After Beatrix and Felix finished eating their breakfast, Felix perked up as if an idea had just crossed his mind.
"I have a great idea. How about we go back to that arcade we went to yesterday?" he said, a grin already forming on his face.
Raze thought about what Felix had said. He still had a few things he wanted to do, and that included asking Beatrix to continue teaching him hand-to-hand combat.
After making his decision, he spoke.
"Well, how about next weekend? I want Beatrix to continue training me in close combat."
Felix groaned in disappointment, but he understood what Raze meant.
"Well, count me in as well," Felix said, cracking his knuckles.
Beatrix raised an eyebrow. "So you need help with hand-to-hand combat?"
Felix shook his head. "Nah. I just wanna go up against you."
Beatrix nodded and stood up. "Let's head back to the dorm, then."
The others followed her back. Once inside, Beatrix began clearing the middle of the room.
When she finished, she gestured for Raze to step forward.
Raze did exactly that.
He tried his best to remember and mimic her footwork.
"Your legs are too wide, and your center is too high—just like before," Beatrix said, pointing out his mistakes.
Raze adjusted his stance again. After a few trials and errors, he finally got it right.
"There. I did it," Raze said, a slight cheer in his voice.
Felix smirked. "Finally! Now I declare that you and Beatrix spar!"
Beatrix stretched her arms. "Fine by me. A friendly spar."
Raze sighed. "Really, Felix? I'm trying to learn here."
Felix laughed it off. "You'll learn quicker when you're forced to fight back."
Raze couldn't deny that. There was some truth in what Felix said.
He got into his stance. "I'm ready."
Beatrix nodded and gestured for him to attack.
The system screen appeared again.
[Quest: Defeat Beatrix Emberfall]
[Reward: Instant Level Up]
Raze ignored it just like before.
'There's no way I can defeat her at my current strength. And besides… if I did, I'd have to explain how,' he thought.
Raze took a few slow, calculated steps before lunging forward.
Beatrix let out a faint smile. "Don't hold back."
Raze feinted, then used his momentum to deliver a kick.
Beatrix blocked it with her forearm.
She felt the strength behind it and paused slightly. She hadn't expected Raze to be this strong for an unawakened student. His agility had improved too.
"You've grown stronger since the last time we sparred," she said.
Felix smirked. "There it is again—that speed and strength from the tests. Seriously, Raze, you're packing."
Raze pulled back immediately and took a few steps away.
'I almost forgot to hold back,' he thought.
Beatrix stepped forward calmly.
Then lunged.
Raze braced himself.
Just before reaching him, Beatrix stopped—then swept low.
Raze jumped, avoiding it.
But that was the setup.
Beatrix clenched her fist and timed it perfectly.
An uppercut struck Raze's chin midair—controlled, restrained.
The blow landed.
Raze crashed onto his back.
[-5 HP]
[95 / 100 HP]
Beatrix stood over him.
"Don't be discouraged," she said calmly. "You lasted longer than last time. Whatever you've been doing lately—it's helping."
She stepped back. "Take a breather. We're done for now."
Raze exhaled and sat up, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah… I felt that one."
Felix clapped once. "Alright. My turn."
Raze looked up. "You're serious?"
Felix rolled his shoulders. "Wouldn't be fair if I didn't."
Beatrix studied him. "You've trained."
Felix smirked. "Family made sure of it."
Raze stepped aside.
Felix's stance was looser than Raze's but there was tension underneath.
Beatrix nodded. "Alright. Let's see."
They moved at the same time.
Felix tested her with a jab.
Beatrix caught it and flipped him over her shoulder.
Felix groaned. "Lucky. Rematch."
"Excuses," Beatrix said.
They went again.
Faster this time.
Felix feinted high, swept low.
Beatrix hopped back and countered with a palm strike.
Felix twisted away and answered with an elbow that stopped just short.
Beatrix moved to restrain him.
Felix's awakening flared briefly—red lightning crackled as he slipped free.
Beatrix's eyes narrowed.
Flames burst at her feet as she surged forward.
They both stopped.
Felix smirked. "Guess that's a draw."
Beatrix scoffed but nodded.
"Next time, warn me before using your awakening."
Felix grinned like he wouldn't.
Raze stared at them.
Clean. Efficient. On a completely different level than him.
'I still have a long way to go if I want to keep up,' he thought.
Afterward, Beatrix put everything back in place.
Felix dropped onto his bed and passed out almost instantly.
Raze did the same.
The day passed quietly.
At 8:59 p.m., the door opened.
Liam slipped inside.
Everyone was asleep—except Beatrix.
She looked up from her book.
"So where were you?" she asked.
Liam scratched the back of his neck. "Uh… hanging out with my new friends. We went to the city center."
Beatrix studied him.
"You know, Liam… if you're being forced to act like a guinea pig for them—you could ask Felix and me for help. We could—"
"I don't need help," Liam cut in quickly. "Sorry if that sounds rude…"
He avoided her eyes.
That was enough.
Something was wrong.
But pushing him now would only make him retreat further.
Beatrix checked the time. "You should sleep. It's curfew."
Liam nodded. "Goodnight."
The lights went out.
Liam lay awake.
The guilt wouldn't let him rest.
Because what Sevrin had planned—
what he wanted Liam to do
was devastating.