The special training rooms had an intensity all their own.
Far removed from the bustling atmosphere of the academy's usual training grounds.
Reserved only for top-tier students.
The room's silence, heightened by the ambient hum of protective enchantments, felt dense, expectant.
Draven and Ariana faced off, each gripping wooden practice swords.
But only one of them seemed fully focused.
Draven swung his sword in a controlled arc, aiming for her shoulder.
A simple, predictable move that she'd blocked hundreds of times in their years training together.
Yet, to his surprise, Ariana hesitated.
The wooden sword connected with her shoulder, making her wince.
"Ari, what's up with you?"
Draven asked, concern evident in his eyes.
"You could've blocked that in your sleep.
Don't tell me you're getting rusty on me."
Ariana forced a grin.
Shrugging off the hit as she readied her stance again.
Just... got a lot on my mind."
Draven raised an eyebrow, doubt creeping into his expression.
Since when does that make you let your guard down?"
He smirked, tossing his sword from hand to hand.
"Come on, don't tell me you're getting sentimental on me?"
She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
They sparred again, exchanging blows in a sequence of footwork and quick strikes.
But Draven wasn't fooled.
She was letting her guard down just enough to take another hit on her side.
This wasn't like her.
He'd known Ariana since they were kids.
She wasn't the type to get distracted during a fight.
Something was bothering her, something big.
He said, stepping back after a series of poorly executed parries on her end.
I'm not going to keep hitting you just to make a point.
You've been off all morning.
You might as well just tell me what's really going on."
Ariana took a deep breath.
Fingers tightening around the hilt of her practice sword as she considered what to say.
She couldn't admit it.
Not to him, not to anyone, really.
That the arrogant Noah Ashbourne had been occupying her thoughts since yesterday was beyond embarrassing.
"It's just... family stuff."
She lied, hoping it would be enough to throw him off.
"Responsibilities, future expectations, you know? The usual."
Draven watched her closely, as if deciding whether to press further.
After a beat, he nodded, his gaze softening.
Just don't forget you've got people here, too—friends who've got your back."
He tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
"It's okay to take a break and get out of your head sometimes."
She attempted a smile, but her mind was already drifting back.
Swirling with fragments of Noah's voice from yesterday.
Ariana replayed those two words in her head, over and over.
Noah Ashbourne—infamous, cold, practically a villain in the eyes of everyone around.
Had looked her in the eye and actually said 'thank you.'
Her brow furrowed, and she glanced down at her sword, as if it held the answer to this strange, persistent thought.
She wondered, chewing on the inside of her lip.
'Or did he say it by mistake?'
Noah wasn't the type to express gratitude.
Especially not to people he looked down on.
And yet... yesterday, in that strange moment, he'd said it.
She couldn't shake the tone in his voice, either.
Not mocking, not sarcastic.
It was almost... real?
Ariana was so lost in thought she didn't notice her wooden sword slip from her grip until it clattered to the ground.
Startled, she picked it up, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
'Noah's just being manipulative.'
'There's no way he actually...'
Lost in her spinning thoughts, she absentmindedly tapped her forehead with her sword, not once but repeatedly.
As if hitting her head would somehow knock some sense back into her.
Draven, watching her descent into what looked like madness, raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly.
"What in the world are you doing?"
He stepped forward, grabbing her wrist to stop her before she knocked herself unconscious.
"If you're trying to shake some sense into yourself, I can do it for you."
With a mischievous grin, he gave her a gentle bonk on the head with his own sword.
She protested, rubbing her head with a sheepish smile.
His playful gesture helped pull her out of her chaotic thoughts, and she let out a light laugh.
"There's the Ari I know."
Draven said, laughing along with her.
"Now, what do you say we wrap this up before you injure yourself?"
Ariana nodded, exhaling a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Yeah... maybe a break would be a good idea."
As they sheathed their practice swords, Ariana's gaze drifted, and she muttered under her breath.
"I could really use something sweet right now."
How about we hit up the sweet shop?
We can clear our heads and grab something sugary.
Her eyes brightened, and she nodded eagerly.
"Yes, please! You have no idea how much I need that right now."
They walked out of the training room side by side, Ariana clutching her sword loosely at her side.
The quiet hallways of the special training wing felt serene.
And she let her mind drift, feeling a bit more at ease.
But, like an annoying fly buzzing around her head, the memory of Noah's unexpected "thank you" still lingered.
'What if he's just trying to mess with me?'
No matter how she spun it, the moment nagged at her.
There was no way the infamous Noah Ashbourne would say something genuine to her... would he?
The possibility alone was enough to make her head spin.
And Draven seemed to sense her inner struggle as they reached the academy's garden pathway leading to the shop.
"Ari, you look like you're overthinking again."
He teased, bumping her shoulder.
"Come on, we're about to drown ourselves in sugar.
Let all that stuff go for now, alright?"
She took a deep breath and grinned back at him.
Finally managing to push aside her lingering questions.
"Fine, fine. I'll try to focus on what really matters...
Draven chuckled, giving her a reassuring nod.