Selwyn's katana clashed against Cal's with a resounding clang, the force of impact sending vibrations up his arms. His breath came in short bursts, eyes narrowed in fierce concentration. He moved swiftly, channeling the wind mana he had spent months honing, enhancing his agility and speed. With a sudden pivot, he disappeared from view for a brief moment, reappearing behind Cal with a downward slash.
But Cal was faster. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the attack effortlessly, twisting his blade to parry Selwyn's next strike before sweeping his legs out from under him. Selwyn hit the ground with a dull thud, groaning as he looked up at his opponent.
"Not bad," Cal said, resting his blade on his shoulder. "You've come a long way in three months."
Selwyn exhaled sharply, pushing himself up. It had been a grueling winter holiday—one he had spent training under Cal's relentless guidance. The semester had ended, and instead of taking a break like the rest of the students at Ashford, he had chosen to stay behind, dedicating himself to mastering his mana.
Three Months Ago
The battle against Malrik had left them shaken. As the dust settled, Selwyn and Raven had barely caught their breath before Cal addressed them with a serious expression.
"We won," he had said, looking at the fallen enemies. Selwyn and Raven exchanged relieved glances. But before they could celebrate, Cal's voice cut through the air again.
"But what if I wasn't here?" His tone was sharp, his gaze unwavering. "Would you have survived?"
The weight of his words settled heavily on them.
"You lack power. You don't know how to fully channel your mana. If you don't get proper guidance, you'll only be a liability to yourselves."
Selwyn hesitated. He hated feeling powerless. He hated knowing that, had Cal not intervened, they would have been slaughtered. He clenched his fists.
Raven, however, made the decision first. "I'll do it. I'll train."
Selwyn looked at her, seeing the resolve in her eyes. It was enough to solidify his own. "Alright. I'm in too."
Present Day
Selwyn adjusted the black training uniform he had grown accustomed to, the silver crescent moon crest of the Whispering Moon gleaming on his chest. Across from him, Raven stood, arms crossed as she watched their sparring session. She, too, wore the same uniform, her jet-black hair tied up in a ponytail.
Cal turned toward Raven, a smirk playing on his lips. "Your turn."
Raven stepped forward, rolling her shoulders. Unlike Selwyn, who had been gradually developing his control over wind mana, Raven's affinity for water mana had proven to be exceptional. A prodigy, as Cal often remarked.
The fight began, and Raven's control over her element was near flawless. Water spiraled around her, forming sharp tendrils that lashed toward Cal with speed and precision. She had learned how to manipulate its form, hardening it into icicles or liquefying it in an instant to slip through defenses. For a brief moment, it almost seemed like she had the upper hand.
But Cal wasn't so easily outmatched. With a surge of electric mana, he disrupted her water constructs, the energy crackling through the air. In a swift movement, he closed the distance, disarming her before pinning her down in one final motion.
"Hah… still not enough," Raven muttered breathlessly, staring up at the sky.
Cal let out a low chuckle, offering her a hand. "You're both leagues ahead of where you started, but there's still a long road ahead."
Selwyn and Raven exchanged glances. "We've learned a lot," Selwyn admitted, rubbing his sore shoulder.
Raven sighed. "And just in time. Winter break is over. We have to head back to Ashford tomorrow."
The next day unfolded like any normal school day. Jason greeted them with his usual energy, though he gave them an inquisitive look.
"You two just vanished over the break," he commented, half-jokingly. "What were you even up to?"
Raven smiled faintly. "I wasn't feeling well, so Selwyn helped out."
Jason squinted. "You? Getting sick?" He shook his head. "Something's fishy."
Sofia, who had just arrived, raised an eyebrow. "You two do look a little different," she observed. "More focused… or maybe just exhausted."
Selwyn shrugged. "Lots of studying," he said vaguely.
"Right," Sofia drawled, clearly not buying it. "Well, if you guys were off learning some secret ninja techniques, you better share."
Despite their curiosity, neither Jason nor Sofia pushed further, and the day passed as usual. Classes went on, lectures droned, and the familiar rhythm of college life resumed. For a brief moment, everything felt… normal.
Evening arrived, and Jason had to leave early due to some family matters. That left Selwyn and Raven walking back together through the quiet streets. The chill of the winter air nipped at them, and their breaths came out in faint clouds.
Selwyn glanced at Raven, who had been unusually quiet. "Something on your mind?"
She stopped walking. The streetlamp above cast a soft glow around her as she turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you think we're strong enough?" she asked. "Can we really defend ourselves?"
Selwyn exhaled, looking at the night sky. The weight of their journey pressed on his shoulders, and for once, he didn't know how to answer.