Silence Broken, A Breakthrough at Dawn!

As the serene morning melodies of Santania School filled the air, Wendy rushed out of the training room, only to come face-to-face with the entirety of Warrior Class A. Both sides paused, caught off guard. The sudden crowd made Wendy's heart leap, her cheeks flaming with an instant blush.

Her nights were often spent in solitude, practicing till dawn in the training room, yet she meticulously managed her time to avoid detection. The idea of being seen after a fruitless night was more embarrassing than being thought a fool for trying. This unexpected encounter was a first for Wendy.

Oscar, at the forefront, quickly grasped the situation but chose to feign ignorance: "Is the Omni-Class scheduled for the training room today? If Mr. Watson needs it, then it's all yours. Warrior Class A will find somewhere else."

"Oh, but where is Mr. Watson?"

His eyes swept the empty room, a mock look of confusion playing on his face, as if he were genuinely searching for Alex. Faced with Oscar's inquiry, Wendy's embarrassment deepened, her voice a whisper: "No, not at all. "

"We don't need the training room today, I was just... I fell asleep here last night."

Her confession left her cheeks burning, a lie told to mask her night of unyielding effort met with no success.

The students of Warrior Class A couldn't contain their laughter. Falling asleep while practicing? Such a phenomenon was both amusing and astonishing to them. With heads lowered, engulfed in ridicule, Wendy made her escape.

Oscar watched her leave, his sneer barely concealed. In his eyes, an ineffectual teacher had met an equally ineffectual student. Their audacity in accepting his challenge was laughable.

Shaking off his disdain, Oscar adopted a dignified air, addressing his class: "Let's focus on our own journey, not be sidetracked by others. Our true competition is with ourselves, not them. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" came the unanimous reply from Warrior Class A. It was clear—they did not consider Alex Watson's Omni-Class any competition at all.

In a rush, Wendy sprinted toward the Omni-Class, arriving at the doorstep panting. Upon spotting Alex already positioned at the lectern, a wave of nervousness washed over her as she hurriedly exclaimed: "M-my apologies, Mr. Watson... I'm late..."

Being the underdog of her class, tardiness was uncharacteristic for Wendy; this was her first lapse in two years. Alex glanced up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he noted a subtle shift in the aura above Wendy. 

「Wendy Queen Loyalty: 35」

It was unmistakable to him that Wendy had experimented with the cultivation technique he had advised, perhaps during his own moments of rest the previous night.

"No worries, please have a seat. We'll commence in five minutes after a short break," Alex reassured her with a soothing smile, his demeanor unaffected by her late arrival. 

This gentle response bewildered Wendy even more. She recalled numerous instances where tardiness had earned her peers harsh reprimands, highlighting a universal expectation of punctuality as a form of respect toward the teacher.

Yet, Alex Watson, this youthful educator, radiated a different kind of warmth. He seemed... exceptionally compassionate. 

「Wendy Queen Loyalty +1」

Observing Wendy's momentary daze at the doorway, the numerical loyalty indicator above her head nudged up again. Alex was amused yet touched by the simplicity of a young girl's heart—how mere kindness could sway her feelings.

He continued his preparations quietly, allowing Wendy to gather her thoughts and find her seat.

After a brief pause, Alex's gaze met Wendy's, his smile gentle and encouraging: "Seems like you put in a lot of effort into your training last night. How do you feel about it? Was it beneficial?"

Alex's tender inquiry sent Wendy's heart racing. How could he possibly know about her late-night dedication? She had only mentioned needing rest due to feeling unwell. 

Caught off guard by her secret efforts being acknowledged, Wendy felt as if her clandestine struggle had been laid bare.

The mind of a teenage girl is a whirlwind of activity. Within moments, Wendy had pieced together countless details, pondering if Alex had been privy to her every move the previous night. 

This realization brought her to a startling conclusion—he must have been aware of her initial reluctance to follow his guidance.

Swamped by embarrassment, Wendy fretted over whether Mr. Watson might perceive her lack of trust. She harbored a quiet hope that her concerns wouldn't upset him. 

As her thoughts swirled in turmoil, a blush crept over her cheeks again, and she softly expressed her gratitude: "Thank you, Mr. Watson, for your guidance. It's made a significant difference."

Alex Watson responded with an encouraging nod and a smile: "Given your technique has now reached the second stage, today's lesson will naturally progress to the advanced aspects of the Divine Light Mastery." 

"Ah?" Wendy's reaction was a mix of surprise and confusion, lifting her gaze abruptly. What Mr. Watson mentioned left her perplexed; she was convinced she hadn't moved past the first stage.

Alex, catching Wendy's puzzled look, offered a reassuring smile and explained: "Did you not realize? Your Divine Light Mastery has evolved to the second stage."

In that instant, Wendy's mind buzzed with disbelief. Engulfed in her practice based on Alex's recommendations the previous night, she had been too absorbed to notice her surroundings or gauge the progression of her skill.

Seeing Wendy's stunned expression, Alex suggested with a smile: "You were quite absorbed in your practice, I see. Go ahead, activate the Divine Light Mastery now, and witness the transformation within yourself."

Motivated by Alex's suggestion, Wendy, with a hint of nervousness, stepped towards the designated area beside the lectern. With her eyes closed, she initiated the Divine Light Mastery. 

"Focus the light to a pinpoint, anchor the energy deep within the core. Harness resilience, gather without dispersing."

Muttering the mantra Alex had imparted, Wendy summoned the divine light's power within her. To her astonishment, the next moment saw the divine light smoothly emanate from her palm, coalescing into a luminous orb. 

Her eyes snapped open in sheer disbelief. "Elemental manifestation! H-have I truly advanced to the second stage?!"

For Wendy, who had seen no improvement in her technique for two long years, this overnight breakthrough felt as earth-shattering as the sky tumbling down. 

Meanwhile, Alex Watson, unfazed, simply smiled serenely and offered his congratulations: "Congratulations, Wendy Queen. You've achieved it."