By the time the fourth round ended, the sun had climbed high and mellow, casting long orange glows across the platforms. The count had called for a short break before the final round, which was honestly the best thing I'd heard all day.
We found a quiet spot on the stone benches near the edge of the arena. The air was thick with dust, sweat, and that electric buzz that always comes before something big. Some of the other contestants were still talking in small clusters, some celebrating their wins, others stewing over their losses.
I leaned back against the warm stone and exhaled. My muscles still ached from the last fight, though the healing I'd done on myself had taken care of most of it.
Maya flopped down next to me, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Four matches," she said, sounding proud but also a little tired. "Four wins."
I smiled. "Not bad for a bunch of strangers."
Ray sat a few feet away from us, leaning back with his arms folded. His eyes were closed, but I could tell he wasn't sleeping. He was the kind of guy who'd take a nap in a burning building and still be aware of every sound around him.
"I'd say we're most likely in," Maya continued, crossing her legs. "We've been consistent. And not to mention—" she pointed a thumb at me, "—we've got a healer with sword skills. That alone has to look good on their reports."
I chuckled. "I'd like to think so. Not every day you find a team with decent balance and actual teamwork."
"Exactly," she said, nodding. "The academy will take one look at us and send the acceptance letters flying."
Ray opened one eye. "You two sound confident."
"Confident or realistic?" I asked.
He smirked. "Both."
"Then yes," I said, pretending to puff up my chest. "We're the picture of realism."
Maya snorted, and for a while, the three of us just sat in comfortable silence, watching the other platforms where a few remaining teams were finishing their fourth-round matches.
The crowd wasn't as loud as before — most of them were tired, but you could feel the excitement buzzing under the surface. Everyone was thinking the same thing: the next round would decide everything.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "You know," I said after a moment, "it's weird. We've fought together through four matches now, and I don't actually know that much about either of you."
Ray grunted. "You don't need to."
"Right," I said with mock solemnity. "The mysterious loner act. Keeps your appeal high."
Maya giggled. "I was wondering when you'd ask that, Ash. You really are curious, huh?"
"Can you blame me?" I asked. "I mean, I'm trusting you with my life out there. Might as well know who's keeping me alive in return."
She hummed thoughtfully. "Fair point. Well, since you asked so nicely…" She straightened a little, eyes drifting off toward the bright sky. "Both my mom and dad are merchants — pretty well-known ones, actually. They own a trade business in the capital. Spell books, jewelry, textiles, weapons, that sort of thing."
"Sounds successful," I said.
She nodded. "They are. I'm their only child, so they always assumed I'd take over the family business someday. I think that was the plan for most of my childhood."
She smiled faintly, though there was a trace of melancholy in it. "But when I awakened my magic talent a few years ago, everything changed. I told them I wanted to go to the academy some day, and… well, I was nervous about it. I thought they'd be disappointed."
I tilted my head. "And were they?"
Her smile softened. "Not even a little. They supported me completely. They dropped everything and helped me train. Hired tutors, bought books, found a mentor. They wanted me to chase this dream even more than I did."
For a moment, her voice quieted, almost reverent. "They put all their plans on hold just so I could come here."
I felt something twist in my chest. "You love them," I said quietly. "Sounds like they're good parents."
"They really are," she said, smiling again — that kind of smile that's equal parts pride and longing. "They've done so much for me. I want to make them proud. That's why I'm here."
"Then you'll make them proud," I said without hesitation. "You've got the drive for it."
She laughed softly. "You say that like you've known me for years."
I shrugged. "Sometimes it doesn't take years to know someone."
For a few seconds, she looked at me — eyes curious, maybe a little amused — before she broke the gaze with a small laugh. "Your turn then, mister mysterious healer. What about you?"
"Me?" I asked, scratching my neck. "My story's not that interesting. I'm just a guy from the countryside — one of those small towns you pass through and forget the name of five minutes later. When I heard about the academy selections, I figured I'd try my luck."
Maya blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"That's your entire life story?"
"Pretty much."
She stared at me like she was waiting for me to elaborate, then rolled her eyes dramatically. "Wow. That's… fascinating."
I grinned. "Told you I wasn't interesting."
"You weren't kidding."
"Hey, at least I'm honest."
That got a small laugh out of her. "Fair enough."
I turned toward Ray, who was still lounging, arms crossed, pretending not to listen. "What about you, Ray? You gonna grace us with your backstory?"
He cracked one eye open. "No."
I nodded sagely. "Ah, another riveting tale. You and I should write a book together. We'll call it 'The Guy Who Said Nothing.'"
Maya burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. Even Ray smirked, though he tried to hide it.
When she finally caught her breath, she wiped a tear from her eye. "You're ridiculous."
"I've been told that," I said proudly.
For a while, we just sat there, watching the sky change color — blue deepening into a warmer hue as the afternoon wore on. The noise from the other fights faded, replaced by the occasional shout of a proctor or cheer from the audience.
Then Maya broke the quiet again. "You know what I'm most excited about?"
I glanced at her. "Food?"
"Ha ha," she said dryly. "No. The academy itself. The resources there are insane. Spellbooks, training halls, elemental chambers, mana focus crystals — everything a mage could want."
"Sounds like heaven for someone like you," I said.
"Exactly!"