The sun dipped behind the mountains, darkening the sky, and chilly winds blew around. Maya and Brandon, after setting up the camp and lighting the campfire, stood staring at the apprentices. Ray stood in front of Julius with a frown etched on his face. Why do I have to do this? Luke smiled and raised his hand. “Ready your weapons.”

  Ray let out a short sigh and unsheathed his swords while Julius already had his gauntlets on. Luke lowered his hand, signalling the duel to begin. Ray rushed forward, surprising both Mei Zhi and Julius as he raised his gauntlet to block his attack. Ray’s attack didn’t connect, so Julius tried to counterattack, but he was no longer in front of him. Instead, using the time where Julius blocked his own vision, Ray slipped behind him and smacked his neck with his hilt, hard enough to make him pass out. Julius slumped to the ground with a loud thud, and Ray sheathed his sword. The remaining second-years’ jaws dropped, while Mei Zhi had her eyes narrowed. He never attacks first…

  Luke clapped his hands, a smile still etched on his face. “Efficiency is the soul of knighthood. Well done.” Maya crossed her arms, letting out a scoff. “Just like David — quick and precise.” Brandon turned to her, squinting his eyes. “…many people are quick and precise. Does that mean they are all David?” She turned to him, arms still crossed. “Are they all blond-haired and green-eyed?” He let out a long sigh and turned away, shaking his head.

  Ruby clapped after Luke and rushed toward Ray. “That was awesome.” Her face inches away from his. “How did you become so strong?” Ray, staring into her eyes, scratched the back of his head, his ears reddening slightly, but then he flinched and rocked his head. “Train more,” he said and walked away. Ruby’s face dropped when he walked away, but she then smiled and followed him. As they both came to a halt near Mei Zhi, Luke called out to her. “Vivian, who will you fight?”

  She glanced around and pointed at Rowan. “Him,” she said with a smirk. Meanwhile, Grace carried Julius over to the side and woke him up with a slap. “Get up!” He jolted awake and huffed. “What- what the hell?” A smile formed on her face. “You lost.” She dusted the dirt out of his hair. He looked down, his fists clenched for a moment before relaxing. “I knew he was strong, but… he was stronger than I expected.”

  “And smarter.” She let out a soft chuckle, still ruffling his hair. He shook his head, grabbed her hand and pulled her in closer. “Are you saying I’m dumb?” She stared into his eyes. “Yes, I am.” They leaned in closer to each other when Nyla cleared her throat. “I know you two are in love, but now’s not the time. Rowan’s fighting.”

  Grace and Julius flinched and jumped back, chuckling. Then they made their way to the group to watch the duel that had already begun. Grace’s eyes widened, and she clamped her palm over her lips. “Rowan’s being pushed back?” Both Nyla and Julius’s eyes also widened. Mei Zhi continued attacking, without letting Rowan catch a breath. After a moment, she jumped back and tilted her head. “How long do you plan on blocking?” He let out a sigh and held the sword diagonally in front of his body. “Until I see an opening.”

  Ray stood staring at both of them. He’s still using the Iron Gate stance. A langort stance would be better but… that doesn’t work on Vivian either. He rubbed his elbow, his eyes still fixed on them when Ruby interrupted his thoughts. “Rowan will lose in five more bouts.” Then she turned to Ray with a smile. “Wanna bet?” His eyes narrowed. “I say he’ll last around four.” Her smile widened, and she extended her hand. “If I win, I want you to tell me everything about yourself. And if you win-”

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  “If I win, I want you to buy me a new sword.” Ray said, shaking her hand. She blinked, then let out a laugh. “Okay, alright.” They both turned to focus on the duel. Mei Zhi rushed at Rowan again. This time, she launched a punch; he blocked. She launched another; he blocked again. He blocked even when he had a chance to counterattack. Mei Zhi frowned, jumped back and sped up. His eyes widened when he couldn’t keep track of her movements. Her attacks became quicker, faster than he could expect, but his still blocked. This went on for a few bouts, over five.

  On the side, both Ray and Ruby stared blankly, then looked at each other. “Well, I guess we both lost.” They both shared a chuckle.

  Mei Zhi took a deep breath. If he’s looking for an opening, then… And rushed at him again, this time, when immediately in front of him, she launched a kick. Rowan finally dodged and attacked, but her face displayed a smirk. “Got ye.” She blocked his attack with her arm and kicked his jaw, sending him flying and then crashing on the ground. He lay on the ground, blood trickling down his nose and mouth, and stared at the stars. Luke clapped again, his smile never wavering. “Well done.”

  Rowan got to his feet and walked toward Mei Zhi. “You created a fake opening so I would attack… Congratulations.” They both nodded to each other, and he walked away. Luke then told everybody to go to their respective tents, and he left as well. The three second-years who didn’t introduce themselves left without saying a word. Julius, Grace and Nyla followed Rowan. Ruby stood by Ray watching everyone dispersing. Mei Zhi stretched her arms, cracked her knuckles and thought. I thought he would get upset since he is the top student. Makes sense; he’s a lowborn, as the people here call them. She shrugged and walked off.

  Maya stood under the tree, staring at Ray, which he felt. He grabbed Ruby’s hand. “Let’s go somewhere else.” She blushed and looked away as he led her near the campfire. They sat next to each other, and he let out a soft sigh. She still looked away from him, her eyes flickering like the fire before them.

  “So, what kind of sword are you going to get me?”

  Ruby blinked and turned to him. “What? Why would I? You lost.” Ray raised his shoulders. “Well, you lost too.” Her eyes narrowed, and she turned fully to face him. “So are you going to tell me everything about you?”

  Ray nodded, and Ruby smiled. A moment passed before said, “Where are you from?”

  “A small village down south. My father said that they built it a year before I was born, so it had no name.”

  “Okay… What is your father like?”

  “A useless, fat sack of meat and dead.”

  Ruby blinked, her eyes fidgeted between Ray and the fire. “I-I understand.” After a moment of silence, Ray tapped her shoulder. “Is that all you wanted to ask?”

  “No!” she said, her voice loud. “That is not it.” She took a deep breath, then her lips curled in a small smile. “What is your mother like?” Ray looked at her, his eyes unmoving. She’s going to be surprised again. “I don’t remember. She died when I was six.” Her face dropped, and shoulders slumped. “You know what? Forget it. Let’s talk about something else.”

  Ray squinted his eyes, then laughed, his voice echoing all over the camp. She frowned and stared at him, crossing her arms. “Why are you laughing?” He exhaled, shaking his hand. “It was funny. Your reaction.” Her frown deepened, but then she let out a long sigh. “Go to sleep.” She said, standing up. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” He waved her goodbye, still chuckling, and stared at the night sky with a smile.