Next day,

Walking through the Academy, Klein let out a soft yawn, his hand coming up to cover his mouth as he stretched his arms above his head.

Students hurried to their classes, some chatting excitedly, others looking half-asleep like him.

’I have already made preparations to probe Erica about Cursed Energy,’

First of all, he needs to see how cursed energy is perceived in this world.

He walked into the Spirit Division building, and Klein reached Erica’s office on the top floor and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open and stepped into the office.

The panoramic windows offered a stunning view of the academy grounds, and Erica sat behind her desk, her long purple hair falling over her shoulders as she looked up at him with a soft smile.

"Did you enjoy your weekend?"

Klein walked to her and sat on the edge of the table with a small smile on his face "It went well, Master."

But feeling a dark energy from him, Erica quickly stood up as her eyes shook in concern "K-Klein, why am I feeling the dark energy from you?"

Dark energy?

He tilted his head in confusion with an innocent expression as he looked at her "What do you mean, Master?"

She looked at him in worry and slipped her hand into his jacket pocket "Is it from here?"

She took a small pendant from his pocket "W-Why do you have something like this?"

Seeing this, Klein smiled in his heart ’She fell into my trap.’

Still feigning confusion, he asked, "What is it? It’s just some small accessory I bought on my trip."

Erica’s expression grew more serious as she held the pendant up, her fingers trembling slightly as she felt the dark energy radiating from it.

"This is no ordinary accessory, Klein. This might be an artifact from the Dark Church, a group that worships and harnesses dark energy."

"This kind of energy is dangerous. How did you come across something like this?"

Klein blinked, pretending to be surprised as he leaned forward to look at the pendant.

"Dark Church? I didn’t know. I thought it was just a cool-looking necklace. The vendor said it was a lucky charm from an old ruin."

Erica sighed, placing the pendant on the desk as she looked at him with worry.

"The Dark Church is considered an enemy of the Spirit Division and Spirit Masters. If anyone finds out you have this... it could cause problems."

"The people from the Dark Church use entities like spirits, but it looks very strange... that’s why spirit masters hate them."

Klein nodded slowly as he processed the information ’So cursed energy is called dark energy here. So, no one knows about curses as a power system, but they recognize the energy as dangerous.’

’And this Dark Church is using the curses and cursed energy, huh...’

’Fuckers, spoiling the reputation of cursed energy in this world.’

He had a thoughtful look on his face ’Anyway... these people in Dark Church can access Cursed Realm, so they must have found a door to Cursed Realm.’

"I’ll be careful with it, Master. I didn’t know it was dangerous."

With a soft sigh, she patted his shoulder "If you encounter any dark masters in future, don’t hesitate to kill them."

He smiled and nodded "Yes, Master."

"Oh, also... Klein, there is an event happening between first-years and second-years next week. It is like a small hunting competition."

"The event is to form good bonds between first-years and second-years, so don’t forget to join."

With a soft sigh, he replied "An event like that will only be a waste of time, though."

Ruffling his hair gently, Erica spoke "The rewards for securing the top three places have credit-"

"I am in."

Erica’s smile widened, clearly pleased with his quick change of heart.

"Good. I knew that would get your attention. The event is a good opportunity to build connections and gain resources. Plus, it will help you get used to working with other students. Gale will be useful there too."

Klein nodded "I will look into it."

---

Klein and Liora were eating together in the academy cafeteria and the midday sun streamed through the large windows as students chatted around them.

The aroma of fresh food filled the air, but Klein’s mind was elsewhere as he poked at his plate.

Liora, sitting across from him, took a big bite of her food before pointing her fork at him with a playful but annoyed expression.

"You accepted to teach me, but you haven’t taught me anything yet for being your disciple," she complained.

"I’ve been waiting, you know. I thought you were going to show me that insane spear style you used against Lady Evelyne."

Klein looked up at her with a small, apologetic smile on his face as he set his fork down.

"Sorry, Liora. Things have been busy with Master Erica’s training. I haven’t forgotten. We can start this afternoon if you want."

Liora’s expression softened a little, but she still pouted as she took another bite "You better. I’m not letting you off the hook. I saw how you fought. I want to learn that."

Klein nodded, remembering the disciples he had in his past life.

Some died.

Some disappeared.

But some of them were still stuck till the end, especially her...

The memory of his old disciples brought a quiet, nostalgic pain to his chest.

In his previous life as Irakiel, he had taken on several young warriors as his disciples who looked up to him as a master of the spear.

