As Ian and Arlen left the dueling grounds, the roar of the crowd still echoed faintly behind them. The sun had begun to dip lower, casting streaks of gold across the academy's wide courtyard, where students still murmured about what they'd just witnessed.
Arlen was practically bouncing beside Ian, his excitement impossible to contain. "That was insane!" he burst out, grinning from ear to ear. "The way she looked at you when you turned the tables...gods, it was priceless!"
Ian chuckled quietly, hands tucked into his robe pockets as they walked. "You make it sound like I just saved the kingdom."
"Well, around here," Arlen said, shaking his head, "that's what it feels like. You have no idea how many people have been waiting to see her lose. She's practically the initiate's fire class golden girl. Everyone thought you didn't stand a chance. And then...bam! You flipped it all in a few minutes."
