The forest seemed to exhale as Kael led the group out of the Deathwood. Mist lingered in curling tendrils, clinging to broken branches and shattered earth, but the oppressive weight that had hung over them for days began to dissipate. Yet the air was not free of tension—every rustle of leaves, every distant birdcall felt like a subtle warning. Kael’s aura still burned, a towering presence that seemed to bend the very atmosphere around him. Even the trees appeared to lean away, recoiling from the storm of power he carried.The students followed silently, their faces a mixture of exhaustion, awe, and fear. They had seen things most would never imagine—killers who moved faster than sight, aura-forged blades, and the raw, destructive force of Kael’s Dominating Aura. And though they survived, survival did not erase the memory of death brushing so close.Selene walked beside Kael, her silver blade sheathed but ready. She glanced at him, eyes sharp. “You could have died,”

Chapter 34 — First Duel of the RivalsThe academy’s main courtyard hummed with tension. Students lined the edges, forming a wide circle, eager to witness what many whispered would be the first clash of titans. Kael stood in the center, hands relaxed but aura simmering like molten steel beneath his skin. He blinked once, then twice, noticing the sunlight glinting off the polished stones and the dust that swirled lazily in the air. Focus, he told himself, though a faint twitch in his side reminded him the Deathwood wound still throbbed. He swallowed against it, wincing slightly, but squared his shoulders.Selene’s gaze was sharp, observing from the sidelines. She shifted her weight, uneasily crossing her arms. “You sure you don’t want to warm up first?” she murmured, voice low enough only Kael could hear.Kael shook his head, the movement nearly causing a small ache across his ribs. “No,” he said, voice calm, almost too calm. “Warm-up is for the unteste

The courtyard still hummed with the aftershock of Kael and Dorian’s duel. Dust lingered in the air, faintly illuminated by the late afternoon sun. The crowd had quieted, but their silence was heavier than noise—every eye locked on Kael, as if waiting for the next spark.Kael adjusted his stance, feeling the dull burn in his ribs where Dorian’s strike had grazed him. He exhaled slowly through his teeth, but the sound came out sharper than intended—like a hiss. His fingers flexed unconsciously. Still hurts. Damn. Don’t let them see that.Dorian, across from him, rolled his shoulders, blade resting lightly against his palm. His breathing was steady, but his chest rose just a fraction too quickly for someone in control. Kael noticed it, storing the detail away. He’s tired. But so am I.“Enough for today?” Selene’s voice cut through the tension. She had stepped closer, her cloak brushing the stones, eyes flicking between the two boys. There was no warmth in her tone—more like she was testi

Morning came too quickly.Kael woke with a start, jerking upright in his cot. His breath came fast, ragged, like he had been running. He blinked at the stone ceiling, heart pounding, then realized it was only a dream—or maybe not even that, just the memory of the duel clawing at his mind.His mouth was dry. He reached for the pitcher on the table, nearly knocked it over with clumsy fingers, and drank too quickly. The water dribbled down his chin. He wiped it with the back of his hand, irritated at the slip.Pull yourself together.But even as he thought it, he caught himself glancing at the shuttered window. The feeling from last night hadn’t gone. That prickle at the edge of his senses. The sense of being watched.When he stepped out into the academy courtyard, the air was cooler than expected, tinged with dew and the faint aroma of wet earth. Students gathered in knots, some laughing too loudly, others whispering behind palms. Their eye