Sebastian and Torik wandered through the academy grounds, taking in the vastness of the training fields. The area was buzzing with activity—groups of students sparred under the guidance of instructors, their weapons clashing in bursts of steel and energy. A particular group of seniors caught their attention. Unlike the others, they weren't relying on their summons but instead infused their weapons with elemental energy, launching powerful hybrid attacks. The air crackled with magic as swords ignited with flames, spears lashed out with streaks of lightning, and hammers struck the ground with thunderous force. The precision, the sheer power—it was mesmerizing.
Sebastian watched in awe, imagining how much stronger they would be if their summons fought alongside them. The battle finally ended with a fierce exchange of blows, and the seniors turned to face their spectators.
"You two must be freshmen," one of them said with a knowing smirk.
Sebastian and Torik nodded, introducing themselves. The seniors, far from being arrogant nobles, were surprisingly friendly. "No need to be so formal with us," one of them, a tall, sharp-eyed warrior named Bast, said. "We're commoners too. We don't have the luxury of slacking off like those noble brats who run home every break." His words held no bitterness, only determination.
After a bit of conversation, the two freshmen thanked the seniors for their time and continued exploring the training grounds. That's when a supervisor approached them, sizing them up with a keen eye.
"You two seem eager," the man said. "How about a friendly spar? I'll referee."
Sebastian and Torik exchanged grins. No words were needed—they both knew the answer.
The two stepped into the sparring ring, facing each other. Torik unhooked his axe from his belt, gripping it tightly, his stance solid and unwavering. Sebastian unsheathed his khopesh in a smooth motion, the curved blade glinting under the afternoon sun. The moment Torik's eyes fell on the weapon, his expression shifted.
"Where did you get that?" he asked, his voice suddenly serious.
Sebastian hesitated before explaining. "My brother, Matt, got it from a friend who owed him a favor."
Torik's brows furrowed, then relaxed into an amused smirk. "Well, damn. That friend was my brother, Varrik." He let out a booming laugh. "Fate's a strange thing, eh? Guess that means our families are already connected in some way."
Sebastian felt an unexpected sense of relief. If Matt trusted Varrik, then Torik was probably someone worth trusting, too. But there was no time for deeper reflection—Torik was already stepping forward.
"Enough talk," the dwarf said, rolling his shoulders. "Let's see if you can actually use that fancy weapon."
The moment the match started, Torik charged, axe raised high, his movements heavy but deliberate. Sebastian sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of wind as the axe narrowly missed his shoulder. He countered with a quick slash, but Torik's reflexes were faster than he expected—he twisted his axe and deflected the attack with surprising ease.
Sebastian grinned. This was going to be fun.
They circled each other, testing their footwork, their rhythms. Torik fought like a boulder rolling down a mountain—heavy, relentless, and unstoppable. Each swing of his axe carried devastating force, capable of cleaving through solid wood. But Sebastian was faster, darting around him like a shadow, landing quick, calculated strikes that Torik barely managed to parry.
Then, Sebastian saw his opening.
Feigning a stumble, he let his side appear exposed—a baited trap. Torik, seeing the weakness, lunged forward, axe swinging down to capitalize on the mistake. But in that split second, Sebastian twisted his body, dodging the attack completely, and brought his khopesh up in a vicious arc aimed at Torik's shoulder.
Torik reacted on pure instinct. Instead of retreating, he slammed the flat of his axe against Sebastian's blade, pushing it aside with raw strength. The force sent Sebastian skidding back, but not before he twisted his khopesh mid-motion, grazing Torik's arm.
They both froze.
Then, laughter erupted from Torik. "Damn, lad! You fight dirty!"
Sebastian smirked, breathing hard. "And you hit like a warhammer."
The referee chuckled. "Call it a draw. You both showed skill, and neither of you held back."
Sebastian exhaled, shaking out his arms. His muscles ached, but in the best way possible. This was only the beginning.
Torik patted him on the back, grinning. "Next time, though, I won't fall for your tricks."
Sebastian grinned back. "Then I'll just have to come up with new ones."