//Training Grounds - Shortly before release//

It was the final month of training. Over sixty percent of the original students had flunked, and the classes had now moved into sparring.

Noland and Blaze were squared off for their match, surrounded by weary but toughened faces of classmates. Students cheered for Blaze, rank second, while booing and even spitting at Noland.

Instructor Fenrik's whistle rang out sharply, signaling the start of the sparring session.

The two closed the gap for close-quarters combat, fire engulfing Blaze's arms and lightning crackling around his fists as he charged forward.

During theory class, it was taught that Metallum Animatum adapted the host's body to its powers. This synergy allowed the host to utilize abilities without self-harm, but it was still capable of harming others.

Noland, focusing on the Metallum within him, conjured lightning to match Blaze's but neglected the fire as he charged to meet him head-on.

Blaze's combat style was aggressive and highly lethal in close quarters, but it was a double-edged sword for their fight.

Capable of switching between the four elements easily, and using two simultaneously, Noland slipped Blaze's vicious right hook and side-stepped into his blind spot. A body image of water shimmered where Noland had stood, blinding Blaze temporarily as he crashed into it.

Twisting like a boxer at the hips, Noland rotated and delivered a sharp overhead hook into Blaze's turning cheek, sending him crashing sideways to the ground.

Blaze's body spasmed as the lightning damage was amplified by the water. His cries of pain echoed out as his limbs twisted in unpleasant ways.

"Enough!"

Disturbed gasps and shocked murmurs erupted from the crowd as the duel concluded within seconds.

Noland had already closed the gap before the call was made, his foot raised above Blaze's head ready to stomp. Groaning in pain, Blaze blinked repeatedly as his vision came back into focus.

Disappointed sighs and mutters rippled through the students.

"Damn... Looks like Noland's still rank one."

"I really wish someone could kick the prick's ass just once."

"Enough!" Fenrik's voice commanded again, stepping forward. "Next, Jade verse Eliza."

Fenrik didn't spare Blaze a second glance as the boy gritted his teeth, shoving away Noland's offered hand.

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"Fuck off." Blaze spat, stumbling to his feet and walking back to his group. The group greeted him with pitying eyes, trying to comfort him but he angrily shoved them off.

"Suit yourself," Noland shrugged, returning to his group.

Outside of himself and Jade, only two other students with black uniforms remained. The rest had either flunked out or transferred to a different regiment.

'Weak-willed losers,' Noland thought at the time. 'They're leaving them behind because of colors. Or what? Not liking me? All of our duties are fundamentally the same...'

"Go get her," Noland nodded to Jade as they crossed paths.

She smiled and faintly hummed, "With pleasure."

He smirked, knowing what disturbing look rested on her face without having to look as she strode past.

"Jade, rank twenty-four. Eliza, rank fourteen."

Fenrik glanced between them, whistle in hand. "Ready?"

The two nodded in unison, and another sharp whistle pierced the air.

Eliza's eyes glowed a soft shade of green as a wall of dirt erupted from the ground. Sharp whistling cut through the air as jagged metal spikes shot through the air, embedding themselves in the wall.

Grimacing, Noland knew Jade's fighting style was dangerous and felt pity for Eliza. One slip up and she could be fatally wounded.

Jade's eyes were shimmering grey as these metal spikes, about a foot in length, materialized around her and shot forth. A longer, grey blade materialized in her hand as she charged forward to close the distance.

Some shards flew past, which would've missed Eliza, but her eyes swirled and blended, blue and green rotating simultaneously in her irises. Water materialized around her, catching and redirecting the metal shards back toward Jade.

Jade breathed heavily, her blade dancing in her hand as she blocked the returning shards and continued to close, an unsettling smile embedded on her face.

Unfortunately, able to use only one magic and an unusual one at that, she was reaching her limits. Her blade blocked another returning shard, but it cut her arm and caused her to wince. This was when the dirt wall violently shot forth, disconnecting from the ground as it hurled toward her.

Eliza, with a burst of green flowing from her hand into the soil, sent it flying and it collided with Jade. She was sent flying back multiple feet, crashing into the ground, and rolling multiple more.

Jade coughed up blood but had already lost consciousness.

Noland sighed with disappointment.

Everyone else was cheering and taunting their regiment. Noland's expression darkened as it rested on her unconscious figure when Fenrik's uncaring voice shouted, "Take her to the infirmary. Next-"

Fenrik continued to call out another duo as Noland stepped forward, picking her up princess-style.

Eliza snarled in their direction. "None of you should be peacekeepers! You fight and act like animals!"

Noland's cold gaze returned to her, locking eyes before chuckling with mockery.

"What!" Eliza snapped, her fists clenching. "Got something to say?!"

Noland didn't answer. His chuckle turned into laughter and he just kept laughing as he turned to leave. He heard her angry calls following him, demanding an answer or response of any king, but he didn't oblige.

Jade slowly regained consciousness in the infirmary after about an hour. She winced, groaning in pain as her head slowly turned and she blinked in surprise.

"I didn't expect to see you sitting there..." she said weakly, slowly sitting up.

"Nor did I," Noland shrugged, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. For a second he thought he caught a glimpse of emotion- perhaps sadness? But it faded back into her usual emotionless stare which caused his wide-eyed blinking of disbelief to shift into a sigh.

"I'm glad you're okay."

Another glimpse of emotion as her eyes widened before her expression tightened again.

Noland smiled softly but didn't say anything.

'It's nice to finally see some emotion.'