Varik's gaze stayed locked on him. Calculating. Measuring.
"Again," Varik said.
Lucen exhaled. "You planning on telling me what this test is, or are you just trying to break my ankles?"
"You'll know when you fail."
"That's not ominous at all."
They clashed again, this time Lucen let the sword hum faintly with mana, but cut it off before the surge could show. The trick worked; Varik adjusted, clearly reading the intent but not the scale.
Two more exchanges passed before Varik broke off, stepping back, lowering his blade.
Lucen straightened, catching his breath for show. "That it? You're not going to make me run laps or fight three guild newbies at once?"
Varik studied him for a long moment. "You're stronger than your rank now."
Lucen rolled his eyes. "Congratulations, detective."
"I mean it." Varik's tone was flat but serious. "Your footwork's cleaner than last month. Your mana control's sharper. And you're anticipating strikes you shouldn't be able to read yet."
