Instructor Yubel stepped forward, arms behind her back, boots echoing off the stone floor. "Combat isn't just about swinging until your enemy drops. It's reading breath, watching feet, measuring weight and knowing when to strike."
She raised a hand and flicked her fingers. A clipboard floated beside her, glowing faintly. "You'll spar in pairs. I'll be observing. Don't hold back but don't kill each other either. This is assessment, not war."
The clipboard spun midair, glowing as names rearranged. "First match: Cael versus Nina."
A few murmurs stirred among the group.
"Everyone else, to the edge. Watch. Learn."
Cael adjusted his grip on the hammer, resting the heavy head against his shoulder as he stepped forward. The sunlight caught on the metal, giving it a blinding reflection. Across from him, Sylra walked with deliberate grace, her chain-linked sword loose and fluid around her arm like a living thing, more of a snake.
"Big hammer, big ego," she said, flashing a smirk. "No brain."
Cael snorted. "Says the girl bringing a whip to a hammer fight."
Sylra's smirk widened.
"Begin," Yubel called out.
Sylra darted in with a dancer's precision, the sword unraveling with a metallic hiss. The blade snapped toward Cael's shoulder, but he turned, letting it scrape harmlessly off the thick shaft of his hammer. He didn't swing back yet.
He waited.
Another strike, then another. Sylra's weapon was unpredictable, curling and lashing like a serpent, aiming for weak spots. But Cael wasn't just tanking them, he was watching. Tracking the rhythm. Every sweep, every move. He let her dance, let her think she was in control.
Then, the moment came.
She tried to hook his ankle with the blade, the same angle as before. This time, Cael stomped down on the chain with a thunderous crack, pinning it to the ground.
Sylra's eyes widened. She pulled but it was too late.
Cael surged forward with surprising speed for his size, swinging his hammer not wide, but tight and upward. It clipped her shoulder, not with full force, but enough to send her stumbling back, the breath knocked from her lungs.
She dropped to a knee, blinking through the hit. "You read me."
"I might seem like a muscle head," Cael said simply. "But that doesn't mean I'm dumb."
She smiled faintly, catching her breath. "No. Just dangerous."
Sylra tried to recover her stance, but the chain sword was still pinned. Cael didn't wait, he stepped in again, this time with a full-body feint. Sylra moved to block high, expecting another swing.
Instead, Cael twisted low, drove his shoulder forward, and swept her legs out with the back of the hammer's handle.
She hit the dirt, hard. And this time, she didn't spring up.
Yubel raised a hand. "Match over. Winner: Cael."
Cael offered her a hand without a word. She took it with a huff and a grin.
"Not bad, hammer boy. Not bad at all."
He smirked and then left the ring.
As Sylra dusted herself off and rejoined the group, Eren leaned toward Lilly, eyes wide. "Okay, I wasn't expecting Cael to think that hard."
"He's not just muscles," Lilly replied, tapping a finger to her temple. "He plays the long game."
Ereno gave a single approving nod, arms crossed, eyes still on the arena.
Lilly glanced at him. "You noticed too?"
He didn't respond, but the faint lift of his brow was enough.
Eren grinned. "He noticed. That's basically applause from Ereno."
Down below, Yubel raised her hand again. "Next match. V versus Yona."
V rolled his shoulders, already walking out with that casual confidence he always carried, like he was about to give a speech rather than fight. "Wish me luck, ladies," he called over his shoulder.
Yona followed after him, quiet and unreadable as usual. Her hood was down for once, and strands of black hair swayed gently with her steps. She didn't say a word as she took her place across from him.
Lilly narrowed her eyes. "V's going to talk the entire time, isn't he?"
"Of course," Eren said. "But Yona's scary quiet. I think she's got it."
Ereno blinked slowly.
"You're betting on her too?" Eren asked.
He tilted his head just slightly, and Lilly let out a soft laugh.
"Well, this'll be interesting."
Down in the arena, the match was about to begin.
The instant Yubel gave the signal, V launched forward, twirling his polearm with flair. "Let's keep this elegant, shall we?" he said, smirking as he spun the staff end-first toward Yona's side.
Yona didn't answer.
She stepped back, her black hair flicking with the motion, then glided in low, nearly silent on her feet. The hidden blades on her wrists glinted as they snapped into place.
V grinned wider. "So cold! That's alright. I'll talk for both of us."
He swept the polearm in an arc, trying to corner her, but she dropped low again, sliding under it, her movements sharp and practiced with no wasted energy.
From the stands, Eren whispered, "She moves smoothly…"
"She's reading him," Lilly added, eyes narrowed. "Waiting for a chance."
Ereno stayed quiet, watching every step.
V conjured a flash of necrotic magic from the base of his weapon, casting a thin purple haze across the field. "Let's turn this up a notch," he called, voice casual.
Yona dashed through it.
