The training yard was dusted with snow. Soft fkes drifted down, melting under my boots almost as soon as they touched. Cold air stung my lips, every breath puffing out in jagged little clouds. The banners overhead snapped in the winter wind—a quiet reminder. Tomorrow is the day.

  It was... kind of beautiful. Frozen, hushed. Hard to believe we’ll be thrown into chaos here so soon.

  “Now!” Victoria’s sharp shout cut through the frigid air. Her bde fshed as she lunged at Elira head-on. I barely registered her voice before a swirl of wind shot out of Kier’s staff, tugging the instructors’ attention back. Just like we practiced... mostly.

  I had to focus, hard. Don’t fuck this up, Luna. Any more of Kier’s mocking and I’ll lose it.

  I darted forward, faster than ever, boots skimming snow, lungs burning, heart hammering. My eyes locked onto the crate behind the defenders. Victoria had Elira tied up, and Kier’s Magic kept the others busy. Okay. You’ve got this. Don’t get cocky. Don’t trip.

  A heartbeat ter, I slid under Elira’s feint and sshed through the crate. Wood shattered in a sharp crack, splinters flying. I hit the ground on one knee, chest heaving.

  Victoria didn’t miss a beat, but her eyes flicked toward me. A small nod. “Good work. Smooth.”

  Kier’s hood tilted just enough to show the amusement on his face. “Still fast as hell, Luna. I’ll give you that.”

  Ugh, praise from Kier? Great. I hate that it actually makes me feel good.

  “You know,” I muttered between breaths, “I only like it when Victoria says nice things to me. When you do it, I feel like you’re setting up a prank.”

  I let out one st big breath, trying to calm the adrenaline still rushing in my veins.

  Snow crunched as Elira stepped closer, surveying us. “You’ve improved. The timing, the coordination—it’s better than I expected. And Luna... ” Her eyes lingered. “That final strike was clean. Faster than I’ve seen from you before.”

  My stomach fluttered, half pride, half nerves. Elira’s praise hit harder than Kier’s teasing or even Victoria’s approval.

  The other two instructors nodded in agreement, giving small, approving smiles. “Good work, all of you. Keep this up, and tomorrow will feel easier than you expect.”

  Elira gnced at the high yard walls, lips curling in a small, knowing smile. “Remember, tomorrow, you won’t just be tested by fellow cadets. Others will be watching.”

  Oh gods. Of course. Mysterious others. Powerful, scary others.

  “Others?” I asked anyway, because apparently I enjoy sounding clueless.

  “Important eyes. Ones that see more than your sword arm. They’ll see you. What you can do.”

  I forced a ugh. “Thanks for the pep talk. Really inspires confidence.”

  “You’ll live,” she shot back.

  Victoria’s hand tightened on her bde. Kier just snorted like my nerves were the funniest thing he’d seen all week.

  Then, softer, Elira added, “Do your best, all of you. Tomorrow... your best might be enough.”

  Enough. Right. Just months of drills and bruises. Totally enough.

  The snow kept falling, dusting the yard. My chest was still heaving, but under the nerves, a flicker of excitement sparked. Maybe... maybe we can actually do this.

  * * *

  The light snow from yesterday still clung to the streets, stone paths slick with frost. The smell of bread and roasted vegetables lingered as Elira and I stepped out of our small home.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” she said, tugging at my scarf with clumsy fingers. “Thinking too much again?”

  I shrugged, kicking a stone. “I suppose... ”

  She sighed. “It’s time, Luna. I’ve kept you hidden as long as I could, but we don’t have that luxury anymore.” Her gaze rose, worry as cold as the frost. “The tournament’s here. I’ve trained you as best I could, but... ”

  “Hey.” I bent a little, meeting her eyes. “You did more than enough. Don’t make me nervous too. I’ve got that covered already.”

