The Magic Department combat courtyard slowly emptied as the morning sun climbed higher, drying the dew from the scorched sand and scattered training debris. The first-year mages left through the heavy iron gates in groups, the excitement of surviving the charging drills fading into exhausted relief. Martin was animatedly explaining his accidental triumph to Hanks, while Emma walked beside Alicia, already adding to her casting-delay ledger without looking back.
Ren Montclair did not leave the courtyard.
He stood alone near the center of the trampled ring, his wooden practice blade resting loosely at his side. He watched the heavy, leather-padded training golem grind its way back to the starting line, its runes clicking as it reset.
"Edelhart," Ren called out, his voice carrying through the quiet yard. "Keep the construct active for one more cycle."
