Leaf Team entered the yard quietly. Not cautious. Not hesitant. Simply aware.
The training yard had the look of a place that had been quickly taken over. Dirt churned too fresh in the sparring ring. Weapon racks moved closer to the centre than discipline normally allowed. Spectators leaned against the stone walls with the kind of anticipation that followed dangerous fighters.
Snow Team had only been in the Vineyard for a week. The yard already moved to their rhythm.
Dimitri stepped through the gate first. His silence domain expanded automatically.
It did not require effort. It never had. The field rolled outward in a steady, invisible wave that pressed down on the yard like atmospheric pressure. Power systems dulled when they touched it. Abilities slowed. Edges softened.
Most powers simply stopped behaving properly around him.
The duel in the centre of the yard continued anyway.
