The match eventually ended.
Not with a knockout.
Not with a devastating finishing move.
Not with an overwhelming display of power.
Instead—
It ended with surrender.
The dagger user was the first.
After nearly twenty minutes of constant pressure, constant interruptions, constant small electrical shocks, and constant frustration, she finally stepped backward and raised both hands.
"I surrender."
The declaration echoed throughout the arena.
Her wet silver hair clung to her forehead.
Her breathing was heavy.
Not because she had suffered serious injuries.
Because she was mentally exhausted.
Every attack had been stopped.
Every opportunity had disappeared.
Every successful strike had resulted in an irritating shock traveling through her body.
The mage lasted another minute.
Then she finally lowered her staff.
"I surrender too."
Her voice carried complete defeat.
Not physical defeat.
Psychological defeat.
The instructor immediately raised his hand.
"The match is over."
The protective barrier dissolved.
The audience erupted into applause.
Cheers spread throughout the training grounds.
The spectators had enjoyed every second.
Especially the later half.
The image of the two opponents constantly being shocked by harmless lightning had become academy entertainment.
Meanwhile—
Valeryn stood motionless.
Her sword remained lowered.
Her crimson eyes quietly observed the battlefield.
The arena.
The opponents.
The stone floor.
Everything.
Yet her thoughts were elsewhere.
Something felt strange.
Very strange.
Then she realized what it was.
She wasn't tired.
The realization caught her completely off guard.
Every battle throughout her life followed the same pattern.
Fight.
Advance.
Overwhelm.
Win.
Become exhausted.
That had always been the cost.
Because her combat style consumed enormous stamina.
Her aggressive swordsmanship left little room for conservation.
Yet today—
Nothing.
The exhaustion simply wasn't there.
Valeryn slowly opened and closed her hand.
The strength remained.
The energy remained.
The focus remained.
Even after a twenty-minute battle.
The realization stunned her.
Beside her—
Kel transformed his weapon back into bow form.
The movement drew her attention.
Then another realization appeared.
It wasn't because the battle had been easy.
It wasn't because the opponents had been weak.
It was because she hadn't fought alone.
Aedon had constantly controlled the battlefield.
Constantly created opportunities.
Constantly reduced wasted movement.
Constantly prevented unnecessary exchanges.
For the first time—
She had experienced what true teamwork felt like.
The realization lingered.
Uncomfortable.
Interesting.
Important.
Far away beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren's voice echoed inside Kel's mind.
"She figured it out."
Kel casually walked toward the arena exit.
"What?"
"Why she still has stamina."
The goddess sounded amused.
"Most warriors learn teamwork eventually."
A brief pause followed.
"She appears to be experiencing it for the first time."
Kel glanced toward Valeryn.
The noblewoman remained unusually quiet.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Eventually—
She spoke.
Not to him.
To herself.
Softly.
Barely audible.
"I still have more than half my stamina."
The statement sounded almost disbelieving.
Then she looked toward Kel.
The silver-haired young man appeared completely normal.
As though nothing unusual had happened.
Valeryn suddenly felt irritated.
Not because of him.
Because he made difficult things look simple.
A very annoying habit.
The instructor announced the next match.
Then another.
Then another.
The combat classes continued.
Students fought.
Teams won.
Teams lost.
The afternoon slowly passed.
Eventually—
The final match ended.
The instructor stepped forward.
His powerful voice echoed throughout the training grounds.
"Class dismissed."
Instant celebration followed.
Students immediately relaxed.
Several collapsed onto the grass.
Others began discussing battles.
Many rushed toward dormitories.
The academy day had finally ended.
The sun had already begun descending toward the horizon.
Golden-orange light painted the entire campus.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
For once.
Meanwhile—
Kel found a quiet stone bench near the edge of the combat grounds.
The crowds slowly dispersed.
The noise gradually faded.
The silver-haired young man sat down.
Then leaned backward slightly.
Relaxing.
Finally.
No battles.
No negotiations.
No Leviathans.
No ancient monsters.
No pillar house descendants trying to acquire his weapon.
A peaceful moment.
A rare luxury.
Then—
WHACK.
Something hit his shoulder.
Not hard.
Just enough.
Kel looked upward.
Valeryn stood behind him.
The crimson-haired noblewoman carried her sword over one shoulder.
A faint smile rested upon her face.
