Being closer to the blast, Norok could make out the details of the light. It wasn't a just a ball of fire-- it was far more intricate, a ball of white hot feathers spinning and unfurling repeatedly. As the feathers fell, they disappeared into the trees below.

  “That's your wrapped friend’s doing, yeah?” Norok asked. Leka hadn’t even stopped to look at the beacon. Instead, she picked up her pace, steering them further and further off to the left of the light. “Shouldn't we go see what's up?”

  “No need,” Leka replied nonchalantly.

  “Okay…” Norok said, jogging lightly to keep up behind her. As soon as he caught up to her side, he added, “But isn't that like, a distress signal or whatever? What if they're in trouble?”

  “You mean what if your little boy-toy is in trouble.” Leka gave him a very pointed look, eyeing him through her lashes with a knowing smirk. “Don't worry, Z’ll look after him. Unless that's what you're worried about--”

  “That's not--”

  “--in which case, don't worry about that either,” Leka continued, completely ignoring Norok’s embarrassed protests. “Prodikor’s not really her type. She's more into--”

  A figure came sailing through the trees from the far left, slamming into the trunk and thudding through the branches. The body crumbled to the ground right before their feet.

  “Taller guys,” Leka finished. She blinked, stunned until the person groaned. It was Rik, which meant to Norok's dismay, the approaching evil laughter could only belong to his assigned partner.

  “Oh,” Irina applauded, stepping into view. “Your flight brings much joy, bullfrog. I could not be happier.”

  “We're supposed to-- ugh,” Rik sucked a breath in through his teeth, gripping at his chest as Leka helped him to his feet. “We're supposed to work together!”

  “And together we worked! Me with brain, you with muscle,” Irina teased. “Very effective teamwork. The leaders will be so proud.”

  “You guys found another trap?” Norok interjected.

  “Seventeen traps,” Rik hissed, sneering at Irina. “And this monster shoved me face first into every single one.”

  “Ehh. You would've done same to me,” Irina waived him off. “If you were worthwhile opponent, that is.”

  “You--!!”

  “Enough,” Irina barked. “We have no time for whining. Come, bullfrog.”

  “Are you crazy?! I'm not going anywhere with you, you tried to kill me!” Rik shouted. Irina clicked her tongue, glaring at Leka.

  “Your vedma gave the order. Are you going to let him disobey?”

  Norok gawked in disbelief. Irina Smirnov, the poster child of insubordination and needless violence, wanted to harp on disobedience? Norok found that hilarious. But Leka's silence left a palpable tension in the air hanging between them. Her stance was stiff, fingers wrapped tightly around her bow. And suddenly, Norok realized he wasn't in the middle of another heated bootcamp trial, or a vicious trap cast by the old tower. He was in the middle of something far, far more deadly-- a true rivalry.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “You know, Smirnov, they say this area has an infinite number of traps, with endless magic combinations,” Leka said coolly. Her bow crackled with electricity, illuminating Rik’s surprised expression behind her. “Who knows? Maybe you got yourself caught in one. Maybe you were too busy bitching from the lower ranks to see it. I'll make sure the sergeants know all I could do was watch you get electrocuted.”

  “Leka, are you serious right now?” Rik asked quietly. “I don't think picking a fight right here is a good idea…”

  Irina pointed to Norok, pouting theatrically. “You would attack me in front of poor Tadpole here? He is a witness, no?”

  “Guess he got caught in it, too,” Leka shrugged carelessly. “Sorry Norok. Better luck next year.”

  “Leka--” Rik tried again, but Leka raised a hand, silencing him with a stern look.

  “How many of your fights have I cleaned up?” Leka said. “Let me handle mine.”

  Irina turned to Norok. He expected her to tell him to run off, or stay out of her way. But Irina beamed with pride and excitement, an exhilarated flush in her cheeks. She darted off without another word.

  In an instant, Irina closed the distance between herself and Leka. Leka strung an arrow, firing it off immediately. The arrow whizzed through the air. It soared over Norok's shoulder after Irina dodged it, ducking below to grab Leka by the leg.

  Leka squeaked with shock as Irina lifted her in the air, swinging her around before tossing her up into the forest line. Rik’s jaw dropped. He jumped into action, rushing forward to tackle Irina. Norok raised his hand instinctively, sending Rik flying backwards.

  Irina dashed after where she had thrown Leka, kindjal extended from her right hand. Norok chased after her with a groan.

  “Is this really necessary?” he asked, lungs hurting.

  “I do not see you running away,” Irina countered. Up ahead, Leka had recovered to her feet, aiming another shot at Irina. This time, it hit Irina directly in her chest. The impact echoed, a resounding crack shooting through Irina's body. For a moment, her body trembled. Then, with gritted teeth, she dove towards Leka.

  A wall of stone rose in front of Irina just before she could stab into Leka. She plunged the kindjal brutally into the wall, puncturing it with her blade repeatedly. Norok whipped around just in time to meet Rik's flying fist. The punch sent him staggering back.

  Norok could feel his nose gushing blood. Rik leered at him, rearing up for another attack as he spat, “You won't get rid of me again.”

  Rik charged, and Norok frantically raised his hand, this time pointing down. Rik yelped as he fell, arms and legs weighted to the ground. Norok tried not to laugh as he helplessly clawed at the dirt.

  From behind, an ear-splitting shriek erupted. Norok turned to see Irina stabbing deep into Leka’s ribs, plunging the blade deep into her flesh. Leka’s bow had been kicked aside, snapped in twain.

  As Leka lay trapped under Irina, Norok noticed her fingers circling in strange patterns. Thin metal wires were creeping out from under her fingertips, laying out a grid that was starting to surround both Irina and Norok's feet.

  Focusing his attention on Irina, Norok shouted, “Up!!”

  Together, the floated into the sky, looking down at Leka and Rik from the treeline. From above, Norok could see Leka’s grid beginning to spark with life.

  Irina wobbled through the air, grabbing Norok by the collar. “What did I tell you about using your magic on me?!”

  An electric shot pierced through the air, nicking Irina in the cheek. Leka raised a finger at them both.

  “It's over,” Leka shouted. “Either you come down and take your loss here, or I shoot you out of the sky.”

  Irina whipped her kindjal through the air. It splintered off into a cloud of shrapnel, floating around Irina's body as she raised her hand. “As if I would give you the chance to shoot.”

  Suddenly, a red light blared through from the center of the forest, illuminating everything in its path. A loud siren followed it. The noise startled Norok, but Irina simply groaned, turning her back to Leka and floating through the branches dejectedly.

  Norok was about to question why, when Pultz's weary voice cut over the siren. “Trial’s over everybody. Head back to base.”