"Hey, rest while you can! In 30 minutes, the next test will start," a soldier announced, his voice echoing across the frost-covered training grounds.
Jack groaned, stretching his sore arms. "Already? Man, my whole body feels like it got crushed."
"We've got 30 minutes—let's rest while we can," Duke said, lowering himself onto a nearby rock. He let out a long breath, the cold air stinging his lungs. The chill cut through his clothes, but the dull ache in his muscles hurt even more.
Not far away, Samaira turned to Touka with a bright grin. "Touka, let's team up again like before!"
Touka shot her a flat look, her violet eyes as cold as the wind. "There is no teaming up."
Samaira pouted. "Aww… but still, wouldn't it be fun if we could?"
Touka crossed her arms. "Only if you don't try to kill me this time."
Samaira blinked innocently. "That was an accident!"
Touka rolled her eyes and turned to a nearby soldier who was adjusting his helmet. "What's the next test about?"
The soldier looked up from his clipboard, his breath fogging the air. "It's the final round. One-on-one battles between recruits. The top 100 scorers will be selected based on all three tests—endurance, combat, and this final match."
Jack groaned again. "A one-on-one battle? Crap…"
"This'll be fun!" Samaira said, her breath swirling like mist as she grinned.
Touka's eyes narrowed. Fun, huh? Not for me. My score's already messed up thanks to her. I need to win this one… without drawing too much attention.
Duke glanced at Jack as he stretched his shoulders. "This is the perfect time to use the abilities we've been training."
"Yeah," Jack said, cracking his knuckles, trying to push aside the rising nerves.
---
**10 Minutes Later**
Snowflakes drifted from the cloudy sky, layering the stone ground in a thin sheet of white. The cold had grown sharper, the wind slicing through the open training field. Five circular stages—marked by frost-covered stones—stood at different points across the grounds, each one surrounded by a ring of torches that barely fought against the cold.
The soldiers wasted no time. One of them stepped forward, his voice loud and steady. "We've matched each battle based on your performance in the previous exams. There are five stages, as you can see. We will now announce the matchups along with the stage numbers. Recruits, head to your assigned stage and wait for your battle to begin."
Jack vs. Lysa.(Stage 4)
Lysa was fast and strong. She had sharp eyes and quick moves. Jack looked at her from across the stage. She tied her gloves tightly and took a fighting stance.
Jack rubbed his arms and tried to relax. "She looks serious," he muttered, then smiled to hide his nerves. "Alright… let's see what you've got."
Touka vs. Rigen.( Stage 1)
Rigen was the same guy who had teased Touka earlier. He laughed when he heard her name—but that changed when she walked toward the stage. Her steps were calm, but something about her felt cold.
*Damn, that creepy girl is fighting me?* Rigen thought. He didn't know why, but her quiet stare gave him a strange feeling, like something bad was about to happen.
Samaira vs. Korrin.(Stage 5)
Korrin was tall and strong. He held a huge halberd and didn't speak much. Samaira looked at him, surprised by his size.
"Wow, you're big," she said with a grin. "This'll be fun!" She bounced on her feet, full of energy and ready to fight.
Vairan vs. Drex.( Stage 1)
The top student, Vairan, was finally fighting Drex—the one always trying to beat him. People gathered to watch. Even before they moved, everyone could feel the tension.
Vairan smiled. "Heh… what a lucky day." His long coat moved with the wind as he walked onto the stage. Drex followed, fists ready.
Darius vs. Zoren. (Stage 3)
Darius was fast. Zoren was proud and calm. Darius stretched and smiled, already planning his moves.
Zoren pulled out his sword without saying a word. He looked straight at Darius with sharp eyes.
Duke vs. Kairoz. (Stage 1)
When Duke and Kairoz's names were called, the whole field went quiet. Everyone turned to look. These two were strong—and this fight would be big.
Duke smiled and cracked his knuckles. "Let's go."
Kairoz nodded once. His eyes were serious and cold.
