The simulation had finally ended. Students left the chamber with smiles on their faces. Some have already started celebrating. Waves of hoorays echoed in the room. Avryn came out, all fatigued and banged up. He went down on his knees and celebrated his own victory. Harver sat next to him. They hugged each other.

  “Well done, students. Absolutely splendid,” Aldric clapped.

  Rinna observed the room. This was the most happy people she’d seen. She looked to her hand, and balled it in a fist. Her grip was strong and steady. Just two more years of toiling left Her work was halfway done. She breathed a sigh of relief. Valoche and Tvira were relieved in their part. They silently thanked their ancestors for providing them the strength to push on.

  Leifren adjusted his spectacles and wiped away the dust on his rifle. He looked to his sister and they both smiled. A successful hunt, just like the old times. Their biggest to date. If only their father, Auskar, could see them now. Kiria slumped against the wall, arms spread out wide, her sweat dripping down her face.

  Harver had a look of determination written on his face. He was facing somewhere else, somewhere beyond. Avryn got up and walked up beside him. Their job was not finished. They shared looks and walked back to their squad mates.

  Hours later, the results were posted. They all passed. A celebration had commenced, specially made for the sophomores. Back to the familiar nightly scene of a feast they went. Avryn and Leifren’s squads were huddled beneath one of the trees. They discussed their plans for the future.

  Third year students were given the opportunity to choose a specialization tract. They pondered upon them. Rinna helped explain these tracts and what they do. Jenilah and Tvira opted for the support tract. The others opted for the infantry tract.

  The seniors had finished their exams and walked out into the courtyard. Ulver was leading the way. He had a pep in his step and his smile was at its biggest. Harver was paying closer attention to him.

  Murmurs reached his ear. Ulver’s squad were the designated MVPs in their exams. They were the biggest difference makers. Ulver’s defensive ability was praised so his confidence was shining through. He stopped before Harver.

  “Have anything to say, little brother?” he asked mockingly.

  “The next we speak shall be at the Battle Festival, ‘brother’,” Harver replied.

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  “I quite like the sound of that. So I can embarrass you,” he dramatically turned, his cape trailing by him.

  Avryn threw a blade of grass by Ulver’s direction. It flew and fluttered to the ground.

  “Man, I’d like to shut him up one of these days, but that’s gonna be your job,” he turned to Harver.

  Tensions died down and they returned to their conversation. They praised each other for their efforts in the final exams, Leifren most of all, Avryn secondly. Their quick thinking and natural ability to lead made them a huge difference. Were they not organized as they were, they would’ve fallen. The two leaders graciously accepted their praise and thanked them all.

  The celebrations died down and the students retired to their dorms. Avryn was still wide awake. Despite the fatigue, the fire inside him was still burning. He took to the school grounds, found his focus and trained his sword play. His aim was steady, his grip was strong. Perfect edge alignment with his sword. One quick breath, and another slash as he exhaled. He stopped and held his pose. His heart was beating extremely quickly. He smiled at this.

  He took off his shirt, the sweat was getting in the way. He continued his training. Thirty more minutes seemed enough for him to be satisfied. He took to the showers in his dorm room. He wondered if Harver was also doing the same. Training was the only way warriors like them could have time to collect their thoughts.

  Steam built up in the bathroom as the waters continued down Avryn’s body. Ulver was the next thing on his mind. He was praised by a lot of the seniors. Avryn believed he saw some juniors on his bandwagon as well.

  “Defensive guy, huh? Hence the ego,” he thought.

  Avryn had learned you can tell how a person usually is by how they fight. He recalled Leifren was methodical with picking his targets. Rinna had a balanced offense and defense. Tvira was efficient with her shots. Harver was resilient, but cautious.

  The Battle Festival would start in three days. He had three days time to train, but would his usual training be enough?

  “I could ask…her,” he thought of Rinna.

  The next day arrived after a good night’s rest. Avryn found Rinna eating her breakfast at the cafeteria. He sat beside her and made his request. She immediately accepted it, which surprised Avryn. He asked her why.

  “You’re finally taking your training seriously, that’s why,” she continued her meal.

  They started on the afternoon. Rinna would not hold back. It would be full contact sparring, so Avryn had to fight everything he had. He remembered their fight back at the slums. She stopped his comeback attempt. He would not underestimate her this time.

  “Draw you sword, Avryn Starbright,” Rinna pointed at him with her halberd.

  Avryn smiled,

  “One ass kicking, coming right up,” he prepared to charge.

  The results of the training for the day were fruitful. Avryn might have lost but he felt he was close to downloading Rinna’s fighting style. She was certainly no slouch. She was stronger, faster. Avryn took to the showers and made some mental notes. There were holes in her defense, but it was only open a mere moment. He needed to recognize these.

  On the second day, they continued with an even higher intensity. They might as well kill each other with how fast they were going. Rinna still had the upper hand against him.

  “You’re still missing something,” she looked down on him before offering her hand.

  “I think I almost had it,” he panted.

  “Not enough,” she left for the day.

  Avryn sat down in the training room. He was in deep contemplation. He felt so close in figuring out Rinna’s offense. There was one more day left before the Battle Festival began. He needed to figure out quickly. Tomorrow was his last chance. Sweat poured down the sides of his face as he took big deep breaths, and then it dawned on him.

  The day of the Battle Festival came. The results were out. Harver and Avryn were chosen for the team’s representatives once again. Avryn arrived to the Arena with a newfound confidence.

  “Thank you, Rinna,” he whispered to himself.