The fight between Gray and Lira resumed with a quiet intensity. A hush swept over the training hall as the two faced each other once more. Wooden swords in hand, the tension between them felt heavier than the weapons they carried. Gray adjusted his stance, taking shallow breaths. His shoulder still throbbed faintly from his last spar, but he pushed the pain aside.
Lira's golden eyes scanned him with sharp focus. She stepped forward, controlled and fluid, her weapon held diagonally across her body. She did not speak. There was no need. Her calm presence said enough.
The instructor gave the signal. The clash began.
Lira moved first, her strike swift and precise. Gray barely blocked it in time, the wooden blades colliding with a sharp crack. The impact made his wrists ache. He stumbled back a step, his eyes never leaving hers. She advanced again, her movements like a dance, each attack flowing into the next.
Gray realized quickly that Lira was not only skilled but calm under pressure. She kept her footing tight, her swings economical. Every move counted.
He was not faring well.
He tried to keep up, parrying another blow to his side, but her follow-up grazed his leg. He hissed under his breath and spun backward.
His breathing grew shallow. He would not win like this. Not by reacting. Not by hesitating.
She came at him again, this time from above. He raised his sword to block but let his grip falter just a little. Her blade crashed into his shoulder.
Pain bloomed through his arm. He gritted his teeth and let it in.
In that moment, a strange pressure moved within his chest. A twisting heat, like a thorned vine spiraling around his heart.
A faint shimmer glimmered over his skin. No one noticed. Except her.
Gray's eyes darkened for a brief moment. The pain in his shoulder, instead of weighing him down, sharpened his senses. As Lira moved in for another strike, he shifted.
With unexpected speed, he swung his sword and struck her cleanly in the ribs. She gasped and staggered back, clutching her side.
But it was simply too strong.
She fell to the ground struggling to get up.
The match was called at that point.
Silence took over the hall.
The instructor raised a hand, declaring the winner.
"He winner is... Gray!"
But despite being the winner he got no praises except glowing looks from Renn.
He lowered his sword slowly, breathing heavy. His body trembled slightly from the effort.
Lira gave him a look as she stood. Not one of anger, but of confusion. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then simply gave him a short nod before walking off.
Gray returned the gesture. He turned and made his way to the back benches where Renn waited.
"You cheated," Renn said with a smirk.
Gray sat down with an ugly expression. "No I didn't."
"Then what was that? She was running circles around you, then boom. You're a different person."
Gray hesitated. He glanced around. No one was paying close attention.
"I have a skill," he said under his breath.
"A skill?" Renns eyes shimmered and brightened up.
He leaned in. "Yeah? What kind?"
"Let's just say the more pain I take, the more I give back."
He pondered for a second before replying.
"Sounds scary."
Gray rubbed his sore shoulder, somewhat regretting his actions.
Renn was soon called up to fight next.
He gave Gray a thumbs up and stepped into the ring. His opponent was Korr Vane.
Korr was a towering youth with strong shoulders and a calm demeanor. His hair was short and black, and his eyes glowed faintly gold. His wooden greatsword was nearly as long as he was tall.
Renn took a deep breath and tightened his grip on his spear.
The match began.
Renn moved first, lunging forward with a quick jab. Korr stepped aside and parried it with the flat of his blade, then retaliated with a sweeping blow. Renn blocked but was thrown off balance. Korr pressed the advantage, landing a solid hit to Renn's shoulder.
Gray winced. Renn tried to circle back, but Korr's next strike knocked him off his feet. The match ended.
Gray helped him up afterward.
"That was humiliating," Renn said, grimacing.
"You lasted longer than I thought," Gray offered.
"Thanks, I guess."
Gray could not help but be impressed.
Then two names were called.
The instructor raised a hand. "Korr Vane. Adel. Step into the ring."
Korr Vane stood tall, easily towering over most of the cadets. His broad frame carried the weight of someone who had trained for battle his entire life. Muscles tightened beneath a dark, reinforced combat uniform, every step he took deliberate and solid. Long messy black hair clung to his head. His pale skin combined with numerous scars across his body gave off a repelling emotion... Fear. But it was his eyes, cold, ice-blue and unflinching that gave people pause.
Adel approached more quietly, silvery-white hair fell to her shoulders in soft layers, often tucked behind one ear or left to obscure part of her pale face. Her violet eyes flicked about, constantly observing. Though she wore the same combat uniform as the others, hers seemed to be more flexible and her feet seemed like they weren't touching the floor at all. Gray could see it, the way her body stayed low, light. Like a predator waiting to pounce.
The room was hushed. Many were still processing Gray's victory, but all attention now turned toward this unfamiliar girl with the air of mystery.
"Begin."
