Ronan walked through the Ashbourne estate corridors after leaving Vulcan’s meeting room, his footsteps echoing faintly against polished stone.

The heavy doors closed behind him, and the formal pressure lifted slightly.

Vulcan had accepted the mind magic explanation. For now.

That did not mean he believed it completely.

It bought Ronan time. And he had a feeling Vulcan didn’t fully believe him either. There was a certain look in his eyes.

Before he reached the entrance hall, someone stepped into view near a side corridor.

Irene.

She waited there, clearly on purpose.

Her posture was straight. Almost rigid.

Without Vulcan beside her, she seemed less certain of herself.

Ronan assumed she came to interrogate him again.

"Hello Irene. Is there something you wanted to say to me before I left?"

"Are you hurting yourself on purpose?"

What?

That caught him off guard.

She continued before he could deflect.

"Steel Bone Armament. I know what kind of skill it is. It’s not normal reinforcement. Cultivating it means repeated pain, deliberate bodily stress, and it requires you to break yourself in the process."

She paused.

"During the duel, you kept moving despite your injuries. I am aware that if you cultivated steel bone armament, you should be fine for the most part. But that doesn’t make you immune to the pain."

"Are you worried about me, sister?" Ronan said with sarcasm. "This seems uncharacteristic."

Irene did not take the bait.

"You used to be different before our mothers died."

The line made Ronan remember the Soul Path vision.

Young Irene asking him for help with Mana Theory. Calling him brother. Admiring him. The original Ronan teaching her despite acting annoyed.

The memory was not his, however. That person was not him.

"I remember you teaching me when we were children. You were annoyed, but still patient. You..." Irene closed her eyes. "You were kind, despite it all. Even when people called you a bastard, I knew you still held kindness in your heart. You acted out, but you were still the same brother I knew."

"I’m glad you think so highly of me."

"No. You’re different now. I can’t see my brother in you at all anymore. What did you do to yourself, Ronan. Father can’t see it. He simply sees you as the prodigy you used to be. A tool, the same way he sees Victoria and I as well."

So she truly is concerned. Ronan never knew their exact relationship before, but he’d assumed it was strained. But as Irene said here, she still cared for him.

Maybe I can exploit this, Ronan thought.

If she wanted to "save" him, she could be guided. If she felt guilt or attachment, those emotions could be used to make her into an ally. Especially when the tournament was incoming.

But then he felt an uncharacteristic emotion. This emotion was not his, that much he coud tell.

Ronan felt a sharp aversion towards hurting Irene.

This is the original Ronan. This confirms it. The soul path ritual was showing me indirectly that the original Ronan’s soul is still in here somewhere.

He chose not to push too hard.

Instead, Ronan gave her a vague answer.

"People change. The Academy rewards strength, and I simply realized that to obtain strength, I would have to change. I am not talented as you are, sister. Whatever I was as a child is not useful now."

Irene was hurt

But she hid it quickly.

"People change. But not like this."

"I see. Then what do you want from me?"

Irene struggled to answer. It looked like she wanted to confess something that’s been on her mind, but she could not bring herself to say it directly.

"You should stop being reckless."

Then she corrected herself.

"You should stop treating your body like something disposable."

Ronan pointed out:

"Steel Bone Armament helped me win. If you think I am treating my body unfairly, then I’ll assure you that you’re mistaken. Using Steel Bone Armament has allowed my body to flourish, not deteriorate."

"That’s not the point."

"I believe it is. Though, I think you should focus more on yourself. Father told us about an upcoming tournament. I don’t think you should be too worried about what I am doing."

"The tournament is not important. I will do well enough. What’s important is–"

"Goodbye Irene."

Ronan walked past her.

When he did, his heart ached. They were not his emotions.

—

The hall was tense. It wasn’t loud, but it was tense.

Students leaning toward one another, murmurs passing through the rows of students. Something was different about this announcement. Something that made even the upperclassmen who were present shift in their seats.

He stood with Elara near the middle of the packed assembly hall. Around them, the speculation had already begun.

"Maybe they’re announcing scholarships."

"Could be new facilities opening up."

"Maybe someone important died."

Ronan watched the stage instead. Empty, for now. But the presence of every year meant the headmaster wasn’t calling them here to discuss class schedules or dormitory maintenance. Luminara didn’t gather the whole student body for ordinary notices.

Elara fidgeted beside him. Not nervously. Just restlessly.

"You think this is about your duel?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"I don’t know."

That was mostly true. Ronan suspected what was coming, but suspicion wasn’t certainty. The timing felt close, if his memory of the novel held. But his memory wasn’t perfect, and Grace’s presence had already proven that timelines could shift. This wasn’t the same novel he knew.

But Vulcan had already confirmed the tournament would be coming, so it was likely that.

Kazuma didn’t speculate. He stood still, hands in his pockets, expression blank as always. Ronan briefly started to wonder what Kazuma thought about during these moments, then dismissed the thought instantly.

The hall quieted.

Headmaster Rubin entered from the side door and walked to the front with unhurried steps. His robes were simple, his posture calm, and his face carried patience and wisdom as he stood.

Once he reached the stage, the entire hall settled.

Rubin waited another moment, letting the silence grow heavy, then spoke.

"Students of Luminara Academy."

His voice carried without strain.

"Thank you for gathering on such short notice. What I am about to announce affects every student in this hall, regardless of year or rank."

Ronan felt the tension spike around him. Even Elara went still.

Rubin folded his hands behind his back.

"Luminara Academy will host the Radiant Crown Tournament."