Page 236 of Axis of Fire

A slow smile spread across Miloran’s face.

“The rest will take place in the open arena.”

******

After a lighter training session focused on control, Stasia and I were finally free.

My hands still trembled, and my body felt one step away from completely shutting down.

We sat in the garden overlooking Isthmond’s main academic building, trying to recover what little strength we had left.

“I never realized my best friend was actually a complete psychotic tyrant when it comes to training,” Stasia muttered, leaning back against the wooden bench.

Evening had already settled over the academy.

I still couldn’t believe we had spent the entire day training.

“But they were right,” I admitted with a nod, still impressed by the way they had analyzed our fight.

Every muscle in my body ached.

Maybe from the training.

Maybe from pure exhaustion.

“Tarven only seems easygoing and carefree on the surface,” Stasia said.

“Does he know?” I asked, nodding toward her talisman.

Her eyes widened instantly, and when she spoke again, her voice was quieter.

“Of course not.”

“Why?”

“Because he’d report it to the Novers.”

She let out a heavy sigh.

“And honestly, I don’t even know which would be worse—them or Alicia.”

I had already heard the rulers of Noveris mentioned several times.

And judging by the reactions whenever they came up...

They were far from ordinary rulers.

“The Novers protect their own worlds,” Stasia said thoughtfully.

“Some people break under that pressure.”

“Others spend their entire lives trying not to.”

She fell silent for a moment.

“We don’t usually talk about them.”

“Especially not in Isthmond.”