The sky above Umbravale had turned pale with morning light. Thin clouds drifted like breath across the peaks. The training arena in the southern sector buzzed with low energy no shouting, no fanfare. Just the quiet readiness of sharpened blades.
Two teams stood across from each other.
Kieran's team on one side tired from early drills but focused.
On the other, six upper-rank initiates clad in layered leather, each bearing the calm confidence of students used to winning. They didn't smirk or taunt. They didn't need to. Their silence said enough.
Instructor Valeir's voice rang out sharp.
"Rotational engagement trial. Objectives: control, coordination, recovery. No lethal strikes. Score is based on performance, not victory."
He raised a hand.
"Begin."
---
Kieran moved first. Not to attack, but to step into open ground, drawing the others forward in formation. Calla's flame shimmered faintly in her palm. Selene fell into step behind, light already rising through her skin like a dawn barely held back.
Nova flanked left. Rei flanked right.
Sera disappeared into the edge shadows before anyone noticed.
The clash was sudden.
The other team came fast blades, essence, and pressure colliding like a single force. Kieran ducked under a sweeping arc, caught a glimpse of Talon fumbling his draw, and rolled into a hard counter against a spear thrust meant for Selene's back.
Rei was already in it aggressive, too fast, too close to the edge of the field's safety wards.
"Pull it back," Nova snapped from the flank.
"I've got it," Rei snapped.
"You're off formation!"
"Then match me!"
---
They broke a line but lost ground doing it. Selene flashed forward, knocking one of the enemy forward with a burst of augmented speed. Calla's flame curved around her, warding two off but they regrouped quickly.
Kieran called out, "Fall in, tight angle. Push left."
Rei didn't move.
Nova cursed under her breath and pivoted to intercept a strike meant for Talon, who was still off-balance.
Then
Sera reappeared in the center of the field, spinning low, her dagger hissing through shadow. She cut through one defender's guard like it was smoke, vanishing again before the hit even landed.
Kieran took that moment and surged forward, blade aimed not for a body — but for the mark post at the far end.
His strike hit.
A soft chime rang through the field.
"Trial complete," Valeir said.
---
Breathing hard, they regrouped.
The opposing team offered short nods and left without a word.
Valeir approached slowly, arms crossed.
"You won," he said. "Barely."
Rei frowned. "Still counts."
"No. It doesn't."
Valeir's voice didn't rise, but it hit harder than a shout.
"You had the strength. You lacked the cohesion. Three of you acted independently. Two of you hesitated. One of you vanished."
He looked at Sera, who blinked once and offered nothing.
Kieran stayed silent.
Valeir didn't linger. "Tomorrow, new matchups. Study the footage. You'll review your missteps."
He turned and walked away.
---
Later that evening, the team sat beneath one of the outer pavilions, nursing bruises and pride alike.
Nova toyed with a silver coin, tossing it between her fingers.
"We got third."
Selene glanced over. "Already?"
Nova nodded. "Posted it at the Hall's edge. We're on the board."
Talon frowned. "Who's above us?"
"Aelric's team. And Sylas' squad." She paused. "They're both legacy students. Tied to instructors. Born in the system."
Rei leaned back, arms behind his head. "Then we'll just have to burn their advantage down."
No one laughed.
Kieran didn't look at the board.
He just watched the horizon where the mountains met the dark.
The Convergence was coming.
And the time for learning was almost over.