Morning drills were hell.
Sweat poured. Muscles burned. The six of them ran laps under the blazing sun, carrying weights twice their size.
Commander Ren barked orders like a storm. "NO mercy for elite trainees!"
Kevin huffed. "If I survive this, I'm marrying my bed."
Mira, surprisingly silent, kept glancing at him. When he stumbled a bit, she moved closer, ready to catch him—but didn't.
She looked away, pretending not to care.
Across the field, Bihoo noticed Nisa trailing behind, her pace slower than usual.
"You're limping," he said quietly, jogging next to her.
"I'm fine."
But he didn't stop. "You're not."
"Stop acting like you care."
That hit harder than it should've.
Bihoo didn't reply. Just slowed down, matching her pace.
At lunch, tension sizzled. Commander Ren entered the hall with a rare smirk.
> "Duel schedule's out. First official sparring matches begin tonight."
Everyone froze.
> "Pairings will be random. Expect pain."
Evening — Sparring Arena
The arena was packed with trainees and ranked officers watching from the balconies. Cameras zoomed in as names appeared on the board.
> "Match 1: Mira Sein vs Kevin Strath."
"Seriously?!" Kevin groaned.
"I'm gonna break your smug," Mira grinned, cracking her knuckles.
They stepped onto the platform. Sparks burst as their weapons clashed—Kevin's dual tonfa against Mira's long staff. The crowd roared.
"You were watching me too much this morning," Kevin teased mid-fight.
Mira blushed. "In your dreams!"
She landed a blow to his ribs. Kevin dropped his weapon—winded.
The crowd gasped. But Kevin only laughed through the pain.
"Yeah… she's deadly. I like it."
> "Match 2: Nisa Solen vs Bihoo Sarail."
Nisa's eyes widened.
Bihoo's expression didn't change—but his fingers curled slightly.
They entered the ring.
"You sure about this?" she asked.
"You?" he countered.
They both launched forward. The clash was thunderous—blades meeting fists, strategy against instinct. Fast. Ruthless. Silent.
Suddenly—Nisa's jade flared a faint glow.
Bihoo froze for a second.
"What is that…?" he whispered.
Nisa narrowed her eyes. "You know this jade?"
Before she could finish, the timer buzzed.
> "Draw."
The crowd was stunned.
They stepped back, breathless. But Bihoo's stare lingered on the jade tied to her waist.
Something about it haunted him.
Something from his past.
Back at the dorms, everyone buzzed with post-fight energy. Except Bihoo.
He sat alone outside, staring at the stars again.
And Nisa?
She watched him from her window.
For the first time—wondering if their connection ran deeper than fate.
To be continued…