Chapter 19:“The Trial of Restraint”

I didn't sleep much.

But for once, it wasn't because of fear.

The shadows beneath my skin felt different now—alive, but not threatening. Restless, but not out of control. Like they were waiting for me to wake up.

And I wanted to.

Because today, we were going to train.

And for the first time… I was looking forward to it.

By the time the first light crept over the walls of the estate, I was already sitting up in bed, boots in hand, half-dressed and fully awake.

Mariette stirred a few minutes later.

Seraphina didn't stir at all—she was already gone.

After 30 mins. The three of us were already assembled in the courtyard by the time the sun finished rising.

Mariette stood with her hands behind her back, posture perfect. Seraphina leaned slightly on one leg, calm but alert. I bounced on the balls of my feet, the morning chill barely noticeable through my growing anticipation.

Valeria arrived a moment later, cloak trailing behind her like a shadow of its own.

"Now that you've shown some control over your magic," she said, tone flat but firm, "it's time we work on your bodies. Strength, stamina, discipline—those come before weapons. If you can't last an hour on your feet, you won't last ten seconds with a blade."

Then came the command:

"Fifty laps. No shortcuts."

We started running.

The gravel crunched beneath our boots in a steady rhythm, the cold morning air sharp in my lungs. Mariette kept pace beside me, perfectly even and silent as always.

Seraphina was already a few strides ahead, her breathing controlled, her gaze fixed forward.

I didn't complain.

Not once.

After the third lap, Mariette glanced sideways at me. Not a full turn—just a flick of the eyes, like she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

"…You're in a good mood," she said finally.

I shrugged, still running. "I just like mornings now."

A beat of silence.

"Since when?"

"Since yesterday," I said, breath steady.

Mariette didn't respond right away, but after a few more laps, she spoke again—quietly, like she was still trying to make sense of it.

"You used to complain like a baby every time Valeria made you run," she said. "And now… you're just doing it?"

I blinked. "Did I really sound like a baby?"

From a few paces ahead, Seraphina nodded without looking back.

I stared at her back, mildly offended. "You're supposed to hesitate."

Still no reply.

"I could've handled a pause. A thoughtful 'maybe,' even. But not an immediate nod."

Mariette's shoulders shook slightly. Whether it was from laughter or just adjusting her pace, I couldn't tell. Probably both.

By the time we finished the last lap, my legs felt like they were made of wet rope.

Valeria stood by the training stones, arms folded, expression unreadable. She didn't look winded—just mildly impatient, like she'd been waiting for us to realize our own limits.

And then, Valeria gave us all a once-over, eyes sharp and calculating.

"Five minutes," she said. "Sit, breathe, stretch. After that—your next lesson begins."

We didn't argue. I sank onto the nearest stone ledge, rolling my shoulders out and catching my breath. Seraphina sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, already slipping into a meditative calm. Mariette stood for a moment, then finally sat beside me, her movements precise, her gaze scanning the training yard like she was already calculating the next step.

I nudged Mariette lightly with my elbow. "Any chance you packed water? Or do we survive on discipline and morning air?"

She didn't sigh, but I could feel it in the way her eyes flicked toward me. Then, without a word, she reached into the small pack beside her and pulled out two flasks.

She handed one to me, then the other to Seraphina. "Sip slowly

I drank half, then paused.

Mariette hadn't taken one for herself.

I held the flask back out to her. "Here. I'm good."

She looked at it, then at me.

"You're not good," she said.

"So are you, as my personal maid you should be on perfect condition at all times," I replied.

A quiet beat passed. Then she took the flask and drank, just once, before handing it back.

She didn't thank me out loud.

But there was the slightest curve to her lips—gone as quickly as it appeared.

And I didn't mention it.

My heart was already too busy trying not to leap out of my chest.

Because this was it.

Finally.

Magic training.

five minutes later, Valeria's voice cut through the quiet.

"On your feet."

We stood. Muscles aching, hearts stead

y.

"Follow me," she said, already turning on her heel. "We're heading into the forest."

None of us asked why. We just followed.

