CHAPTER 806: CHAPTER 124 - IRENE AND GABRIELLE (2)

Fast forward a bit——to the training camp everyone wouldn’t shut up about for weeks beforehand.

All of us cadets, from first‑year bronzes all the way to the polished top of Gold Class, were dumped into this rural backwater village, ringed by forest and damp morning fog that clung to the ground like a second skin.

The idea, they told us, was "growth through shared struggle."

What it felt like, honestly, was an excuse to make us beat the living shit out of each other under the watchful eyes of bored instructors who drank too much bitter tea.

From daybreak, the air smelled of wet dirt, sweat, and the tang of nervous tension.

Everyone was sizing each other up because in this training camp, year didn’t matter and rank didn’t matter as well. Out here, reputation only lasted until the first punch landed.

I stood there, boots sinking slightly into soft earth, the training field sprawling wide ahead. There were weapons stacked on stands, like training swords, blunted spears, staves worn smooth from years of sweaty hands gripping them too tight. But a lot of us didn’t even bother. Some, like Rose, preferred fists over steel.

Rose.

She was a storm bottled up in human form with her being on top of Silver Class, on the verge of clawing into Gold. Rumor was she refused to rely on her ability, insisting on her raw fists instead. That stubbornness — or arrogance — had half the academy talking. And today, she was on fire.

"Come on! Get some! Get some!" she roared, echoing off the trees. Her dark green hair clung to her face in sweaty tangles, and her knuckles gleamed wetly.

What was it? Blood? Sweat? Probably both.

In front of her, some poor cadet from second‑year Gold Class swayed on shaky legs, his face a mess of bruises and swelling. He’d already lost before Rose even opened her mouth.

Rose’s grin twisted cruelly.

"Ha... That’s it? That’s fuckin’ boring!" she spat, almost disappointed. "Gold Class, huh? You’re nothing but a bore..."

Without warning, her fist snapped forward. The sickening smack of bone on flesh cut through the air, louder than the scattered gasps around us. The guy folded, dropping to the packed dirt.

Rose didn’t even spare him a second glance. She straightened, chest rising and falling, neck slick with sweat, and swept her glare over the crowd.

"What? Who’s next? I’ll fucking take you all on!"

There was a feral gleam in her eyes, like she couldn’t wait to taste pain of hers or someone else’s.

And for a heartbeat, no one moved. Breath seemed to catch in dozens of throats.

Then, as calm as morning dew settling on grass.

"How about me?"

That voice. Low, clear, cold as polished glass.

Gabrielle.

She stepped out from between two taller cadets, her blue eyes steady like she was almost bored. Her hair shimmered under the overcast sky, the faint breeze lifting a few strands. Even without armor, there was something regal about the way she stood.

A murmur rippled through the watching cadets.

Gabrielle had recently climbed to the very top of Gold Class, scoring perfect hundreds on exams that left the rest of us clawing for seventies.

Rose’s lip curled into a sneer. "Oh? Top of Gold Class, huh? You think that fucking title’s gonna scare me?" She rolled her shoulders, cracking them loud enough for nearby cadets to flinch. "That’s worth jack shit out here."

Gabrielle tilted her head, golden hair brushing her collarbone. "It was earned. Maybe it should scare you."

"Fuck you," Rose shot back, stepping closer, boots scuffing the dirt. "You started at the top. You don’t get it. You’ve never had to drag yourself up from nothing."

Gabrielle’s gaze didn’t flicker. "So it only matters if you start lower? Then bronze cadets should see you the way you see me. They started even further behind."

"Huh? You think running your mouth about that shit matters now?" Rose spat, spit glinting in the dusty air. "You really think that’ll save you?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "Not really. But it’d be fun if it did."

That last sentence barely left her lips before Rose launched herself forward, her figure blurring with raw speed and fury. Dirt kicked up behind her, and her fist drew back, veins standing out on her arm.

"You’re fucking slow!" Rose roared, voice breaking from strain.

But Gabrielle... she didn’t even move her feet.

Instead, at the last instant, a sphere of golden light flared into existence around her. It was seamless and humming faintly. Rose’s punch crashed into it, and the shockwave rolled outward, ruffling clothes as well as tossing strands of hair into faces.

"Ngh...! That fuckin’ hurts!" Rose hissed, stumbling back, clutching her knuckles, already swelling red and angry.

And Gabrielle... she smiled.

Not a kind smile. Crooked, sharp, and almost mocking. The first time any of us had seen her drop the composed mask she wore every day in lectures.

"What the fuck are you smirking at?!" Rose barked.

"Nothing," Gabrielle replied softly. "Just funny... watching someone charge in blind, with no idea what they’re up against."

"I’m not fucking stupid!" Rose snapped.

Gabrielle’s eyes glinted. "Funny. I didn’t say a name. Why’d you assume it was you?"

Rose’s jaw clenched, and for a heartbeat, I thought she’d stop as well as think. But rage had her tighter than any chain.

"You...!" she howled, throwing herself forward again. Her fist swung wide, a blur of motion with her breath hissing between clenched teeth.

The barrier was there again, golden and cold. Rose’s punch hit it, and the dull thud echoed. Pain burst across her features and her eyes squeezed shut, teeth bared in a soundless snarl.

"That fuckin’ hurts!!!" she howled, voice almost breaking.

She didn’t stop. Again, and again, and again, her fists slammed into the barrier. Each time, the impact rippled across her muscles, shaking her shoulders. Blood began to bead on her knuckles, streaking across pale skin, mixing with sweat and dust.

Gabrielle didn’t flinch. She didn’t move. She just watched, head tilted slightly, lips pressed into that same faint, cold smirk. The golden barrier held.

Rose’s breath grew ragged. Sweat dripped from her chin, splashing onto the dirt. Her arms shook, elbows trembling under the strain.

Around us, cadets watched silently, some biting their lips, others shifting uncomfortably. No one stepped forward. No one dared to speak.

Finally, Rose’s legs buckled slightly. She wavered, breathing ragged. Her hands were raw with her skin split, blood trickling down her wrists.

"Y-You... that’s cheating...!" she gasped, voice hoarse, eyes glossy with pain.

Gabrielle’s voice dropped, almost gentle. "No. It isn’t. It’s the gap between us. One you can’t cross. Guardian is that strong."

Rose’s eyes widened with a mix of hate and something almost like fear.

Gabrielle turned, golden hair swaying, and walked away without another glance. The crowd parted before her like water around stone.

As she passed, the breeze caught the hem of her uniform, making it flutter softly. She didn’t look back. Didn’t need to.