Dawn arrived quietly.
Yildes and Xilo stood near the village gate.
Kael tried to look normal.
Rion actually looked normal.
"You'll manage," Xilo said casually.
Aris rolled her eyes. "Go already."
Yildes looked at the boys one last time.
"Listen."
Then they were gone.
No drama.
Just responsibility left behind.
Aris stretched her arms above her head.
"Alright."
She looked at Kael first.
"You."
Kael stepped forward instantly.
"Thought so."
He attacked without hesitation.
Fast.
Powerful.
Too powerful.
His mana flared unevenly with every movement.
Aris blocked, stepped aside, redirected.
Effortless.
After a few exchanges, she flicked her wrist and a burst of air knocked him flat.
He slammed into the ground.
Silence.
She didn't laugh.
She just stared at him.
"Again."
He got up.
Attacked harder.
Missed.
Again.
Again.
Finally she stopped him by pressing two fingers against his chest.
The air tightened around him just enough to freeze him in place.
"You're loud."
He frowned. "What?"
"Your mana."
She released him.
"It screams. It doesn't flow."
Kael clenched his fists.
"I just need more power."
She smacked the back of his head lightly.
"No."
He turned sharply. "Then what?!"
"You need focus."
She stepped closer.
"You're not weak because you lack strength."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're weak because your mind isn't here."
Silence.
He didn't answer.
She crossed her arms.
"You keep thinking about it, don't you?"
He didn't look at her.
"The attribute."
That hit.
Rion looked at him briefly.
Aris continued.
"You're fighting the wrong enemy."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"You're angry at yourself. So your mana reacts to that."
She stepped back.
"You want control?"
He nodded.
"Then stop trying to prove something every time you move."
That stung more than the fall.
She turned to Rion.
"And you."
Rion stepped forward calmly.
Light gathered around his hand.
Clean. Stable.
He moved well.
Precise angles. Efficient decisions.
She blocked and countered lightly.
He adjusted.
Good instincts.
She increased pressure slightly.
He adapted again.
Then she suddenly stepped back.
"Stop."
He lowered his hand.
"You're too calm."
He blinked once. "Is that bad?"
"Yes."
She walked around him slowly.
"You analyze. You calculate. You respond."
She stopped in front of him.
"But you don't push."
Rion didn't speak.
She leaned in slightly.
"If someone threatens him—"
She pointed at Kael.
"—would you still analyze?"
His eyes shifted slightly.
There it is.
She smiled faintly.
"You need heart."
Kael looked confused. "He's already strong."
"Strong isn't enough."
She stepped back, looking at both of them.
"You two are opposites."
She pointed at Kael.
"Too much emotion."
Then at Rion.
"Not enough."
She clapped once.
"Good."
They both frowned. "Good?"
"Yes."
She turned away slightly.
"That means you can fix it."
Kael crossed his arms. "How?"
She looked over her shoulder.
"For you."
She pointed at Kael.
"From tomorrow, no sparring."
"What?"
"You sit."
He blinked. "Sit?"
"You will train focus. Breathing. Flow. Control."
"That's boring."
She smiled.
"That's why you need it."
He clicked his tongue but didn't argue.
Then she turned to Rion.
"And you."
"Yes."
"You'll fight me."
Kael's eyes widened. "That's unfair."
"It is."
She shrugged.
"But he needs pressure."
Rion didn't hesitate.
"I understand."
She smiled.
"Of course you do."
The wind shifted slightly around the field.
She looked at both of them again.
"By the time Yildes comes back, I want to see change."
Her expression softened slightly.
"I'm not here to babysit."
Then it hardened again.
"I'm here to sharpen you."
Kael looked at the ground for a moment.
Then back up.
"…Fine."
Rion nodded once.
Aris turned toward the sky briefly.
The crack was still there.
Her expression changed for just a second.
Then she looked back at them.
"Good."
She cracked her knuckles lightly.
"Now let's start properly."