CHAPTER 37: SPARRING

After leaving the classroom, Kael Vi-rel made his way back to his room, the soft hum of residual magic from the lesson still lingering in his mind. The faint, energizing vibration was almost intoxicating, a subtle reminder of the untapped potential he carried within. He set his notebook carefully on the desk and drew a deep, steadying breath, feeling the weight of expectation pressing lightly on his shoulders. Today’s training session with Silva was not going to be casual it was going to test everything: his speed, reflexes, stamina, and ability to anticipate an opponent’s moves under pressure.

He stripped off his uniform, letting the cool water of the bath wash over him, loosening the tension that had accumulated in his muscles over the day. Steam curled into the air, carrying with it a faint scent of herbs Kael had added for relaxation. The warm water lapped at his skin, carrying away the fatigue of a long day of theory, leaving him refreshed yet alert. A small smirk tugged at his lips. If Silva thinks today will be easy... he’s in for a surprise.

After finishing, he dressed in his training gear, each piece secured for optimal mobility. The straps of his sword harness snug against his chest, his boots tied tight, Kael flexed his fingers, feeling the familiar weight of the blade in his hands. Every inch of him tingled with anticipation; every fiber of his being was preparing for motion.

By the time he reached the training hall, Silva was already moving through warm-up routines, his eyes sharp and calculating as they scanned the room for potential opponents. Nad lingered at the side, quiet and observant, her gaze flitting between the two boys like a sparrow unsure whether to land or flee.

"Yo, Silva, you here today too?" Kael Vi-rel called, his voice bouncing slightly off the high, vaulted ceiling of the hall.

"Oh, Kael Vi-rel! I was so worried you left quickly the other day," Silva replied, brushing a bead of sweat from his forehead, a trace of relief in his expression.

Nad, standing silently behind Kael, tilted her head curiously. Her wide eyes betrayed her fascination, flicking back and forth between the two boys.

"Um... Nad," Kael acknowledged her presence, his voice carrying a mix of indifference and mild surprise at noticing her there.

Huh? Nad’s expression shifted, startled that Kael Vi-rel had addressed her directly.

"Don’t make any noise and get lost," Kael said bluntly, though his tone lacked true malice.

Ugh... Nad looked as if she was about to burst into tears, her lower lip quivering slightly. The emotional turmoil in her eyes made Kael pause for just a heartbeat. If she keeps reacting like this... it’s going to take a long time before she gets used to herself. Patience, Kael... patience is key.

Kael glanced at her once more, assessing. I think she might have told Hatom something, judging by the way she hesitated after I yelled. The things in the Black Lands... Hatom can’t just blurt them out. But for now, it’s fine.

"Let’s go, Silva," Kael said, brushing past Nad, heading toward the sparring section of the hall with purpose.

"Uh... sure," Silva replied, gripping his sword tightly, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"You better be careful this time. I am not the same person I used to be," Kael added, his small smirk carrying a quiet warning.

"Oh really? You’re already scary now," Silva countered, a spark of competitive fire igniting in his eyes, reflecting Kael’s own anticipation.

Both cadets assumed their positions, muscles taut and ready, eyes locked on each other. The training hall seemed to shrink around them, the high vaulted ceilings amplifying every small sound the scrape of boots on the polished floor, the faint hiss of breath, the distant drip of water from the ceiling. Magic still lingered in the air, residual energy from previous lessons making the hairs on Kael’s arms stand on end. Every instinct in him screamed for focus.

"Are you ready?" Silva asked, his voice calm but carrying a sharp edge, the kind only honed fighters could manage.

"Come at me," Kael replied, lowering his stance, sword held firm but relaxed, ready to spring into action.

Silva moved first, dashing forward with a blur of motion. His sword cut through the air in a series of rapid strikes designed to test Kael’s reflexes, probing for weaknesses. The clang of metal against metal echoed sharply, reverberating off the stone walls, while sparks flew at each impact, casting fleeting glimmers across the room.

