Spells versus Bloodline

Gaius stood with clenched fists, staring at the pile of alchemical corpses he had just defeated, the adrenaline from the training session still coursing through his veins. For some reason this seeming victory did not please him one bit. He was still simmering with frustration.

"I know why you're infuriated, Gaius," Hidaer began, his tone steady but firm. "It's because you're feeling the pressure of August's performance. He's a prodigy, comparable to Gerould—the individual the clan touts as the strongest apprentice. Even I find this situation to be a delightful surprise."

Gaius fell silent, the weight of Hidaer's words striking deep. The mention of August and Gerould filled him with a mix of admiration and resentment. He could feel his heart race, and the anger that had fueled his earlier combat began to shift into something more introspective. Hidaer's chiding tone only deepened the turmoil within him.