The estate faded behind us as we made our way down a narrow path, the trees growing denser with every step. Morning mist clung to the undergrowth, curling around our boots like pale fingers. Birds scattered as we passed, and somewhere in the distance, something howled—not a wolf, not quite.

Just enough to put a chill down my spine.

The deeper we went, the more the world shifted.

No more cobbled paths. No more neat hedges or flowerbeds. Just the quiet, breathing forest, full of magic and memory and old, lingering danger.

Finally, we reached a clearing.

It was circular, wide enough for a full duel, and ringed by trees scarred with old burns and claw marks. Runes were carved into stones at each corner, glowing faintly with containment magic.

And waiting for us, at the edge of the clearing, were two cages.

Each one pulsed faintly with magical restraints, but the creatures inside made it clear those restraints weren't for show.

In the first cage: a razorfang direhound.

All rippling black muscle, its fur licked with embers, its breath steaming in the cold morning air. Fire flickered along its spine with each growl, and every breath it took sent a hiss of heat into the frost-laced grass.

Its claws sparked against the cage floor, and its eyes glowed molten orange.

Seraphina's gaze locked with it—steady, unblinking.

In the second cage: a duskfur simian.

It crouched like a gorilla, broad-shouldered and thick-limbed, but moved with the eerie weightlessness of a spider monkey. Jet-black fur clung to its body, threaded with pulsing streaks of deep violet. Shadows coiled unnaturally around its arms and tail, like they were being drawn toward it—devoured.

It didn't roar. It didn't screech.

It just stared. With eyes like bottomless pits.

I froze.

It didn't roar.

It didn't screech.

It just stared. With eyes like bottomless pits.

I froze.

I knew that thing.

In the novel.

The Saint—the real protagonist—had faced one of these monsters.

No, not just one. An entire swarm of them.

Creatures born of shadow and corrupted intent. The deeper the evil in the air, the stronger they grew. Blood, hatred, despair—anything wicked fed them. Made them faster. Stronger. Smarter.

Even magic barely touched them once they reached a certain point.

And here Valeria was… putting me in the same cage as one.

Great. Absolutely wonderful.

Valeria's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

"Two battles. One-on-one… and one-on-two."

She nodded toward the razorfang.

"Seraphina—you take the fire beast alone."

Then her gaze settled on me and Mariette.

"You two will handle the duskfur simian. It's the most dangerous of the three. Don't let the silence fool you."

She walked slowly, deliberately, closer to its cage.

"This creature was bred in shadow. And it grows stronger when evil is near—yours, or its own. That makes it ten times stronger than the razorfang, even now. You share an affinity with it… but that does not make it your ally."

I swallowed hard.

She wasn't exaggerating.

Even now, I could feel it.

The magic that coiled around it wasn't just dark. It was hungry.

I narrowed my eyes at the simian.

It stared right back.

Not aggressively.

Just… waiting. Watching. Like it already knew something we didn't

.

A memory surfaced, sharp and unwelcome.

The Saint—the original heroine—had faced monsters like this.

Creatures steeped in darkness. Creatures that thrived off corruption.

She fought them in the Cathedral siege.

And she won.

Because she has a light affinity.

So, do I.

But I couldn't use it. Not here. Not with Valeria watching.

No one was supposed to know. Not yet.

Mariette did, of course. But Seraphina didn't. And Valeria? She was the last person I wanted asking questions.

So, I had to fight this thing—this creature born of shadow and malice—without the one element that could actually turn the tide.

It wasn't impossible. The simian could still be beaten with teamwork, with strategy, with enough force.

Just harder. A lot harder.

Darkness feeds on darkness. Light purges it.

That was the whole point.

This was bad.

Very bad.

"Great," I muttered under my breath.

Mariette glanced at me. I didn't meet her eyes.

Valeria stepped back into the center of the clearing and gestured to the first cage.

"This is not about destruction. This is a test of your control. Your teamwork. Your restraint. You are to subdue your opponents. Not destroy them. Am I understood?"

Seraphina nodded once.

Mariette gave a crisp, "Yes, Instructor."

I nodded too, mouth dry.

The razorfang growled—low, smoldering.

Valeria pointed toward it.

"Seraphina. Begin."