Martial Demons Ascension

Millis had just started walking toward the center of the arena his chest puffed out face set in what he hoped looked like confidence But his steps were stiff heavier than usual His mind screamed at him to keep the mask up to not let anyone see the tightness in his throat

Then Emmet's voice cut across the arena

"Enough"

The word was sharp commanding His hand rose palm out and the murmurs in the crowd died instantly

"The sparring is done for today" Emmet announced

The class erupted in noise

"What Already"

"But we just started getting into it—"

"I wanted to see Millis fight"

Faces across the arena tightened with disappointment The energy in the air had been building all lesson after Rhyka's shocking wins and Eto's overwhelming display everyone was waiting for the next explosion Cutting it now felt like ripping the page out of a book mid chapter

Even Hella scowled openly arms crossed clearly frustrated

But not everyone was disappointed

Rhyka leaning casually on his curved blade tilted his mask just slightly and exhaled slowly Outwardly he played it off rolling his shoulders with lazy indifference smirking faintly like the decision didn't matter to him

Inwardly Relief washed over him like cold water

His heart was still pounding from his earlier fights His muscles ached his breathing was heavier than he wanted anyone to notice If the matches had continued there was no guarantee he could have maintained his flawless image against fresh opponents especially with Millis eyeing him like a challenge

But now Now he got to walk away undefeated Still mysterious Still untouchable

He'd planted the seeds of doubt and fear in the others' minds and Emmet's interruption had preserved that aura perfectly

Across the way Eto's golden sparks finally dimmed as she released her spell the last arcs of lightning fizzling out against the stone floor She let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding

She wouldn't admit it aloud but she was relieved too Fighting seven at once had pushed her closer to exhaustion than she let on and if she'd been forced into another match especially against Rinnte she wasn't certain how much of her sharpness she could have maintained

Her shoulders loosened and for the first time since stepping into the ring her expression softened slightly

Rinnte silent as ever gave nothing away on his face He simply stood hands slipping into his pockets as he turned away from the arena But inside he felt a quiet satisfaction

Like Eto he had been ready to fight if necessary but after watching her display he wanted time Time to think time to analyze time to sharpen himself before they inevitably clashed He wouldn't waste that opportunity

Millis though was the most relieved of all

His chest which had been tight as a drum finally loosened He masked it with a scoff throwing his hands up in mock annoyance

"Tch Figures Just when things were getting fun"

But the truth was his knees were weak with relief He wouldn't have to face Rhyka today He wouldn't have to risk being exposed in front of everyone His pride and his image were safe For now

"Class dismissed" Emmet said curtly his tone leaving no room for argument "You all got what you needed today Go home Rest"

The students filed out slowly muttering amongst themselves speculation and gossip already buzzing in every corner The fights would be retold a hundred times before morning the shocking strength of Eto the eerie skill of Rhyka the silence of Rinnte the way Millis never actually fought

And in that mess of whispers and glances one truth spread

The class dynamic had changed

When Emmet dismissed the class the students filtered out in loud chaotic clumps voices buzzing with speculation and nerves Emmet however barely noticed His eyes kept drifting back to one figure

Rhyka

The boy's composure the smoothness of his footwork the predator like instincts in each move Emmet had trained fighters for years He'd studied under knights sparred with mercenaries even watched foreign martial schools display their skills But to see a child a magicless eleven year old fight like that

It was absurd Unnatural

And yet undeniable

One of the greatest martial artists I've seen he admitted to himself the thought burning like a brand Not greatest for his age Not greatest for his class Greatest period

Emmet's chest tightened He had to know He had to speak to him directly

When he finally stepped into the side hall leading toward the training yard's exit he froze

Rhyka was already there

Leaning casually against the wall curved blade balanced against his shoulder half mask still in place As though he'd been expecting him

"You were looking for me right" Rhyka said voice calm just the faintest trace of smugness threading through it

Emmet frowned "…Yes"

The teacher didn't waste time with pleasantries "That performance" he said stepping closer "That wasn't luck That wasn't improvisation You knew exactly what you were doing The balance the precision you're one of the greatest martial artists I've ever seen"

He watched Rhyka carefully waiting for the boy to gloat to grin to feed on the praise

Instead Rhyka simply nodded as if the words were nothing more than confirmation of what he already knew

"Of course" he said

Emmet's jaw tightened This boy…

Before the silence stretched too long Rhyka pushed off the wall standing straight His smirk returned but his tone sharpened

"I'm leaving" he said simply

Emmet blinked "…What"

"I want out of this village" Rhyka repeated "There's nothing for me here No family no friends no future If I stay I'll just keep butting heads with idiots who'll never respect me I've already decided I'm going to live as a warrior Mercenary Bounty hunter Whatever path takes me farther"

His eyes visible just beneath the edge of his mask burned with raw intent

"I'll evolve past my limits I'll grow until no one can look down on me again"

Emmet studied him for a long moment The conviction was real Dangerous even But still…

"You can't just walk out" Emmet said finally His tone wasn't mocking it was firm grounded almost heavy "This village isn't on a trade road We're tucked in the mountains isolated cut off from most of the kingdom We aren't even under a noble's direct domain If you try to leave on your own you'll die before you make it past the forests"

Rhyka's jaw tightened but he didn't argue

"You'll need to wait" Emmet continued "Every few years a caravan passes through Merchants guards travelers That's your chance to leave The next one comes in two years"

"…Two years" Rhyka repeated slowly the words tasting bitter in his mouth

"Until then you'll have to endure Train Prepare Because if you go out there with only skill and no magic" Emmet shook his head "You won't last Martial arts can carry you far but magic rules this world Without it even the strongest body will eventually break"

For a long moment the air was silent between them

Finally Rhyka smirked again though the tightness in his shoulders betrayed his frustration

"Two years then" he said "I'll use every moment And when the caravan comes…" His grip on the hilt of his blade tightened "…I'll be ready"

Emmet exhaled staring at him with a mix of awe and pity

If only you had magic he thought You could have been unstoppable

But aloud he simply said

"Don't waste the time you've been given"