Night fell over the academy once again.
One by one, the lights inside the dormitory rooms faded.
Click.
Click.
Silence slowly spread through the corridors.
Then—
Creeeak…
A door opened quietly.
Lyra stepped out.
She carefully closed the door behind her.
Click.
Her footsteps were soft as she walked through the dim hallway.
Tap…
Tap…
Tap…
Outside, the moon hung high in the sky.
A cool breeze passed through the courtyard.
Fwoooosh…
Lyra tightened her grip on the sword she carried.
'I have to show him…'
'That his training worked.'
Soon she reached the arena.
Just like the previous night—
Someone was already standing there.
A lone figure in the middle of the arena.
Black hair moving gently with the wind.
Cape fluttering lightly.
It was Iren.
He stood with his back toward her.
Without turning around, he spoke calmly.
"…You're right on time today."
Lyra stepped onto the arena floor.
Her footsteps echoed.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
She stopped a few steps away from him.
"…I came to return this."
She extended the sword.
"Iren… thank you."
"For lending it to me."
Iren turned slightly.
Moonlight reflected in his brown eyes.
Without hesitation—
He pushed the sword back toward her.
"…Keep it."
Lyra blinked.
"Huh?"
Iren crossed his arms.
"You'll need it."
"Now attack me."
Lyra stared at him in surprise.
"Again…?"
Iren smirked faintly.
"Did you think yesterday was enough?"
The wind passed between them.
Fwoosh…
Lyra tightened her grip on the sword.
"…Fine."
She stepped forward.
Her stance lowered.
Then—
WHOOSH!
She lunged forward.
The sword cut through the air.
SWING!
Iren moved his head instantly
The blade passed inches away.
But Lyra didn't stop.
SWING!
SWING!
SWING!
Her attacks came repeatedly.
Horizontal.
Vertical.
Diagonal.
Each swing carried more power than before.
Iren's eyes narrowed slightly.
'…Her speed increased.'
He stepped back—
Then sideways—
Barely avoiding the next strike.
WHOOSH!
The blade passed just past his shoulder.
Lyra pressed forward again.
Her movements were smoother now.
More precise.
More controlled.
'She really trained with that sword… Iren thought.'
CLANG!
Another strike came.
He dodged again.
But this time—
His reaction was slightly late.
The blade stopped—
Right in front of his chest.
Just an inch away.
Silence filled the arena.
Lyra froze.
Her breathing was heavy.
"Haa… haa…"
Iren slowly looked down at the blade.
Then he smiled faintly.
"…Not bad."
Lyra blinked.
Iren stepped back.
"You learned faster than I expected."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Iren nodded.
"You passed."
"Your strength and speed training is complete."
For a moment—
Lyra stared blankly.
Then—
"YES!"
She jumped slightly in excitement.
"I did it!"
Her voice echoed happily in the empty arena.
Iren chuckled quietly.
Lyra suddenly remembered something and handed the sword back.
"Here… your sword."
Iren accepted it and placed it behind him.
Then he pointed toward her waist.
"Now use your daggers."
Lyra tilted her head.
"My daggers?"
"Test your speed again."
Lyra pulled out her twin daggers.
Shing!
She moved forward.
Then attacked the air.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
Her arms moved faster.
Her strikes sharper.
Even she could feel the difference.
Her eyes widened.
"…It worked."
Her attacks were clearly faster.
And stronger.
Lyra looked at Iren in amazement.
Iren then transformed his sword.
Click—
The blade separated.
Now two daggers rested in his hands.
Shing.
He looked at her calmly.
"Remember something."
His tone was firm.
Not mocking.
"When we fought in the tournament…"
"I outlasted you in speed."
Lyra nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
Iren raised one dagger slightly.
"Now your goal is simple."
"Match my speed."
Lyra tightened her grip.
Challenge filled her eyes.
"…Alright."
Iren took a step forward.
"Then attack me."
He lowered his stance slightly.
"Show me what you've got."
