Jerom lifted his chin slightly.
"That the weak have no place among us. Only the strong get to stand here… as Calderalth."
A subtle pressure rolled off him, thickening the air.
'This… bastard!'
Tobias clenched his fists. Zephyrion clearly stood above Jerom in status. However, in Calderalth, direct confrontations between those of the same age were usually settled by strength.
Jerom was one of the top ten steel trainees, standing at mark four. He was clearly trying to intimidate his lord.
The gathered trainees picked up on it immediately, and the area sank into a tense, deathlike silence.
"…I see… so that's the way of Calderalth…"
Jerom's smile widened, his chin tilting even higher.
"Yes—"
"That's enough."
Heads turned at once toward the voice as Kaelion stepped through the crowd and approached them.
"Look, it's Lord Kaelion."
"If he's stepping in, it's over."
"Ark… so we won't get to see a fight."
Jerom's expression twisted for a brief moment.
