The air was still charged with tension when General Locke stepped between Kael and Samuel. His deep voice cut through the buzz of the crowd.
"You two don't push your limits like that in the training grounds again." He looked at both of them with sharp, assessing eyes. "If you want to go all out, wait until next week. We'll open the Battle Grounds for official matches."
Samuel chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Heh… yeah, sorry about that. Got carried away." He turned to Kael, his tone lighter. "That was an amazing fight. You good? We should probably head to the infirmary."
Kael shook his head, expression calm. "I'm not injured."
Silence.
The crowd looked on, murmuring. After a fight like that earth shaking, shadow clashing, spear cracking you'd expect broken bones or at least blood. But Kael stood there, completely unscathed, not even breathing hard.
Samuel blinked, then let out a loud laugh. "Damn, you really are something. Guess you held back more than I thought. Next time, don't go easy on me."
Kael gave him a small nod before turning and walking out, his white hair slightly ruffled, shadows flickering faintly behind him.
The crowd parted in silence as he passed.
Back at the center of the training field, General Locke remained still, eyes narrowed as he watched Kael leave.
"Kael Vernier… ranked 11th during the entry test. But the aura I just felt from him… There's no way he was going to lose that fight. He wasn't even serious."
He glanced at Samuel, who was chuckling with some of the onlookers.
"Samuel Solaris, ranked 4th. One of the strongest new bloods from the Southern Empire. But that Kael… something's off."
Locke folded his arms, a small smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth.
"Guess it makes sense though… His sister is an SS+ ranked beast. One of the few in the younger generation who could push me in a duel. He's from the same blood."
He looked up at the ceiling, shadows of thought crossing his features.
"This guy… he's interesting."