In the quiet aftermath of a grueling training day, Esteria and Celine walked toward their quarters, muscles aching yet minds sharper with each step. As they rounded the final corner, a group of teammates caught up with them, their eyes sparkling with admiration and a touch of envy.
"Unbelievable! You two only need ten more points to graduate," said a teammate, a hint of awe in his voice. "Meanwhile, my group still has twenty points to go. How are you two even doing this?"
Another teammate smirked, cutting in with a sidelong glance. "Well, look at her! She's Lord El-Kharis's mate, after all. She must have a share of his powers, right?"
Esteria stiffened, but Celine, never one to hold her tongue, stepped forward. "Oh, is that so? If being his mate gave her a magical advantage, I'd be a walking powerhouse by now. Esteria got here through grit and effort," she replied, her words sharp. "Maybe instead of making excuses, you should all drop the snark and focus on training."
