I blinked, breath caught, as the real shadow creature let out a strangled howl, and then began to dissolve.Mist peeled from its limbs, curling into the air like smoke, until nothing remained.
At the edge of the ring, Major Ledor flinched, clutching his chest, his control over the summoned creature snapping under Cade’s strike. He released the summoning with a grunt of effort, and the final remnants of the Blood Fae magic dissipated into the breeze.
Silence fell.
Then, Major Kaler approached.
“You underestimated the cadets,” he said without turning. “I recommend you be more careful in the future.”
Major Ledor scowled.
Major Kaler turned to Cade and nodded once, approval clear in his gaze.
“Excellent strategy, Cadet Rowen.”
Cade smirked, still catching his breath, as Zander and I moved beside him.
“Well,” I said, grinning despite the sweat on my skin, “I guess illusionsdohave their uses.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Zander muttered.
Cade winked. “You’re welcome.”
The trial didn’t end with us.
Major Ledor wasted no time in calling forward the next set of cadets, assigning them in trios, some well-matched, others thrown together like pieces from different puzzles. The shadow creature reformed again and again, pulled from mist and blood-magic with each summoning. The ground beneath the ring began to darken from where it walked, a smear of something wrong left in its wake.
Some teams found a rhythm, a strategy. Illusions, distractions, brute force, and managed to land a killing blow, earning nods of approval and brief praise from the major.
Most didn’t.
Those who failed were sent to the edge of the field for saddle duty. Repairs, oiling, and inventory checks. The kind of punishment work designed to sting pride more than the body.
Naia’s name was called next, and my stomach twisted when I saw who she was paired with. Two cadets from Iron Fang. Bravik and Perin. I’d seen them spar before. Both were more interested in domination than teamwork.
They entered the ring with cocky grins.
Naia didn’t even look at them as she drew her blade.
The shadow creature formed again, its shape more jagged this time, as if sensing the fractures between them. It snarled, stalking forward.
From the start, the Iron Fang men hung back. Perin faked a lunge, then retreated behind Bravik, who smirked like this was a game. Naia darted forward, fast and clean, clearly expecting backup, but none came.
The creature struck fast.
Claws slashed across Naia’s upper arm. Deep enough to leave blood, but not deep enough to maim. She yelled, the sound distinct and furious, and stumbled back, cradling her arm.
The creature reared back for another strike?—
“Enough!” Major Ledor barked, and the shadow creature dissolved on the spot, mist vanishing like breath in the wind.
Naia turned, blood trickling down her sleeve, and faced her so-called teammates.
“You bastards!” she snapped, her voice shaking with fury. “You left me to get hit on purpose!”
Bravik rolled his shoulders. “Should’ve moved faster.”
Naia didn’t answer with words.
