FEW DAYS LATER AT THE TRAINING GROUNDS
ZAVIER
It started as a 'casual suggestion', which was already suspicious. It seems that he wanted for us to spend more time together.
"Would you like to train together." Adam said it like a statement.
Not a question, not a request. A declaration that sounded like it had been rehearsed.
"Why."I looked at him.
"To improve efficiency." Aiden stirred immediately. "He practiced that sentence."
"I know."I muttered.
From behind Riko gasped so loudly someone across the field flinched.
"IT BEGINS-"He gasped.
"Nothing is beginning." Ben said.
Leo, lying on the grass like he had abandoned responsibility entirely, opened one eye.
"This has romantic undertones."Leo said.
"I am requesting training." Adam said very quickly and very seriously.
"That is what he calls it." Leo added.
"Fine."I stood.
"HE SAID YES-"Riko screamed.
Ten minutes later what should have been a simple spar was not simple, and not just a spar. Because people had gathered, of course they had.
"Why are there this many people?" Ben muttered.
"Because drama attracts attention." Leo said.
"THIS IS NOT DRAMA." Adam said.
"You asked him out in public."Riko leaned in.
"I DID NOT-"Adam said annoyed.
A B-rank Alpha stepped forward.
"If this is a training session, mind if we join?"He asked.
"Heard you are good."Another added.
"Let's make it a trial."A third one suggested.
"We are about to die."Riko turned slowly.
"We are about to observe."Ben adjusted his glasses.
Adam straightened.
"This was meant to be controlled."He sighed.
"It still is." I said.
"It is not."Aiden hummed.
The circle widened as space cleared.
"Rules?" Someone asked.
"Don't break anything important." Leo said from the ground.
"That is not a rule." Ben snapped.
"It is now."Leo said.
"I will handle defence."Adam stepped beside me.
"Why?"I asked, confused.
"To support you."He explained.
"HE SAID SUPPORT-"Someone gasped.
"I AM BEING PRACTICAL-"Another one added. "YOU ARE BEING OBVIOUS-"
I sighed and got ready in the fighting position as I had no time for their childish games. The noise didn't die, it just reorganized itself into a circle. A very excited circle, I exhaled once and stepped forward, blade low, posture loose. Adam mirrored me instantly, too instantly.
"He adjusted his stance to match yours."Aiden murmured.
"I can see that."I sighed.
"He is syncing again."Aiden added.
"I am aware."I nodded.
"Start." Someone called.
First attacker came in fast. Same mistake as always, confidence without adaptation. I moved, and Adam moved with me. Adam intercepted the follow up before it even formed. I didn't need to look, didn't need to signal, I just stepped and finished it.
"Again?" someone said.
Two this time, better coordination, better angles. Adam shifted slightly closer.
"Left." He said quietly.
I was already there.
"Oh."Aiden paused.
"What."I asked.
"You're improving mid fight."He said.
"I am fighting."I nodded.
"You are learning."He added.
One lunged high Adam caught it, I stepped through and disarmed. The second hesitated, that was enough.
"He's getting better."Riko whispered.
"He already was."Ben didn't even look at him.
"No. That's new."Leo sat up slightly.
Three now.
"Alright." One of the higher ranks said, rolling his shoulders. "Let's see this properly."
They moved together, faster and sharper. Adam stepped in front just slightly.
"I will hold-"He began.
"I don't need you to hold." I finished.
"Understood."He said.
He adjusted, not in front, but beside me. They attacked and steel met steel, one hit from the right, and Adam blocked clean. Second tried from behind, and I turned and covered it.
"He is learning your blind spots."Aiden hummed.
"I don't have blind spots."I sighed.
"You do."Aiden added.
Third came straight aggressive and I stepped forward. Adam didn't follow, he trusted it. The remaining two backed off, not out of fear, out of understanding.
"We are not breaking that." One muttered.
"WE ARE UNBREAKABLE-"Riko exploded.
"You are still fragile." Ben said.
"Coordination improved."Leo clapped once.
"Your reaction time increased."Adam exhaled slowly beside me.
"So did yours."I said.
Pause.
"Yes."He nodded.
"He liked that."Aiden whispered.
"I know."I nodded.
A familiar voice cut in.
"Again." Logan said, leaning against the edge of the arena, as he had always been there.
Watching and evaluating. The entire circle straightened.
"Of course he's here." Someone muttered.
I didn't say anything, just reset. Adam did the same, and we moved again faster this time, less hesitation and less thinking. The spar ended up quickly. Logan pushed off the wall, walked forward, and stopped in front of me as silence followed him. He looked at the blade, then at me.
"Improved."He said.
That was it, but from him that was everything.
"He approved." Riko whispered.
"That's rare."Ben nodded once.
"That's terrifying."Leo added.
"You."Logan's gaze shifted to Adam.
Adam straightened instantly.
"You're not slowing him down."Logan added.
"Good."Adam nodded.
"THAT WAS A COMPLIMENT." Riko grabbed Ben again.
"I am aware." Ben said.
"Exam's close."Logan looked back at me.
"I know."I said.
"Keep this."He added."You are adapting faster than expected."
"He means everyone else is falling behind."Aiden murmured.
"I know."I said.
"Don't waste it."Logan stepped back.
Then he turned and left. Just like that. Silence lingered for a second, and then Riko screamed.
"WE ARE GOING TO PASS-!"He screamed.
"We were always going to pass." Ben said.
"WE ARE GOING TO DOMINATE-!"Riko kept screaming.
"I will nap through victory."Leo lay back down.
Adam stayed, of course.
"We should train again."He said.
"There it is."Aiden laughed softly.
"You just did."I looked at him.
"Yes."Adam nodded. "We should do it again."
"You are repeating yourself."I sighed.
"I am aware."He nodded.
I ignored that mostly, but I was grateful for Adam's help more than I liked to admit it. Because the exam was coming and now I was ready.