The training grounds of Aetherion Academy were unusually lively that afternoon.
Students from several different groups had gathered near the central combat arena. Normally, each class trained in their own designated fields, but rumors had begun spreading since morning.
A sparring match was about to happen.
Not a normal training match.
Something more interesting.
Ethan Aldric Voss arrived near the edge of the arena just as the crowd was beginning to grow.
Lucas was already there, leaning comfortably against the railing.
"You're late," Lucas said the moment he saw Ethan.
"I wasn't invited."
Lucas grinned.
"No one was invited."
Marcus appeared beside them, slightly out of breath.
"I heard someone from the Advanced group challenged a second-year."
Lucas pointed toward the arena.
"They're already inside."
Ethan looked toward the center ring.
Two students stood facing each other.
One of them was a tall second-year with broad shoulders and a confident stance. His aura faintly flickered around his arms, visible even to students watching from the stands.
The other student stood calmly across from him.
Crimson hair tied behind her.
Catherine Ravenscroft.
Marcus blinked.
"…Wait."
"That's not fair."
Lucas nodded.
"The second-year probably thought the same thing."
Around the arena, students whispered excitedly.
Catherine had already gained attention across the academy during the past week. Her natural talent and precise swordsmanship had made her name spread quickly among the first-years.
But challenging a second-year this early was unusual.
Very unusual.
Instructors stood nearby to supervise the match.
One of them raised a hand.
"This will be a controlled sparring match."
"No dangerous techniques."
The second-year rolled his shoulders slightly.
"You sure you want to do this?"
Catherine answered calmly.
"Yes."
The instructor stepped back.
"Begin."
The second-year moved first.
His sword cut through the air with surprising speed.
Catherine stepped aside.
Their blades collided with a sharp crack.
The sound echoed across the arena.
Students leaned forward.
The second-year attacked again.
Fast.
Two consecutive strikes.
Catherine blocked both.
Her movements were smooth.
Controlled.
Marcus whispered beside Ethan.
"She's keeping up."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"More like matching him."
Inside the arena, the pace increased.
Strike.
Parry.
Step.
Counter.
The second-year's aura flickered slightly as he pushed forward.
Catherine's movements remained calm.
Precise.
Then—
She moved.
One sharp pivot.
A quick upward strike.
The second-year barely blocked it.
His eyes widened slightly.
The crowd murmured.
Ethan watched quietly.
Because he remembered this moment.
In the previous timeline—
Catherine had challenged a second-year during the second week of academy training.
And she had won.
But the fight had been close.
This one…
Was unfolding slightly differently.
The second-year attacked again, faster this time.
Three quick strikes.
Catherine stepped back.
Blocked.
Redirected.
Then she countered.
Her sword moved like a flash of silver.
The second-year barely avoided the strike.
Marcus whispered loudly.
"She almost got him."
Lucas grinned.
"This is getting good."
The second-year stepped back, breathing slightly heavier.
"You're serious."
Catherine didn't answer.
She simply raised her sword again.
Then she attacked.
Fast.
Faster than before.
The second-year blocked once.
Twice.
But on the third exchange—
Catherine's blade slipped under his guard.
Her wooden sword stopped inches from his chest.
Silence filled the arena.
For a moment—
No one moved.
Then the instructor raised his hand.
"Match over."
The crowd erupted.
Students began talking loudly all at once.
Marcus stared at the arena.
"She… won."
Lucas laughed.
"A first-year just beat a second-year."
Catherine stepped back and lowered her sword.
The second-year looked at her for a moment.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Impressive."
She nodded politely.
"Thank you."
They both stepped out of the ring.
Students immediately surrounded the arena, excitedly discussing what they had just seen.
Marcus shook his head.
"First-years are not supposed to do that."
Lucas looked at Ethan.
"You predicted this, didn't you?"
Ethan didn't respond.
Because he had noticed something important.
In the previous timeline—
Catherine had needed almost a full minute to defeat her opponent.
Today—
The match had ended much faster.
Too fast.
A small change.
But still a change.
Catherine walked past the crowd calmly.
For a brief moment—
Her eyes met Ethan's again.
This time, she didn't look away immediately.
Almost as if she was trying to understand something.
Then she continued walking.
Lucas followed her with his eyes.
"She's definitely interested in you."
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah, that was obvious."
Ethan sighed quietly.
"That's not the issue."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"What is the issue then?"
Ethan looked back toward the arena.
Students were still discussing Catherine's victory excitedly.
Because moments like that spread through the academy quickly.
But inside Ethan's mind—
Another thought lingered.
The story was changing faster than he expected.
And Catherine Ravenscroft—
Was beginning to grow stronger sooner than she should have.
Which meant something important.
The future Ethan remembered…
Was slowly beginning to disappear.