"You know," Luna said as she stretched her arms over her head, "I'm starting to think this academy really enjoys watching us suffer."
"That's every academy," I replied.
"But this one specializes in it." Luna gave me a dramatic sigh as we walked down the stone steps and into the open dueling yard. "First tactics class, now dueling. Physically and emotionally exhausting? Great! Let's do both before dinner."
I shook my head. "You were the one excited for this. You said dueling sounded 'cool.'"
"Yes," she said proudly, "but I didn't think it meant me dueling."
The yard stretched wide beneath the open sky, the grass trimmed short and marked with circular borders. A gentle breeze tugged at the banners hanging from the archways. Students were already gathering—some nervous, some smug, some pretending not to care.
And among them—
Lisa.
She stood beside another group, hair tied higher than usual, posture straight, eyes razor-focused on the yard ahead. She hadn't noticed me yet.
And—
Caius.
He leaned casually against a fence post with the kind of unbothered confidence that should be illegal. When he noticed me looking, he raised an eyebrow, like this whole class was about to be entertainment for him personally.
Great. Both of them were back. The last two people I wanted to see.
Our instructor arrived shortly after—an imposing man with a stern, sun-weathered face and a sharp white streak running through his hair. His coat fluttered behind him like it was part of the uniform. He walked to the center of the yard and clapped his hands once.
"Good afternoon, students. I am Instructor Vale."
A collective shiver traveled through the crowd. I wasn't sure if it was intimidation or respect, but the man definitely commanded the room—well, the yard. Whoever he was, I just begged this wouldn't be some Spartan training regime.
"Today begins your formal training in dueling," he announced. "You are not here to 'fight.' You are here to demonstrate control, strategy, and discipline. Dueling is not a brawl. It is a structured exchange meant to test your precision."
"Sounds like fighting, but politely," Luna whispered.
"Each duel ends when one opponent yields, loses footing, or I deem the match concluded." Vale continued, "You may use any channeling technique you are currently capable of—within safety limits. No lethal force. No excessive force. No recklessness."
Several students straightened at that. A few pale faces appeared. Though I wasn't sure it was from the instructor's pep-speech or from Caius breathing down their necks.
"Now." Vale's eyes scanned the crowd. "For today's assignment, I will be selecting your opponents."
Luna squeezed my arm dramatically. "Elisha. If I get paired with Lisa, just bury me where I fall."
I frowned, almost feeling the same urging sensation as Luna to just leave if it happened. "I'm not digging a hole for you."
Vale lifted a hand.
"For our first match… Caius. Step forward."
Caius pushed himself off the fence, rolling his shoulders as if warming up for a stroll.
"And your opponent…" Vale paused deliberately. "Daren."
A boy from another group stiffened, gulped, then nodded and stepped into the circle.
The duel started fast.
Daren launched forward first, throwing a burst of controlled wind toward Caius. The force should have knocked Caius off-balance—
He sidestepped it with irritating elegance.
Then, with one smooth motion, Caius drew his hand across the air. Light rippled. Daren's second spell fizzled before forming, and Caius tapped the center of his chest with two fingers.
Daren stumbled backward… tripped… and fell at the very edge of the ring.
"Match concluded," Vale declared. "Winner: Caius."
Luna clapped. "Okay, that was unfair. Did he train with the originators of martial arts?"
Caius barely reacted. Just walked back to his spot like that was the least interesting thing that would happen today.
My stomach knotted.
Please don't pick me next. Please don't pick me—
"For our next match," Vale announced, "Elisha."
Today was sure not my lucky day. First, having the teacher pick out of 30 students from before and now...
Why do I speak things into existence?
Luna patted my back. "Well, it was nice knowing you."
I shook my head really hard and patted myself on the shoulder. "Oh, come on, Luna. What's the worst that can happen?"
"And your opponent…" Vale scanned the girls' line.
Oh no.
His gaze landed on her.
"Lisa. Step forward."
Lisa's head lifted sharply, competitive fire already blazing in her eyes. She strode into the dueling circle with a confidence I immediately regretted ever underestimating.
I swallowed, stepping into place opposite her.
Lisa gave me a razor-edged smile. Not mocking—just competitive. Very, very competitive.
"Oh, good," she said softly. "I wanted this one."
I, on the other hand, wanted absolutely none of this.
I locked my stance, heart thudding.
I already regret everything.