Sera's training session proved more revealing than I'd anticipated, though not in ways she intended. We met in a private practice ring at dusk, when most students were at dinner and observation would be minimal. She arrived wearing combat practice gear, her Unbreakable Will Script marks glowing faintly on her arms, radiating the kind of confidence that came from knowing destiny favored you absolutely. "I expect professional instruction," she said immediately, not bothering with pleasantries. "No holding back because I'm nobility or female or Script blessed. If I'm paying for your time with official requisition, I expect full value." "You'll get exactly what you need, which isn't necessarily what you want." I selected practice weapons, tossing her a standard blade. "Your problem is that Unbreakable Will makes you rigid. You believe your destiny means you can't be broken, so you don't learn to bend. When someone applies enough pressure in unexpected ways, you shatter instead of flexin