In the following days, Towan and Sylra continued sparring relentlessly, their movements growing sharper and more fluid with each exchange. The sound of their clashes echoed across the training grounds, a rhythmic symphony of effort and precision. Towan’s strikes were deliberate and calculated, his footwork steady, while Sylra moved with a grace that seemed almost effortless, her every motion a blend of elegance and deadly intent. Sweat glistened on their brows, and their breaths came in controlled bursts, each of them pushing the other to their limits.

  "Those two have been spending a lot of time together, don’t you think?" Alira remarked, her sharp eyes fixed on the pair as she leaned casually against a wooden post. Her tone was light, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her gaze, as though she were piecing together a puzzle only she could see.

  Elliot, standing beside her with his arms crossed, nodded slowly. His expression was thoughtful, his brow slightly furrowed as he watched the sparring match unfold. "Yeah. It’s a good thing, though. Sylra’s a solid opponent." He paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d be as much of a challenge for Towan. The thought gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the fluidity of their movements. "She’s pushing him harder than anyone else could right now."

  "How have the rankings been lately?" Elliot asked, shifting the conversation. He glanced at Alira, knowing she was the only one who kept up with the academy’s ever-shifting hierarchy. Her knack for gathering information was almost as impressive as her combat skills.

  Alira’s lips curved into a sly smile, as if she’d been waiting for him to ask. "Well… Sylra’s still number one, even though she hasn’t officially defended her rank in a while," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "Jyn tried to start a rumor that she gave up her position for him, but no one really bought it. Everyone still sees her as the strongest." She rolled her eyes at the mention of Jyn, her disdain for the boy evident in the way her nose wrinkled slightly.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting back to Towan and Sylra. The two were locked in a particularly intense exchange, their movements so fast it was hard to keep track. "There’s also been some talk about Towan," she continued, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Some students have been eyeing his 15th rank, saying he defeated Deyar. A few even want to challenge him, but as far as I know, he hasn’t set foot in the Ranked Hall since his mediation." Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were weighing the implications of that fact.

  "About that…" Elliot hesitated, his voice dropping slightly. He glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before continuing. "A few weeks ago, Deyar challenged Towan at night. It was… intense. Deyar wasn’t holding back, and Towan—" He trailed off, his jaw tightening as he recalled the scene. "Towan didn’t just win. He dominated."

  Alira’s eyebrows lifted, but she didn’t look surprised. Instead, a knowing smile played on her lips. "So the rumor was true," she mused, her voice low and thoughtful. She tilted her head, her dark hair catching the sunlight as she studied Towan with renewed interest. "Well, I expected as much. Towan’s always been that good. He just doesn’t like to show it." There was a hint of admiration in her tone, though it was tempered by a flicker of something else—perhaps concern, or maybe even caution.

  Elliot nodded slowly, his gaze returning to the sparring match. Towan had just landed a particularly impressive counter, forcing Sylra to take a step back. For a moment, the two fighters paused, their eyes locking in a silent exchange of respect and challenge. Then, without a word, they resumed, their movements even more intense than before.

  Alira crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "You know," she said after a moment, her voice quieter now, "if Towan keeps this up, he’s going to draw a lot of attention. Not just from the students, but from the instructors too. And not all of it will be good."

  Elliot frowned, his arms tightening across his chest. "Yeah," he muttered. "I know." There was a weight to his words, a sense of unease that neither of them could quite shake. They both knew what it meant to stand out at the academy—it wasn’t always a blessing.

  As the sparring continued, the tension in the air seemed to grow, not just between Towan and Sylra, but among those watching as well. The stakes were rising, and everyone could feel it.