Seeing Ethan's performance, the senior officer's eyes burned with a newfound competitive fire. He stepped onto the sparring floor, the air around him thickening with the oppressive weight of a man who had survived a thousand battlefields.
"My turn," the Captain grunted, his hand reaching for the hilt of a practice blade before deciding against it. "I want to see how deep that Void of yours really goes."
Isabella stepped forward, raising a hand to stall him. "Be careful, Commander. I have to present him to the War Council shortly. Try not to break him too much, won't you?"
"Of course, Your Highness," the Captain replied, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "I'll just knock the dust off him."
