The air in the training grounds was still as Ari stood calmly in the center of the arena, his hands resting loosely at his sides. Across from him, Yuri, Kimi, and Finoria stood side by side, each radiating their unique brand of determination—though there was no mistaking the undercurrent of uncertainty in their expressions.

“This is a terrible idea,” Yuri muttered, twin daggers spinning in her hands as she paced slightly.

“You’re just saying that because you know we’ll lose,” Kimi replied with a serene smile, though her hands were already glowing faintly with magic.

“I’m saying that because we will lose,” Yuri shot back, her green eyes narrowing.

Finoria grinned, casually spinning her massive shield before slamming it into the ground with a dull thud. “Losing doesn’t matter. It’s the fun that counts.” She shot Ari a playful glance. “Right, Ari? You’ll go easy on us?”

Ari gave them a calm, assessing look—one that sent a subtle shiver of anticipation through the group. “Do you really want me to?”

The three women exchanged glances. None of them answered.

“Thought so,” Ari said, rolling his shoulders as though preparing for a light stretch.

“We can do this,” Kimi said, her voice as calm as ever but her violet eyes sharp. “He’s strong, but if we work together, we’ll have a chance.”

Yuri snorted. “You’ve been saying that for years.”

“It’s called optimism, Yuri.”

“Optimism won’t save us when he wipes the floor with us.”

Ari raised a brow at their banter, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Are you three going to fight, or argue the whole time?”

That was all it took.

With a shared nod, the trio sprang into motion.

Yuri was the first to close the distance, her speed a crimson blur as she darted forward. Her daggers glinted in the sunlight as she aimed for Ari’s side, quick and precise.

Too predictable, Ari thought, sidestepping smoothly. With a shift of his weight, he caught Yuri’s wrist in one hand and redirected her momentum, sending her sliding harmlessly across the arena.

“Damn it!” Yuri growled, twisting back to her feet.

Before Ari could capitalize, Kimi’s voice rang out from behind him. “Crystallize.”

A chill swept across the ground as jagged spikes of ice erupted in a sweeping arc, aimed to box Ari in. The attack was beautifully executed—precise and coordinated—but it was still too slow for him.

Ari crouched low, his body shifting with fluid grace as he launched himself into the air, clearing the ice field in a single effortless leap. He landed lightly a few meters away, his sharp gaze already tracking Kimi as she began another incantation.

“Too slow,” he said softly.

Kimi’s spell fizzled in surprise, her violet eyes widening. “How does he do that?”

“Pay attention, Kimi!” Yuri barked, already charging again.

“Barrier Formation!”

This time, it was Finoria who stepped in, her shield glowing with golden light as she raised it high. A radiant wall of energy spread across the arena, cutting Ari off from Yuri’s approach and giving the others a moment to regroup.

Finoria smirked, holding her ground confidently. “Let’s see you get through this.”

Ari tilted his head slightly, almost as if he were curious. Then, without a word, he moved.

He didn’t run or charge. Instead, he walked—calm and measured—as if the barrier in front of him were little more than a light breeze. The moment he reached it, the air shimmered with tension.

And then the barrier cracked.

A faint ripple spread out from where Ari placed his hand, and with one small push, the entire wall of energy shattered into glowing fragments.

Finoria blinked, her expression shifting from confidence to disbelief. “...Okay, that’s just not fair.”

“It’s Ari,” Yuri replied flatly. “Nothing’s fair when it comes to him.”

Kimi frowned, her fingers weaving glowing patterns in the air as she prepared another spell. “Then we hit him together. Yuri—front. Finoria—defend. I’ll handle offense.”

For once, Yuri didn’t argue. “Fine. Let’s give him hell.”

The three of them sprang into coordinated action.

Yuri moved like a flash of crimson, her blades slicing through the air as she engaged Ari head-on. Finoria followed close behind, her shield raised to protect Yuri and intercept any counters. Behind them, Kimi unleashed a barrage of spells—blinding bolts of fire, spiraling wind blades, and shimmering arcs of lightning.

The strategy was sound. Together, they formed a relentless storm of attacks, giving Ari no room to breathe.

Or so they thought.

Ari’s movements were effortless—almost lazy—as he weaved between Yuri’s strikes, each dodge carrying him just out of range. Finoria’s shield slammed down where he had been standing a second before, but Ari was already at her side, one hand gently tapping the edge of her shield.

“You’re overextending,” he said simply, and with a small push, he knocked her back a few steps.

At the same moment, Kimi’s lightning bolt streaked toward him. Without even turning, Ari raised a hand and caught the magic midair. The energy fizzled harmlessly in his palm before dissipating completely.

Kimi froze, her jaw slack. “Impossible.”

Ari glanced at her over his shoulder, his tone calm but unmistakably amused. “You’ve still got work to do on your aim.”

Yuri, panting, stepped back, her daggers lowered. “We’re not getting anywhere.”

“You’re getting better,” Ari said, straightening and brushing off his sleeves as though he hadn’t just dismantled their coordinated attack. “But you’re still relying too much on what you already know. Predictability is your weakness.”

Finoria, leaning on her shield with a scowl, gave a breathless laugh. “You love rubbing it in, don’t you?”

“It’s not rubbing it in,” Ari replied, his tone steady. “It’s teaching.”

Kimi, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face, let out a dramatic sigh. “You make it sound so easy.”

“For me, it is,” Ari said simply.

Yuri groaned. “Show-off.”

Ari gave them a rare, faint smile. “You’re still strong—stronger than most people in the world. Don’t forget that.”

The three women exchanged glances before looking back at him, their frustrations temporarily soothed by the quiet praise.

“Yeah, yeah,” Finoria said, standing upright and slinging her shield over her back. She stepped closer to Ari, brushing against his arm with a sly grin. “Next time, I’m sparring with you alone. I’ve got a reputation to keep.”

“Noted,” Ari said, though he didn’t move away.

“Cheater,” Yuri muttered, glaring at Finoria.

Kimi smirked faintly. “I wouldn’t mind a private session either.”

Yuri shot her a look. “Stay in your lane.”

Ari sighed, already sensing the argument brewing again. “Alright, enough for today. Let’s head back before you three decide to spar each other.”

Despite their bruised pride and sore muscles, the three women followed him back toward the manor, their banter filling the air once more.

For all their complaining, they didn’t mind losing to Ari—not really. Because at the end of the day, it was a reminder of who he was: their leader, their mentor, and the one person they knew they could always count on.