Chương 75: [A bit unprofessional, wouldn't you say?]

] Ronan leaned against the rack, his gaze moving between the two of them.

"You know," he said, "for people who've only known each other a few—""Oh, great." The words came out flat, cutting Ronan off. He turned as Kai walked over, the trainer's expression set in its usual stern lines. Kai didn't stop until he was standing a few feet away, his gaze moving from Ronan to Leo, then to Shai.

"Why are you here?" Kai asked.

"Moral support," Ronan said, still grinning.

"Are you actually here to help out," Kai said, "or just to be a nuisance?"

"Kai. I'm hurt. Would I do a thing like that?" Kai's eyes flicked to Leo and then back to Ronan, his jaw tightening for a fraction of a second. Ronan caught the movement, his own expression remaining still while his eyes narrowed. Shai stepped away from the rack before Ronan had the chance to turn the conversation back on her and Leo.

"Group up," she called, her voice carrying across the field. She walked to the center of the ground without breaking stride, and the moment went with her. The group pulled together in front of her. Ronan fell in beside her, hands in his pockets. Leo followed Kai over to their usual spot. Shai waited until the movement stopped.

"Before we start. Most of you haven't met Ronan here." She glanced at him briefly.

"He's here to observe today and give pointers where he sees fit. He's one of the two best fighters in Stonehall, so if he says something, take it on board." She looked at the group, then back at Ronan.

"From tomorrow, he will be taking over teaching single sword to those of you learning it, and I will continue to focus on dual blades. He may look like he's not bothered, but he's one of the best." Ronan gave the group a small nod.

"Right," Shai said.

"Let's begin." The groups split, and the training ground settled into its rhythm.

"Don't think about the target," Kai said, his voice low and constant.

"The target is a consequence. Like I told you yesterday—if you want the head, you take the stance and let the movement carry the blade. The blade just arrives." Leo found the high guard. He wasn't aiming at a physical dummy yet, just a point in the empty air that Kai had designated. He didn't reset after the stance; he pushed directly into the step, trying to coil the energy into his hips. The Sarren whistled, but the strike felt disjointed, the power snagging somewhere between his feet and his shoulders.

"Again," Kai commanded.

"You're still deciding to strike after you've moved. The stance is the decision. The movement is the power. Again." Leo reset. He breathed through his nose, focusing on the fluidity Kai was demanding. It should have taken months to even get close to this, but things were clicking into place with every breath. It was like his body already knew what it was supposed to do, and he was just waiting for his brain to catch up and get out of the way. Across the field, Ronan began his rounds.

He moved across the field, unhurried, hands in his pockets. He stopped near the dual-blade group, watching Shai work with Phil. He watched for a full minute, tracking the way Phil adjusted his grip. Ronan didn't speak, but he raised an eyebrow. These people weren't moving like civilians who'd picked up a sword a few days ago; they were moving like they'd been drilling since spring. It was unnerving, but he couldn't deny the results.

He drifted further, passing Nessa and Sam, noting how little effort Sam was wasting with his daggers. Ronan looped back toward the far corner just as the sun began to really bite through the morning air. The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He paused near Kai and Leo, leaning against a post for a second.

"Going a bit fast, isn't it, Kai?" Ronan asked with a casual tilt of his head.

"Most recruits would be tripping over their own feet by now." Kai didn't turn around.

"He isn't most recruits. Again, Leo." Ronan let out a short, humored breath and pushed off the post, wandering back toward the center of the field. The heat rose as the session wore on, and the sounds of training became a steady, heavy background noise. By the time Ronan circled back to the corner for the second time, the atmosphere had sharpened. Kai hadn't allowed a single water break, and he hadn't slowed the pace for a second.

Leo was still hitting his marks, but his hoodie was dark with sweat, clinging to his shoulders and back. He looked like he'd been pulled out of a lake while everyone else on the field was barely glowing. Ronan stepped closer, moving into the space between them. He didn't look at Leo this time; he kept his eyes on the side of Kai's face, his voice dropping just enough to be private.

