Again

Theron coughed up another mouthful of blood and slowly stood to his feet. His expression was calm.

Many were probably looking to see a fierce reaction, but at that moment, in the face of a loss, he didn't look much different than Ironvale would have.

Calm and unhurried, he moved to leave, only to find that Ironvale had taken a step toward him again.

"You aren't bad," the new Chosen complimented.

"Not bad? I guess maybe that's true, just not true enough," Theron replied.

"The Imperial Academy is not like the Sects. All we do here is breathe battle. Even your military stream doesn't know what that means just yet, not until they step onto a real battlefield. Caelan's method of victory was a bit direct, but that is also how things will work in real life.

"You have a lot of potential and are worthy of your arrogance. It seems that today won't set you back very much. I expect that you will be much stronger when I see you next."