I struggled against the water binds that held me in place, shooting an annoyed look at the girl who’d trapped me. She stood nearby, arms crossed and an all-too-satisfied smirk on her face, watching me squirm.

“Not bad,” she remarked with a hint of amusement. “You’re strong, but it doesn’t seem like speed is your thing. Thought a swordsman like you would be a little harder to pin down.”

I gave the restraints a last, useless tug before letting out a resigned sigh. “Maybe if I had an actual sword, you’d be the one stuck,” I shot back, unable to keep a small grin off my face. “And maybe next time, I won’t let you get the jump on me.”

She chuckled, flicking her wrist to dissolve the water restraints. I stumbled forward, catching my balance as they melted away, and shot her a wry look. “Surprise attacks, huh? Is that a mage thing, or just your thing?”

“Call it strategy,” she replied with a playful glint in her eyes. “Sometimes you have to know your opponent’s weak points. And let’s just say yours might be in the whole ‘expecting the unexpected’ department.”

I shook my head, brushing off my sleeves. “Well, I wasn’t caught entirely off guard,” I replied, feeling a bit competitive. “I just let you think you had the upper hand.”

“Oh, so it was all part of your plan to look surprised?” she countered, raising an eyebrow. “I have to admit, that’s a new strategy. Looked more like stubbornness from where I was standing.”

“Right, because binding people with surprise water attacks takes so much skill,” I replied, sarcasm colouring my tone.

Her laugh was light. “Say what you want, but I think I got the upper hand.” She paused, eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me. “But you were good with a blade. I think you’re right, maybe if you had a sword things might have been different.”

I stiffened slightly, not expecting a compliment. “Just something I’ve picked up,” I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. “Enough to keep up, anyway.”

She tilted her head. “Interesting.” she said, extending her hand with a small smile. “Leah Valerant.”

I took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Kael Rimor,”

The playful spark in her eyes softened, and she nodded. “I thought so—Elderwood, the Rimor estate. I’ve heard it’s known for its warriors.” She glanced at me thoughtfully. “Is it true your father has reached one with the sword?”

I looked at her suspiciously. “Who told you that?”

While it was true that my father had broken through and achieved “one with the sword,” it wasn’t common knowledge. For her to know about it meant her family must be more influential than I initially thought.

Just because my father has reached the third stage doesn’t mean it’s actually that big of a deal. It’s respected, sure, but not unheard of. Many skilled swordsmen can reach the second stage, the Pulse of Iron, where they channel their mana through the blade and synchronise with its energy. That’s where most reach their limit, though. Few make it beyond that stage.

Reaching the third stage, One with the Sword, sets him apart as one of the rare few—one of the true greats. It’s a level that demands not just skill and power, but also a deep bond and dedication to the blade that few swordsmen can achieve.

Leah looks at me a little sheepishly. “I may have done a bit of digging when I heard I’d be coming out here with my father. The information isn’t exactly hard to find. But your family’s sword art… well, that’s a different story. If you’d like to tell me about it, I’d be extremely grateful.”

Ah, so she’s a high noble. Knowing about my father’s enlightenment is one thing, but even having a hint about our sword art? That’s not something just anyone would know. I’ll have to be careful around her.

I decide to skill-fully change the topic. “So, are you also going to Ravenspire? What’s it like?”

She shrugged. “I haven’t been yet, actually. But my father’s told me stories, and I’ve heard rumors.” She looked around at the vast grounds of Elderwood and added, “Everyone’s going to be testing themselves against each other. My father thought it’d be good for me to visit other noble families, get a sense of what’s out there before I start.”

“I haven’t been either, but my brother went,” I said, the memory bringing a surge of pride. “He told me a lot about it. It’s supposed to be… intense.”

She nodded, clearly interested. “What did he say? Is it really as big and grand as people say?”

“Yeah,” I said, trying to recall his stories.

“He said it’s huge, training halls large enough to fit entire armies. They have specialized training fields with mana saturation, areas where you can test your spells or strengthen your body. The instructors are some of the best in the kingdom, and they push you hard.”

Leah’s eyes lit up, and she leaned forward, captivated. “So it’s true, then? You can feel the mana that strongly?”