Snow started falling again, soft but steady. The wind howled as all the recruits walked to their stages. The final test was about to begin.
"Touka, you got matched up with that guy?" Samaira said, making a face. "What bad luck."
Touka glanced at her. "Yeah… your opponent looks strong too."
"Don't worry. I'm strong too," Samaira replied with a relaxed grin.
"I got Kairoz," Duke said, smiling like he was excited.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Your battle's gonna be intense. I'm looking forward to it."
"All the best for your match," Duke said with a nod.
Just then, a soldier stepped forward and shouted, "Alright! The matches are starting. First up—Touka vs. Rigen! Head to Stage One!"
As Touka walked toward the stage, Samaira suddenly slammed her hand on her back.
"Hey, Touka… don't lose," she said, her voice serious for the first time. The usual playful look on her face was gone.
Touka turned and looked into her eyes. "I won't lose," she replied calmly. *I can't lose… not when I have a mission to complete.*
She turned away and stepped onto the path leading to the stage.
A soldier raised his voice, addressing them. "You'll both use wooden swords. First one to land three clean hits on vital spots wins the match."
Touka picked up her wooden sword without a word. Rigen grabbed his too, spinning it once in his hand like he was trying to impress someone.
Both started walking up to the stage. Rigen walked ahead, but something felt off.
*What is this feeling…?* he thought, suddenly uneasy. *It's like… she's going to kill me. My heart's pounding for no reason.*
Curious and nervous, he turned slightly to glance behind him—and froze.
Touka's cold violet eyes stared back at him, completely emotionless.
He stopped in his tracks, suddenly terrified.
"Move ahead," Touka said flatly.
"O-okay…" Rigen stammered and quickly turned away, his hands slightly shaking.
Both of them took their stances.
He's already shaking… Touka thought, watching Rigen's unsteady grip on his sword. How am I supposed to make this look like a hard win?
She tightened her hold on the wooden blade, her expression calm as ever, but her mind already working out how to pace the match.
"Begin!" the soldier shouted.
Rigen rushed at her in a panic, yelling, "Ahhh! Die!"
He swung wildly, his face full of fear.
Touka raised her sword just in time, blocking the strike. She let her body stumble a little, pretending to struggle.
"Damn… so powerful," she said through gritted teeth, acting like she was being pushed back.
But in her mind, she scoffed. I'm fighting a coward… pathetic.
"What did he just say? 'Die'?" one recruit whispered, eyes wide.
Another laughed nervously. "Look at him—he's panicking already."
All around the stage, recruits murmured to each other, watching the fight with growing interest.
Kairoz, standing quietly among them, narrowed his eyes. Why is he so scared…?
He kept watching Touka carefully.
Something's definitely off about her, he thought. That calm… those eyes… she's not normal.
Rigen kept attacking wildly, swinging his wooden sword without control.
Touka blocked each strike, her arms shaking slightly with the force. Her feet slid back across the cold stone stage, inch by inch. Her face showed effort—like she was struggling to keep up.
But her eyes… they stayed calm. Too calm.
I thought she was strong. She just had creepy vibes, but she's weak, Rigen thought, letting out a small laugh. Heheheh.
Touka glanced at him and saw the grin on his face. Look at him… he's smiling, she thought, still stepping back.
She kept breathing heavily—huff, huff, hahh—making it look like she was struggling.
"You're weak! You just look scary!" Rigen shouted, then charged at her full speed. "Now it's over!"
But just as he swung his sword, Touka sidestepped with perfect timing.
"What?!" Rigen gasped.
Touka spun and struck him clean on the back with her wooden sword.
"Ughhh!" Rigen screamed in pain, stumbling forward.
"Hey, did you see that? She was pretending to be tired—then landed that strike out of nowhere!" a recruit said, eyes wide.
"Yeah! She fooled him completely," another added as they all watched Touka's match with growing excitement.
Kairoz stood silently, watching the stage closely. His sharp eyes didn't miss a single movement.
Nearby, Duke walked up to him. "Kairoz, you're watching the battle too, huh?"
