he thought it''d be. Cedric himself knew that he couldn''t force this and that he needed time to allow his skills to advance before making progress. Besides, he also knows that he''s growing steadily so he couldn''tin.


    ''Don''t be in a hurry. I have all the time in the world.'' He thought to himself.


    As for the shocking revtion he got yesterday, Cedric already called the bluff.


    No, the Demon Race hasn''t caught on to his scheme. They''re just trying to make him nervous. He wouldn''t put it past them, they''re demons after all.


    Cedric''s n was subtle and he hasn''t done anything to reveal himself. He hadn''t told a soul either. Besides, Ac herself assured him that his identity hadn''t beenpromised.


    More importantly, if they really knew his identity, they should''ve talked to Cedric instead. That way, they''d make him feel more paranoid.


    Of course, this wasn''t a sign for him to be overconfident. If anything, he had to be even more careful since now, he really got their attention...well, Derrek did, but that''s the same thing.


    Either way, this meant that his n was starting to work. Again, it''ll take time before he could see actual results but he had time and patience to see this through.


    Going back to the present, Cedric stayed in the cave for as long as could. He faced the onught of sharp winds using nothing but his sword. He tempered his heart, mind, and body as in the confrontation, gaining insights into the true grandeur of the Sword Path little by little.


    He still has a long way to go but he''s making progress. That is what''s important.


    Cedric stayed at the 1000-mile mark for 4 hours before calling it a day. While he''s still energized, he has gained a lot and needed time to digest everything.


    "Oh, done already?"


    He heard someone say as soon as he got out. He looked towards the source and saw the older students smiling at him while doing their job.


    "Yes, I had a good time." He replied as he walked towards them to sign off his session.


    "I heard you reached the 1000-mile mark. Not bad!" Said one of the guardians.


    "Not bad, my ass!" The other one eximed, "That''s like...monstrous, actually! Just a reminder, he just literally joined us a month ago yet he already reached that far. I''m envious actually. It wouldn''t be long before you surpass us."


    "Oh, don''t be like that." Cedric smiled humbly, "I still have a long way to go."


    After signing his session off, Cedric nodded and bade them farewell. As he left the Sword Tempering Cave, he was unaware that someone was watching his back intently.


    It was a guy wearing a rather frigid expression. He heard the exchange of pleasantries just now and couldn''t help but feel...odd.


    "Excuse me..." he said, stepping closer to the guardians of the cave.


    Upon hearing his voice and seeing him, the expression of the guardians changed into something unreadable.


    The guy didn''t mind. He knew what kind of expression those were. After all, he''d been getting that ever since he knew how to talk and it doesn''t affect him anymore...not that much, at least. He had learned to ignore it as he grew up.


    "Booking a session?" One of the guardians asked after a brief pause.


    The guy shook his head in denial. No, that''s not why he approached them. After all, if that''s what he wanted, he could''ve gone in directly instead. There was no need for their assistance.


    He has other concerns right now...


    "What do you want then?"


    "That...ssmate earlier. What''s his name?" The guy asked.


    The cave guardians looked at each other for a bit before one of them replied: "Is there any specific reason why you need to know that?"


    "Yes." The guy unhesitatingly replied. "He''s my ssmate, no? I think it''s wise for me to know the people around me at least."


    His reply got him skeptical looks from them but the guy refused to budge. In the end, the cave guardians could only sigh ufortably and say:


    "His name is Cedric Stormrider."


    "Cedric Stormrider." The guy repeated the name softly. He once again looked at the cave guardians and asked: "Did he truly reach the 1000-mile mark after only a month since his admission to this ss?"


    ''Damn, he''s nosy. Should we even answer this?'' The left cave guardian asked his colleague.


    ''He is nosy, yes. And I''m willing to bet that he already knows the answer to his question, he just wants it toe from us so that he could express his honest thoughts. How troublesome!'' The right cave guardian replied.


    ''...so, is that a yes?''


    ''Yeah, go ahead. If shit hits the fan, we report this to Thirdy.''


    "That''s what the sensor reported so yes, he did." The left cave guardian replied.


    "Is that so?" The guy smiled in amusement, making the guardians feel greatly ufortable. "I don''t know about you but I highly doubt that."


    The right cave guardian sneered in contempt after hearing his words.


    "Yeah, of course you would. We''re not surprised in the slightest."


    The guy''s expression turned weird after hearing that. He then asked: "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    "I don''t know. Why don''t you tell me?" The right cave guardian retorted. There''s even a trace of provocation in his eyes.


    "I''m just being honest, though?" The guy tilted his head, looking a bit confused by the sudden animosity he was receiving. "As far as I could tell, that student is just at Tier 3, so how can he possibly reach the 1000-mile mark? Sure, he might have Sword Intent but we all experienced what it''s like to be in that cave.


    We know how challenging that depth was, so how can I possibly believe that a guy like him could reach that far?"


    "So you''re doubting the formation of the Sword Tempering Cave?" The left cave guardian asked.


    "My, no! How could I ever?" The guy exaggeratedly replied. "I''m just saying...something''s amiss with that...ssmate of ours, I think it''s best to investigate."


    "Ah, so you''re using him of cheating, then? My, isn''t that a serious usation? While your skepticism makes sense, are you prepared for the punishment that wille to you if he is proven innocent?"


    "I..."


    "You''re not just implicating that student, just so you know. In a way, you''re also doubting our capabilities." The right cave guardian supported his partner.


    "That''s like you telling us that the mechanisms of this cave sucks, making it possible for that kid to cheat. In extension, you''re also implying that we suck at our job because we never caught him cheating." The right cave guardian continued.


    "Again, your worries are sound and valid. We won''t take that away from you. But still, that is a serious usation. Are you confident with your ims? Because if you are, then let''s go ahead and report it. Come with us and say that to Instructor Uruk."


    "Just a fair warning though, if we were proven innocent despite your ims, you will be heavily punished for this, the lightest being expulsion from this ss. And oh, wouldn''t that be a shame?" The left cave guardian feigned pity.


    "Terrible, indeed. Imagine groveling for nearly three months straight just to get epted to this ss only to be kicked out because of some petty self-entitlement and false usations...yeesh, wouldn''t want to experience something like that."


    Their words cut deep to him, making his expression twisted.


    Unable to retort, the guy simply sneered and walked away, deciding to go to the depths of the cave instead of trying to justify himself.


    The guardians sneered after seeing him leave.


    "I really dislike that guy."


    "I, on the other hand, hate him."


    "Why did he even get epted? He''s too arrogant."


    "What can we do? Despite his arrogance and self-entitlement, there''s no denying that he''s incredibly talented."


    "...he''d most likely take his anger out to the kid. What should we do?"


    "Hah! Nothing!" The right cave guardian replied with a knowing smile. "If he thinks that Cedric is a pushover, then he''d be horribly mistaken."