I nodded. “That’s what he told me. Ravenspire is built in a natural mana field. The energy there is almost overwhelming, especially for warriors or mages with high affinities. He said it feels like the entire academy is alive with power, like the ground itself is vibrating.”

She let out a low whistle. “Sounds incredible.”

“He also said there are a lot of strong people, and that the competition is intense.”

Leah smirked, a glint of anticipation in her eyes. “Good. I’d hate to think it was just some glorified noble training ground.” She paused, giving me a sidelong glance. “Think you’ll be able to keep up?”

“Keep up?” I scoffed, trying to sound confident. “I plan to do a lot more than that.”

Her smile widened. “Alright, I’ll just have to hold you to that.”

I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. “You won’t be disappointed.”

A comfortable silence settled between us as we walked through the grounds. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so relaxed with someone outside my family. Leah must’ve picked up on it because her expression softened, her gaze thoughtful.

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“Seems like a peaceful place,” she said, looking around at the tall trees surrounding us. “I’m guessing you grew up out here?”

“Yeah,” I replied, my tone a bit wistful. “Elderwood’s always been home. It’s quieter than the city, and the forest is… calming.”

She nodded, understanding in her gaze. “It must make for a good training ground too. Plenty of space, fresh air… and no distractions.”

“That’s the idea.” I paused, hesitating before adding, “If you’re up for a bit of a walk, I can show you one of my favourite places.”

Her eyes lit up with curiosity. “Lead the way.”

We left the estate and entered the forest surrounding Elderwood. The ancient trees stood tall around us, their thick branches weaving into a canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of pine and earth.

After a short walk, we reached a small clearing. The sunlit space was ringed by wildflowers and surrounded by towering trees. I often came here to train or meditate. I felt a bit self-conscious sharing it, but Leah’s appreciative gaze made me relax.

“This is… beautiful,” she murmured, looking around. “Feels like a hidden world.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. “It’s where I come to gather mana and train. The forest is rich with energy, and I can pull it in naturally here.”

She looked at me, intrigued. “Gathering mana in a forest like this… it must be calming.”

“Exactly,” I replied. “Having a body talent means I absorb more energy than I use with spells. It’s less about casting magic and more about building my physical strength and endurance. Meditating here, with all the natural mana, keeps me grounded.”

I crossed my legs and sat down, closing my eyes as I began to gather mana. The forest’s ambient energy felt like a steady current, filling me slowly, restoring my reserves. The trees, the earth, the air—they all seemed to pulse with life, merging with my own energy.

When I opened my eyes, Leah was watching me with curiosity and respect. “I’ve heard about body talent meditation,” she said, her voice soft. “But seeing it… it’s different. It’s like you’re part of the forest.”

I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish under her gaze. “I’ve been doing it for a while. My father’s style is rooted in connecting with our surroundings, though he’s… let’s say he’s more focused on his own training.”

She nodded, picking up on the unspoken weight in my words. “Sometimes it’s easier to train alone, I guess.”

I smiled wryly. “Yeah, something like that. But there’s more to learn at Ravenspire, more than I can learn here on my own.”

Leah nodded, looking around the clearing with a newfound appreciation. “Ravenspire sounds intense. I guess we’ll both be thrown into the deep end.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” I replied with a quiet determination. “To finally see how far I can go without… other people’s expectations weighing me down.”

She gave me a small smile. “Well, here’s to proving ourselves then,” she said, holding out a hand as if to seal a pact.

I glanced at her hand, surprised, then took it with a grin. “To proving ourselves.”

For a moment, we just stood there, a quiet understanding passing between us. Despite the differences in our backgrounds, we both understood the weight of expectations. Hers came from a noble family pushing her to uphold their legacy at Ravenspire, while mine was shadowed by my father’s reputation and the legacy of my older brother. In this moment, that shared pressure was something that bound us, if only temporarily.

“So,” Leah said, breaking the silence, her tone playful again. “Any other secrets you want to share, or do you just plan on leaving me in suspense?”

I chuckled, trying to match her lightheartedness. “I think I’ll keep some things to myself for now. Besides, don’t you think a little mystery is a good thing?”

“Touché,” she replied, her smile widening. “But don’t think I won’t figure you out eventually. I’m pretty good at reading people.”

“Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow, amused. “And what exactly have you figured out about me, Lady Valerant?”

She looked thoughtful, tapping her chin dramatically. “Let’s see… well, I’d say you’re determined, maybe a bit stubborn, and definitely more skilled than you let on.”

I laughed, feeling oddly relieved by her assessment. “Fair enough. And you? What’s the story behind the water affinity? Not many mages are as comfortable in close combat.”

She shrugged, her expression turning contemplative. “My father wanted me to be versatile. He said that water mages who only rely on spells are predictable, easy to counter. So, he taught me to fight up close, to use water as an extension of myself rather than just a weapon.”

“That explains a lot,” I replied, impressed. “It’s mustn’t be easy to mix close combat with magic. I imagine wanting to sit back and throw spells from far away.”

“It isn’t,” she admitted, a hint of pride in her tone. “But it’s part of what makes me stronger. Water may seem soft and adaptable, but it can be just as fierce as any weapon.”

We fell silent again, the weight of her words lingering. I had to admit, her philosophy resonated with me. Body talent and water affinity seemed worlds apart, but in a way, they both emphasized control, discipline, and flexibility—qualities that defined a skilled warrior just as much as a mage.

“So,” I said, after a moment, “if we’re both going to Ravenspire, any advice for handling… the competition?”

She smirked, crossing her arms. “Well, I haven’t been there myself, but from what I’ve heard, the best approach is to keep your guard up. Everyone’s looking to make a name for themselves, or climb the social ladder for there family’s.”

“Sounds annoying,” I murmured.

“It will be,” she agreed. “But I’m sure there will be amazing things aswel.”

I nodded, her excitement infecting me. “Yeah. My brother used to say Ravenspire has a way of bringing out who you really are.”

Her eyes softened, her curiosity clear. “You mention him a lot. Your brother.”

I nodded, swallowing against the sudden lump in my throat. “He… well, he was the one who really showed me what it meant to be strong. More than anyone else.” I stop, not wanting to say more.

Leah nodded, not pushing, and I was grateful for her silence. Instead, she looked around, taking in the beauty of the clearing once more. “He must’ve been a great teacher.”

“He was,” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “And… Ravenspire was where he got stronger. I want to follow in his footsteps, but maybe… find my own path too.”

She reached out, resting a hand on my arm briefly. “Then Ravenspire’s the perfect place for you, Kael. From what I’ve heard, everyone there has something they’re trying to prove, whether to themselves or others.”

I looked at her, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. “Thanks. I guess we’ll both have something to prove.”

She gave me a playful nudge. “And we’ll both be ready. Just… don’t expect me to go easy on you when we’re sparring next time.”

I laughed, some of the heaviness lifting. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

We walked back toward the estate, the light fading softly as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. By the time we reached the edge of the forest, the sky was tinged with shades of orange and pink, and the air held a chill that signalled the approach of evening.

Leah’s father was waiting by the estate entrance, talking with one of our attendants. When he saw us approaching, he straightened and nodded approvingly at Leah. “Did you enjoy the tour?” he asked.

Leah shot me a grin. “Oh, yes. Kael here was kind enough to show me around. I’d say I know the estate like the back of my hand now.”

I rolled my eyes, muttering, “If getting lost counts as knowing it.”

Her father chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, I’m glad you’ve made a friend here, Leah. Friends are rare and valuable, especially the kind you can count on.”

Leah’s gaze softened, and she looked at me with a sincerity that caught me off guard. “You’re right, Father. They are.” She extended her hand to me one last time. “See you at Ravenspire, Kael?”

I took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “See you there, Leah. And don’t worry, I’ll be ready for that rematch.”

Her laugh was light, filled with anticipation. She released my hand, giving me a quick nod before turning to join her father. They climbed into their carriage, and with a final wave, Leah was gone, leaving me alone in the fading light.

As I watched the carriage disappear down the road, a sense of purpose settled within me, stronger than ever. Ravenspire was waiting, a place where I could finally prove myself. For the first time, I felt ready. Ready to take on the challenges, the rivalries, and the unknown future that lay ahead.

I took one last look at the forest before heading back to the estate, my steps lighter, my mind clear. Whatever came next, I knew one thing for certain—I wasn’t going to be standing in anyone’s shadow.