The training grounds filled faster than usual.
Word had already spread.
"…It's happening today."
"…Aeris vs the new guy…"
"…He's finished…"
Students formed a wide circle.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
Expectation.
At the center—
Aeris stood calmly.
Cold air gathered around her.
Thin frost spread across the ground beneath her feet.
Her silver-blue hair moved slightly.
Her eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
Across from her—
Ren Qin rolled his shoulders.
Relaxed.
"…You don't look nervous," he said.
Aeris didn't respond.
"…Guess I'll take that as confidence."
Kai leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"…He's still talking…"
Rex sighed.
"…He's about to regret that…"
The teacher stepped forward.
"…Controlled spar. No lethal attacks."
A pause.
"…Begin."
Silence.
Then—
Aeris vanished.
CRACK—!!
The ground shattered as she launched forward.
Fast.
Too fast.
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"…!"
He moved—
Just in time.
SLASH—!!
Ice sliced past his shoulder.
His uniform tore.
A thin line of blood appeared.
"…That fast…"
No pause.
"Ice Spike."
The ground exploded beneath him—
BOOM—!!
Multiple spikes shot upward.
Ren twisted mid-air—
Flames igniting under his feet—
Landing lightly.
"…Okay… you're serious."
Aeris didn't answer.
She was already in front of him.
THUD—!!
Their arms collided.
Ice formed instantly along her strike—
Ren blocked—
But felt it.
Cold.
Heavy.
"…So you reinforce your body too…"
Aeris stepped in again—
Faster.
Ren barely kept up.
Blow after blow—
THUD—!! THUD—!! THUD—!!
Each impact pushed him back.
"…He's getting overwhelmed…" Mina whispered.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"…No…"
"…He's adapting."
Ren exhaled slowly.
His stance changed.
Lower.
Sharper.
"…Alright…"
Flames gathered—
Not wildly—
Condensed.
"…Let's try this."
He stepped forward—
BOOM—!!
Their fists collided again—
But this time—
CRACK—!!
The ground beneath them split.
Aeris' eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Oh?"
Ren moved—
Faster.
WHOOSH—!!
He vanished—
Reappearing at her side—
Strike—
THUD—!!
Aeris blocked—
But slid back slightly.
Silence.
"…He pushed her back…" Rex whispered.
Aeris looked at him—
Properly this time.
Ren smiled.
Breathing slightly heavier.
"…Don't look so surprised."
Aeris stepped forward again.
The temperature dropped sharply.
"…Mid E-Rank," Ren muttered.
"…Yeah… I feel it now."
Frost spread rapidly.
"Ice Mirror."
Layers formed instantly.
Ren raised his hand.
"Myriad Sword Slash."
Flames split—
Forming multiple sharp arcs—
WHOOSH—!!
They collided—
CRASH—!!
Ice shattered.
Flames scattered.
Steam exploded across the field.
For a moment—
Everything blurred.
Then—
A presence.
Cold.
Heavy.
Aeris stepped out.
Her aura surged.
The ground froze instantly beneath her feet.
"…Now I'm in trouble," Ren muttered.
Kai smirked.
"…You just realized?"
Aeris raised her hand.
"…This ends now."
The air trembled.
"Ice Age."
Silence—
Then—
BOOOOM—!!!
A massive wave of freezing power exploded outward.
The entire field froze.
Ice rose.
Encasing everything.
Students stumbled back.
"…This is insane…!" Mina shouted.
Ren stood at the center.
Surrounded.
"…Yeah…"
He exhaled slowly.
"…This would've been easier if you just said yes earlier."
A pause.
"…Guess I'll have to earn it."
Flames ignited—
Then—
Compressed.
Tighter.
Denser.
His expression changed.
Serious.
"…Just this once…"
"…Let's push it."
His heart pounded.
His veins burned.
The flames around him surged violently—
Then stabilized.
BOOM—!!
The ice around him cracked.
"…He's breaking through?!" Rex shouted.
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
"…He's forcing it…"
Ren stepped forward—
CRACK—!!
Each step shattered ice beneath him.
Faster.
Stronger.
He vanished—
WHOOSH—!!
Appearing directly in front of Aeris—
Punch thrown—
BOOM—!!
Aeris blocked—
But—
SLIDE—!!
She was pushed back.
Silence.
"…No way…" someone whispered.
Aeris' eyes sharpened.
For the first time—
She acknowledged him.
"…You're not bad."
Ren grinned—
Despite the strain.
"…That's all I needed."
His flames flickered violently.
Unstable now.
Pushing beyond his limit.
He stepped in again—
But—
CRACK—!!
His flames faltered.
The ice surged back.
Stopping inches from his throat.
Silence.
His breath came out slowly.
Visible.
Then—
He laughed.
"…Yeah…"
"…That's my limit."
Aeris lowered her hand.
The ice receded.
"…You forced me to take you seriously."
A pause.
"…That's enough."
Ren blinked—
Then smiled.
"…So… does that mean you'll talk to me now?"
Aeris turned away.
"…A little."
Silence.
Then—
The class exploded.
"…HE DID IT?!"
"…NO WAY—!"
"…THIS GUY…!"
Kai burst out laughing.
"…You're insane…"
Rex shook his head.
"…He actually pulled it off…"
Ren placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"…See?"
He glanced at Aeris.
"…All it took was risking my life."
Aeris didn't look back.
"…You talk too much."
Ren grinned.
"…And you're still listening."
A brief pause.
"…Progress."
Aeris' steps slowed—
Just slightly.
"…Don't push it."
Ren chuckled.
"…Too late."
He turned—
Looking satisfied.
But Kai's smile slowly faded.
Because deep inside—
Something stirred again.
Watching.
Waiting.
Dear reader's I know that you are reading this, I am frustrated and sad, you guys read my book,see how good it is but no one support's me, I have sacrificed a lot for this book,my personal time and work but none of you appreciate,i need loyal readers not people who just view but don't click, I beg you guys to please support me in voting, dropping good comment, ranking and gift.Just
to let me know that my sacrifice is not for waste, I trust you guys have my best interest at heart
Your dear author
Emery Frost