The sunset illuminated her crimson hair.
For a brief moment she looked less like a noble heir.
And more like an ordinary student.
Almost.
Kel raised an eyebrow.
"Was that necessary?"
Valeryn shrugged.
"Probably not."
Then she sat beside him.
Several seconds passed.
The atmosphere remained comfortable.
Surprisingly comfortable.
Eventually—
The noblewoman spoke.
Her voice carried sincerity.
Something rare.
"Aedon."
Kel looked toward her.
"What?"
Valeryn stared toward the distant horizon.
Watching the setting sun.
Then slowly said—
"You were good today."
The words were simple.
Yet surprisingly genuine.
Not noble politeness.
Not courtesy.
A sincere compliment.
The crimson-haired girl continued.
"I've fought with many partners before."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"Most either slow me down or force me to compensate for their mistakes."
A brief pause followed.
"Today was different."
The wind moved through her hair.
"You saw opportunities I didn't."
"You solved problems before they appeared."
"You understood what I was trying to accomplish without requiring explanations."
Her crimson eyes shifted toward him.
"And for the first time in years..."
Another pause.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"I actually enjoyed a battle."
Kel looked genuinely surprised.
Valeryn noticed.
Then immediately became embarrassed.
A dangerous development.
"Don't misunderstand."
The noblewoman crossed her arms.
"I still carried most of the frontline."
Kel laughed.
The expression on her face made the statement significantly less intimidating.
Then—
Footsteps approached.
Two figures emerged from the nearby pathway.
Kel immediately recognized them.
The other two descendants of the Seven Pillar Houses.
The silver-haired young man.
And the black-haired young man.
Both had observed portions of today's battle.
The moment they arrived—
Valeryn sighed.
Deeply.
As though anticipating trouble.
The silver-haired noble smiled.
Elegant.
Refined.
The kind of smile practiced since childhood.
"Good evening."
Kel nodded politely.
The black-haired young man grinned.
Far more relaxed.
Far less formal.
"That was a fascinating match."
Valeryn immediately narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want?"
The silver-haired noble laughed softly.
"Must we always want something?"
"Yes."
"Fair."
The answer arrived too quickly.
Even Kel almost laughed.
Eventually the silver-haired noble looked toward him.
His expression became genuinely curious.
"You are Aedon Flinth, correct?"
Kel nodded.
"I am."
The noble extended his hand.
"My name is Lucien Ashbourne."
Then he gestured toward his companion.
"And this uncivilized individual is Karos Thornat."
The black-haired young man looked offended.
"One day I'm going to hit you."
Lucien smiled.
"Many have tried."
The casual exchange immediately revealed familiarity.
Friends.
Or something close to it.
Karos looked toward Kel.
Then grinned.
"Aedon, your strategy was brilliant."
The compliment arrived directly.
Without diplomacy.
Without subtlety.
"You completely changed the pace of the battle."
Lucien nodded.
"Indeed."
His silver eyes became thoughtful.
"Most students attempt to dominate through strength."
"You dominated through control."
The noble looked genuinely impressed.
"A rare approach."
Valeryn snorted.
"He also somehow convinced me to electrocute people repeatedly."
Karos immediately laughed.
The memory clearly amused him.
Lucien covered his mouth.
Attempting and failing to hide his own amusement.
Then Karos looked toward Kel.
His grin widened.
"You know..."
A brief pause followed.
"I think the most impressive thing wasn't the strategy."
Kel blinked.
"What was it?"
Kael pointed toward Valeryn.
"You survived partnering with her."
Silence.
Then Lucien nodded seriously.
"That is indeed an impressive accomplishment."
Valeryn immediately stood.
The murderous aura appeared instantly.
The two young men retreated.
Immediately.
Experienced instincts.
Karos laughed while backing away.
"I'm serious!"
Lucien nodded.
"Extremely serious."
Valeryn reached for her sword.
The pair retreated faster.
Meanwhile—
Kel watched the entire scene.
Then unexpectedly smiled.
For the first time since arriving at Aetherial Institute—
The descendants of the Seven Pillar Houses were beginning to feel less like future political powers.
And more like ordinary students.
Ordinary students with extraordinary backgrounds.
Which somehow made them easier to understand.
As the sunset painted the academy in gold and crimson—
The first threads of unexpected friendships quietly began forming.