Klein’s grip on his fork tightened slightly as he pushed the memory away.

"I’ll teach you properly. Starting today. Meet me at the training ground after classes."

Liora’s eyes lit up as she grinned "Finally! Don’t go easy on me. I want to learn everything."

Klein nodded, a small smile on his face as he continued eating.

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual noise of students talking and laughing, but Klein’s mind was still lingering on the past.

Liora noticed his thoughtful expression and tilted her head "You okay?"

Klein shook his head, pushing the memories aside as he looked at her with a small smile.

"Just thinking about how to teach you without breaking you on the first day."

Liora laughed, punching his shoulder lightly "I can take it. Don’t underestimate me, Master."

---

Standing in the training ground, Klein looked at Liora doing the basic techniques she knew.

He glanced at her in surprise, seeing the fluidity in her movements.

’...Holy shit, she is trash at this.’

Liora swung the training spear with enthusiasm, but her stance was off and her transitions between moves were clunky and slow.

The spear looked more like a club in her hands than a graceful weapon.

Liora stopped after a series of thrusts, breathing heavily as she looked at him with a grin.

"How was that? Pretty good, right?"

Klein rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words.

"...It’s a start. But you’re holding the spear too tightly. Your wrists are locked, and your footwork is all over the place. You’re swinging it like a hammer instead of letting it flow."

Liora’s grin faded as she looked at the spear in her hands.

"I’ve been practicing with a bow and sword for some years. The spear feels so different. It’s longer and... weird."

Klein walked over to her, taking the spear from her hands and demonstrating the correct form.

His movements were smooth and effortless, spinning the spear and thrusting it like an extension of his body.

"Watch closely. The spear is about reach and control. Don’t fight the length... use it."

He handed the spear back to her and stepped back, watching as she tried again. Liora’s second attempt was slightly better, but still far from good.

She groaned in frustration, lowering the spear as she looked at him.

"This is harder than I thought. I thought I was decent with weapons, but the spear is kicking my ass."

Klein smiled faintly, crossing his arms as he looked at her.

"You’re not bad. You just need to unlearn some of your sword habits. Swords are about close-range precision. Spears are about controlling the distance. Once you get used to it, you’ll be dangerous."

Liora nodded as she raised the spear again "Then let’s keep going. I’m not giving up until I get this right."

Klein watched her practice for a while longer, offering corrections and demonstrations as she tried to improve.

Despite her initial struggles, Liora’s determination was clear. She was willing to push herself hard, even if it meant looking bad in the beginning.

Looking at her, he smiled wryly in his heart ’Aleast, she has enthusiasm.’

He walked to her and stood behind her, hugging her gently while gripping the spear along with her hands.

His chest pressed against her back as he guided her grip on the weapon.

Liora turned her head slightly as she felt his body against hers "Are you trying to make me fall for you?"

Klein bonked her head lightly with his knuckles, "Don’t get those ideas. This is how you hold the spear properly. Your grip is too tight and your stance is off."

"Ugh, that hurts."

He moved the spear along with her, guiding her through the basic thrusts and sweeps.

His hands covered hers, adjusting her grip as he showed her the correct way to balance the weapon.

At the same time, he gently moved her legs with his foot, correcting her footwork as he taught her how to shift her weight properly.

"Keep your knees slightly bent. Don’t lock them. The power comes from your legs and core, not just your arms."

Liora’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she focused on the lesson, her body following his guidance as she practiced the moves.

"You’re really hands-on with your teaching," she muttered with a small, embarrassed smile on her face as she thrust the spear forward under his guidance.

Klein didn’t reply, focusing on correcting her form as he moved with her.

At that moment, Evelyne entered the training ground and saw him teaching her.

Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the close, intimate way Klein was guiding Liora.

Noticing her, Klein let go of Liora "Keep practicing."

He walked to Evelyne with a faint smile "Senior Evelyne. Good to see you."

Evelyne’s gaze flicked from Liora to Klein as she took his hand and kissed the back of his palm with a soft press of her lips.

He smiled wryly, "Is it necessary to do that every single time?"

Evelyne’s lips curved into a small, elegant smile, her long crimson hair swaying gently in the breeze.

"It is a Langford tradition to greet one’s betrothed this way. And since you haven’t rejected my proposal yet, I see no reason to stop."

Klein let out a soft sigh and grasped her hand, pulling her to the side "There is something i want to ask, come with me."

"O-Okay."

Evelyne’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she followed him without resistance, looking down at his hand around her wrist.