Alex's smirk made Zara's fingers itch for his throat, his lips twisted in a nasty sneer. The guy oozed smugness, standing there in the academy class like he owned it.
Mia shot him a hard look, stepping up. "Alex, what's your deal? Why're you talking crap about my friend?"
Alex turned to Mia, his face screwing up like he smelled something bad. "Mia, come on. You know I've got top-tier magic talent. Your friend? She's got nothing."
Zara's eyes narrowed, her hands balling into fists. "Nothing? With those skinny arms, you think you can take me?"
Elira snorted, doubling over with laughter, one hand on her stomach. "Skinny arms! Zara, you're savage!" she cackled, making alex's glare burn hotter.
Lucas's eyes blazed with fury as he jabbed a finger at Zara. "Huh? What'd you say, you lowly noble?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.
Mia's face turned scarlet, her fists clenched tight. Before anyone could blink, she swung, her fist cracking against Lucas's chin. He stumbled back, crashing to the class floor with a grunt. Mia loomed over him, her voice shaking with rage.
"How dare you talk to my friend like that! Your family's just a measly viscount line, so don't act all high and mighty. Zara's the daughter of a marquess from the Caelvaris Empire—you're the only lowly one here!"
At the mention of Caelvaris, a flicker of fear crossed Alex's face, his eyes widening for a split second. But he shook it off, scrambling to his feet, dusting off his cloak with a forced smirk.
"Huh, so what? Her talent's just mid-class. What can she even do?" he scoffed, his voice thick with bravado.
Mia's fist clenched again, ready to slam into Alex's smug face. But Zara grabbed her arm, her gaze locked on Alex, steady and sharp. "You think you're so powerful, huh? We'll see who's stronger at tomorrow's tournament," she said, her voice calm but laced with steel.
Alex's sneer returned, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Oh, tomorrow? I'll crush you and prove I'm better than you, marquess or not," he spat, turning on his heel with a mocking hum.
Alex stormed off, his cloak swishing behind him, arrogance still plastered across his face like a badge. The class seemed to hold its breath as his footsteps faded.
Mia turned to Zara, her eyes softening but still sparking with fire. "Don't worry, Zara. Sure, Alex's got that high-class talent, but he's too busy goofing off to practice. You've got this—he won't know what hit him tomorrow," she said, a confident grin breaking through her earlier rage.
Zara let out a soft hum, a small smile curling her lips, like she was already picturing Alex's defeat. The courtyard air felt lighter now, charged with her quiet confidence.
Elira leaned in, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Bet you anything Alex hasn't touched a sword in months. Even if he's practiced magic, his scrawny body can't handle the strain of high-class spells. He'll fizzle out," she said, smirking like she'd already won the tournament for Zara.
Zara chuckled, the tension easing as she waved goodbye to Mia and Elira. She headed back to her dorm, the academy's stone paths glowing faintly under the evening lanterns. Slipping into her room, she sank onto her plush bed, the soft blankets hugging her like a warm embrace. A familiar voice broke the quiet.
[host!]
She turned to see Fluff, her tiny companion, perched on the bedside table. His fluffy form shimmered, and his eyes sparkled like twin stars. With a sudden hop, he floated into the air, his voice bubbling with excitement.
[Host, a week's passed! You can sign in now for a higher reward—probably a yellow-tierone!]
Zara bolted upright on her bed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Really? That means I can get stronger now, right?"
she said, her voice brimming with hope, like she could already see herself dominating the tournament.
Fluff hovered beside her, his tiny form bobbing in the air. He fixed Zara with a look that screamed are you serious? His fluffy ears twitched, and his voice carried a hint of sass.
[Zara, what are you, a fool? You know rewards aren't always about strength. Could be anything—a trinket, a skill, or who knows what. Don't get your hopes up,]
he huffed, his starry red eyes narrowing.