We left the guild with a different atmosphere.
The energy of the place was still with me. It wasn't the kind of excitement that comes from a difficult mission or an imminent battle. It was something else.
Expectation.
Rai'kanna walked in front, clearly satisfied.
"It's done," she said, not looking back. "There's no turning back now."
"You never even considered turning back," Lyannis replied.
"Exactly."
Elara followed right behind, carefully holding her registration.
"This isn't something to treat impulsively."
"But that's what you did," Rai'kanna shot back.
Elara didn't react.
"I made a quick decision. Not an impulsive one."
"Same thing."
"No."
Lyannis laughed softly.
"You two will never agree."
Vespera walked in silence beside them, but spoke shortly after.
"Quick decisions can be efficient when based on prior data."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"See?"
"But they are still risky decisions," Vespera added.
Rai'kanna made a slight face.
"You almost helped."
Liriel walked a bit behind everyone.
Quieter.
More focused.
I noticed it.
"You took longer to decide," I said.
She looked at me.
"Because I thought."
"Is that rare?"
"Not for me."
"Fair."
She looked forward again.
"I don't like entering something without understanding what's behind it."
"You think there's something beyond the event?"
"There's always something."
Simple answer.
But coherent.
Lyannis approached.
"I still think you're all taking this too seriously."
"It's a major event," Elara replied. "With court presence."
"Yes, but it's still a contest."
"One that defines influence," Vespera said.
Lyannis sighed.
"You're seeing strategy in everything."
Rai'kanna looked at her.
"And you don't?"
"Not always."
"Then start."
Lyannis smiled.
"I prefer staying calm."
We continued down the main street. The movement increased as we approached the central area. More structures were being built. People were walking around in different clothes, better prepared, as if anticipating the event.
"This is going to get crowded," I commented.
"Definitely," Elara replied. "Events like this also attract outsiders."
"More people, more competition," Rai'kanna said.
"More visibility," Vespera added.
Liriel observed everything.
Without commenting.
But absorbing it.
When we arrived at the mansion, the atmosphere changed again.
The more enclosed environment brought a sense of focus.
Rai'kanna was the first to speak.
"So… let's organize this."
"Organize?" Lyannis asked.
"Yes. If we're participating, we're doing it properly."
Elara nodded.
"I agree."
"Me too," Vespera said.
Liriel leaned against the wall.
"Start."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"First: preparation."
Lyannis raised her hand.
"I'm not participating."
"I know," Rai'kanna replied. "But you're helping."
"Oh."
"You're good at this kind of thing."
Lyannis thought for a moment.
"Alright… I'll accept that."
Elara walked to the central table.
"We need to define our approach. It's not just appearance."
"Posture, presence, control," Vespera added.
"Confidence," Rai'kanna said.
"Authenticity," Elara completed.
Liriel spoke without moving.
"Consistency."
Everyone looked at her.
"It's pointless to appear a certain way for a moment. You have to sustain it."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"Now you're really in it."
Liriel didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
Lyannis approached the table.
"So you're going to train this?"
"Yes," Elara replied.
"Practically," Vespera said.
Rai'kanna looked around.
"We need space."
"We have the hall," Lyannis replied.
"That works."
I watched everything.
It was interesting.
They were treating it like a mission.
With planning.
Strategy.
Execution.
"You're just going to watch?" Rai'kanna asked, turning to me.
"Someone needs to analyze from the outside."
"Of course."
"It helps more than it seems."
She thought for a second.
"Alright. I accept it."
Elara organized a few points on the table.
"We'll divide roles."
"How?" Lyannis asked.
"Each one focuses on an aspect."
"Makes sense," Vespera said.
Rai'kanna pointed at herself.
"I'll handle presence."
Elara nodded.
"I'll handle posture and presentation."
Vespera spoke.
"I'll adjust control and perception."
Everyone looked at Liriel.
She took a second.
"I'll observe flaws."
Rai'kanna laughed.
"Of course you will."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"And me?"
"You balance it," Elara said.
"How?"
"If something feels forced, you cut it."
Lyannis smiled.
"I like that."
The group was aligning roles naturally.
No conflict.
No hesitation.
That showed how much they had already evolved.
"So we start now?" Rai'kanna asked.
"Yes," Elara replied.
"No wasting time," Vespera added.
Liriel simply watched.
But she was present.
Lyannis clapped lightly.
"Alright. Let's see how this goes."
Rai'kanna was already excited.
"It's going to go well."
"Or it's going to be a disaster," Lyannis said.
"It won't."
"You're very confident."
"I always am."
Elara positioned herself in the center of the hall.
"Let's start with the basics."
The atmosphere changed.
Focus.
Direction.
Movement.
I leaned against the wall, watching.
Each of them taking their role.
Rai'kanna—natural.
Elara—precise.
Vespera—analytical.
Liriel—critical.
Lyannis—balancing.
It was a different kind of training.
But still…
Training.
And as I watched it all…
It became clear.
This event wasn't just a moment of distraction.
It was another way of testing the group.
In a different manner.
But just as important as any battle.
And the way they were handling it…
This test…
Was going to go far.