Chapter 10
751 Words
Chapter Ten
Sage
My pulse hadn’t slowed by the time Kade said it:
“Magic scenario. Ash, you’re up.”
Ash stepped forward like he’d been waiting all morning, flicking a glowing spark between his fingers, casual as ever.
“Don’t worry, princess,” he said with a smirk. “I go easy on pretty girls.”
“I gut boys who flirt mid-fight,” I replied.
His grin deepened. “So noted.”
I stepped into the centre ring again. The spelllines on the floor shifted beneath my boots—glowing brighter now, hotter. The air snapped with the static of live energy. Containment glyphs surged along the walls, casting pale violet light across the bay. The space smelled of ozone, burned leather, and tension.
This time, there’d be no steel to block with.
Just raw power.
“No killing blows,” Kade ordered. “No telepathy. Elemental and offensive spells only. Points for control, precision, and suppression.”
Ash cracked his neck like he was warming up for a show. “Let’s make it interesting.”
I didn’t respond. Just drew in a slow breath and reached for the pulse of magic beneath my skin.
The truth-sense quieted. The visions waited.
This wasn’t their domain.
This was mine.
Kade raised his hand. Dropped it. “Begin.”
Ash moved first.
Fast. Reckless.
A sudden blast of heat ignited from his palm—tight and focused. I ducked left, the fire searing past my shoulder close enough to singe the edge of my sleeve.
Too close.
I dropped low and fired a short, snapping arc of kinetic energy toward his chest—tight and mean. He twisted, activated a shimmer shield, and let the blast roll off him like smoke.
Reflective magic. Smart.
He twisted the recoil into a spin and launched it back at me in a crackling stream of raw momentum.
I dropped into a slide, one hand skimming the floor, drawing a sigil mid-roll. Static rippled around me as I pushed upward, catching his spell midair and splintering it with a blast of counter-force.
A shockwave cracked through the bay.
Ash laughed—genuinely. “You’re fast.”
“You’re sloppy,” I shot back.
His next hit came in two parts—an illusion burst and a wind arc layered behind it. Dirty trick. Most would fall for the light show and get slammed from behind.
I blinked once. Ignored the shimmer.
Caught the real hit.
Braced. Absorbed.
It slammed into my warded arm like a truck. My feet slid half a metre before I planted and twisted the recoil into my own spell—pure concussive force.
It hit Ash center mass.
He staggered. Lost footing. Landed on his back with a grunt and a muttered, “f**k me sideways.”
I lowered my arm, breath sharp in my throat, chest tight.
Kade’s voice echoed.
“Round over.”
The hum of the wards faded slowly, like the bay itself needed time to settle.
Ash stayed down for a moment, then pushed himself up, one hand pressed to his ribs.
“Alright,” he panted. “New rule. No sushi, and no pissing off the psychic.”
I rolled my shoulder, ignoring the burn. “You’re just mad I hit harder than your ego.”
From the sidelines, Draven made a sound that might’ve been a laugh. Maybe.
Kade stepped closer, arms folded.
His gaze was sharp, but not cold this time. Calculating. Focused.
“Controlled,” he said. “Precise. You didn't overreach.”
His attention flicked to Ash. “And you left your left side open. Twice.”
Ash muttered, “Yeah. That’s gonna bruise.”
Kade looked back at me. “Next is the team scenario. No safety net. Live simulation.”
“I don’t need a net.”
His jaw ticked. “You’ll need discipline.”
I stepped off the ring, heart still racing, sweat clinging to the back of my neck.
For the first time, no one looked at me like I didn’t belong.
Ash rubbed his ribs. “You’re dangerous.”
“Was that a compliment?”
He grinned. “I think it was a warning.”
Draven didn’t say anything, but he nodded at me once—nothing showy, nothing loud.
But I felt it.
Recognition. Quiet. Earned.
I caught Kade watching me again, jaw tight, expression unreadable.
But something was shifting.
I wasn’t a guest anymore.
I was a weapon.
And they were starting to realise it.
- Writer
