Evaline:
The moment I stepped into the Warrior Academy's massive grounds, a wave of cool, crisp morning air hit my lungs. Maybe it was the altitude, or maybe it was just the weight of what this place meant.
Warrior Academy.
I let out a long exhale, trying to steady the nerves buzzing under my skin. I had trained for months under River and Oscar. I had faced a few of their warriors. I had learned to hold my ground. I had even won a few times. But the anxiety creeping up my spine now wasn't about the combat.
It was the eyes.
The recruits... dozens and dozens of them. Talented, ambitious, fierce. All trained or raised with the dream of becoming warriors. And today I was expected to spar among them.
A warm palm gently pressed against my lower back, grounding me. Oscar's voice followed, soft enough for just me.
"Don't overthink it," he said, leaning closer. "You are going to do great. I have seen you train. You are more than ready for this."
