The combat grounds of Aetherial Institute stretched beneath the afternoon sun.
Thousands of students occupied the massive training field.
Some were already practicing combinations with their partners.
Others were discussing strategies for the upcoming team battles.
The sounds of clashing steel, exploding mana, and shouting instructors echoed throughout the academy grounds.
Yet despite all the activity—
Kel and Valeryn gradually moved away from the crowds.
Not because they wished for privacy.
Well...
Kel certainly did.
Valeryn simply preferred training over socializing.
Eventually they arrived at a relatively isolated corner of the combat grounds.
A circular training platform rested there.
Ancient runes glowed faintly beneath its stone surface.
Tall academy walls surrounded the area.
A few students occasionally passed by, but compared to the chaos elsewhere, this place felt almost peaceful.
Almost.
Valeryn stepped onto the platform.
Then turned toward Kel.
The crimson-haired noblewoman unsheathed her sword.
The polished blade reflected sunlight.
Its edge appeared frighteningly sharp.
"Let's begin with something simple."
Her voice carried the calm confidence of an experienced warrior.
"We need to understand each other's combat style before the team battles begin. I don't enjoy surprises during combat, and I certainly don't enjoy carrying incompetent teammates."
Kel nodded.
Reasonable.
Very reasonable.
Then again—
Valeryn seemed to approach every problem as though preparing for war.
The noblewoman pointed toward several stone targets scattered around the training area.
"You said your specialty is archery."
"I did."
"Then show me."
Kel quietly moved toward the archery position.
His unusual weapon rested in his hand.
The bow-sword.
A weapon that continued becoming more interesting every time he examined it.
Meanwhile Valeryn moved toward the center of the field.
Sword in hand.
Her crimson hair flowed behind her.
The moment she took her stance—
The atmosphere changed.
Kel noticed immediately.
This wasn't someone pretending to be strong.
This wasn't someone relying on family prestige.
This was a genuine swordswoman.
The kind who trained until her muscles screamed.
The kind who fought until her hands bled.
The kind who earned strength rather than inherited it.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Then the training began.
Valeryn launched herself forward.
Like a crimson streak.
Her sword flashed through the air.
Elegant.
Precise.
Powerful.
At the same moment—
Kel released an arrow.
TWANG.
The projectile flew past her shoulder.
Then another.
And another.
Each arrow landed exactly where intended.
Not upon Valeryn.
Upon designated targets.
Upon imaginary enemies.
Upon positions where opponents might attempt to flank her.
The pair moved together naturally.
Surprisingly naturally.
Valeryn dominated close combat.
Kel supported from range.
Every time she advanced—
An arrow covered an opening.
Every time she shifted—
An arrow created pressure elsewhere.
Even Valeryn gradually noticed.
The support felt smooth.
Comfortable.
Almost instinctive.
After several minutes—
Her expression became thoughtful.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Eventually Kel released his final arrow.
The quiver became empty.
The bow lowered.
Most archers would have stepped back.
Retreated.
Created distance.
Kel did none of those things.
Instead—
Click.
The weapon transformed.
The bow folded.
The limbs shifted.
Moments later a sword rested in his hand.
Valeryn blinked.
Then smiled.
"That's useful."
"It is."
Kel joined the assault.
The two moved together across the training field.
Sword and sword.
Steel flashed.
Footsteps echoed.
The training gradually intensified.
Minutes passed.
The pair exchanged techniques.
Movement patterns.
Positioning strategies.
Combat instincts.
And despite herself—
Valeryn found the experience enjoyable.
Aedon wasn't annoying.
He listened.
Adapted.
Understood instructions immediately.
More importantly—
He wasn't trying to impress her.
The realization felt strangely refreshing.
Then—
Valeryn stopped.
The sword lowered.
"Aedon."
Kel blinked.
"Yes?"
The noblewoman pointed her sword toward him.
"Spar with me."
Kel immediately shook his head.
"No."
Valeryn stared.
"What?"
"No."
"Aedon."
"No."
The refusal arrived instantly.
Without hesitation.
Without consideration.
Without dignity.
Valeryn's eye twitched.
"You refused before I even finished speaking."
"Because I knew what you were going to ask."
The noblewoman stared.
Then folded her arms.
"Why not?"
Kel answered honestly.
"Because I enjoy living."
Silence.
Then Valeryn slowly smiled.
The dangerous smile.
The one that never ended well.
"Aedon."
"Yes?"
"That wasn't a request."
Kel immediately sensed disaster.
A second later—
She attacked.
CLANG!
Their weapons collided.
Kel barely raised his sword in time.
Valeryn advanced.
Relentlessly.
Aggressively.
Like a storm.
Steel flashed repeatedly.
The pressure intensified with every exchange.
Kel retreated.
Defended.
Evaded.
The familiar dance began once more.
Far away beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren sighed.
"Again?"
