The sun had barely risen.
Golden light stretched across the academy grounds.
In a separate training field—
The runner-up quarterfinalists were already at work.
Steel clashed.
Magic flared.
Sweat fell silently onto stone.
Each of them trained in secrecy.
Each of them aiming for one thing—
The fifth position.
---
Meanwhile—
Inside the main arena—
Three figures waited.
Riven leaned against a pillar, spinning his longsword lazily.
Sylven stretched his arms calmly.
Kael stood at the center, spear grounded beside him.
"…He's late," Riven muttered.
Sylven glanced at the entrance.
"That is unusual."
Kael folded his arms.
"Give him a minute."
Right then—
Footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Slow.
Dragging.
All three turned.
Iren walked in.
His hair slightly messy.
Eyes red.
Dark circles visible beneath them.
His steps were heavy.
He raised one hand weakly.
"Good…"
He yawned.
"…morning."
Silence.
Then—
Riven grinned widely.
"Ooooh."
He stepped closer.
"Looks like someone couldn't stop thinking about her all night, huh?"
Iren's eye twitched.
Instantly.
"That was because of you idiots!"
His voice sharpened.
"All your teasing and stupid comments! I couldn't sleep!"
Sylven placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Stop shouting, Iren. You're already looking terrifying with those red eyes."
He sniffed theatrically.
"If you keep yelling, I might cry."
Riven burst out laughing.
Kael tried to suppress a smile.
Iren glared at all of them.
But slowly—
He exhaled.
The heaviness in his chest wasn't there anymore.
Riven shrugged casually.
"Actually… that was the plan."
Iren blinked.
"…What?"
"To make you angry," Riven replied, smirking. "You were looking too low last night."
Sylven nodded calmly.
"Anger suits you better than exhaustion."
Iren paused.
…They weren't entirely wrong.
He flexed his fingers slightly.
His body felt more awake.
Kael stepped forward.
"That's enough."
His voice was firm now.
"We start properly."
The teasing stopped immediately.
Kael continued.
"First—strategy."
All four stood in a circle.
Kael's gaze moved from one to another.
"Each of us has a unique style."
He pointed toward Iren first.
"Iren. Your offensive output is the highest. Your combat instincts are sharp. And…"
He paused briefly.
"Your power rises with emotional intensity."
Iren said nothing.
Next—
"Riven. You excel in unpredictable movements and sudden flanking strikes. Your short-phase steps make you ideal for surprise pressure."
Riven twirled his sword lightly.
"Sounds about right."
"Sylven," Kael continued, "your stamina is unmatched. Reinforcement magic allows prolonged engagement. You are our endurance pillar."
Sylven nodded once.
"And me…"
Kael placed a hand on his spear.
"My spatial techniques give us defensive structure. Barrier formation. Compression blocks. Area control."
He looked at them.
"What do you think?"
All three nodded.
It made sense.
"For now," Kael declared, "until the fifth member joins—this is our formation."
He pointed clearly.
"Iren and Riven — attackers."
"Sylven — support and stamina balance."
"I will anchor defense."
The air grew serious.
"This is temporary," Kael added. "But we must master this before adjusting for a fifth member."
Iren crossed his arms.
"…Alright."
Riven smirked.
"Let's see if your defense can handle us."
Kael lifted his spear.
"With breaks between rounds," he said calmly. "We train smart. Not reckless."
Then—
"Begin."
WHOOSH—
Iren dashed first.
CLANG—
His blade collided against an invisible spatial barrier.
At the same time—
Riven phased slightly—
SHHHK—
Appearing at Kael's flank.
But—
THUD—
Space compressed.
Riven was pushed back instantly.
"Tch."
Kael remained steady.
"Coordinate better."
Iren and Riven exchanged a look.
This time—
They moved together.
Front and side pressure.
Blade and phase.
Kael expanded his defensive field.
Space warped.
Air distorted.
On the far side of the arena—
Sylven stood alone.
Muscles tightened.
Green reinforcement light pulsed faintly along his arms.
"Maintain… steady…"
Sweat rolled down his face.
He focused only on extending duration.
Minutes turned into hours.
Attack.
Block.
Adjust.
Correct.
Again.
Again.
Again.
By afternoon—
Breathing grew heavier.
By evening—
All four collapsed onto the arena floor.
"Haaah…"
Riven lay flat on his back.
"I hate… your defense…"
Kael sat upright, catching his breath.
"Your coordination improved in the last round."
Iren wiped sweat from his chin.
"…You compressed space faster."
Sylven walked over, still glowing faintly.
"I extended reinforcement by twelve minutes."
They all looked at him.
"That's progress."
Kael nodded approvingly.
"That's enough for today."
He stood slowly.
"If we push further, we risk injury. Recovery is part of training."
Everyone agreed silently.
Iren stood first.
"I'm leaving."
Riven smirked immediately.
"Hmm… eager to meet her?"
Iren didn't snap this time.
"No."
He picked up his weapon calmly.
"I'm resting. So I can recover properly."
He paused.
"And help Lyra train tonight."
Sylven raised an eyebrow.
"Why at night, Iren? Anything important like yesterday?"
Riven and Sylven burst into laughter, shaking hands dramatically.
But Iren didn't react.
His voice was steady now.
"Because I don't want anyone noticing."
The teasing slowly faded.
"If people think she improved because of me…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"It will damage her effort."
Silence.
That… made sense.
Kael gave a small approving nod.
"That's fair."
Iren turned toward the exit.
"Don't follow me."
He stopped halfway and glanced back.
"…Seriously."
Riven raised both hands innocently.
"We won't, sensei."
Sylven smiled faintly.
"Good luck."
Kael simply said—
"Rest properly."
Iren walked away.
The sun had fully set.
And somewhere in the academy—
A second training session was about to begin.
---