The training arena buzzed with anticipation. Zedd bounced on the balls of his feet across from Kaien, wind swirling around his fists.
"Alright, Dustboy," Zedd said with a smirk. "Time to see if that mystery power of yours does more than sparkle."
Kaien lowered his stance. "Don't hold back."
"Oh, I won't."
Rhain stood between them, raising his hand. "This is a spar. Not a battle. If you lose control, I will end it."
He dropped his hand.
Zedd charged.
Kaien barely dodged the first strike, a gust following the punch that knocked him off his feet. Zedd didn't wait—another flurry of jabs came, wind-enhanced and brutal.
Kaien rolled, breathing hard. "Fast…"
He remembered his training back home. No magic. No help. Just fists and grit. He lunged forward and managed a solid punch to Zedd's side—surprising him.
"Not bad!" Zedd shouted, laughing. "You might survive this!"
Kaien felt the flicker again in his hands—light, unstable. He pushed it down. Not yet. Not in front of everyone.
Zedd swept in again, wind curling around his leg. Kaien reacted too late and took a hit to the chest, flying backward. The light exploded from his palm on instinct, blasting a hole into the arena wall.
Everyone froze.
Zedd lowered his stance. "That… wasn't just Veyl, was it?"
Kaien stared at his hand, panting. "I—I didn't mean—"
Rhain's voice rang out. "Spar ends. Both of you. Now."
As Kaien left the ring, whispers followed him like a shadow. But Zedd clapped him on the shoulder.
"That was sick," he grinned. "Do it again next time. Just—aim better."
—
Later that night, Kaien stood on the academy balcony, the stars above unfamiliar but peaceful.
Lyra joined him. She didn't speak for a long time.
"You remind me of someone," she said at last. "He used to lose control too. Destroyed more than he saved."
"…What happened to him?"
"He became a monster."
She looked at him, expression hard. "Don't become him."
Kaien clenched his fists. "I'm trying not to."