How to swing a sword.

Cassian followed closely behind Elias, his steps quiet as they moved through the training yard. The place was alive with the clatter of wooden swords, the grunts of effort, and the sharp commands of instructors. A group of kids, most around his age, stood in a semi-circle, listening attentively to their instructor.

Elias led him straight to the woman in charge. A tall, imposing figure with sharp black eyes that seemed to pierce right through him.

"Leticia, I brought another new member," Elias said as they stopped in front of her.

Leticia turned her gaze on Cassian, scanning him from head to toe. Behind her, the kids she had been instructing also turned their attention to him, their curiosity clear.

"You got a weird one this time," Leticia said, placing her hands on her hips. "Where's he from?"

Elias shrugged. "Seems related to Lucas. That's what I was told."

"Bullshit," Leticia scoffed, crossing her arms. "He looks nothing like him."

Elias smirked. "I think the same. But orders are orders." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "One of those orders is to get him into training right away. And honestly, I'm curious to see what he can do. I mean, just look at him."

Leticia sighed but nodded. "So what do you wanna do?"

"A small spar," Elias said immediately, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Leticia raised an eyebrow. "Can he even fight?"

Elias' enthusiasm wavered. He turned to Cassian. "Can you fight?"

Cassian shook his head.

Elias frowned. "Have you ever swung a sword in your life?"

Cassian shook his head again.

"Huh. That's weird," Elias muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. Then, after a brief pause, he gestured toward the group of kids. "Wanna try fighting one of them?"

Cassian followed Elias' gaze, looking over the other cadets. They all seemed older. Bigger. Stronger. The thought of fighting any of them didn't sit right with him, not out of fear, but something else entirely.

Before he could answer, a voice called out.

"Instructor! If the kid's gonna be a cadet, I want to duel him."

Cassian turned to see who had spoken. A boy with short black hair and a smug smirk was staring at him. He was taller than Cassian, more muscular than the others, and had the air of someone who thought himself untouchable.

Elias perked up as if the situation had just solved itself. He looked down at Cassian. "Listen, kid, I recommend you take this duel. If you don't, everyone here will think you're a coward. No one will want to be your partner. You'll be at the bottom. But if you fight—even if you lose—your bravery will earn you respect."

Cassian hesitated.

Leticia didn't seem thrilled either.

Ethan. That was the boy's name. And he was trouble.

She studied Cassian again. He was young. Younger than most cadets here. Most were around ten, and the youngest was eight.

Then she looked back at Ethan. He wasn't just taller than the others. He was stronger, faster, and he enjoyed hurting people. Every time he fought, his opponents ended up injured. Some seriously.

Leticia narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want to fight him, Ethan?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "He looks… unique. I wanna see if he's strong."

Leticia sighed, rubbing her forehead. She knew exactly why Ethan was doing this—he wanted to intimidate the newcomer. Make him an example. And worst of all, she couldn't do much about it. He was distantly related to the only knight in the settlement. Not a direct descendant, but still someone she had to be careful with.

Brat.

She turned to Cassian. "What about you, kid? Wanna fight him?"

Cassian thought for a moment, then looked up at her. "Can I use my ability?"

Leticia blinked, surprised by the question. After a brief pause, she answered, "You can. But no killing."

Ethan scoffed from behind her, muttering to his friends, "Like he could hurt me." His voice was dripping with mockery.

Cassian nodded. "Then I accept."

A satisfied grin spread across Elias' face.

Leticia didn't waste time. "Ethan, get over here. Bring an extra wooden sword."

Ethan quickly grabbed two swords and jogged over, tossing one at Cassian's feet. Cassian bent down and picked it up, gripping the handle tightly.

Ethan held his sword with both hands, shifting into a ready stance. Cassian stood still, holding his sword in a looser grip.

Leticia's voice cut through the air. "Start!"

Ethan moved first, lunging forward with confidence.

To Cassian, he was slow. Painfully slow.

The reason Cassian had hesitated before wasn't fear. It wasn't because Ethan looked strong. It was because Ethan had no ability. And Cassian hadn't been sure if he'd be allowed to use his own.

But now that he knew?

He had no reason to hold back.

His eyes flickered gold.

The world slowed.

He activated his strength. A rush of power flooded his body, wiping away any exhaustion he had felt before.

Then he moved.

The ground cracked beneath his feet as he dashed forward, faster than the eye could follow.

Ethan barely had time to react before Cassian's sword was upon him. At the last second, Cassian activated another ability. His wooden sword glowed red.

Their weapons met—except they didn't.

Cassian's sword cut through Ethan's like it was nothing but air.

For a fraction of a second, Ethan's smug expression remained. Then Cassian shifted his grip. His sword flashed.

Ethan's hands fell to the ground.

The training yard fell silent.

For a heartbeat, Ethan didn't react. He stared at the ground where his hands—still clutching the broken sword—lay in the dirt.

Then the pain hit.

Ethan screamed. A raw, terrified sound. He dropped to his knees, frantically trying to grasp his severed hands, but there was nothing he could do.

Cassian stood over him, silent. His own hands dripped red. His wooden sword had shattered from the force of the exchange, leaving only splinters in his grasp.

Instructors rushed forward, panic in their eyes.

The cadets? They were frozen.

Not just in shock.

But in fear.