The open field stretched flat and dusty under the afternoon sun, heat shimmering off the packed dirt.
The training yards had quieted some, mages spread out for range drills after the morning's rune work.
Rune, circles glowed faintly at the edges, but most stood in the open now, swords and staves raised, testing how far their magic could reach.
Gon stood with a loose group, his rune-etched sword in hand, the hum still tingling in his grip from earlier.
The training master paced nearby, arms crossed, his scarred face set as he watched them line up shots.
Mira was a few paces down, her orb hovering at her shoulder, spitting sparks like it was restless.
She stepped forward, raising her hand, and the orb flared, bright, sharp, a bolt of light ripping out toward the field.
It hit the ground hard, scorching a black patch into the dirt, smoke curling up in a thin wisp.
The air crackled, and a few mages flinched, stepping back.
