The midday break buzzed through the campus like a low hum. Students spilled into lounges and shaded garden paths, chatter circling around the matches already fought — and the ones still to come.
Kael sat with Cyrhelle, Charlotte, and David beneath one of the open pavilions near the combat hall. Plates of barely-touched food rested in front of them, but none of them were really eating.
Cyrhelle tapped her fork idly against her plate. "Where's Levi?"
Kael blinked once, then looked around.
Charlotte glanced at the fight roster on her tablet. "He's next after lunch. Against Ramos."
David frowned. "You think he's still reviewing tactics?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
He stared at the empty seat next to him — the one Levi always filled with noise, with jokes, with stupid commentary that kept things light.
Instead, it was quiet.
Too quiet.
"I'm gonna grab something from the room," Kael said, standing quickly. "Forgot one of my bands."
Cyrhelle nodded without looking up. Charlotte gave a vague glance his way. Only David seemed to squint slightly at Kael's excuse, but said nothing.
....
The academy rooftop was almost empty. Wind brushed over the ledge like a whisper.
Kael found him there — arms resting on the railing, staring down at the far-off arena through the dome's shimmer. His jacket was half-zipped, eyes narrowed. Levi Giarden looked calm.
But Kael knew better.
"You always come up here when you're thinking," Kael said quietly.
Levi flinched, just barely. "Wasn't hiding."
"I didn't say you were."
Kael stepped beside him, not speaking for a moment.
Below, the sparring dome flickered with warm-up lights. The crowd was starting to reform. A few students jogged into place.
Levi let out a breath. "I'm fine, you know."
"I know," Kael said. "That's why you're standing up here avoiding everyone."
Levi gave a half-hearted laugh.
Then silence.
Eventually, he muttered, "Ramos already beat me once."
Kael nodded.
"He didn't just beat me, man," Levi went on. "He smothered me. Like... I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. That sand binds your feet, locks your arms and every time I tried to lift off or repulse him, he just grounded me again."
Kael listened.
Levi looked down at his hands. "They all think I'm confident. I act like I am. But I remember what it felt like. Losing like that."
Kael finally spoke.
"You're stronger now. And smarter."
Levi snorted. "Still not sure that's enough."
Kael leaned against the rail. "Then make it enough. You're not the same guy who panicked in that last match. You've trained. Grown."
Levi was quiet for a beat.
Kael added, "And if he tries to bind you again — pin your arms, lock your legs you make sure that's the last time he touches the ground."
Levi blinked.
Then smirked. "That's... actually kinda poetic. You practicing that line?"
Kael shrugged. "Didn't need to. You've always known how to fall. Just not how to rise."
Levi let out a breath and stood up straighter, rolling his shoulders.
"Alright," he said. "Let's go knock some sand out of his lungs."
Kael gave a rare, faint smile. "I'll be watching."
They walked back together — not saying anything more.
But Levi's fists were no longer clenched.
He was ready