A thunderous crash echoed through the chamber, followed by the soft clatter of bricks tumbling from the shattered wall.
Dain groaned as he pushed himself up from the rubble, eyes wide with disbelief.
"So fast..." he muttered, still trying to grasp when Vale had moved—let alone how he'd been sent flying across the room.
Without hesitation, Dain surged forward again, his silver gauntlet catching the dim light as he closed the distance.
But Vale was already moving. He sidestepped with fluid grace, his blade whispering across Dain's torso—just deep enough to let him know that he could've ended it.
Dain's expression darkened, his brow furrowing as he faced Vale. The student stood calmly, as if the clash meant nothing.
"As I thought," Vale thought, his gaze studying the massive student. Ranking up created a difference too big for the student to overcome.
He lowered his weapon and turned slightly toward the rest of the group. "Join him."
