The air inside the private training hall was thick with tension.
The only sounds were the clash of blades, the sharp bursts of fire and wind, and the rhythmic movement of footsteps on stone.
✔ Sung En attacked relentlessly, her magic sharper, her footwork more precise.
✔ Joshua countered effortlessly, adapting to her every move with practiced ease.
✔ Neither of them spoke—their battle was its own language.
But their session was soon interrupted.
A voice, smooth and confident, cut through the silence.
"Not bad, Sung En. You're finally looking like a real competitor."
Both fighters halted immediately.
Joshua sighed, already knowing who it was.
Sung En turned toward the entrance, her breathing slightly heavy from exertion.
✔ Feng Yuxia stood there, arms crossed, watching them with an amused smirk.
✔ Her silver hair shimmered under the training hall lights, golden eyes sharp with interest.
✔ She wasn't here just to watch—she had come with purpose.
Joshua met her gaze, his expression unreadable.
"Feng Yuxia."
She stepped forward, carrying herself with the natural confidence of a hunter who had never known defeat.
"Joshua Lim, I challenge you to a duel."
1. The Moment Everyone Had Been Waiting For
The words hung in the air.
Sung En clenched her fists slightly.
She had been expecting this, but hearing it out loud made it feel real.
Joshua, however, was as calm as ever.
"Right now?"
"Right now," Yuxia confirmed. "Unless, of course, you need more time to prepare."
Joshua let out a small chuckle.
"That eager, huh?"
Yuxia tilted her head.
"Wouldn't you be? You're the first real challenge I've found in a while."
Joshua hummed thoughtfully, then sheathed his blade.
"We'll fight. But not today."
"Oh?" Yuxia raised an eyebrow. "Backing out already?"
Joshua smirked.
"I just don't see the point in fighting after a full day of training."
He stepped forward, stopping just a few feet from her.
"Tomorrow. Afternoon. Training grounds."
Sung En inhaled sharply.
Joshua had accepted.
Yuxia's smirk widened.
"Good. Don't disappoint me, Joshua."
She turned and walked away, her golden eyes gleaming with anticipation.
2. Sung En's Thoughts – A New Feeling
The moment Yuxia left, Sung En exhaled slowly.
Something about this bothered her.
And for the first time, she wasn't sure why.
Joshua must have noticed because he looked at her with mild amusement.
"You're thinking too much."
She frowned.
"No, I'm not."
Joshua smirked slightly.
"You always furrow your brows when you overthink."
Sung En huffed, looking away.
"I just don't like how she acts like she's already won."
Joshua chuckled.
"She's confident. She has the skills to back it up."
Sung En clenched her fists.
"So do I."
Joshua met her gaze.
"Then prove it."
The words hit deeper than she expected.
And she realized—that's exactly what she intended to do.
3. The Quiet Observer – Xin En's Interest
Unbeknownst to them, someone else had been watching from a distance.
From the second-floor balcony overlooking the training hall, Xin En sat on the railing, elegantly sipping her tea.
✔ She hadn't spoken. She hadn't interfered.
✔ She had simply observed.
She had wanted to see how Joshua had changed.
And now, she had her answer.
"You've gotten stronger, haven't you, Joshua?"
Her gaze flickered between him and Sung En.
Then, finally, to Feng Yuxia.
She set her cup down and smiled faintly.
"This will be interesting."