Three days after the lactation discovery.
Draven stood in the academy arena. Massive coliseum. Thousands of seats. All filled. Students. Faculty. Nobles from the capital.
The Annual Combat Tournament.
"Nervous?" Seraphina asked beside him. She was competing too. B-Rank High now. Still dangerous.
"No." Truth. He wasn't nervous. "You?"
"Please. I'm going to destroy everyone." She smirked. "Except maybe you. You've gotten scary strong."
"Maybe?"
"Fine. You'll probably win. Happy?"
"Very."
They stood in the competitor section. Sixty-four students total. Academy's best. Bracket system. Single elimination. Winner gets prize money, prestige, and bragging rights.
Draven scanned the crowd. Found his targets. Elise in the noble section. Wearing a formal dress. Blue. Beautiful. She caught his eye. Smiled. Subtle.
He smiled back.
Astrid was in the faculty area. Professor duties. She'd be watching. Judging. Probably taking notes on his technique.