  “I can’t help it,” she admitted, gncing in the direction of the inner district wall, past the small forest, where the valley’s curves revealed the sprawl beyond. “I’ve been worrying for months, Luna. What if someone sees too much? What if you get hurt?”

  I let out a breath, trying not to roll my eyes but failing halfway. “Well, it’s too te for that now, isn’t it?”

  She leaned forward suddenly, standing on her tiptoes, and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. My eyes nearly bugged out. Wait—what? Elira...kissed me? On her own?

  My brain scrambled. She hasn’t done this since I outgrew her. Usually, I have to beg, bribe, or whine my way into any hug—or, well, any contact really. And now—bam! Cheek kiss.

  “There,” she said, straightening with a small, victorious nod. “Don’t mess this up.”

  I half-groaned, half-ughed, still reeling. “Suppose this is where I say I’ll do my best.”

  She smiled and tugged me along. My sister really is the cutest when she’s not in commander mode.

  We walked toward the arena. Weirdly pced in the civilian district. You’d expect some dramatic coliseum on the academy cliffs, but no. Here it was, looming over bakeries and market stalls. Practical, I guess.

  The streets widened as we went, lined with low stone houses, windows frosted, chimneys smoking. Market squares buzzed with people bundled in furs, trading goods, shouting prices. Ordinary life. Meanwhile, my gut twisted tighter.

  Then the arena came into view. Carved into the mountainside, massive tiers rose like the spine of some giant beast. Seats cut right into the rock. Wind whistled through, carrying the shouts of a growing crowd.

  My chest tightened. Soon I’d stand in that pit. Every eye watching. Judging.

  Gods. This is really happening.

  Crowds filled the lower terraces, a hum of voices rolling like storm clouds. All of them waiting to see us bleed.

  Elira squeezed my shoulder. “Focus on each moment. Not the crowd, not the other teams. Just you and your team.”

  I nodded, adrenaline sparking. “Got it. Just us.”

  I decided to get Elira back by smothering her in a hug before heading off.

  Inside the staging hall, my team was already waiting, armor id out neatly.

  “Finally decided to show up, huh?” Victoria turned to me, a smug expression on her face.

  “The best always comes st,” I shot back, pointing to my chest. “Of course, I’m referring to my amazing self.”

  Kier’s hood barely shifted as he muttered, “You’re lucky the armor isn’t too heavy for your dramatics.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Ha! I’ll have you know, if I weren’t a soldier, I’d be a world-famous actress. Standing ovations everywhere.”

  Victoria ughed, tossing me a gauntlet. “Come on, theater queen. Gear up.”

  I yanked off my winter coat and started peeling away yers. Victoria gave me a look. “Ready to suit up?”

  “Yep.” I wiggled my fingers dramatically. “Just make sure Kier doesn’t peek.”

  His hood tilted, one eyebrow arched. “Rex. I’m just here to supervise.”

  “Kier—out!”

  “Kier—out!”

  Both Victoria and I barked, shoving him out the door.

  “This isn’t your rehearsal, mister,” I called after him.

  He threw a zy salute, smirk firmly in pce, and disappeared.

  Victoria tossed me the leathers I wore under my armor. “Alright, Ms. Actress. Let’s get you suited up before you start performing again.”

  I slipped out of my clothes, the chill nipping at my skin, and pulled on the fitted leathers. Light, flexible, familiar. The moment they were in pce, some of the nerves fizzled, repced by the comfort of routine.

  “Okay... so the pn?” I asked, tugging straps tight over my shoulders.

  Victoria’s smile faded, her expression turned to concentration. “Armor on, weapons ready, head to the ceremony. All teams line up, the Alliance leader gives his speech. Then round one begins.”

  I nodded. “Simple enough, I suppose. Totally not nerve-wracking.”

  Once we strapped on our armor, we followed Kier out of the staging area.

