Chapter 49
Etherlight School of Awakeners – Training Grounds
The sharp thwack of wooden swords echoed through the dusty arena, each impact sending faint vibrations through the air.
Ezra's blade moved so fast it blurred—precise, measured, merciless.
Xavier barely twisted out of the way, but a sharp sting split his cheek. A thin bead of crimson slid down his skin.
Ezra didn't slow. His eyes stayed locked on his opponent, unblinking, assessing.
Xavier exhaled sharply, mana flaring into the wooden sword in his grip. His stance dropped—low, coiled—before he lunged forward. His feet barely skimmed the ground, the sudden acceleration closing the gap in a heartbeat.
CLANG!
Ezra pivoted and caught the strike with steel-like precision, his block perfect, his expression calm… almost too calm.
Then—Xavier vanished.
Ezra's gaze flicked toward the empty space. "…Afterimage," he murmured, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
A cold edge pressed against the back of his neck.
