Chapter 21: Cracks
The training room was silent, except for the sharp rhythm of steel cutting through air.
Noah moved fluidly across the floor, each step deliberate, each swing of his blade precise. He wasn’t using any spells. Because he can’t. Just the clean, practiced movement of someone who had spent years mastering a blade.
The sweat on his brow stung his eyes, but he didn’t stop.
A deep breath. Another slash.
A shift in his stance. Follow-through. Reset.
He didn’t count the hours anymore—just the mistakes. The ones that still slipped in.
With one final strike, he halted. The tip of his katana hovered inches from the floor, perfectly still. His breath was steady but labored.
He stepped back and rolled his shoulders.
’Agh... I’m exhausted.’
He wiped his forehead with his forearm, the fabric damp with sweat.
’Classes drain me mentally... Professor Trinity keeps staring at me like she’s analyzing every heartbeat. Professor Al too. They don’t even try to hide it anymore. What happened for me to be in the spotlight?’