  The arena stretched before us—massive, daunting. Rows of cadets fell into neat ranks, leaders at the front, eyes fixed on the raised ptform where the Alliance leader and other high-ranking officials assembled. Snow crunched under our boots, the low hum of the crowd drifting down from the terraces.

  Victoria gave me a tiny nod. “Just like we practiced. Luna... don’t do anything weird, okay?”

  Weird? Me? I blinked at her, but she was already facing forward.

  Kier let out a chuckle, staff resting against his shoulder. “Think you’ll finally keep up today?”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a small grin. “Shut up, Kier.”

  “Shut up, Kier,” Victoria echoed, like a reflex.

  From where we stood, the Alliance leader loomed on the ptform, fnked by towering figures whose eyes scanned the cadets. But one man drew my attention immediately.

  Massive, shoulders broad, arms crossed over a chest that seemed carved from stone, he exuded power and authority that dwarfed everyone around him. Unlike the others, he ignored the leader entirely. His eyes roamed the ranks, assessing and deliberate, tracking each cadet as if weighing them.

  And then... his eyes locked onto me.

  A shiver ran down my spine. Whoa. Scary. Did he notice me? What did I do?

  The Alliance leader cleared his throat. The crowd hushed, and his voice rolled out over the arena—steady, commanding, impossible to ignore.

  “Cadets of Valoria, welcome to the Apex Bde Summit! Today, you will demonstrate your skill, your courage, and your unity. The eyes of the Alliance watch you, and the defense of our northern nds depends on your training and your resolve. Many of you will graduate in the coming weeks, stepping into the ranks as officers. Your performance here is a testament to the leaders you will become.”

  Nervous excitement spread through the cadets. Every participant had trained for service in the Alliance military. This tournament was both a test and a showcase of readiness.

  I risked another gnce at the massive man. Still watching. My stomach twisted.

  Behind me, Kier muttered, “Looks like someone’s already picked their favorite.”

  “Kier... ” I hissed, keeping my eyes forward.

  Victoria whispered, “Stop it, both of you.”

  The Alliance leader raised his arms slightly. Cadets stiffened instinctively. The arena’s tension thickened, humming in the crisp winter air.

  “When the signal sounds, the tournament will commence. All teams, prepare yourselves. May your strength honor Valoria!”

  I slowly exhaled, attempting to calm my nerves for good. This was it.

  A brassy horn bsted across the arena, rattling the walls and sending vibrations through my chest. The signal had sounded.

  Teams moved to their staging areas in a controlled rush, snow and ice crunching beneath their boots. The field shimmered as Magic surged outward, weaving a barrier from nothing but air and light.

  At the edges, mages chanted in unison, their hands tracing arcs through the crisp air. Power threaded between them, building until the barrier solidified with a sharp, almost audible snap. At the center, a jagged form flickered into being—the first monster, raw energy pulled together into a living shape, wisps of mana dancing along its edges.

  Then it bellowed. The sound reverberated across the valley. The crowd roared back in response.

  Above the chaos, the announcer’s voice cut through.

  “Cadets, a reminder of the rules and scoring for the monster round! Each team will face a magical simution of a single powerful monster, one team at a time. The three fastest teams to defeat their creature will earn five points. The next two rounds can also earn you a maximum of five points. After all three rounds, cumutive scores will determine which six teams advance to the dueling stage. Efficiency, skill, and teamwork will all be evaluated!”

  I gnced at Victoria, then Kier, then at the glowing barrier enclosing the field, a magical shimmer rising from the stationed mages. Five points. Simple to understand... but actually earning them? That was a whole different challenge.

  Victoria’s hand brushed mine. Silent, brief, but it grounded me. “Focus. We know the pn.”

  I nodded, letting my pulse sync with the rhythm of the arena. Kier tilted his head. “Time to see if all that training bought you more than sore muscles.”

  “Wow, thanks for that, Kier, very inspiring.” I said as I pyfully shoved him.

  Above the field, the final glyphs twisted into pce. The order was set. Our turn approached.