They walked toward Dain—smaller brother of Orric who is a member of the prestigious Seven Sword Edges. As Dain turned and locked eyes with the one face he despised most, his expression hardened.
Golden hair. Golden eyes. That infuriating grin.
Felix.
Dain tried to keep his voice calm but couldn't hide the contempt.
"What's a lowborn scum like you doing at a prestigious place like this? We're not handing out scraps to strays."
Felix returned the grin, unfazed.
"Funny, I was just about to ask you the same. What's your excuse for being here?"
Sylra stepped between them, sensing the tension.
"Wait—do you two know each other?"
Felix chuckled.
"Know each other? Sylra, don't insult my talent like that. He's just a sore loser I've had the pleasure of humiliating once or twice."
He turned to Dain, taunting,
"This guy couldn't even control his own blade properly, and you're telling me he made it into this academy? Let me guess—his brother pulled some strings after beating Kaelan. Sound familiar?"
Dain's face turned crimson. With a roar, he charged forward, unsheathing his blade and swinging it toward Felix.
But steel never met flesh.
The strike was stopped mid-air—caught effortlessly.
Sylvara.
She held Dain's blade at bay, her voice cold and commanding.
"Don't act on impulse. Act like a noble. Drawing your sword on someone unarmed? That's not strength. It's disgrace."
She let go of the blade slowly, eyes narrowing.
"One more outburst like that and you'll be expelled—by my order."
Dain stepped back, jaw clenched.
"But he provoked me first—"
"I know," Sylvara interrupted. "But people don't lash out like that unless guilt's hiding under the anger. If he insulted you—maybe you earned it. If he lied—then settle it honorably. Challenge him. In the arena."
Dain's eyes flicked to Felix, burning with rage. But instead of replying, he stepped back silently. Not from fear—he was too furious for words.
Then suddenly, a voice echoed from above, laughing mockingly.
"Hah! I thought students from this Academy had spines."
All heads turned upward, searching. There was no one to be seen—only the eerie sound of a voice drifting through the courtyard like smoke. A crow's caw followed it.
"Provoking a defenseless man with your sword… then walking away when challenged? That's not strength. That's cowardice."
The murmurs began. Students and onlookers whispered among themselves:
"That's Orric's brother?"
"No way. A coward like that can't be related to a Sword Edge."
"What a joke…"
Laughter. Disdain. Dain's grip on his sword tightened, knuckles white. His teeth clenched. Eyes wild with fury.
He turned, voice shaking with fury.
"I'll duel you. I'll make you bleed. I'll break you down until you're crawling—and if I fail…"
He raised his blade high.
"I'll shatter this sword—the one my brother gifted me."
Felix's smile faded. His voice lowered into a serious tone.
"I accept."
Sylra stepped forward, alarmed.
"Don't. Dain's not just strong—he's dangerous."
Even Sylvara looked uncertain.
"Felix, you can still walk away. No shame in that."
But Felix looked straight ahead, steady and calm.
"When it comes to me… odds and ends don't matter."
He flashed a grin.
"I make my own."
Sylvara sighed. But her body twitched from excitement.
"So be it. The duel will take place at noon, in the arena."
Her tone hardened.
"But these are my rules: no blood. If either of you draws blood, you lose. This is a duel, not a battlefield. Understood?"
Both nodded.
The storm was set