The private training ground echoed with the clash of steel and the crackle of fire and lightning magic.
Kyle and Cassian moved in a blur, fire against lightning, steel against steel, their sparring session far more intense than any normal practice.
Cassian's red hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat as he blocked Kyle's lightning-charged tachi with his gauntlet, the impact sending sparks flying.
"You are getting faster" he admitted through gritted teeth.
Kyle grinned, twisting his wrist to break the lock. "And you are still holding back."
Cassian scoffed but didn't deny it. He pivoted, flames erupting from his fist in a sweeping arc that forced Kyle to leap back. "Maybe I just don't want to embarrass you too badly."
"Oh, that's rich" Kyle shot back, landing lightly on his feet. "Coming from the guy who—"
Cassian didn't let him finish. He lunged, fire trailing behind him like a comet's tail. Kyle barely dodged, feeling the heat singe the air where his head had been a second before.
Their mock battles had become a regular thing after the VR exam. At first, it had been pure rivalry, two top-ranked students testing each other's limits.
But somewhere along the way the taunts had lost their edge replaced by something closer to camaraderie.
Kyle feinted right, then struck left. Cassian blocked, but not fast enough, the tip of Kyle's tachi grazed his side.
"Point to me" Kyle said, stepping back.
Cassian glanced down at the faint scorch mark on his training uniform and smirked. "Lucky hit."
"Keep telling yourself that."
They reset their stances circling each other again. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the training ground, but neither showed any sign of stopping.
"You know" Cassian said, rolling his shoulders.
"If you put half as much effort into your footwork as you do your trash talk, you might actually beat Cedric one day."
Kyle snorted. "Says the guy who lost to me twice this week."
"Practice matches don't count."
"Tell that to your ego."
Cassian laughed—a sharp, genuine sound—before launching another attack. This time, Kyle was ready. He sidestepped, letting Cassian's momentum carry him forward, then swept his legs out from under him.
Cassian hit the ground with a grunt, the breath knocked out of him. Kyle pointed his tachi at Cassian's throat, grinning. "That's three."
For a second, Cassian just stared up at him, chest heaving. Then he grinned back. "Bastard."
Kyle lowered his blade and offered a hand. Cassian took it, letting Kyle haul him to his feet.
"You are improving" Cassian admitted, brushing dirt off his clothes. "Annoyingly fast."
Kyle shrugged. "Someone's got to keep you on your toes."
Cassian rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Instead, he stretched his arms overhead, working out the stiffness from their fight. "You are still too predictable, though."
"Yeah. That last move? I saw it coming a mile away."
Kyle crossed his arms. "Then why didn't you dodge?"
"Because unlike some people, I don't mind taking a hit if it means to learning something." Cassian smirked. "Besides, it's fun watching you get cocky."
Kyle opened his mouth to retort, but a voice cut him off.
"You two done measuring your egos, or should I come back later?"
They turned to see Eleanora leaning against the training ground's gate, arms crossed. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was a glint of amusement in her crimson eyes.
Cassian waved a hand. "Nah, we are good. Kyle's done losing for today."
Kyle elbowed him in the ribs.
Eleanora pushed off the gate and walked toward them. "Good. Because I need him for something."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"For the sword practice," Eleanora said, shooting Cassian a look that very clearly added, Not that it's any of your business.
Cassian held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, no judgment here. Just saying, if you wanted to spar with someone who actually knows how to use a sword—"
Kyle kicked his ankle.
Cassian laughed, dodging the second kick with ease. "Alright, alright. I know when I'm not wanted." He clapped Kyle on the shoulder. "Don't let her work you too hard."
Kyle flipped him off.
Cassian just grinned and sauntered away, whistling.
Once he was gone, Eleanora turned to Kyle. "You are friends now?"
Kyle shrugged. "More or less."
"Hm." She didn't sound disapproving, just... thoughtful. Then she nodded toward the training dummies. "Come on. I'll show you that disarming technique you keep failing at."
Kyle groaned. "I don't fail at it. I just... haven't mastered it yet."
Eleanora gave him a look.
"Fine" he muttered, following her.
The sun dipped lower, painting the training ground in shades of gold and crimson.
Somewhere in the distance, Cassian's laughter echoed, mingling with the clang of steel as Kyle and Eleanora began their own practice.
They had a long way to go.
But they would get there.
Kyle pushed open the door to their quarters, exhausted from training.
The moment he stepped inside, the rich aroma of roasted meat and spices hit him like a wave.
His stomach growled loudly.
"Finally!" he groaned, kicking off his shoes. "I am starving, thank the gods you ordered food." He practically sprinted toward the kitchen.
Aurelia stood by the stove, stirring something in a pot. She didn't look up. "I didn't order it."
"...Wait. You cooked?"
Aurelia smirked. "Mhm."
Memories of the last time she had "cooked" flooded back—a charred, unidentifiable lump she had proudly called "dinner."
Even calling it terrible would have been generous.
He took a careful step back. "You know what? I think I lost my appetite. Suddenly not hungry at all."
Aurelia snorted. "Relax. I didn't actually make it." She jerked her chin toward a set of covered dishes on the table. "Seraphina dropped it off. Said she felt bad for you."
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "Why would she—?"
"Something about you looking pitiful after training with a certain princess all afternoon." Aurelia's smirk turned downright evil.
Kyle groaned. "We were sparring."
"It's not—ugh." He yanked the lid off one of the dishes, if only to avoid her knowing look.
The scent of garlic butter and herbs washed over him, and his stomach growled again. "Okay, fine. I forgive Seraphina for whatever she's plotting."
Aurelia rolled her eyes but grabbed two plates from the cupboard. "You are lucky she likes you."
"Or she just knows you would poison us both if you cooked."
Aurelia flicked a pea at his head.
Kyle dodged, grinning. "Missed."
"Eat your food" she said, shoving a full plate into his hands.
Kyle didn't need to be told twice.