Morning sunlight poured through the open ceiling of the Combat Arena as the seven stone pillars stood silently in a wide circle.
Each pillar was carved with one of the ancient Guardian symbols.
The Moon.
The Wolf.
The Fox.
The Bear.
The Star.
The Dragon.
The Raven.
Evelyn slowly turned in a circle, taking them all in.
“They’re beautiful.”
Professor Ashcroft smiled.
“They’re older than the academy itself.”
Finn blinked.
“Seriously?”
Ashcroft nodded.
“They were brought here by the founders.”
Maya raised an eyebrow.
“So… we’re standing in a really old history lesson?”
“You could say that.”
⸻
Professor Ashcroft walked into the center of the circle.
“Today isn’t about combat.”
Kael frowned.
“…Then why are we in the Combat Arena?”
“Because,” Ashcroft replied, “this is th
