Legacy of the Dragon Lord

The day of the tournament finals had arrived. The grand training arena was packed with students and instructors, all eager to witness the battle between the two strongest pairs in the academy. The air hummed with excitement as banners waved and cheers filled the stands. Shira stood on one side of the battlefield, gripping her sword tightly. Opposite her, Elias adjusted his stance, his golden eyes burning with determination.

Their opponents were no strangers. Darin smirked as he rolled his shoulders, his dark eyes gleaming with anticipation. Beside him, Lyra flicked her wrist, summoning a swirling gust of wind that danced around her fingertips. She met Elias's gaze and gave a confident smile, a silent promise that she would not hold back.

"Finalists, take your positions!" Headmaster Orin's voice boomed across the arena.

Shira exhaled slowly, steadying her mind. This was different from every other fight they had faced. Elias wasn't beside her—he was her opponent. And Darin… She shot him a quick glance. He had pushed her before, questioning her reliance on Elias. Now, she would prove herself.

The headmaster raised his hand. "Begin!"

In an instant, Lyra shot forward, wind magic surging around her. She moved with astonishing speed, aiming a precise strike at Darin. He dodged smoothly, grinning. "Not bad, princess."

Elias wasted no time. He lunged at Shira, his blade flashing under the sunlight. She barely had time to react before steel met steel, the force of the clash sending a shockwave through her arms. The moment their blades touched, a strange feeling washed over her—familiarity mixed with something deeper, something unspoken.

"You're hesitating," Elias said, pressing forward with a swift strike. "Why?"

Shira gritted her teeth and parried, trying to counter, but Elias moved with calculated precision, forcing her to stay on the defensive. She tried to match his movements, but something felt off—like a missing piece of herself had been yanked away.

Darin and Lyra's fight raged beside them, a blur of wind and sharp movements. Darin was relentless, forcing Lyra to constantly shift her tactics. "Elias is used to protecting his partner," Darin taunted. "You should try standing on your own."

Lyra's eyes narrowed. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a whirlwind that nearly knocked Darin off balance. "I don't need anyone to stand," she shot back.

But despite her confidence, Elias was on a different level. He struck fast, pushing Shira back step by step. Her arms burned, her footing wavered. She knew Elias was strong, but she had never realized just how overwhelming he could be when she was the one standing against him.

And then, with a final decisive movement, Elias's blade slipped past her guard, stopping inches from her chest.

Silence fell over the arena.

Shira's breath came fast and hard. She lowered her weapon, staring at Elias in shock. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable, but something softened in his golden eyes.

"You fought well," he murmured, stepping back. "But you weren't yourself."

The crowd erupted into cheers. The battle had ended. Elias and Lyra had won.

Shira barely registered the sound of the applause. Her heart pounded as she turned away, something heavy settling in her chest. Darin placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did great. Don't let this shake you."

But it did.

After the match, the finalists were led to a secluded area to recover. Shira sat on a bench, her shoulders slumped. She had fought without Elias before, but for the first time, it truly felt like she was alone. Darin stayed close by, leaning against the wall, watching her with a careful gaze.

Across the room, Elias was speaking quietly with Lyra. She placed a hand on his arm, offering a small smile before walking away. As she left, Elias's eyes immediately sought out Shira. He saw the disappointment on her face, the way Darin was beside her, and something twisted inside him.

Shira barely looked in his direction. Instead, she turned to Darin, forcing a small smile. "Thank you for being my partner."

Darin smirked. "We'll win next time."

Elias clenched his jaw. He had won the battle, but for the first time, he felt like he had lost something else. Something he wasn't ready to name.