For the five days leading up to the exams, all classes were suspended. Professors and instructors left the students to prepare however they saw fit—whether through relentless training, strategic planning, or desperate last-minute cramming.
The academy grounds buzzed with activity. Some students sparred in the training halls, sharpening their combat skills. Others buried themselves in study chambers, poring over spell theories and tactical strategies. A few, however, opted for rest, choosing to conserve their strength before the inevitable storm.
Liam and his friends chose training.
Inside one of the academy's private training halls, Liam, Asher, Max, and Charlotte were locked in a chaotic four-way sparring match. Dylan and Ariana stood on an elevated viewpoint, observing the clash unfold.
"Why don't you join them?" Ariana asked, her gaze still fixed on the fight.
