Chapter 31

 Aria wiped the sweat from her brow, her muscles aching from the relentless drills Alex had pushed her through. Despite the physical exhaustion, a fire burned in her eyes—an unyielding determination to grow stronger.

"Again," Alex said, his voice calm but firm. He stood a few feet away, his stance relaxed but ready, like a predator waiting to strike.

Aria groaned. "Do you ever take a break?"

"Rogues don't," Alex replied, twirling his short blade in his hand. "And neither should we. Now come at me."

She gritted her teeth, adjusting her grip on her dagger. Lunging forward, she aimed for his side, but Alex sidestepped effortlessly, catching her wrist mid-swing. In one swift motion, he flipped her onto the ground.

"Too slow," he remarked, offering her a hand to get up.

Aria swatted it away, standing on her own. "You're impossible."