ra'

id down to the small of my back. The weight of the sword in my hand seemed to grow heavier with each failed swing. My muscles burned, my

as sharp, cutting throu

gaze stayed cold and unwavering, as if my struggle was nothing more than a nuisa

p of the sword trembled slightly in my grip, but I steeled myself, remembering the countless hours of

thud against the training dummy, and I winced. Too soft. I swung again,

ed from behind me. "You

him. I had to prove him wrong. I had to show him

. I turned toward her, grateful for the distraction. She stood at th

, trying to mask my fr

're letting Kael's words get to you. Stop thinking a

swirling in my mind. "How do you expect me

wrong. I've seen you fight before, Alera. You have something inside of y

nd looked at her. "I

ith quiet conviction. "You've been through so much already. You

hat most people would never understand, things that had shattered me but also shaped me into who I w

grip felt firmer. The tremor in my arms began to subside.

but there was no judgment in his gaze. Not now. It

t it wasn't out of fear anymore. It was the rush of blood, the surge

ced through the air, making contact with the training bag with a s

There was a hint of approval in his tone, but I didn't l

Step.

ise. More powerful. The doubts began to fade, replaced by a growin

out, but this time, there was no sc

n't going to let him win. Not this time. Not when

with everything I had, the edge of the blade meeting the dummy with a sharp crack.

still distant. I couldn't tell if he was impressed or just ind

She gave me a small nod of approval. It wasn't much, but it was

est heaving with every breath, but there was a quiet satisfaction deep inside me. I had p

el said, his voice snappi

my pulse quicken

my hand feeling like a reminder of everything I had just accomplished. There would be more to figh