Kairoz didn't even turn. "What do you *think* I'm doing?"
"Ah—sorry," Duke chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. "I just wanted to say… all the best for our match. You'll be a tough opponent. Since we nearly tied in the last test, I see you as my equal."
Kairoz slowly turned his head, his expression unreadable. "Equal… huh?"
Suddenly, another clean strike landed on Rigen. He cried out as Touka's wooden sword hit his side.
"Another hit! Did you see that?! One more and it's over!" the recruits shouted from the sidelines, their voices filled with surprise.
"She's gonna win this. That guy's finished," one of them said.
Got it! So Duke only partially suspects her—he thinks there's about a 25% chance that she's the masked white-haired girl.
"Looks like she's gonna win," Duke said, watching the match with a slight grin.
Kairoz didn't answer—his eyes were locked onto the stage, focused completely on Touka.
Meanwhile, Rigen's thoughts were spiraling. I can't lose… not after coming this far!
Touka studied him calmly, a quiet smirk tugging at her lips. He's getting desperate. Maybe I should let him land a hit… keep it interesting.
Rigen rushed forward. Their wooden swords clashed with sharp force. Then—he landed a clean hit to her stomach.
"Ughhh!" Touka cried out, staggering back from the blow.
"Finally! He landed one!" a recruit exclaimed.
Rigen didn't stop. He struck again, catching her shoulder.
"Ufff…" Touka winced, taking the blow intentionally.
Now we're even,she thought. Time to finish this.
Both had one hit left.
Rigen charged again, confident and fast.
Touka stepped back, playing the part—but suddenly, her foot slipped on something on the stage.
"Shit…" she muttered as she lost her balance and hit the ground.
"She slipped!" a recruit shouted.
"This is it for her!" someone else added.
Rigen didn't wait. "It's over!" he shouted, dashing toward her full force.
But as he swung down, Touka rolled to the side with startling speed and swept his legs out from under him with a powerful strike.
THUD!
"AHHHH!" Rigen screamed as he hit the ground hard.
"Did you see that dodge?!"
"That strike was brutal!"
Even Kairoz looked surprised.
Duke's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on Touka.
That speed... that precision… could she be the masked girl?he wondered. *No… it's not certain. But maybe… 25 percent chance. Yeah, about that much. I'll keep watching.*
"The winner of the match—Touka!" a soldier announced.
Another soldier stepped up. "Sorry about the fall. There was something on the stage—you probably slipped on that."
Touka brushed herself off and nodded. "It's fine."
Damn… I went a little overboard,she thought, keeping her expression neutral.
"Yeahhhh! Touka won!" Samaira shouted, running toward her with excitement. "That strike was crazy! You did it!"
Touka chuckled, slightly out of breath. "Ahh, that was just a lucky strike, haha."
"That strike was far from lucky," came a voice from behind.
Touka turned—and immediately tensed. Tch… why is he here? she thought.
Kairoz stood there with a calm expression. "That move was clean. I saw it clearly."
"I-It was just adrenaline, I guess," Touka replied quickly. "I had to win somehow."
"Adrenaline or not, it was impressive," Kairoz said, stepping a little closer.
"Hey! Who are you supposed to be?" Samaira suddenly barked, placing herself between Touka and Kairoz. "Trying to befriend her? Back off! She already has a best friend—and that's me,monkey!"
Touka held back a laugh. That was great, Samaira… I'm starting to like you,she thought.
"M-Monkey?" Kairoz blinked, confused.
His expression darkened for a split second, but then he smiled again. "I'm just a fan of her," he said with a calm smile.
Huh. Creep,Touka thought, squinting at him.
"A fan? See?" Samaira grinned. "You've already got admirers, Touka!"
Kairoz's face remained neutral now, his eyes locked directly with Touka's.
Just then, an announcement echoed across the arena:
"Next match—Duke vs. Kairoz!"
"It's time," Duke said with excitement, his eyes gleaming as he looked toward Kairoz.