A minute passed, and the silence stretched across the arena like a taut wire.

 Sorithra's patience was waning, her sharp, violet eyes scanning the room.

 She raised a hand, preparing to declare Talia the victor by default, when suddenly, booming footsteps echoed through the corridor behind them. 

A tall, lanky figure emerged from seemingly nowhere, his heavy boots making the floor tremble with each step.

How hadn't she noticed him? Was he here the whole time?  

This guys bad news,  like seriously he's what 6 '10? No…7ft?

There was nobody like that in Lustrous Hearts. Aeris thought her eyes following the interloper. 

The crowd stirred, whispers flitting through the students. 

Who’s that? Why hadn't he been in any of the previous rounds?  He's kinda cute though.

"This is Vali Thorsten,a third-year student of the White Swan House." 

Sorithra explained, her tone as dry as ever. 

"He’s here at my request, seeing how one of your classmates didn't bother showing up for orientation. Consider this a special treat."

Aeris's brow furrowed as she studied Vali. 

He was tall, yes, but he looked  pale and his jade eyes were glazed over, while his scraggly white hair fell in disheveled waves over his gaunt face.

His demeanor radiated disinterest, if she had to use a solitary word to describe him it would have to be slothful.

Vali yawned, rubbing the back of his neck. 

"Won't take up much of your time," 

He drawled, his voice laced with apathy 

"My class is Berserker, but I won’t be using any weapons. I’ll take it easy on you." 

His dull gaze shifted over to Talia starring in silence.

Talia's eyes narrowed, her fiery red hair seeming to burn even brighter in the small beams of sunlight streaming through the tiny windows.

 "Don't underestimate me," she snapped, her voice tinged with irritation.

Vali shrugged, completely nonchalant. He barely even acknowledged her presence.

Sorithra, still standing at the edge of the classroom, gave the signal for the fight to begin. 

"Take your marks.” 

First match of the semi-finals: Vali Thorsten versus Talia Valcrest. Begin."

Talia burst into action. She darting forward her movements a blur of speed and precision.

Her sword flashed in the light as she unleashed a flurry of slashes, each aimed at vital points.

The sharp clang of metal slicing through the air filled the room, and she drew first blood, cutting Vali on his arm and across his chest.

But Vali didn't react. He didn’t flinch. 

He didn’t even seem to notice the wounds as thin trails of blood dripped down his skin. 

He stood there, staring straight ahead, as if Talia’s attacks were nothing.

Aeris watched, intrigued. Talia was no novice. 

She had seen her in action before, blitzing opponents with her signature quicksilver strikes.

 But this Vali is vexing, Aeris couldn't get a read on him at all and that worried her.

Talia, undeterred by his lack of response, leaped into the air, twisting her body mid-flight as she prepared one of her special sword skills. 

"If you're not going to fight back, that's fine by me!" 

She shouted, her voice filled with determination. 

"I love an easy target!"

She spun, her blade gleaming as she activated Vortex Stinger, one of her most powerful aerial attacks. 

A vortex of wind formed around Vali, pulling him toward her as she plummeted down with a devastating downward thrust. 

The air roared, the sheer force of the attack blocking the two combatants from view as dust and debris swirled around them.

For a moment, the entire classroom held its breath, waiting for the outcome.

But when the dust finally settled, Talia's blade had struck nothing but air. 

Vali was standing several meters behind her, stretching lazily as if he had just woken from a nap. 

His movements were slow and deliberate, nothing went to waste.

Talia's eyes widened in shock. How had he moved so quickly? She hadn’t even seen him dodge. 

Her feet hit the ground, her body tensed, and she spun around to face him, her expression filled with a mix of confusion and frustration.

Vali cracked his neck, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 

"My turn!”

In a flash, Vali was on her. 

His fists moved faster than Talia could see,  and the sickening crunch of his fist connecting with her stomach echoed through the room.

 Talia’s body nearly crumpled, the air forced from her lungs in a single, painful gasp. 

She staggered back, barely able to keep her balance.

Before she could recover, Vali struck again, a sweeping kick that knocked her sword from her hand and sent her sprawling to the ground. 

Talia’s eyes widened in pain as her weapon clattered across the floor, out of reach.

Aeris watched the scene unfold with prangs of anxiety and nervousness.

He was strong but it was his complete apathy and detachment that made him dangerous.

 He wasn’t fighting out of a desire to win or prove himself. 

He was simply… existing in the moment, reacting to Talia’s attacks like a lion batting away a mosquito 

Talia, to her credit, didn’t give up.  Gritting her teeth through the pain she forced herself to stand, her body trembling from the impact of Vali’s mighty blows.

 She lunged toward her sword, desperate to regain her footing in the fight.

But  with one swift motion, Vali grabbed her by the arm and flung her back toward the center of the room.  

Talia hit the ground hard, her body skidding across the stone flooring. 

For a moment, it seemed like she wouldn’t be getting up.

But she did. 

Slowly, painfully, Talia rose to her feet once more, her breathing ragged but her resolve unbroken.

What are you doing?  Just stay down Talia, You stupid girl.  

Aeris thought furiously, biting her nails.

Vali sighed,

 "Stay down, girl!" 

Vali growled, vexed that Talia had risen again.

Talia’s shot Vali a defiant glare, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. 

Aeris couldn’t help but admire her fiery spirit. 

She would make a most excellent pawn indeed.

'Keep fighting, Talia' 

A girl cheered from behind Aeris.

'You got this'  Cedric screamed.

The class was rallying behind Talia, but Aeris remained dead silent.