The courtyard was alive with motion, the morning sun catching the sharp edges of two new daggers in Alex's hands. Their steel gleamed unnaturally, infused with a faint shimmer of fire mana that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. Beside him, Kael's newly forged sword hummed softly, air mana spiraling along the blade like a living thing.
Alex tested a swift thrust, the daggers cutting through the practice dummies as if guided by instinct. These are… better than I imagined, he murmured, spinning one dagger in his hand, letting fire trace intricate patterns in the air.
Kael swung his sword, and a clean gust of wind accompanied the strike, knocking a dummy off its stand with minimal effort. "These weapons…" he breathed, awestruck. "They're perfect. How—how did you get them?"
Alex grinned subtly, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "Let's just say I had help from someone who thinks I deserve the world," he said, a small giggle escaping his lips.
Kael raised an eyebrow, smirking knowingly. "Ah… so that explains the… growing list of favors from this mysterious someone."
Alex chuckled, keeping his movements fluid. "You'll see why I can handle them. Fire and air work best in tandem, and these weapons… they practically anticipate your moves."
Kael's sword slashed again, slicing through the air with newfound precision. "I feel it too," he said, eyes wide. "The sword… it responds to my mana. It's like it's alive!"
Alex nodded, adjusting his stance and letting fire swirl along the daggers' edges. "Exactly. And that's why practice matters. These aren't just weapons—they're extensions of our mana. We need to learn their rhythm, their pulse, before the Royal Hunting Competition."
They sparred for hours, fire and wind weaving in a seamless dance, their weapons reacting instinctively to each strike and parry. Between movements, Kael couldn't help but glance at Alex with admiration. "You really are fortunate," he said lightly, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Someone keeps showering you with gifts. Cupcake seems to have a very influential friend."
Alex's eyes twinkled, a small, private smile forming. "Influential indeed. But the real gift… is the ability to master what's given to you." He jabbed the daggers in tandem, fire leaping across the courtyard as Kael's sword swept a controlled gust in perfect counterbalance.
By the afternoon, both were exhausted but exhilarated. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, and the hum of mana-infused steel hung in the air. Kael leaned on his sword, breathing hard. "I… I can't wait to see what these can do in the competition."
Alex wiped the sweat from his brow, sheathing his daggers. "Neither can I. And… maybe we'll make someone's mysterious list of gifts look a little less impressive by the time we're done." A soft giggle escaped him as he glanced toward the horizon, thinking of Riven—his teasing, his support, and the quiet thrill of having someone care so deeply.