The training room echoed faintly with the sound of ether striking against reinforced dummies.
The heavy scent of sweat and ether lingered in the air, showing how long the second years had been training.
A tall girl with a crimson braid slammed her fist into the dummy's chest as ether flared around her knuckles.
The barrier flickered violently before stabilizing again and she exhaled sharply, sweat rolling down her temple.
"Damn it," she muttered, wiping her forehead with the back of her wrist.
A lean, sharp-eyed brunette leaning against the wall spoke up, "You're worked up, Meryn. Don't tell me it's about him again."
Meryn's lips curled in a bitter smile "Of course it's about him. Isn't it always these days?"
She raised her voice a little, looking around at the others. "Everywhere we go- it's Herald this, Herald that. Brandon Kael this, Brandon Kael that. And what are we? Just background noise?"
The room quieted at her words.