Lyra's eyes sharpened.
Then—
WHOOSH!
She dashed forward with incredible speed.
Her daggers flashed.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
She attacked from every direction.
Left.
Right.
Above.
Behind.
But every time—
Iren's daggers blocked her attacks.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Sparks flew into the night air.
The duel had only just begun.
---
For a moment, both fighters stood still.
The night wind passed through the arena.
Fwooooosh…
Then—
Both of them stepped back.
Creating distance between them.
Iren twirled his dagger once.
Shing.
Lyra adjusted her grip on her twin daggers.
Her eyes sharpened.
Neither spoke.
Then—
WHOOSH!
Both dashed forward at the same time.
CLANG!
Their daggers collided in the middle of the arena.
Sparks scattered into the night air.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The sound of metal echoed repeatedly.
Neither of them stopped.
Lyra moved faster than before.
Her daggers flashed left and right.
SLASH!
SLASH!
Iren blocked each strike calmly.
CLANG!
Their blades slid against each other before separating again.
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
'I have to push further.'
Then—
She gathered all her strength.
With a sharp breath—
"Haaah!"
She launched a powerful downward strike.
WHOOSH!
Iren crossed his daggers instantly.
CLANG!!
The impact exploded through the arena.
The force pushed both of them backward.
Screeeech—
Their feet slid across the stone floor.
Both stopped several steps apart.
For a moment—
Silence.
Iren looked at Lyra carefully.
'She really improved…'
'Her strength increased more than I expected.'
Lyra didn't waste time.
WHOOSH!
She rushed toward him again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their daggers clashed repeatedly.
But this time—
Iren noticed something.
Her movements were slightly slower.
Her shoulders were rising and falling rapidly.
"Haa… haa…"
Her breathing was becoming uneven.
Iren's eyes narrowed slightly.
'Her strength and speed improved…'
'But her stamina hasn't.'
Lyra attacked again.
But now—
Her swings were slower.
CLANG!
Iren blocked it easily.
Her breathing became heavier.
"Haa… haa… haa…"
Sweat rolled down her face.
Her arms trembled slightly.
Yet she continued.
Iren finally stepped back.
"Stop."
Lyra froze.
Her daggers lowered slightly.
"Haa… haa…"
Her breathing echoed in the silent arena.
Sweat dripped from her chin.
Tap.
Tap.
Iren spoke calmly.
"That's enough."
"We should take a break."
Lyra hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
She walked toward the side of the arena.
Then sat down on the floor.
Thud.
Her daggers rested beside her.
Clink.
Her breathing was still heavy.
"Haa… haa…"
For a moment she stared at the ground.
Then she looked up at Iren.
"…Did I improve?"
Iren nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Lyra didn't say anything.
But a faint smile appeared on her face.
Then Iren crossed his arms.
"Your strength increased."
"Your speed too."
He paused slightly.
"…But."
Lyra tilted her head.
"But… what?"
Iren answered honestly.
"Your stamina."
"It's still the same."
"That's why you get exhausted too early."
Lyra looked down.
Then nodded slowly.
"…You're right."
Iren glanced at the moon above.
"It's late."
"That's enough for today."
He looked back at her.
"Tomorrow we'll focus on increasing your stamina."
Lyra nodded.
"Yes."
She stood up slowly.
Iren turned toward the exit.
"Then…"
He waved his hand slightly.
"See you tomorrow."
Lyra bowed her head slightly.
"…Thank you, Iren."
Without turning back—
Iren walked away.
His footsteps echoed faintly.
Tap…
Tap…
Tap…
Soon he disappeared into the darkness leading toward the academy buildings.
Silence returned to the arena.
Lyra remained there alone.
She slowly looked up.
The moon shone brightly in the sky.
Cold wind brushed past her hair.
Fwoooosh…
Lyra whispered softly to herself.
"…I'll get stronger."
Her eyes reflected the moonlight.
Determination slowly replaced the exhaustion on her face.
The night continued quietly.
---