Korr didn't wait. He exploded forward like a cannonball, his muscles coiling and uncoiling in one smooth motion. He brought the wooden sword down with a roar, fast and heavy enough to snap bone.
Adel wasn't there.
She had vanished before the blow landed, leaving only a whisper of her cloak fluttering where she once stood.
Gray blinked. "What?"
Korr's eyes scanned quickly, but even his reflexes weren't fast enough. Adel reappeared behind him and jabbed forward . A short, quick strike aimed at his ribs.
He twisted just in time, deflecting it with a block, but staggered a little from the unexpected angle.
"She's fast," Renn muttered, wide-eyed.
"She's using Vyre," Gray replied, his voice low.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible — the shimmer in the air, the way her body bent the light around her. Adel had tapped into her Affinity in a way none of them had seen before. Not for destruction or firepower but for stealth. Silence.
Adel attacked again, this time from the side. Her blade came fast and low, and Korr barely managed to raise his sword in time. He retaliated with a brutal backhand swing, but she ducked under it and rolled to the edge of the platform, disappearing into the shadows of the far wall.
Korr's breathing deepened. "Coward."
His voice echoed.
No response.
Then he heard a step behind him.
He turned, slashing, but hit nothing.
Korr was starting to get annoyed.
Another sound. He swung again. Still nothing.
"She's playing with him," Renn said, tense.
Renn then proceeded to frown.
"Stealth magic? But... none of us no how to channel Vyre!?"
"Stealth magic?" Gray asked warily.
He nodded.
"Stealth magic typically consists of stuff like illusions, her Affinity must be something like mist, shadow or veil. I believe its veil as veil is used not only to cloak your appearance, its can hide sounds and even your soul at higher stages. Its the only explanation for why she is completely invisible."
Gray took his words in and came to the conclusion that she, somehow knew how to channel Vyre.
He looked back towards the arena and concentrated. In case he had to fight her in the future.
Korr snarled. "Show yourself!"
He suddenly slammed his sword into the floor. The impact sent a sharp crack through the wooden boards, and for a moment, even Adel flinched from the sound.
That hesitation cost her. Korr spun, tracking the movement, and lunged.
He managed to slash her side, drawing a small gasp. A faint mark even through the cloak. But her next move was faster.
She ducked under his guard, stepping into his blind spot, and disappeared once more. But this time, she did not retreat.
She was waiting.
Korr spun wildly again, just a heartbeat too slow. The fight seemed over...
And then—
Both fighters froze.
Adel stood behind him, her wooden blade pressed tightly under his chin, just beneath the jawline.
But Korr had turned just enough. His blade hovered at her throat, inches away.
Neither moved.
The room was silent again.
A bead of sweat rolled down Korr's temple.
Adel's eyes, calm and unreadable, stared straight ahead. Her breath was steady.
"Draw," the instructor finally called.
The tension broke like glass panels.
Both slowly lowered their weapons, stepping away. Neither said a word.
Korr Vanes expression was grim to say the least. He looked very disappointed in himself.
Adels expression was similair. She hid her shcok behind her mask but both of them thought of one thing.
If it was a real fight... who wouldve won?
But even as they walked off opposite sides of the ring, something hung in the air. Respect. Wariness. A mutual understanding.
Gray's eyes widened. "That… was insane."
Renn could only nod.
As he thought over that fight his name was called again.
He stood, confused. "Another round?"
The instructor nodded. "You placed high. Time for a final evaluation."
Gray stepped into the ring once more.
His opponent was already waiting.
A boy he had not seen before.
He was taller than Gray, lean, and sharp eyed. His hair was long and black, his eys dark blue like sapphires. His gaze cool and unreadable. He had sharp facial features making him look handsome.
He stood perfectly still, his stance loose but controlled. He did not speak.
Gray readied his katana and exhaled.
The signal came.
His opponent surged forward like a whip. His strike was fast and efficient. Gray blocked it but the force sent a tremor down his arms.
He swung back. Missed.
The boy danced around him, landing two hits to Gray's side and leg in the span of seconds.
Gray staggered.
His heart pounded.
He tried to activate Severing Bloom.
But Nothing happened.
The boy was already behind him, landing a strike to Gray's back.
Gray spun around and attempted to channel Vyre. Desperation filled his chest. He reached inward, trying to will the energy into his limbs.
Still nothing.
He gritted his teeth.
'Godammit! Why! Why cant i feel it!'
A sharp strike to his stomach doubled him over.
Gray collapsed to one knee.
The boy stood still, unmoving.
Gray looked up, blood pounding in his ears. He tried again. His mark flickered faintly.
Gray smiled bitterly.
'This guy... he's a demon.'
The boy moved.
A clean strike hit Gray. So fast he didnt even feel it or see it.
Darkness rushed quickly.
The match was over.