Noel PoV
The final day of training had arrived. My muscles ached, my hands were raw, and my pride was bruised. But the atzurie in my hand glowed with a steady, confident light. I had finally mastered the basics.
Eumhun and Sufiya watched me from the sidelines, their expressions a mix of approval and apprehension.
"You're as ready as you'll be. Now, rest before the match," Eumhun said, a small smile on her face.
I looked at the glowing stone in my hand, a single tear rolling down my cheek. I had done it. I had managed to learn the basics of using the light.
Sufiya sighed, a flicker of something in her eyes that I couldn't quite read. Was it pride? Or was it fear? "Remember what I told you. Be like fire. Unpredictable, adaptable. And for the love of all that is holy, don't let him get under your skin. He has a way of carrying himself that suggests he is better than you. You must shatter that illusion."
