Chapter 256: CHAPTER 256

The class had already started moving outside for their laps, but a few people slowed down, clearly wanting to see what would happen next. My friends were still in the training ground, looking just as confused as I felt.

“I just fought,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “You said if I lost I’d clean your room. I didn’t lose.”

Kira’s smile was cold.

“Consider this extra credit. Or are you scared now that the real challenge is standing in front of you?”

"You're an instructor, should we be fighting each other?"

"Fighting each other? Is that what you think this is? Are you perhaps thinking you can beat me, Alira Zharion?"

The thought was ridiculous but I was tempted to imagine it.

But then, I shook my head.

"No Ma'am," I muttered.

"Good. Just like Florian taught you how to wield that sword, that's how I'm gonna teach you. You're a special student, after all."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Zorath’s voice slid into my head before I could speak.

"Just do it, little one. She wants to humiliate you in front of everyone. Don’t give her the satisfaction of seeing you refuse."

"She’s an instructor, so you are pretty much locked into this," Orealeus added, "If she goes beyond what a normal spar should be, blind her with your darkness and escape. Draco will understand."

I clenched my jaw and nodded once at Kira.

“Fine. I'll do it," I said to her, even though fear built to a crescendo and further in me.

"It's not like you had a choice."

Fucking awesome.

Not.

She stepped into the circle without another word.

Then picked up one of the swords I'd kicked out of Mason's hand.

The moment she held it, her posture changed. This wasn’t some third-year playing at being tough. This was someone who actually knew what they were doing.

She'd fought at the border for decades, she'd faced danger head-on and survived, and trained hard afterwards to be strong enough to survive the next one.

So I was damn out of my depth. Except I'm using my powers, this was about to be one hell of a lesson.

We circled each other. I could already feel the difference. Mason had been all brute strength and anger.

Kira was controlled.

Precise.

Every step she took was measured.

She came at me first, that smile shifting into a crueller smirk.

I blocked, but the force behind her swing pushed me back a step. She followed up immediately, fast and clean. I parried again, but she was already moving into my space, forcing me to stay on the defensive. Every time I tried to create distance, she closed it. Every time I tried to counter, she was already two steps ahead.

Florian's words meant absolutely nothing now, no matter how much I anticipated and prepared for the next move, she was faster.

Like she knew every thought I had before they fully formed.

She was toying with me at first, I could see it in the way she smiled every time our swords met.

Then she stopped playing.

Her next strike came low and fast. I tried to block, but she twisted her wrist at the last second and the flat of her blade slammed into my ribs. The air rushed out of my lungs. Before I could recover, she slapped my legs with it and I hit the ground hard.

I rolled away and got back up, breathing through the pain. My shoulder was still bleeding from Mason’s fight.

My arms felt heavy, and I wanted to give up but I knew she wouldn't let me stop.

So I went on the attack this time, using the speed Florian had drilled into me. I feinted high and slashed low. She blocked, but I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes when I kept coming. I landed a shallow cut on her arm. Nothing serious, but it was something.

For a second, I thought I might actually push her back.

Then she smiled wider, making me realise how stupid that thought was.

She moved faster after that. Her sword work became brutal. Every block I made cost me. Every time I swung, she was already countering.

She caught me across the thigh with the flat of her blade hard enough to make my leg buckle. Another strike to my shoulder sent fresh pain shooting through the cut Mason had already given me.

I tried to keep going. I really did. But my body was already running on fumes from the fight with Mason and I was unevenly matched.

My swings got slower. My blocks got sloppier but Mistress Kira didn’t let up.

One final strike to my wrist knocked the sword out of my hand. It clattered to the ground. Before I could even think about going for it, the tip of her blade was at my throat.

I froze.

She looked down at me, breathing steadily, not even winded.

“That,” she said, loud enough for the few people still watching to hear, “is to show you that you’re still a child playing at things you don’t understand. You think you can take whatever you want just because you have power now? Some things require experience. Some things require maturity. And some men…” She tilted her head, eyes cold. “…are for adults. Not little girls like you."

Of course, that's what this is about.

"If you want him so bad," I spat, "why don't you go get him?"

Kira lowered her sword.

“Get out of my sight, Zharion.”

I turned and walked away without another word.

My friends were looking me over, looking for injuries but my mind was steeling.

Something tells me she'll keep doing this, embarrassing me for something I didn't have any control over.

Just like the bully Kovar, she won't stop until something is done about it.

"I'm going to beat her someday," I said, more to myself than my friends.

"You're gonna have to train like crazy before that happens," Erin sighed.

"I can't wait for that day," Akua grinned, "the absolute look of shock on her face... Glorious."

"Why are you three not running?!" Her voice screeched from behind. "Extra five laps! Now!"

Uh oh.