But even as he spoke, he didn't lower his saber.
And Mirae—she hadn't moved back either. Her grip tightened around her spear, and her stance shifted forward again.
They weren't giving up.
The glow of their fusion magic lit up again—faster this time, more raw. The gold and silver energy that had faded now pulsed brighter, messier.
They didn't wait for ceremony. They just moved.
Twin Eclipse - Reforged Drive.
Leon launched forward. His saber flashed with each step, faster than before, cutting through the air like fire through paper. Mirae followed in perfect sync, her spear filling in every opening with smooth, precise strikes.
I blocked Leon's first strike with my forearm, the impact shaking the room. Mirae's spear came for my ribs, and I leaned back just in time, her blade grazing the air inches from my chest.
I stepped in close, aiming a punch for Leon's core—
But Mirae deflected it, twisting her spear between us and dragging him with the motion. They spun around me like a storm, blades from every angle.
I ducked under a slash, spun out of a thrust, pushed off the floor hard. The air shook as we moved—too fast for the eye to follow.
Leon struck high.
Mirae struck low.
I bent backward under the saber, then twisted away from the spear, letting it pass just behind me.
Their coordination was incredible. Every dodge I made led into another trap.
For the first time, I had to push back harder.
"You're ridiculous," he growled.
Behind me, I felt Mirae moving again. Fast. Too fast.
She had her spear back summoned it from thin air. And now she was charging full-speed, aiming to pierce right through my back.
I grinned, and vanished.
My body flickered, reappearing above them in a shadow blur.
Both of them turned at the same time, but I was already diving down.
I crashed between them with a shockwave that split the training floor wide open, sending dust and cracked tiles flying. The ground trembled. Even the reinforced walls groaned.
Leon and Mirae rolled out from the impact zone, but not untouched.
Leon's jacket was torn at the shoulder, bleeding lightly.
Mirae had a red line across her cheek, a near miss.
They looked up at me, breathing hard, sweat beading their brows—but they were smiling.
Genuine, fired-up smiles.
"That was good," I said, landing softly on the floor, cracking my knuckles.
Leon spat to the side and smirked. "You monster"
Mirae wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. "Harder than I thought it would be"
I looked between them, their battle-worn grins, the sweat dripping down their temples, the light still flickering in their fused aura.
And then I asked, calm and curious, "You two still standing?"
Leon let out a short breath. "Barely."
Mirae rolled her shoulder. "We'll manage."
I nodded once. "Good. Because I'm curious about something."
They both tilted their heads slightly.
"What would you say," I asked slowly, "to going a round with one of my Vanguards?"
The air shifted again.
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You're not serious."
"I am."
Mirae's eyes narrowed, the glow of her spear pulsing faintly. "You mean one of the shadows?"
"Yes." I smiled. "The ones I just claimed."
The temperature dropped a little.
Even in a reinforced training room, the name still carried weight.
Leon's expression sharpened. "You mean... Umbraezar?"
"I have two vanguards: Vorathos and Umbraezer. Pick which is which" I responded while smirking.
Mirae looked at Leon, then back at me. "You want us to spar with a Calamity-class dragon that swore to you yesterday?"
I shrugged. "You said you wanted a challenge."
Leon laughed—short, breathless, and a little mad. "You're insane."
"Come one now," Mirae added, a glint in her eye.
"So?" I asked. "Is that a yes?"
Leon tapped the flat of his saber against his shoulder. "Hell yes."
Mirae grinned. "Let's see what your pets can do."
"Alrighty. Let's call umbraezer, I leave vorathos for another day."
I raised one hand, fingers loose, and commanded for umbraezer to show up.
From the shadows behind me, a massive ripple spread outward—inky, warping the air like heat off asphalt.
And from it, Umbraezar stepped forward.
Towering. Silent. Wings tucked. Voidflame simmering faintly from the cracks in his obsidian scales.
His molten eyes focused instantly on Leon and Mirae.
He bowed his head slightly toward me, voice like distant thunder.
"Shall I test them, my Liege?"
I smiled. "Please do."