Felix followed closely behind Sylvara, matching her steps as they moved through the Academy halls.
"How long are you staying here?" she asked without turning.
Felix replied casually, "Until I finish my work."
She gave a small nod. "I won't press further. Like you said earlier, private stuff."
Felix smiled. "Appreciate that. By the way… how long until the competition?"
Sylvara paused briefly. "Not much time left. It's either tomorrow or the day after. I haven't received the official word from the higher-ups yet. But today's the last day to register."
"Oh really?" Felix raised a brow. "Then the place must feel pretty lively."
"Very," Sylvara said. "Think of it like a massive festival—loud, chaotic, exciting."
"I need to see that for myself," Felix grinned. "Also, what's it like… being one of the Seven Sword Edges at your age?"
Sylvara chuckled. "You might be surprised, but there's no big difference between me and the others—at least in how they treat me."
"No special treatment?"
She shook her head. "Not really. They're all leagues stronger than me anyway."
Felix leaned in, grinning. "Speaking of strong, I wanted to ask… Orric Hollowvein. What's he like?"
Sylvara blinked. "Orric? He's… interesting. Quiet. Only ever speaks about work. But incredibly strong. Why do you ask?"
"I saw him fight once in Balmwich," Felix said. "He went up against the Duke's prodigy son—Kaelan Duskthorn. "He beat Kaelan easily… like he wasn't even trying. And the weird part? He kept getting stronger every time Kaelan hit him."
Sylvara stopped. "That's… troubling. Orric always felt strange to me—gifted, but cold. I hadn't heard anything about that. Is Kaelan okay?"
Felix hesitated… then lied, "Not sure. Last I heard, he might be alright."
Sylvara looked down. "I'll have to check on him myself then. He was… kind of like my junior at the Academy. Sweet kid. Talented."
"Oh really?" Felix said, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me more?"
Sylvara gave him a sidelong glance while smiling a bit . "Now you're poking into my privacy."
Felix raised his hands defensively. "Sorry, sorry."
They eventually reached a large hall near the training grounds. Inside, participants were hard at work—practicing sword strikes, rehearsing forms, and testing footwork. A table sat near the entrance, with scrolls and parchment scattered across it.
Sylvara walked up to the registrar and began scanning the names. "So, what's your friend's name again?"
Felix replied, "Sylra."
She ran her finger down the page. "Ah—found it. He's registered."
"Felix leaned closer. 'How many participants are there? And how does registration work?'"
"Eighty-five so far. Might hit a hundred by end of day." She added, "You need a guild card with a high enough rank to register. Only a few from each town qualify."
"Oh," Felix muttered, "guess that's why I'm not on the list."
Sylvara smirked. "Really? I thought you had a higher rank. You move like someone who's seen action. Want me to sneak your name in?"
Felix shook his head. "Nah, no interest. But thanks."
She shrugged. "Suit yourself. Come on—let's go look for your friend."
As they exited the room, a voice called out from the training grounds. "Felix! Hey, Felix!"
He turned to see Sylra running toward him, sweat on his brow and sword in hand.
Felix walked up to him. "Why'd you vanish? We were heading here together, remember?"
Sylra scratched his head. "I thought the registration was somewhere else. Luckily, I asked an elder and found my way here."
Sylvara joined them. "Felix, aren't you going to introduce us?"
"Oh—right!" Felix stepped aside. "Sylra, meet Sylvara—Darian's sister, one of the Seven Sword Edges, and a professor at this very academy."
Sylra's eyes widened. "You… You're that Sylvara? You look so young—but that's amazing."
Sylvara laughed. "I'm not that special. But I've heard about you from Felix . My brother spoke well of his pupil—I expect big things."
Sylra nodded. "I'll try not to disappoint."
Felix noticed Sylra still panting. "Why are you so sweaty?"
"Oh," Sylra replied, "I found another guy from Balmwich. We were testing some tactics—training a bit."
Felix blinked. "Another Balmwich guy? I thought it was just you."
Sylra shook his head. "Nah. He's already a student here—he's not competing like me."
"Well then, I'd love to meet him," Felix said.
"Come with me," Sylra offered.
They followed Sylra through the winding paths of the training grounds. Felix felt a strange pressure creeping in his chest—a tension he couldn't name.
Then he saw it. The red hair. The same cocky stance. That unbearable arrogance.
He knew that face.
Sylra pointed. "Hey—this guy wanted to meet you. Dain."
Dain turned his head slowly toward them.
Felix stepped forward with a grin that was anything but friendly.
"Well, well… how're you doing, Mr. Loser?"