The dull thud of Mudrel's body hitting the floor still echoed in the hideout. Herald stood over him, unmoved, calm. His presence filled the room, quiet but impossible to ignore. He hadn't broken a sweat.
I looked down at my training sword. It felt cheap. Useless.
I'd been getting stronger. Herald's brutal training routine had transformed my body. Every part of me moved better, responded faster. I could hold my own against manor guards now, maybe even against someone like Mudrel if he didn't take me seriously. But Herald wasn't on the same scale. His speed, his precision, his ability to control mana—it was overwhelming. He wasn't just strong. He made everything look easy.
