Two months had passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. The days had become routine, yet every moment brought new challenges, lessons, and growth. Logan sat at the edge of the war camp, staring at the river where he had once watched a Raven Clan ambush crumble under Ulrik's command. The world had changed for him in ways he could scarcely comprehend, and so had he.
Logan glanced down at his hands, noting how much larger they seemed. His body had grown in more ways than one. He'd gained three, maybe four inches in height since arriving at the camp, standing close to 4'10" now. He still looked like a child, but the strength in his limbs, the speed of his movements, and the sharpness of his mind made him feel anything but.
His thoughts wandered to Ulrik, his stern and brutal teacher. What had started as a relationship built on fear and respect had slowly grown into something more profound. Logan saw Ulrik now almost as a master to his apprentice. Every lesson, every grueling sparring session, and every harsh critique had shaped Logan into a budding warrior.
Ulrik's unyielding standards pushed Logan to his limits, forcing him to confront his weaknesses and overcome them. He could still hear Ulrik's voice barking at him during training:
"Faster, Logan! If you can't keep up, you'll die out there!"
And yet, there were moments of pride from Ulrik too. A rare grin or nod of approval after a successful maneuver or hard-fought spar always left Logan with a feeling of accomplishment.
That evening, Logan and Emery sat outside the barracks under the light of the twin moons. The air was cool, and the distant sounds of the camp's activity seemed to fade into the background.
"You've changed," Emery said softly, breaking the silence.
Logan turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Changed how?"
"You've gotten taller, for one," she said, smirking. "It's like you're growing into the person you're supposed to be. Stronger, faster, more... capable."
Logan chuckled. "You make it sound like I wasn't capable before."
She nudged him playfully. "You know what I mean. This place has hardened you in a good way. You're different now."
Logan let her words sink in. "I guess I have changed," he admitted. "But so have you."
Emery's expression softened. "I've learned so much from Vidal and Freya. It's overwhelming at times, but... I feel like I'm finally contributing. I'm not just sitting on the sidelines anymore."
Logan nodded. "You've always been smart, Emery. But seeing you grow into this... healer, this Magi—it's impressive."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away. "I just don't want to be useless. I want to keep up with you."
"You're not useless," Logan said firmly. "You're doing exactly what you need to do. We both are."
The dining hall was bustling that night, the usual mix of warriors and Magi filling the air with laughter, arguments, and the clinking of mugs. Logan and Emery sat at their usual spot near Vidal and Freya.
Dinner was as hearty as ever, with slabs of roasted meat for the warriors and a more modest fare for the Magi and trainees. Logan had grown accustomed to the meals and the subtle hierarchy they represented.
As the meal wound down, Ulrik stood, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the room. The hall fell silent as he raised his mug.
"I have an announcement," he began, his voice commanding attention. "Logan, your training with Vidal will not continue tonight."
Logan's brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. He felt a pang of unease—had he done something wrong?
"You're getting a break," Ulrik continued, his tone lightening. "Because tomorrow morning, we leave for Vargshold."
The room buzzed with murmurs and whispers. Logan felt his chest tighten, a mix of excitement and apprehension washing over him. This was it.
"It's time," Ulrik said, his gaze locking onto Logan's. "You've done well here, but the academy awaits. Prepare yourselves. The real training begins soon."
Back in his room, Logan found himself unable to sleep. The anticipation was too much. Emery came in quietly, as she often did, and sat beside him.
"Tomorrow, huh?" she said softly.
"Yeah," Logan replied. "It feels... surreal. Like everything we've done here has been leading to this moment."
"It has," Emery said, her voice steady. "And we're ready."
Logan turned to her, taking her hand. "Whatever happens, Emery, we're in this together."
"Always," she said, squeezing his hand.
As the moons rose higher in the sky, Logan finally felt a sense of calm. Tomorrow, they would leave behind the war camp and step into a new chapter of their lives. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he felt truly prepared to face it.