The night was draped in a shroud of darkness, and the campus of the Arcane Academy was cloaked in silence. Bell and Maximus, fresh from serving their detention, found themselves wandering the moonlit pathways, their steps echoing softly on the cobbled stones. Their thoughts were heavy with the lessons learned from their duel and the subsequent punishment.

As they ventured further into the academy grounds, they came across an eerie silhouette. A student, clad in the crimson attire of the House of Ares, emerged from the shadows. Ares, the god of war, was known for fierce and unyielding power, and his followers carried an air of bravado that set them apart.

This student, with the emblem of Ares on his ring and a spear of polished steel at his side, swaggered forward with an aura of arrogance that seemed to challenge the night itself. He smirked upon seeing Bell and Maximus, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"What do we have here?" the Ares worshipper taunted, his voice dripping with derision. "Bell, the mysterious one with his dark ring, and Maximus, the sun-worshipper. I thought you two would be busy serving detention or sulking in your rooms."

Maximus, pride wounded by his earlier defeat and Professor Octavia's punishment, clenched his fists but knew better than to take the bait. "We've learned our lesson. There's no need for more conflict."

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Bell, ever the quieter of the two, kept his expression neutral, his dark ring gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

The House of Ares student continued his taunting, circling the duo with a predatory grin. "Ah, but isn't it fun to have a good old challenge? Maximus, I've heard tales of your impressive feats. Are you too scared to face a real fighter?"

Maximus's ego bristled under the provocation, but he knew that Ra's powers waned at night, and he would be at a disadvantage. He clenched his teeth, restraining himself from retaliating. "Not now," he muttered.

But the Ares worshipper, emboldened by Maximus's silence, inched closer, thrusting his spear into the ground with a loud thud. "What's the matter, Maximus? Afraid of tarnishing your reputation in the moonlight? Or is the power of Ra simply too weak for the darkness?"

Maximus's anger flared, but he remained restrained. The provocation was undeniable, but he knew it was wiser not to engage without the full strength of Ra's power at his disposal.

Bell, however, finally spoke, his voice calm and composed. "We respect the rules of the academy, as all students should."

The Ares worshipper seemed momentarily taken aback by Bell's response, his bravado faltering. "You've got a real mouth on you, don't you?"

Maximus seized the opportunity to lead Bell away, quelling the potential confrontation. As they retreated into the night, they left the Ares student to his taunts, knowing that, even in the darkness, their friendship and the lessons learned from their rivalry would ultimately shine brighter than any ego-driven challenge.