"We'll start with a spar today," Astra said, "if any of you tries to kill the other, I'll kill you myself."
The students felt a shiver run down their spine since they knew she rarely, if ever, jokes.
"I am not joking," she added calmly. "This is a spar, not a battlefield. If I sense killing intent beyond what is necessary, I will intervene."
No one doubted what "intervene" meant and silence instantly fell in the training room.
"Good," Astra said, clapping her hands once. "Pair up."
Students hurried to find partners, some confident, some visibly anxious. Those who had climbed the internal rankings were immediately surrounded, while others tried their best to avoid eye contact.
Devon cracked his neck and looked around. "Aight, who tryna get embarrassed today?"
"Stop being cocky," Nox said with a smile on his face.
Devon looked at him, before immediately grabbed him by the shoulder. "C'mon them, you and me, I'll show you how much I've improved."
Nox hesitated for a bit.