Before he could react, she pivoted behind him with frightening speed. Her blade stopped just short of his neck, and V froze, eyes wide.
Yubel's voice rang out. "Match over. Yona wins."
V raised both hands with a wry chuckle. "Alright, alright. Should've taken you more seriously."
Yona stepped back silently, folding her blades away, and walked off without a word. Her eyes flicked, just for a second, toward Ereno, but then she looked away.
"Wow," Eren breathed. "She didn't even try to look cool. She just is."
"She's used to that kind of fight," Lilly said. "Precise. Clean. V lost before he realized it."
Ereno's gaze lingered on Yona's back. Just a second.
Then the group's attention shifted again as Yubel stepped forward, already calling out the next pair.
Yubel's voice rang out, firm and clear.
"Lilly versus Eren. Step forward."
Eren blinked. "Wait... what?!"
Beside her, Lilly let out a small breath, trying to hide her relief that she wasn't going up against Ereno or Aurelian. "Well… looks like it's us."
Eren gave her a look of betrayal. "You're okay with this?! You have a rapier!"
Lilly tilted her head slightly, offering a sheepish smile. "And you have a short sword. At least we're both not using daggers."
"Wow. So comforting," Eren muttered.
A short distance away, Ereno watched the exchange in silence, his eyes following Eren as she walked forward with visible reluctance. He didn't show it, but his fingers flexed slightly at his sides, as if holding back an instinct to step in.
Aurelian, still watching him, chuckled. "Sister's in danger and still not moving? Cold."
Ereno didn't respond. But his stare narrowed just a little enough to make Aurelian grin wider.
Lilly turned toward the center, offering Eren a small nod. "Don't hold back, okay?"
Eren sighed, stepping into position. "I was about to say the same. But let's not break anything… especially me."
Yubel raised her hand.
"Begin."
Her hand dropped.
Lilly moved first. A graceful lunge, her rapier shooting forward like a silver line. Eren sidestepped, her short sword swiping upward to deflect. The steel hissed against steel.
They backed off, circled, then clashed again. Faster.
Lilly was refined. Her movements were elegant and precise, light feet, sharp eyes, flawless posture.
Eren was scrappier. Less polished, but sharper in instinct. Her parries came from reflex, and when she struck, it wasn't clean... it was fierce.
"She's not bad," Cael muttered.
"Which one?" Nina asked.
"Both."
Back on the floor, Lilly twisted past a downward strike and swept her foot, nearly knocking Eren off balance.
Eren stumbled, then ducked a follow-up jab and countered with a quick feint just like Grandpa had taught her.
Lilly faltered just for a heartbeat, but Eren didn't take advantage. She was catching her breath too.
They were tiring.
Sweat clung to their brows, breaths sharper. But neither stopped.
Eren's thoughts spun. Don't lose. Not in front of him. I want him to see I'm not just the little sister. Her hand tightened on the hilt.
Lilly's focus narrowed. I've trained too hard to be overlooked again. I'm not just paperwork and speeches. I want him to see I'm strong too… not just some council girl.
They charged.
Lilly's blade grazed Eren's shoulder.
Eren's short sword scraped Lilly's side.
They winced. Then clashed again.
On the sidelines, Ereno remained still, but his head tilted slightly. For a second, his gaze sharpened, just a flicker, but enough that Yona, watching him quietly from behind, noticed.
Then, with one final exchange, Eren's guard slipped.
Lilly's rapier stopped just at her throat.
Yubel raised her hand. "Match over. Lilly wins."
Eren let out a breath and stepped back, panting. "That… was close."
Lilly offered a hand. "It was."
Eren took it with a grin. "Okay. You're cool."
"I know," Lilly replied, smirking, though her cheeks were still flushed.
From the back, Aurelian crossed his arms. "Impressive."
Ereno? Still silent.
But for a split second, his fingers twitched.
Yubel's voice rang out across the training floor, sharp and clear.
"Ereno. Aurelian. Step forward."
The room fell into a hush. Even the sounds of the other students shifting and whispering felt like they were holding their breath.
Aurelian moved first.
He swung his broadsword once over his shoulder, the blade humming faintly with its weight and edge, before letting it rest across his back as he strolled toward the sparring ring. His presence was unmistakable: confident, powerful, eager. His golden eyes were locked onto one thing and one thing only... Ereno.
"Took you long enough," he muttered under his breath, cracking his neck. His lips curled into a grin that didn't reach his eyes. "Let's make this interesting."
Ereno stepped in next. No theatrics. No posturing. Just quiet, steady movements. His twin daggers glinted faintly in the overhead lights, the slim blades already reversed in his hands, ready. Efficient.
He didn't spare Aurelian a glance. He didn't need to.
From the sidelines, Eren's heart raced. She clutched her arm anxiously. "This might actually… get out of hand."
"They're both monsters," Lilly murmured beside her, eyes wide. "But your brother, he's not even looking at Aurelian. It's like he's already inside the fight. Already moving in his head."
