Morning in the Northern Arena was usually quiet.
Not today.
Not when Lyra had plans.
"Kael. Up."
Kael blinked.
He was on the ground.
Why was he on the ground?
Oh. Because Lyra had hit him. Again.
He sighed. "Was that necessary?"
"You blinked. That's a weakness," Lyra said seriously, lowering her training blade.
Kael dusted off his shirt. "People blink, Lyra. That's how eyes work."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Your sarcasm is weak today."
Kael grunted. "Because I'm bleeding."
"Minor bleeding. Builds character."
He stared at her. "You stabbed me."
"With the flat of the blade."
"I didn't know that was possible."
---
Across the Arena
Students gathered to watch. Some were there to see Lyra's perfect footwork. Others came to witness Kael's strange, lazy fighting style.
But most?
They came to see how the school's most unreadable student kept accidentally winning.
"He's not even trying," someone whispered.
"He never is," another replied.
Kael stumbled sideways, tripping on a loose rock—and somehow dodged Lyra's sweeping strike.
Another student gasped. "He's predicting her! His instincts are off the charts!"
Kael: "Ow. My toe."
---
At the back row, Raen and Elira stood watching.
"She's pushing him harder than she ever pushed herself," Elira noted.
Raen folded his arms. "She's just showing off."
Elira glanced sideways. "Are you jealous?"
"Of him? He doesn't even take it seriously."
"That's what worries you, isn't it?" Elira said gently. "She's drawn to him because he doesn't care. And you… you care too much."
Raen didn't reply.
---
After Training
Kael sat under a tree, holding a cold drink to his face.
Lyra handed him a sandwich. "Eat. You'll need energy."
He raised an eyebrow. "For what? You planning to suplex me again tomorrow?"
"Maybe," she said, biting into her own sandwich. "Your defense is improving."
Kael looked at his bruises. "My face disagrees."
"You still haven't lost once," Lyra said, almost proud. "Not even by accident."
Kael took a slow sip. "That's the problem. I am winning. Accidentally. How is this my life?"
Lyra smirked. "It's your fault. You give off 'silent conqueror' vibes."
"I give off tired librarian energy, thank you."
---
Meanwhile, in the Shadow Society
A Shadow Envoy knelt before the Pillar of Strategy.
"He trained today," the Envoy reported.
The Pillar nodded. "He continues the path unknowingly."
"Should we assist?"
"No. Not yet. His missteps guide nations."
The Envoy looked up. "Should we… report this to the Seventh Pillar?"
A pause. Then: "She already knows. She watches him."
---
Back at the Academy
Hema walked through the corridor, lost in thought.
Kael's dueling record. His reactions. His silence.
It all pointed to something… deeper.
She turned a corner—and bumped into him.
Literally.
"Oof—" Hema blinked. "Kael?"
Kael rubbed his shoulder. "Why are people built like bricks here?"
She adjusted her glasses. "I was actually looking for you."
Kael froze. "Why?"
"To ask about your… intentions."
Kael blinked. "I intend to eat. Sleep. Avoid war. In that order."
Hema studied him for a long second.
"Are you pretending to be this simple?" she asked quietly.
Kael looked at her. "No. I'm just genuinely tired."
---
That Night
In her room, Hema scribbled notes:
> Kael Vaelthorn: Threat Level Unknown.
Intelligence: Impossible to read.
Battle Style: Improvised genius… or absurd luck?
Social Impact: Rising.
Connection to Lyra: Strong.
Probability of being a hidden kingpiece: 92.6%.
She paused.
Then underlined that last part.
Twice.
---
At the same time, in a quiet courtyard…
Lyra sat alone, polishing her sword.
Raen approached slowly. "You're pushing him too hard."
"He can take it," she said without looking up.
Raen's eyes narrowed. "You trust him that much already?"
Lyra looked up, expression unreadable.
"He doesn't try to stand in front of me. Or behind me. Just… beside me."
Raen flinched.
She stood and walked away, leaving him behind.
The echo of her boots was louder than any shout.
---
Back in Kael's room
Kael collapsed into bed, arms stretched.
"Mages, swordsmen, archers, assassins… all of them watching me," he muttered.
He rolled over and closed his eyes.
"I'm just a nap enthusiast in the wrong narrative."
But the shadows outside his window moved subtly.
As if watching.
As if waiting.
---
End of Chapter 36