The tension in the training hall still lingered, thick and heavy, even after the clash had ended.
Heat drifted through the air like fading echoes of battle. The scorched floor, the faint glow of dying embers, and the sharp scent of burnt mana told the story of what had just happened. No one spoke at first.
Then the commander moved.
Commander Lyra stepped forward, her expression calm but thoughtful, and her presence alone broke the silent standoff. The invisible pressure pressing against everyone's chest slowly eased.
She looked directly at Arthur.
"That's enough."
Her voice was steady, neither harsh nor soft, yet it carried authority that demanded attention.
Arthur stood facing her, shoulders straight, his breathing controlled. The flames he had summoned hovered for a moment longer, flickering as if reluctant to disappear. Then, with a small motion of his hand, he dispersed the remaining fireball. The light vanished, and with it the tension in the room seemed to dissolve.
