"So this is the list, huh?" Edward muttered, his tone casual as his eyes swept over the parchment pinned to the wall.
Vern stood with his hands tucked loosely behind his back, his gaze steady and unreadable. Salena leaned forward slightly, scanning the rows of names with mild curiosity, while Edward's lips curved into a small, almost playful smirk.
The four of them stood in the wide training ground of the Nalanda Institute, its massive structure shaped like a coliseum. Rows of stone seats rose high into the air, enough to hold nearly ten thousand spectators, and the echo of distant sparring rang faintly across the grounds, giving the air a sharpened edge of anticipation.
"Hm?" Charlotte tilted her head, tracing the list with her finger. Her brows knitted together as her eyes flicked toward them. "Edward, your opponent is a third-year named Jackob Rake." She spoke evenly, but the concern in her voice was faintly audible. Then her gaze moved to Vern, lingering on him with unease. "And you're matched against one of the A-class students from year three?"
Her brows furrowed tighter, her lips pressing into a thin line. "For Edward, it's not much to worry about," she admitted softly, her voice dropping. "But for you, Vern—facing a second-severance warrior when you're only at first… it won't be easy."
Edward smirked at her, clearly amused by her words. Her concern was understandable—after all, there were only a handful of cases where a first-severance cultivator had managed to defeat someone at the second. Yet, deep down, Edward was certain Vern would be one of those rare exceptions. Vern wasn't just anyone—he was destined to be among those who climbed to the very top.
Thinking so, Edward glanced at Charlotte, his tone steady and reassuring.
"You don't need to worry," he said with quiet confidence. "These guys are average. The gap between first and second severance isn't as wide as it looks—and Vern has the skill to bridge it. That's something he doesn't lack."
Vern didn't react outwardly, but the calm glint in his eyes seemed to echo Edward's words, a silent affirmation of the faith his friend placed in him.
"Don't get so overconfident and get yourself beat up." Salena snorted, her arms crossing as she shot Edward a sharp look.
Edward scoffed and opened his mouth to retort. "What do you know? You're not even—" His words faltered, dying mid-sentence as her piercing stare locked onto him. The memory of what had happened just a few days ago flashed in his mind, and he quickly snapped his mouth shut, clearing his throat as if nothing had happened.
Salena let out a soft "hmph" before turning her attention to Vern. The sharpness in her gaze melted away in an instant, replaced by a gentleness so striking it almost seemed unreal. Her eyes softened, gleaming with a warmth that seemed to drip like golden honey.
"So, Vern," she asked, her voice lower, sweeter, "are you prepared for tomorrow's duel?"
"Hm? I don't know," Vern admitted honestly, his tone calm as ever. "I haven't seen him fight before. He reached second severance a year ago, so he should already be accustomed to the changes that come with it. Still… I think I can handle him."
"Of course you can," Edward snorted, rolling his eyes. "Even I've lost to you multiple times, and that was while fighting with everything I had."
Then, stretching his arms lazily before locking his hands behind his neck, Edward added with a crooked grin, "By the way, I heard he uses a greatsword—one as tall as himself. He's bulky, too. You'd better avoid his strikes as much as possible."
Though the words sounded like advice, there was little sincerity behind them. Edward already knew Vern's combat sense was exceptional—so sharp, in fact, that even his own instincts in battle felt pale in comparison.
"Well, whatever," Edward said with a shrug, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Just make sure you reach the finals. My father is coming and—"
"My father is also coming to see the finals!" Salena cut in before he could finish, her voice rising with uncontained enthusiasm. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward slightly, clearly proud to reveal the fact.
Edward blinked at her interruption, his mouth half open, then let out a dry chuckle. "Tch, you didn't even let me finish," he muttered, though the faint smirk on his face betrayed that he wasn't actually annoyed.
Turning from the others, Vern glanced at Charlotte, who had been standing to the side with a silly grin plastered across her face, clearly enjoying the banter without adding a word. The sight made him chuckle inwardly, and an unconscious smile softened his features.
"Your exams should be next month," he said, tilting his head slightly as his calm eyes fixed on her. "Have you been studying?"
Charlotte's grin faltered. "Hm… um… well… I'm studying diligently," she mumbled, her voice wobbling as she quickly averted her gaze. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, betraying her nerves.
The smile on Vern's lips vanished instantly. His expression hardened, and he clicked his tongue in irritation. "If you don't study hard, you'll fail the exams," he said flatly, his sharp tone making Charlotte shrink her shoulders. "And don't think for a moment that I'll send you back home—or let you stay with me—without making you study."
He let the words hang in the air before leaning back slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'll make sure you pay the price. I'll double your lessons… no, ten times harder than normal. Until you cry about it."
Charlotte's cheeks puffed up in a pout, her eyes darting back to him with a mixture of embarrassment and defiance. "Y-you're so mean," she muttered under her breath, though her reddened ears betrayed her flustered state.
Vern only raised a brow, his smirk widening.
"Think whatever you want," Vern said firmly, his voice carrying no room for argument. "I'll even punish you if you don't get good grades. So make sure you study diligently… or you know very well what I'll do." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the edge in his tone making it sound more like a threat than a warning.
Charlotte froze. Her lips pressed together tightly as she lowered her head, refusing to meet his gaze. She didn't utter a word—only stared at the ground as her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Her nose reddened, and the faint shimmer of tears welled in her eyes, though she blinked rapidly to hold them back.
The playful mood from before dissolved in an instant, replaced by a heavy silence that hung awkwardly in the air.
Edward couldn't help but smile as he watched Charlotte shrink under Vern's words, timid as a scolded child. Honestly, she was just as unbearable as Salena—both of them had a knack for tormenting him in one way or another. So seeing Charlotte curl up like a frightened cat was, in its own way, a gratifying sight.
But the amusement didn't last long. His gaze drifted sideways, landing on Salena. Her expression had darkened, her usual sharpness replaced with a shadowy look that made Edward exhale quietly through his nose. He knew exactly why.
It was no secret—Charlotte and Vern were close, bound by the familiarity of growing up together since childhood. To anyone with common sense, their closeness was natural, nothing unusual. But for Salena, who was hopelessly head over heels for Vern, even that obvious truth was difficult to accept. The sight of Charlotte being on the receiving end of Vern's rare concern was enough to stir her jealousy.
"Ahem." Edward broke the heavy silence with an awkward cough, scratching the back of his head before speaking. "So, Vern… want to spar before your match?"
Vern shook his head lightly, the corner of his lips curving upward. "No. I'll see you in the finals—so get ready." The calmness of his tone contrasted with the spark of excitement glimmering in his eyes.
Edward's grin widened. "Heh, you're going to lose, but fine. I'll be waiting in the finals. Just don't get your butt kicked by some random guy before then."
"Don't worry," Vern replied with a faint chuckle. "Just make sure you reach the finals yourself."
"It goes without saying!" Edward puffed out his chest, lifting his chin high in mock pride, the playful confidence radiating off him almost comical.
Salena rolled her eyes at their competitive exchange, while Charlotte, still quiet, sneaked a small smile at the sight of the two.