The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 50: The Calm Before the Crawl

Three days before the dungeon exam.

The Practice Hall buzzed with tension and clashing steel. Training dummies were shattered, mana flared in all corners, and students barked spells and orders like mini-generals. These weren't the same first-years who stumbled through their first week—they were sharpening, molding themselves for what lay beyond academy walls.

Zen leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed. Beside him, Lyra stretched her arms behind her head, casually scanning the chaos.

[System: "Welcome to today's episode of 'Survival of the Barely Adequate!' Who will crumble first under pressure? Stay tuned."]

Zen ignored it. His eyes followed two students at the center ring.

Elvren Halcrest twirled his hand, and a fire phoenix spiraled upward, its wings trailing flames that crackled like living rage. Across from him, Fiora Reins summoned a pillar of light, shielding them from an incoming blast.

"Elvren's fire control is ridiculous," Lyra muttered, watching the bird dive and swerve. "And Fiora's coordination... no wonder they scored top three."

Zen nodded. "They'll be dangerous in the dungeon."

[System: "Affirmative. Probability of dramatic posing: 87%."]

On the opposite end, Sylvia stood between two floating shards of ice, moving with mechanical precision. Her movements were fluid, calculated. Alone, she created a mini-storm, sending out shards in timed bursts.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "She barely talks, but when she fights... she's like a machine."

Zen agreed. "Efficient. Cold. Reliable."

[System: "Sounds familiar."]

Zen gave Nex a side-eye. The little cube tilted as if smug.

In the corner, Kyrien Duskmoor trained in the shadows—literally. Blades of darkness danced around him, striking from unseen angles. Tessan Vrey was training with him, sending wind slashes in rhythmic patterns, creating a deadly synergy.

"They're working as a unit," Zen observed.

"They're also crazy competitive," Lyra added. "I saw Tessan throw a training dummy at Kyrien yesterday because he 'wasn't dramatic enough.'"

[System: "Diagnosis: Theater kids with murder issues."]

Meanwhile, Arisella stood beside cyrus , who had appeared seemingly from nowhere. They spoke quietly, Arisella frowning as Kien gestured toward her sword.

"cyrus's here again," Lyra said, her voice tinged with suspicion. "He always shows up, gives advice, then vanishes like a ghost."

Zen didn't speak. His gaze lingered.

[System: "Big bro mode engaged. Suspicion level: 69%. Possible hidden agenda: classified."]

Arisella left cyrus and joined Elvren and Fiora again. Their trio radiated poise—an elegant blade, a raging fire, and a shield of light.

"Balanced team," Zen noted.

"Unlike ours," Lyra teased, elbowing him. "We've got Ice Queen Sylvia, Jungle boy zen, and me—the cheerful distraction."

"You're more dangerous than you let on."

"Oh? So you do notice me."

[System: "Romantic tension detected. Need me to dim the lights?"]

Before Zen could respond, Professor Orlean entered the hall. His steps were sharp, his eyes sharper.

"You have two days left," he barked. "Use them well. Refine your strengths, but more importantly—trust your team. In the dungeon, hesitation is death. Now move."

Training resumed in full force.

Zen stepped away from the pillar. "Let's go."

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Lyra followed. "Back to the practice grounds?"

Zen glanced at her, then Sylvia across the room.

"No. Let's sync as a team."

[System: "Team bonding? Emotional growth? Gasp. Character development unlocked."]