A few low chuckles rippled through the crowd. Lilith's face stiffened, anger flashing in her eyes. "You dare talk back?" she snarled. Raising her hand, a small orb of blue magical flame sparked to life in her palm, cold to the touch despite its size. "Do you believe I won't make you regret this right now?"
Elena stood her ground without a flicker of fear. Her emerald eyes glinted with stubborn resolve. "We'll see in the trial grounds, Lilith. And when that time comes, don't come crying for mercy." Her voice dropped like thunder, carrying an authority even she hadn't realized she possessed. The crowd fell silent for a moment; even Brandon and Theo furrowed their brows, clearly surprised that this so-called 'lowborn' dared to be so defiant.
Lilith's face turned a dark shade of iron as the magical flame danced dangerously in her palm, ready to strike at any moment. Just then, a deep voice cut through the tension from outside the crowd: "Enough, Miss Cavendish. Picking on a defenseless girl—is that entertaining?"
The crowd parted as a tall figure stepped forward. He wore black leather armor, a long sword hanging at his side with a simple wolf's head insignia etched on its sheath. The man looked about twenty-two, his black hair tousled, and his steely grey-blue eyes cold as a winter sea. His footsteps were steady, but the aura around him was like a sword drawn from its sheath—chilling and sharp.
Lilith froze, the magical flame in her palm extinguishing instantly. She forced a smile. "Kyle Blackwood? What are you doing here?"
Kyle cast her a cold glance but said nothing. Instead, he looked at Elena. His gaze flickered briefly over her worn clothes and scuffed shoes, his brow tightening before relaxing. "You… signed up for the trial?"
Elena nodded cautiously, eyeing him warily. She didn't know this man, but his presence pressed on her like a heavy weight. "Yes," she answered simply.
Kyle said no more and turned away, disappearing into the crowd. Lilith shot Elena a venomous glare. "You're lucky this time." She stormed off with her lackeys, and the market's noisy chatter resumed.
Elena's heart pounded. She didn't know who Kyle was, but something about him unsettled her. Whispers spread through the crowd: "That's Kyle of the Blackwood family. Sword prodigy. Rumor has it he signed up for the trial, too."
Elena had no time to think further. Clenching her copper coins tight, she pressed on, hunting for work. Kyle, Lilith, the black market—these names and dangers surged around her like an incoming tide. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and move forward.
⸻
Nightfall at the east corner of the docks.
The moon rose, casting long shadows over the warehouse district. Elena arrived as agreed, cloaked in a borrowed tattered hood, face hidden. She crouched behind a stack of crates, nervously scanning her surroundings. The black market's atmosphere was thick with tobacco and booze; masked figures whispered quietly, clutching suspicious packages.
Vera emerged from the darkness, still clad in her leather armor, grinning like a cat who'd just stolen a fish. "Right on time! Not bad—I didn't misjudge you." She handed Elena a cloth sack. "Easy job tonight. Help the boss load a crate onto the ship over there. Five silver coins when it's done. Don't ask what's inside—just get it done and get out."
Elena frowned. "This cargo… it won't cause trouble, right?"
Vera shrugged. "Black market stuff is never 'clean.' But don't worry—this shipment's legal. Just some rare herbs. The boss wants it moved fast. If you bail, I'll find someone else."
Elena gritted her teeth and took the sack. "I'm in." She knew she was taking a risk, but the missing three silver coins left her no choice. She followed Vera quietly toward a moored small ship, where burly men with fierce eyes stood guard, ready to draw their weapons at any moment.
Loading went smoother than expected. Elena and Vera worked well together, quickly lifting the heavy crate aboard. The boss—a masked fat man—threw them a heavy purse. Vera opened it and grinned wide. "Five silver, just like that! Split it in half."
Elena accepted her two and a half silver coins, heart pounding. Combined with the seven she already had, she finally had enough to pay her registration fee! Just as relief started to wash over her, a cold sneer came from behind: "Well, well, two little thieves—working fast, huh?"
Elena whipped around to see Toby—Lilith's lackey—blocking the way with a few thugs. Toby's face was twisted into a cruel grin, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "Elena, you're lucky to be alive daring to earn money here. Hand over the silver, or don't bother trying to leave."
Vera clicked her tongue, drawing her own dagger. "Toby, you're a pretty sneaky lackey. Wanna try robbing us? First ask my blade."
Toby smirked and motioned for his thugs to close in. Elena's heart raced. She hadn't trained in combat, but she knew one thing—she couldn't back down. Whispering to Vera, she said, "I'll hold them off—find a way to run."
Vera shot her a sharp look. "Run? No way! I'm no quitter." She flashed a dagger, slashing out to push a thug back. Elena gritted her teeth and grabbed a wooden stick nearby, standing protectively in front of Vera.
As the standoff intensified, a flash of steel suddenly streaked from the shadows—like lightning tearing through the night. Toby screamed as his dagger flew away and he crashed to the ground. Kyle appeared in the moonlight, sword sheathed, eyes icy as ever. "Leave."
Toby scrambled away with his thugs, terrified. Vera whistled softly. "Wow, Mr. Handsome, nice swordplay!" Kyle ignored her and looked at Elena. "Are you okay?"
Elena gasped for breath, shaking her head. "I'm fine… thank you." Her thoughts were tangled—Kyle's two appearances felt like too big a coincidence, but there was no time to dwell.
Vera patted her shoulder with a grin. "Looks like luck's on your side tonight, girl. Job well done. See you at the trial!" She vanished into the night, leaving Elena alone with Kyle.
Kyle was silent for a moment, then spoke low: "The trial is dangerous. Be prepared." Without another word, he turned and left, his figure sharp and cold as a blade.
Elena stood firm, clutching her purse. She knew the real challenges were just beginning. Tomorrow, with ten silver coins in hand, she would head to the Starfire Academy registration point. No matter how hard the road ahead, she wouldn't turn back.