The air around the training ring had completely changed.
What began as a casual spar between two first-year students had slowly turned into something else entirely.
The watching crowd had grown.
First-years.
Second-years.
Even a few advanced students stood around the edges of the ring.
No one spoke.
Everyone was watching.
Inside the ring, Catherine Ravenscroft held her training sword with steady focus.
Across from her, Ethan Aldric Voss stood calmly.
But the difference from earlier was clear.
Ethan was no longer moving like a normal beginner.
Lucas leaned closer to Marcus.
"…He definitely didn't show this in the evaluation."
Marcus nodded slowly.
"Not even close."
In the ring, Catherine's aura flared again.
A faint crimson glow wrapped around her wooden blade.
The pressure from it spread across the training field.
Some first-year students stepped back slightly.
Catherine spoke.
"Let's stop pretending."
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
"Pretending?"
"You're stronger than you showed."
Ethan didn't deny it.
Because denying it now would be pointless.
Catherine stepped forward.
"Again."
This time she moved faster.
Much faster.
Her sword cut through the air with a sharp whistle as it came down toward Ethan.
Ethan raised his blade.
CLACK.
The wooden swords collided.
But this time the impact pushed Ethan half a step backward.
Catherine followed immediately.
Second strike.
Third strike.
Fourth strike.
Her attacks came like flowing water.
Continuous.
Precise.
Ethan parried each one carefully.
His movements were controlled.
Efficient.
But Catherine could feel it.
His timing.
His reactions.
They were too clean for a beginner.
She narrowed her eyes.
Then changed her attack pattern.
Instead of another direct strike—
She suddenly stepped to the side.
Her blade cut toward Ethan's shoulder at a sharp angle.
A tricky strike.
But Ethan reacted instantly.
He twisted his body.
Their swords collided again.
The force echoed through the ring.
Students watching from the sides murmured in amazement.
Lucas whispered loudly.
"This looks like an advanced class duel."
Marcus nodded.
"And they're first-years."
Inside the ring, Ethan finally allowed more of his aura to move.
Not much.
Just enough.
A faint ripple of energy flowed along his arm and into the wooden blade.
Catherine felt it immediately.
Her eyes sharpened.
"So there it is."
Ethan stepped forward.
For the first time in the match—
He attacked.
One clean horizontal strike.
Catherine blocked it.
But the force behind it surprised her.
She slid half a step backward.
The crowd gasped.
Lucas grabbed Marcus's shoulder.
"HE ATTACKED."
Marcus shoved his hand away.
"I can see that."
Catherine smiled slightly.
That small exchange had told her something important.
Ethan was strong.
Very strong.
But he was still controlling himself.
Still holding something back.
Which made her even more curious.
She raised her sword again.
"Good."
Her aura surged slightly brighter.
"Then let's see more."
She rushed forward again.
Their blades collided.
Strike after strike echoed through the ring.
Wood cracked.
Footsteps scraped across stone.
Their movements blurred.
Students watching could barely follow the exchange anymore.
Ethan deflected a downward strike and pivoted.
Catherine spun and countered immediately.
Their swords clashed again in the center of the ring.
For a brief moment—
They locked blades once more.
Catherine spoke quietly.
"You're not like the others."
Ethan met her gaze.
"Neither are you."
She pushed forward suddenly.
Their blades separated again.
The duel continued for several more exchanges.
Then—
A voice suddenly interrupted.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned.
An instructor stood at the edge of the training field.
Arms crossed.
Watching the ring.
"You two are attracting half the academy."
The instructor sighed.
"This isn't an official match."
Catherine lowered her sword slowly.
Ethan did the same.
For a moment the two simply stood facing each other.
Then Catherine spoke.
"…We'll finish this another time."
Ethan nodded.
"Maybe."
The watching students slowly began to disperse.
Excited conversations erupted immediately.
"Did you see that?"
"They were amazing."
"Who is that Ethan guy?"
Lucas ran into the ring dramatically.
"That was incredible!"
Marcus walked in behind him.
"You two nearly broke the training floor."
Catherine glanced at Ethan one last time before leaving the ring.
Her curiosity had only grown stronger.
Because one thing was clear.
Ethan Aldric Voss was hiding far more than he revealed.
And Ethan—
Quietly watched her walk away.
Because in the previous timeline—
Catherine Ravenscroft had never been this interested in him.
Not this early.
Which meant the story had changed again.
Just a little.
But enough to matter.