Kael’s eyes tracked every movement, analyzing the flow and predicting Silva’s next strike even before it happened. He could feel the vibrations of residual magic through the floorboards, mapping the energy in his mind as though the hall itself were an extension of his senses.

His footwork is tight... almost perfect. But he overcommits slightly on the diagonal slash. Just a feint, a pivot, and I can redirect... Kael thought, muscles coiling like springs.

He rolled sideways just in time to dodge a sweeping blow, pivoted, and thrust his sword with precise intent, aiming for an exposed side. Sparks erupted as their blades met, showering the floor and walls with tiny arcs of light. Silva stumbled slightly but regained his balance, spinning to counter.

"You’re predicting my moves too well!" Silva shouted, a mixture of frustration and exhilaration in his voice, spinning to bring the flat of his blade down in a powerful push. The gust of wind from the strike swept past Kael’s face, ruffling his hair and heightening his senses.

Kael smirked, ducking low and rolling to the side. "You’re too predictable. Let’s see if you can improvise now!" He leapt to his feet, swinging in a fluid arc aimed at disarming Silva, and for a heartbeat the two blades locked in a shower of sparks, the force of the impact sending tiny tremors through the floor.

Silva adjusted his stance, eyes narrowing. "Hmm... trying something new, huh?" He advanced, mixing feints with genuine strikes, forcing Kael to calculate and react in split seconds.

Kael’s mind raced with possibilities: If I retreat slightly, he’ll overextend. If I bait him into the side, I can exploit the opening... yes... now. He sidestepped a diagonal strike, pivoted, and executed a low sweep aimed to unbalance Silva, the movement fluid, almost dance-like. Silva jumped back nimbly, responding with a thrust that grazed Kael’s shoulder armor, leaving a faint scorched mark from the magical energy released at impact.

The hall seemed to shrink around them as sparks flew with every clash. Kael could hear his own heartbeat, steady yet pounding with adrenaline. Nad’s wide eyes followed each movement from the sidelines, her mouth slightly agape as she tried to keep pace with the near-superhuman speed of the fight. It’s like watching ghosts... like two shadows dancing...

Silva gritted his teeth and launched a series of rapid attacks, alternating high and low slashes, forcing Kael to block, parry, and redirect with precise timing. Kael’s legs burned with exertion, sweat trickling down his forehead, but he kept analyzing every movement.

Predict... counter... anticipate... react... He shifted weight, ducking under a spinning slash and lunging forward with a thrust aimed at Silva’s exposed side. Sparks erupted again, a cascade of energy lighting the hall like miniature fireworks.

Silva stumbled back, momentarily off balance, and Kael pressed the advantage, feinting high before pivoting into a low, precise strike. Silva barely blocked in time, sparks flying in a dazzling display that illuminated the sweat and intensity etched across their faces.

For a heartbeat, neither moved just the hum of residual magic and the faint ringing of their previous clashes filling the air. Then Silva lunged, faster this time, mixing unpredictable angles with bursts of magical energy from his sword, each strike more dangerous than the last. Kael’s mind burned with calculations, his reflexes working in perfect harmony with muscle memory and instinct.

He’s getting desperate... opening himself up slightly... now! Kael sidestepped a high slash, pivoted, and executed a precision strike that caught Silva’s blade just off-center. With a loud CRACK, Silva’s sword split down the middle, the two halves clattering to the floor.

Silva staggered back, panting, his shoulders slumping in a mix of frustration and admiration. "I... lost... again," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

"That was a good match," Kael said, lowering his sword and offering a thumbs-up. "You’ve improved a lot. Your reflexes are sharper than last time."

Kael’s body hummed with residual adrenaline. I did bluff a little... but I might actually collapse soon. We’ve already patched weaknesses... less margin for error now... can’t let my guard down.

Nad’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide, sparkling with awe as she absorbed the raw intensity of the duel. They’re incredible... faster than I imagined...

The hall remained charged with the echo of their fight, tiny sparks lingering in the air like restless fireflies, as if the room itself was celebrating the clash of two formidable cadets.