The combat hall buzzed with low conversation, tension thick as students lined up in formation. Sunlight filtered in through the dome's upper glass, spilling gold across polished flooring and weapon racks.
Today was the third and final day of evaluations. The one that mattered most.
Kael stood with Levi, Charlotte, and David near the middle of the hall, each of them already in their gear.
Levi stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles.
"If they pair me with that guy who controls sand again, I swear—"
Charlotte smirked.
"You mean the one who flattened you last sparring session?"
"That was strategy," Levi replied quickly. "I was gathering data."
David chuckled, strapping on his barrier harness.
"Well, good luck gathering your ribs if he gets picked again."
Kael gave a rare small smile, adjusting the wrap around his forearm. He didn't say much, but the air around him was steady — focused.
Cyrhelle approached quietly from the side, holding her sketchbook in one hand. Her cat circled Kael's feet before curling beside his boot.
"Good luck," she said softly, mostly to Kael but the words extended to them all.
Kael nodded.
"You too."
Charlotte gave Cyrhelle a brief glance, then turned to Kael.
"Try not to get your head cracked. It'd be a shame to lose the academy's quietest enigma."
"I'll try," Kael said flatly. Then paused.
"No promises."
That earned a soft laugh from Cyrhelle and a surprised snort from Levi.
"Alright," Levi said, clapping Kael on the back. "Win or lose, meet me after. We're getting something greasy."
David raised a fist.
"Or protein-packed. I'm dragging you all to the supplement bar."
Kael adjusted his gloves
"Let's just survive the day"
The overhead lights dimmed slightly as two WAA instructors stepped forward — one academy professor and one tall operative in a dark Veil Division coat.
The crowd hushed.
"Today is your final evaluation," the instructor began. "One-on-one sparring matches. Your pairings are based on Desyre compatibility and field potential. These fights are meant to test you — not destroy you. Go hard, but hold control."
Behind him, holograms flickered to life —pairings beginning to populate the projection wall.
Then the Veil operative stepped forward.
"One final note," he said, his voice crisp. "Those who win their matches today will qualify for the Rising Ascender's Tournament — a WAA-endorsed event at the semester's end."
That got their attention.
"Only the top-ranked sparring victors will be invited. Evaluation is based on technique, Desyre control, and combat performance. Agency and WAA Scouts will be watching."
A ripple of energy passed through the crowd.
Levi elbowed Kael, grinning. "Okay, now I care."
Kael didn't answer. His eyes were locked on the growing list of names.
He didn't care about the tournament.
He cared about surviving today without showing too much.
The Veil operative gave a final nod.
"Pairings begin in five minutes."
As the instructors stepped aside, Charlotte turned slightly.
"Good luck," she said to Kael, low but sincere.
Kael nodded back. "You too."
And then the room shifted.
One by one, names were called. Feet hit the mats. Eyes narrowed.
The trials had begun.
beep beep...
"Final sparring matchups will be posted now. You've been paired based on compatibility, rank proximity, and observed Desyre performance."
A beat. Then the screen lit up name by name.
The murmurs started immediately
---
Cyrhelle Elsinora vs. Riven Ortega
Cyrhelle blinked slowly at the screen. Riven Ortega was taller, broader, and known for "muscle-forward" Desyre usage. She wasn't nervous — not exactly — but her cat meowed near her ankle like it sensed something.
Charlotte leaned close with a teasing smile.
"Looks like he's bringing fists. You'll bring art."
Cyrhelle gave a small smile. "Let's see what beauty can do to brute force."
---
Charlotte Gravielle vs. Yven Solano
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but curious.
"Yven Solano?"
David gave a low whistle. "That's the guy who weaponizes emotions, right? Stores them and throws them to you?"
Cyrhelle nodded. "Hits you with your own fear, pride, even rage if he wants to."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.
"Sounds messy," she said. "Guess I'll have to stay centered."
Kael glanced at her. "He'll try to make you feel too much. Use it."
Charlotte gave a slow, steady smirk — not cocky, just composed.
"Let him do what he wants. I don't break that easily."
---
Levi Giarden vs. Ramos Kel'vaar
Levi froze mid-stretch when the name appeared.
"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered. "Ramos again?"
Charlotte chuckled. "Rematch of the century."
"More like revenge," Levi grumbled. "Last time he turned the whole field into a sandbox and made me eat half of it."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You said he barely touched you."
Levi crossed his arms. "Yeah, well, gravity works better when your feet aren't buried in dunes."
David smirked. "So... you ready?"
"This time?" Levi cracked his knuckles again. "I'm not just gonna fight. I'm gonna sink him.
—----
David Ruiz vs. Elira Morn
David's smile thinned. He knew that name. Elira Morn didn't need flash — just timing.
"Phasecut Core," he muttered. "She can bypass solid matter. Slip through defenses."
Kael looked at him. "She'll come for your weak points."
David gave a slow nod. "Then I better make sure I don't have any."
-----
Kael Navarro vs. Tairen Voss
David exhaled through his teeth. "They gave you that guy?"
Levi scratched the back of his head. "Tairen's that upper-tier first year, right? The one with the Desyre that splits himself?"
Charlotte nodded. "Echoform. He creates afterimages that fight on their own. Not illusions — real attacks, real pressure."
David frowned. "Like fighting three versions of him at once."
Levi looked at Kael. "You ready for that?"
Kael's expression didn't shift. Calm. Focused.
"I've trained for worse."
Charlotte gave him a glance, unreadable.
From farther back, Cyrhelle glanced up from her notes. Her eyes lingered on Kael longer than usual.
Levi clapped Kael on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. Guy throws echoes? You throw blades. Let's see who runs out first."
Kael said nothing — but in his mind, he was already planning.
The board went dark. Murmurs turned to excitement.
The matchups were set.