{Elira}
~**^**~
Cambria leaned closer to the screen, squinting. "She does have a pretty face. But she looks sad here, doesn’t she?"
Juniper shrugged. "Maybe she was just tired of dealing with the Third Years. They are monsters compared to us."
They laughed softly, moving on with their speculations, but my heart wasn’t keeping pace with theirs.
I forced a small smile so they wouldn’t notice, then reached for my juice, hoping the cool liquid would steady . But it didn’t.
Because the truth pressed harder now: the mory of Lennon’s hand brushing my cheek, his voice teasing so effortlessly, and the quiet reminder that he could also make soone cry, badly enough that she walked away for good.
I lowered my gaze to my tray, pushing food around with my fork, my appetite fading under the weight of questions I didn’t think I had any right to ask.
The rest of lunch passed in a blur. And by the ti the bell rang for afternoon classes, I had managed to school my expression back into sothing neutral.
We split off in the hallway with a chorus of "see you laters", and I forced myself to focus through my second lecture of the day.
But the truth was, my mind was already in the training hall.
Finally when the final class ended, I gathered my things with a quick, nervous efficiency and slipped out before anyone could delay .
My feet first carried to the locker hall to get my things before carrying across the campus, past the chatter of students spilling from around , until the wide doors of the training hall lood ahead.
I pushed one open, the faint echo of my steps bouncing off the polished floors. The vast room was empty except for the figure already waiting inside.
Rennon stood near the center mat, his posture relaxed, but his presence still commanding. Then his gaze lifted at once when he heard , and a warm, steady smile curved his lips.
"You are here early," he said simply, his voice low and even, but carrying that softness that always anchored .
My chest eased, tension uncoiling slightly at the sight of him. "Of course, I didn’t want to keep you waiting, so I ca as soon as my class was over."
"That’s good." He nodded once and then gestured toward the mat.
I put my backpack and my phone away and stepped onto the mat. Rennon moved with quiet purpose, picking up two wooden practice staffs from a rack and handing one to .
"Combat Tactics isn’t only about strength," he said, his tone steady, almost like a rhythm. "It’s about control. Your body must listen to your mind, and your mind must stay calm, even when you’re under pressure."
I nodded, though my grip on the staff felt clumsy.
He circled to my side, close enough that I felt the shift of air as he adjusted my hands. "Like this. Too tight, and you will tire yourself too quickly. Too loose, and you will lose your weapon."
His fingers brushed mine briefly, guiding them into place. "Better." His voice softened, approving.
I drew in a breath and then steadied myself. "And what about my stance?"
"Show ."
I shifted my feet apart, lowering slightly, trying to rember what we had learned in class.
His gaze swept over , assessing but never sharp. "Not bad. But—" He stepped closer, his hand lightly touching my elbow, then pressing gently at my shoulder. "Lower here. Relax here. Tension slows you down."
I obeyed, feeling the difference imdiately.
"That’s it." He gave a small nod. "Your fra is strong, Elira. Don’t doubt it."
Warmth stirred in my chest at the simple praise as he stepped back and lifted his own staff easily. "Now, strike."
I hesitated, then swung as best as I could. He blocked it effortlessly, the crack of wood against wood ringing in the empty hall.
"Again," he said calmly.
We repeated the motion; strike, block, adjust. And each ti, his voice guided , patient and sure, until I began to hear the rhythm of it, and until the staff in my hands didn’t feel so foreign anymore.
When my arms trembled faintly from the effort, he lowered his weapon and gave a small, approving smile.
"Good progress. You learn quickly when you allow yourself to trust your movents."
I breathed hard, but a smile tugged at my lips. "I think it’s only because you are teaching ."
His eyes softened, and for a mont, the silence between us wasn’t just about training. It was sothing steadier, sothing that settled deep inside .
So second later, I straightened slowly, chest rising and falling as I tried to steady my breathing. My palms ached faintly where the staff had rubbed against them, completely feeling lighter.
Rennon lowered his staff and gave a single nod. "That’s enough for today."
I blinked, surprised. "Already?" I thought we would actually spend at least half an hour here, but it’s only been a few minutes.
A faint smile touched his lips. "Training isn’t about wearing yourself down in one sitting. It’s about building strength little by little, consistently. You will co back tomorrow, and we will add to what you’ve learned today."
Sothing in his tone made my chest warm. He said it as though it was certain, as though he already knew I would be here.
I let out a deep breath and smiled faintly. "Okay. Tomorrow, then."
"Good," he said softly. His gaze lingered on for a mont longer before he stepped back, setting his staff aside. "Now, get so rest before your evening al."
I nodded but hesitated to leave. There was a question burning in , one I’ve carried for a while now, and with only him here, the words slipped out before I could stop them.
"Rennon," My voice wavered faintly. "Have you and your brothers found the witch yet? The one whose essence is supposed to unlock my blocked channels?"
His gaze softened instantly, though his answer was quiet. "No. Not yet."
The faint hope I’d been clutching faltered, sinking heavy into my chest as my shoulders dipped.
Rennon took a slow step closer, his calm presence anchoring . "Elira," he said gently, waiting until I lifted my eyes to his.
"Zenon is exhausting every possible ans. He doesn’t rest when it cos to you. And when the ti cos, you will awaken your abilities. You won’t be bound forever."
I swallowed a lump. Though my hopes rose again thanks to the fact that I now had Selene, a small doubt still clung to my mind.
Rennon’s calm eyes held mine, as he continued, "And until then, we will make sure you’re prepared. Power or not, just know that you will never stand alone."
"Thank you." I nodded quickly, trying to hide how much his reassurance settled inside . "Thank you."
Rennon’s smile was faint but real. "Go now. Rest, eat, and laugh with your friends. Leave the rest to us."
---
When I stepped into the dorm room, Nari was perched on her bed, her tablet balanced on her knees, fingers tapping furiously across the screen while Tamryn sat at her desk, her posture perfectly straight as her eyes moved steadily over a thick book.
She was so into studying that she didn’t respond to my presence.
I turned my gaze away and looked at Cambria’s bed, but it was empty.
"Where’s Cambria?" I asked, setting my shoes neatly by the door. "And Juniper?"
Without looking up, Nari answered, "Cambria went to her classmate’s dorm to return a textbook. Juniper’s in the bathroom." She added a quick hum under her breath, too absorbed in her typing to offer more.
I smiled faintly. If Nari was this focused, it could only an her blog had her in its grip again. Not wanting to disturb her flow, I crossed to my bunk.
Sliding my bag off my shoulder, I placed it on the bed and began to unpack. My books, folded notes, and a stray pen.
Each item went back into its proper place. The little motions settled , grounding the leftover weight from earlier.
When everything was in order, I picked up my towel and slipped into the bathroom. Steam clung faintly to the air, proof Juniper was here, still in one of the glass shower stalls.
---
Several minutes later, the cafeteria buzzed around us, but at our table, laughter ruled.
Nari leaned forward, mischief sparking in her eyes as she slapped her tray lightly for emphasis.
"You should have seen it!" she began, lowering her voice into a mock-serious tone. "Regina Shaw, in all her royal PR glory, standing in the hallway with three terrified first-years lined up like they had just been sentenced to death."
Cambria raised a brow, already suppressing a smile. "What did she say?"
"Oh, she wagged her finger at them like this—" Nari pinched her lips into a thin line and wiggled her index finger stiffly in the air. "’If you don’t fix your uniforms imdiately, you’ll be tarnishing ESA’s perfect reputation!’"
The imitation was spot-on, sharp and nasal. Tamryn actually snorted into her drink, which only encouraged Nari further.
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