Kel internally groaned.
"Again."
"At this point I think she simply enjoys attacking you."
"I noticed."
The goddess laughed.
Unfortunately.
Valeryn continued advancing.
Her strikes became faster.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
The pressure gradually increased.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The surrounding air trembled.
Then—
CRACK.
The bow-sword suddenly broke.
The weapon separated near its center.
Fragments scattered across the platform.
Silence followed.
Instant silence.
Valeryn froze.
Her eyes widened.
The sword immediately lowered.
"Oh."
For the first time all day—
She genuinely looked guilty.
A rare sight.
The noblewoman opened her mouth.
Preparing to apologize.
Unfortunately—
Kel beat her to it.
"Don't worry."
Valeryn blinked.
Kel stared at the broken weapon.
Then tilted his head.
"Hm."
The pieces remained in his hands.
Several mechanisms were visible.
Ancient.
Complicated.
Interesting.
Then suddenly—
Click.
The broken sections shifted.
Separated further.
Reconfigured.
Moments later—
Two swords rested in his hands.
Silence.
Valeryn blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The weapon wasn't broken.
It had another form.
Kel experimentally swung both blades.
Then smiled.
"Oh."
The smile widened slightly.
"I think it can become dual swords too."
Another click.
The swords reconnected.
The weapon became a bow.
Another movement.
The bow folded.
A sword appeared.
Then dual swords again.
Valeryn stared.
The noblewoman suddenly wanted this weapon.
Very badly.
Several passing students had also stopped walking.
Their expressions carried obvious envy.
Kel appeared delighted.
Like a child discovering a new toy.
The sight felt strangely amusing.
Then—
Valeryn's competitive instincts returned.
Immediately.
The sword rose once more.
"Good."
Kel's smile vanished.
"Why good?"
The answer arrived instantly.
"Now we can continue."
Before he could protest—
She attacked again.
CLANG!
Steel collided.
The battle resumed.
This time—
Something changed.
Valeryn's pressure increased further.
Not because she wanted victory.
Because she wanted answers.
The noblewoman could feel it.
Every movement.
Every dodge.
Every reaction.
Something was wrong.
Aedon was holding back.
Deliberately.
Obviously.
Painfully obviously.
The realization irritated her.
Not because she felt insulted.
Because she hated dishonesty during training.
Finally—
Their blades locked.
The two stood only inches apart.
Valeryn's crimson eyes narrowed.
"Aedon."
Kel sighed.
"What?"
The noblewoman pushed harder.
The pressure intensified.
"Stop holding back."
Kel remained silent.
Valeryn continued.
"If you were weaker than me, I wouldn't care."
Her voice became serious.
"But that's not what's happening."
The sword lock trembled.
The surrounding stone cracked slightly.
"You keep pretending to fall behind."
"You keep pretending to struggle."
"You keep pretending every exchange is difficult."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And I am getting tired of it."
Silence.
Only the wind moved.
Then Valeryn spoke again.
This time softer.
More sincere.
"If we become teammates on the battlefield someday..."
Her expression became serious.
"I need to know what kind of person is standing beside me."
The words carried unexpected weight.
No arrogance.
No challenge.
Only honesty.
Kel looked into her eyes.
Then sighed.
A long sigh.
Because unfortunately—
She wasn't wrong.
Finally—
He nodded.
"Fine."
Valeryn stepped back.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Subtly.
Yet undeniably.
Kel adjusted his stance.
Nothing dramatic happened.
No explosion.
No overwhelming aura.
No terrifying pressure.
Just a small adjustment.
A tiny correction.
Yet Valeryn immediately noticed.
Her instincts screamed.
Danger.
Not overwhelming danger.
But enough.
Enough to make her smile.
Finally.
The battle resumed.
CLANG!
This time—
Kel attacked.
Not fully.
Not seriously.
Not even close.
But enough.
Just enough.
The difference appeared immediately.
Valeryn's eyes widened.
For the first time—
She was forced backward.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
The sword exchanges accelerated.
Their blades became streaks of silver and crimson.
Shockwaves spread across the platform.
Neither gained a decisive advantage.
Neither lost ground completely.
The battle finally resembled a duel between equals.
Or rather—
Between someone strong.
And someone pretending to be slightly weaker than strong.
Exactly what Kel intended.
Valeryn smiled.
A genuine smile.
Excited.
Satisfied.
"There you are."
Her voice carried approval.
"That wasn't so difficult."
Kel immediately disagreed.
"It was extremely difficult."
The noblewoman laughed.
The sound echoed across the training grounds.
And for the first time since becoming partners—
Both of them genuinely began enjoying the fight.
Meanwhile, far away beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren watched through their connection.
Then sighed.
"He's making another friend."
A brief pause followed.
Then the goddess corrected herself.
"Actually no."
"This one seems determined to become a problem."
Kel unfortunately suspected she was correct.