The next morning's lecture wasn't theory—it was combat drills. The training yard echoed with the clash of spells and the bark of instructions as Professor Caelum floated overhead, watching every mistake with hawk-like precision.
Pairs formed quickly. Water clashed against flame, wind cut through stone, sparks danced across the warded floor.
I stayed at the edge, waiting. I wasn't in a hurry to show anything.
"Oi. You."
Casian. He strode up, fire already simmering around his hands, a grin too wide to be friendly. "Professor said pair up, didn't he? Let's finish what we started."
Before I could answer, another voice cut in.
"No."
Lyra. She stepped between us, blade strapped to her side, eyes sharp as ever. "You'll waste his time with your sloppiness. He's with me."
Casian bristled. "What—since when do you decide pairings?"
"Since you nearly burned half the arena yesterday." Her tone was flat, her gaze unflinching. "If you want to flail, find someone else."
Casian's fire hissed hotter. For a moment, I thought he'd swing at her. But then Mira appeared, slipping between them with the ease of someone used to soothing tempers.
"Stop it. Both of you." She placed a hand gently on Casian's arm, the flame dimming under her touch. Then she turned to Lyra, calm but firm. "And you don't need to pick fights outside of the drills."
Lyra's jaw tightened. Casian scowled.
I just stood there, silent, watching the cracks form.
Professor Caelum's voice carried over the yard. "Problem?"
"No, sir," Mira said quickly, her tone smooth enough to end the argument.
Lyra shot me one last look, then moved off toward the sparring circle. Casian muttered something under his breath and stalked the other way.
Mira lingered a moment, glancing at me. "You should be careful," she whispered. "Both of them see something in you. And neither of them knows what it is yet."
I met her eyes. "And you? What do you see?"
She smiled faintly. "Someone who hasn't decided whether he wants to stand alone or not."
Then she walked off, light as always, leaving me with more questions than answers.