The training arena was a vast circle of polished stone, its edges lined with glowing wards. The wards shimmered faintly, designed to absorb stray spells and keep students from blasting each other into the infirmary.
Professor Caelum floated above the floor, robes swaying."Practical assessment," he announced. "You'll duel in pairs. One spell each. Demonstrate control, precision, restraint."
Whispers filled the stands. Everyone knew "one spell" didn't mean simple. It meant don't hold back.
Names flickered across parchment slips as pairs were chosen. Casian grinned when his name appeared against some unfortunate earth mage. He practically roasted the boy in seconds, earning applause.
Then my name lit.Opponent: Casian.
Of course.
We stepped into the circle. Casian's grin widened. "Finally. Let's see what your little silver spark can do."
The professor raised a hand. "Begin."
Flames erupted instantly, Casian hurling a fireball the size of a wagon. The wards shimmered under the heat. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
I inhaled.Don't reveal too much.
I raised my hand, focusing the power into a thin stream. A silver arc split the fireball neatly in two before dissolving harmlessly. My spell faded, controlled, nothing flashy.
Casian snarled. "That's it?!" His fire flared again, hotter, wilder.
"Enough."
The word wasn't shouted, but it carried through the arena like thunder.
A blond figure stepped onto the dueling floor, a lance gleaming in his hand. His uniform bore a golden crest—not Class insignia, but Council.
Gasps. Whispers."The Twin Spears—!""Which one is it?"
The boy's stance was relaxed, but his presence was overwhelming, like a storm barely leashed. His eyes—piercing blue—swept across us before fixing on Casian.
"You were told restraint," he said evenly. "Not arrogance."
Casian froze, fire sputtering out.
The professor inclined his head. "A timely reminder. Thank you, Aeron."
Aeron. One of the Twin Spears. Student Council.
Aeron turned slightly, his gaze landing on me. For a heartbeat, it felt like he saw too much—like he could read every contradiction in my veins. Then he looked away.
"Continue," he said, stepping back.
The duel was declared a draw. Casian stomped off, muttering curses. I left the circle calm, though my pulse was unsteady.
The rest of the matches blurred. Students whispered about Aeron's sudden appearance, about Casian's humiliation, about me—"the grey-eyed transfer" who somehow caught the Twin Spear's attention.
By the time the bell rang, the arena buzzed with rumor.
And I couldn't shake the weight of Aeron's stare.