Chapter 196: THE MONSTER IN DISGUISE

Ali walked toward him, slow and steady. Each step rang clear in the quiet arena. He stopped a few paces away and looked down at Logan.

“I think this is your limit for now,” he said softly. “Who would have thought that I would be training a monster in a human’s disguise. And I’m truly impressed.”

He raised his right hand and flicked a finger. The ring on his index finger in his right hand flashed. A small crystal vial dropped into his palm as if the metal had birthed it. He uncorked it with a crisp twist and lowered himself beside Logan. Then he held the bottle to Logan’s lips.

“Drink it.”

Logan blinked and tried to sit up. His ribs screamed. He kept his voice even. “What is it?”

“Healing potion,” Ali said. “Water enchanted with healing magic. I often raid dungeons alone, so I carry these for emergencies.”

Logan eyed the clear liquid. Soft light swirled inside like a thin moon caught in a bottle. “Then it’s very valuable,” he said. “Maybe I should not waste it. I can go to a healer instead.”

Ali’s eyes sharpened. “Oh, great idea,” he said dryly. “I’ll call a healer in front of everyone, and the whole city will gossip that I tortured a teenager in the arena. They surely don’t know what kind of existence you are.”

Logan tried to smile but it twisted into a cough. He gave a small nod. “Fair enough.”

He tilted his head, and Ali held the vial steady. The liquid felt cool and relaxing the moment it touched his tongue. It spread like clean water rushing through dry land. A soft heat followed, gentle and steady, as if a warm hand pressed over each bruise and fracture.

The pain faded first. Then the tightness in his chest eased. Breath flowed clean. The sting at his lips vanished. He let out a slow, full breath and sat up without a flinch. He rolled his shoulder.

No pain.

He touched his ribs.

Solid.

He stood. His clothes were torn and scorched, but his body felt new. He bowed his head. “Thank you, Master.”

Ali capped the empty vial and slipped it back into his ring. “Good. You can move again. Come.”

They left the fighting arena together. In the corridor, a junior staffer hurried to Ali after a hand signal.

“Tell Elizabeth the arena needs repairs,” Ali said without looking. “Floor, east wall, and the gallery seats. Begin today.”

The staffer bobbed his head. “Yes, Guildmaster!” He rushed off at once.

Ali then led Logan the way down the hall to his chamber. He pushed it open. “Inside.”

Logan stepped into the Guildmaster’s chamber. Ali then shut the door behind him.

After that, he went to a drawer and took out a slim case, the color of smoke. He set it on the table and opened the lid. Inside lay a mask.

It looked simple at first glance. Matte, smooth, and light. No strap. No hinge. No visible latch. The surface had a faint grain like river sand. The eye openings were clean and narrow, shaped to follow a natural gaze. The lower half curved in a gentle slope that would sit neatly over the mouth and jaw.

Ali lifted it with two fingers. “As promised.”

Logan’s eyes lit up. “Thank you very much, master.”

“As I already mentioned, it’s special,” Ali said. “Nothing flashy. Special in the ways that matter.” He held it out. “Touch it to your face.”

Logan took the mask. It weighed almost nothing.

“Cool.”

He brought it close. The moment the edge brushed his cheek, the mask moved by itself—just a small shift, like it recognized him. It settled into place with a soft click that he felt more than heard.

It fit perfectly. No pressure points. No gaps. He could see clearly. He could breathe like there was nothing on his face at all.

“No straps,” Ali said. “It bonds on touch. Once it recognizes you, only you can remove it. If you die, it releases. No one else can pull it off. Not with strength. Not with tricks.”

Logan tapped the cheek once. “And eating?” He questioned.

“Try it,” Ali said.

Logan thought about food, a simple bite of bread. The lower section of the mask slid open by a thumb’s width without a sound, just enough to uncover his mouth. He closed it again with a thought. It obeyed like a calm breath.

He was overjoyed. “I don’t know if another hit in the future can bring this much joy. It’s really good stuff.”

“Told you,” Ali smirked. “It’s more like a treasure.”

Logan bowed again. “I owe you.”

Ali waved a hand. “You’ll repay me by doing what you are best at. Getting stronger.”

Logan was about to say something but the Guild master spoke again, the tone in his voice had changed—lighter, but with a thread of interest. “Before you leave, why not test your current mana level first?”

Logan hesitated. He looked at his hands. He also wanted to know, but didn’t want to reveal too much in front of others. “Whatever. It’s not like I can hide my strength for long. And to wipe out the third eye sect from existence, I need his help too.” He was deep in thought.

“Any problems?” Ali asked.

“Nope,” Logan replied.

“Good.” Ali then took a small orb from a shelf and set it on the table. The sphere was clear as spring water. A dim light floated at its core, like a tiny seed of dawn.

Logan stared at it. The last time he saw such an orb, it had told the room he was Tier Two. That had been strange even then, because he had not trained mana much at all. The path since then had not been long.

He slowly placed his palm over the sphere.

The glass turned cool under his skin. The inner light stirred. Threads of brightness wound around his fingers like tiny streams meeting at a river mouth.

Logan felt a tinge of curiosity as well. “What tier will it be?!”

The orb hummed—soft at first, then stronger, as if it had found a rhythm inside him that matched its own.

The orb flashed, brighter by the second.

The chamber filled with a clean tone that cut through every sound. After a few moments, light finally settled.

Ali did not speak at first. He kept his eyes on the orb as if he wanted to make sure it was no trick. Then he turned to Logan.

Shock flickered first. It was quick, like lightning behind a cloud. Excitement came next, bright and honest. After that, the look of a mentor who has found a rare thing and wants to understand it completely—impressed, yes, but also curious in a way that refused to sit still.

“Tier Four!” he whispered at last but still couldn’t trust his own voice. His mind raced.

“A leap like this?! How is it even possible?”

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