Yubel stepped forward, her gaze sharp. For once, her arms weren't crossed.
"Combatants ready?"
Aurelian grinned, blade now at his side. "I've been ready since I saw him walk in."
Ereno gave the faintest nod. Silent. Still.
Yubel's hand rose into the air.
"Begin."
Aurelian moved first.
He surged forward like a battering ram, sword cleaving the air with a wide arc meant to force space and overwhelm with sheer presence. Ereno ducked low, sliding beneath the swing like water cutting under stone, and his left dagger flashed up only to meet steel.
Aurelian had already turned, sword reversed into a parry that slammed Ereno back.
The two danced. One heavy, brutal, sweeping. The other swift, sharp, surgical.
Steel rang against steel, sparks briefly lighting the edges of each clash. Aurelian's blows were forceful, enough to shake the arm of anyone less prepared. But Ereno never faltered. He moved like a whisper, not avoiding strength but flowing around it, exploiting gaps, testing reactions, adapting instantly.
"Damn," Cael breathed from the sideline. "That kid's reading Aurelian like a book."
"But he's not landing much," Nina replied, arms folded. "He's testing."
Yona didn't speak, but her eyes never left Ereno.
Aurelian laughed as they locked blades mid-flurry. "You're fast. Annoyingly fast."
Ereno didn't answer, just twisted, disengaged, and flipped backward, both daggers held tight. His breath was steady. His posture never broke.
Aurelian's smile faltered slightly, replaced by something quieter. Respect.
Then he rushed again this time lower, changing the rhythm. But Ereno adapted mid-step, catching the swing against both daggers, twisting sideways and using the force to redirect the strike into the floor.
Yubel leaned forward slightly. Her usual sharp gaze softened with interest.
The air shifted.
This wasn't just a spar.
This was a clash of styles. Of upbringing. Of raw instincts honed differently.
Aurelian had been trained. Ereno had been shaped.
Each movement Ereno made was deliberate, rehearsed in silence, perfected in solitude. Every dodge a memory of old drills with Grandpa. Every counter a whisper of survival, not just performance.
And Aurelian?
His blade told a story too... one of discipline and pride, of a fire burning deeper than just wanting to win. He wasn't reckless. He was sharp, calculated, and controlled in a way that made every heavy swing carry intent, not waste.
Minutes passed, the spar outlasting every match before it.
Sweat dripped from Aurelian's brow. Ereno's breathing grew slightly deeper.
Neither slowed.
Yubel didn't speak. She didn't stop it.
Her arms were still down. Her focus was on them alone.
"Just a little more," she muttered under her breath. "Show me more."
Aurelian rushed forward with more force now, sweeping his broadsword in a horizontal arc that cracked against both of Ereno's daggers. The impact echoed like thunder in the training hall.
Crack!
One of Ereno's daggers, his left snapped in half, shards of metal scattering across the floor. He was flung backward, sliding a few feet before planting his foot and regaining balance. His other dagger vibrated faintly in his hand, a hairline crack now visible near its base.
The room tensed.
"Shit," Cael muttered, standing a little straighter. "That'll turn the tide."
But Ereno didn't flinch. He tossed aside the broken hilt and shifted his stance. Now one dagger, nearly broken and one bare hand.
Aurelian's eyes widened slightly, but his grin returned. "You're gonna keep going? Like that?"
Ereno simply narrowed his eyes, expression calm, like he'd planned for this.
Then he surged forward.
The tide turned.
No longer relying on dual blades, Ereno fought closer, more invasive. He parried with his remaining dagger and struck with open palm, elbow, shoulder. Every movement was raw but sharp, like someone who knew how to fight when the weapon gave out.
Aurelian laughed between gritted teeth, caught between admiration and exertion. "Damn! You're fighting like you've done this a hundred times!"
Their blades... well, blade clashed again and again.
Aurelian tried to shove him back with sheer power, but Ereno ducked under the pressure, spun in tight, and drove his dagger toward Aurelian's flank
Only to have his wrist caught mid-thrust.
Aurelian's sword reversed direction mid-air and halted just at Ereno's throat.
But he's free hand had already slipped under Aurelian's guard, open palm hovering just over his solar plexus, fingers curled with precision.
A kill move.
A draw.
Silence.
Then Yubel's voice, calm but clear:
"Draw."
The tension broke.
Aurelian dropped his sword tip to the floor and exhaled, chest rising and falling. "You..." he huffed. "You're the real thing."
Ereno lowered his hand and backed away a step, dagger still at the ready out of sheer instinct before slowly easing it down. The crack in the blade now split further down the edge.
From the sideline, Lilly gasped, hands over her mouth. "He fought barehanded against that?"
Eren, wide-eyed, whispered, "That was... terrifying."
Yubel finally allowed a smile. Just a small one. "We'll stop here."
But her eyes lingered on Ereno.
Longer than before.