The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the deserted training field behind the Knight's Hall. Most students were in the dining hall or the library, but I had energy to burn.
I moved through the forms of my S-Rank [Rapier Arts], the [Silverwind Rapier] a blur of silver light in my hand. I wasn't holding back. Here, alone, I could let my speed bleed through just a little.
Swish. Thrum. Snap.
I executed a [Viper's Kiss] thrust, stopping the tip of the blade exactly one millimeter from the wooden post of a training dummy. The air pressure from the strike punched a hole through the wood, even though the blade never touched it.
"Impressive."
I spun around, dropping instantly into a defensive stance.
Prince Stefan was standing at the edge of the field, leaning against a weapon rack. He wasn't wearing his usual pristine uniform coat; he was in his shirt sleeves, his cuffs rolled up, looking uncharacteristically relaxed.
