Reynold just stood outside Silla's ring without entering. His eyes were steady on her. With Reynold's eyes on her, Silla froze. Her bandaged arm was trembling slightly from the earlier fights. Sweat were dripping from her forehead and mixing with the dirt on her face. She held her breath, her sword suddenly feeling heavy in her hand. She did not not dare to move.
Reynold's eyes shifted from the blood-soaked bandage on her shoulder to her exhausted face. He did not bother to step into the ring. After a long pause, a small smile appeared on his cold face, the first real smile since the challenges started.
The crowd were stunned seeing the smile. Silla blinked, her wide eyes meeting Reynold's. She had seen him around the academy, in classes and halls, but they never spoken to each. Relief washed over her, and she exhaled deeply, returning the smile with a tired one of her own.
