The roar faded into the wood.
Mina didn't slow down.
She led them through the cool shade of the Academy's inner hall, feet almost silent on the smooth wooden floor.
Saffi walked close enough that her sleeve brushed Raizen's once.
He pretended not to notice. He also pretended his lungs did not ache again.
The corridor curved, following the trunk. Light leaked in through thin openings along the wall, strips of brightness that cut across Mina's face as she walked. Her hair was tied back into a loose tail, but a few wayward strands had escaped.
"Still breathing?" she asked without looking back.
"Usually a good sign… I'm alive, alright" Raizen answered.
"Keep it that way."
The hall opened into a broad archway at the far end.
Mina stepped through.
Raizen followed her out into Ukai's true training ground.
The space behind the main building was not really behind anything. It was like the tree itself had decided to grow around a battlefield.
