The training grounds were cool in the early morning, the sun barely over the academy walls.
A handful of students were scattered around the edges, stretching or running laps, but the central ring was empty.
Aegis and Sylceris stood across from each other, practice swords in hand.
"Rules?" Sylceris asked.
"First to three clean hits. No magic."
Sylceris raised an eyebrow.
"No magic?"
"I want to see where I stand with just the sword. If I use magic every time, I'll never know if I'm actually getting better or just leaning on a crutch."
"Fine by me." Sylceris rolled her shoulders and settled into her stance. Low, balanced, her weight centered over her back foot. A fighter's stance. The kind you learned from actual combat, not from textbooks.
[She's done this before. A lot.]
Aegis raised her own sword, set her feet, and waited.
Sylceris moved first.