"You're working him harder than the recruits back home, Kai. Is he that good, or are you just that worried? Because I've seen you train the guard, and you don't usually push anyone this hard or fast, never mind someone with five days of training under his belt. So, why are we in such a rush?" Kai finally looked away from Leo. He turned his head just enough to catch Ronan's eye, his expression unchanged.

"The world outside is moving faster than five days," Kai said, his voice low and flat.

"If he wants to survive it, he doesn't have the luxury of a slow start." Ronan stepped closer, leaning in until he was well within Kai's personal space. His voice dropped to a whisper.

"You're usually the one preaching patience, Kai. Precision over pace. But now? You're acting like the wall is falling tomorrow just because he's been spending time with Shai. A bit unprofessional, wouldn't you say?" Kai's jaw clenched for a moment, the muscle jumping under his fur before disappearing just as quickly. Ronan straightened up immediately, his grin returning to its full, obnoxious width as he looked over at Leo.

"Anyway!" Ronan called out, his voice loud enough to make Leo blink.

"I was just telling your trainer here that you look like you're about to melt. You know, Leo, if you want a water break, all you have to do is ask. I'm sure the big man here just forgot that humans aren't made of stone." Kai's shoulders stiffened, but he kept his gaze on the middle distance.

"One minute," Kai said. Leo didn't wait. He headed for the rack, grabbing his water bottle and draining half of it. The cool water was a relief, but he kept a side-eye on the two of them. He'd noticed the other trainers were less strict, but he'd put it down to Kai's personality being more intense. Behind him, Ronan gave Kai a final, mock-salute and started to wander back toward the center of the field.

"Don't kill him, Kai," Ronan called over his shoulder.

"He's actually quite good. It'd be a shame to break him before he gets a chance to show it."

Shai called the end of the session. Leo didn't drop his guard immediately. He held the final position for a second, making sure he had the feel of it, then lowered the blade. He was knackered and dripping in sweat, his hoodie soaked through. His arms were heavy and his muscles ached from the hours of repetition. Kai took the weapon from him. He didn't say anything, but he gave Leo a single nod before turning to the equipment racks. It was the only acknowledgment Leo was going to get.

Across the ground, the groups were swapping over. Aldric stood with the next group, introducing Ronan. The veteran was already leaning against a post, looking bored, though he was watching the newcomers with a sharp, steady focus. Leo walked over to where the others were grouped up and started the walk back toward the flat. They hadn't even reached the barricade before Rika started in. She fell into step beside Sam, her wings twitching.

"So," she said.

"Tell me about how Frodo and Sam make it to Mordor without being killed. I need to know!" Sam didn't look over.

"Not telling you, Rika."

"Oh, come on!" She moved to walk backward in front of Luka.

"What about those two idiots? Do Aragorn and the others rescue them?" Luka laughed.

"No spoilers. You have to wait for the next movie like everyone else." Rika huffed and turned to Phil. He was walking with his hands behind his head, looking smug. He'd had a good session and he knew it.

"Phil," she said.

"Tell me something. Anything. I'm dying here." Phil grinned at her.

"I could tell you. But watching you get this annoyed is the funny bit. So, no. No spoilers." Rika groaned, stomping a few paces ahead of the group in frustration. Phil chuckled, looking over at Sam.

"Man, seeing someone go through that is great. At least she doesn't need to wait a year between movies." Sam didn't grin back. He kept his eyes on the road, his voice flat and casual.

"Oh, by the way, it was me that left the milk out last night. Must have forgotten after my tea." He didn't stop walking, but he gave Phil a slow wink. Phil stopped dead. The smug look vanished. He'd spent the whole morning suspecting Luka with Sam egging him on, and the realization hit him all at once.

"Oh, you motherfucker!" Phil yelled. Sam kept walking, ignoring the finger Phil was pointing at his back. Luka and Leo were doubled over, and even Shai and Torren were struggling to keep a straight face. Phil didn't stop swearing until they reached the corner, but the tension from the training was gone. They turned onto the main street, headed back to the flat.