Date: Opening Day of Academy Festival Combat Trials
Location: South Arena – Stage of Seven
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They marched in like victors, but not one of them saw the noose tightening.
We didn't even draw our blades at first.
We just stood there. Silent. Calm.
Alice whispered from behind me:
> "Can I scare them just a little?"
I said nothing. She grinned.
She stepped forward. Her eyes glowed red.
The moment her blood dagger split the air — three of them stumbled back.
One actually tripped over his own foot.
Leander?
Leander didn't even draw his sword.
He just dodged. Danced. Flicked his wrist. Tapped their chests, one after another.
> "Tag. Tag. Oh—tag. You're it, by the way."
Three out. Just like that.
Anna summoned illusions of their worst fears.
They begged her to stop.
Riya scorched the ground with a fire-laced wind just for show.
Gideon didn't move. He stood there like a wall.
And Lily? She only cast one spell.
A single moonlight spear that froze midair — hanging just above the last one's shoulder.
> "Yield," she whispered.
He did. Faster than I thought humanly possible.
And me?
…I just watched. Took notes. Didn't even step onto the field.
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Victory. No injuries. All magic restrained.
They say silence is mercy.
But today?
Silence was a sentence.
---
The crowd watched in disbelief.
Second-year students whispering.
Some clapping. Some… backing away.
David?
He didn't say a word. But he smirked.
And for once, that was enough.
---
Tonight, the dorms are loud.
They keep replaying it — the way Alice licked her dagger, the way Leander danced through his enemies.
> "You see that guy? He dropped his wand!"
> "Did you see Gideon? I think he blinked once—maybe!"
And Elric?
He brought stew again. Said victory tastes better when shared.
---
We have six matches left.
But after today?
The Academy knows.
The Silent Tactician's team isn't just strong.
They're untouchable.