𝑫𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒅, 𝒌𝒊𝒅 | 𝟒𝟕

The training room was becoming as familiar to me as my own reflection. By the third day, I could feel the difference in my movements—tighter, sharper, less frantic. Vlad wasn't letting up, but I wasn't expecting him to.

Sweat dripped into my eyes as I raised my hands, light shimmering at the ports along my arms. My breathing was steady, though my muscles screamed for rest. I feinted left, launching a quick burst of light to his side while simultaneously stepping forward with a low kick.

Vlad didn't flinch. He deflected the light with his blood barrier and sidestepped my kick, but for once, I saw something flicker in his expression—approval.

"Good. You're getting the hang of it," he said, brushing the sweat from his brow. "But you need to trust your instincts more. That hesitation will cost you."

"I'm trying," I panted, backing up to reset. "You're not exactly an easy target."

"You think the villains you face will be?" His voice was gruff, but there was a glimmer of humor in it. "Come on. Creativity, Rio. Use your surroundings. Surprise me."

Creativity. He'd thrown that word at me yesterday, and I'd been struggling to figure out what it really meant in a fight. But now, I could feel my brain working, every muscle moving with purpose as I scanned the room.

 I launched another beam toward him, deliberately missing by inches so the light ricocheted off the mirrored wall. It angled back toward him, forcing him to block. In that split second, I lunged low, aiming a strike at his side.

This time, I landed it.

"Better!" Vlad barked, stepping back. "You're thinking. Keep doing that."

By the end of the session, my entire body felt like jelly. I collapsed onto the mat, letting out a long breath. Vlad sat down across from me, tossing me a water bottle.

"You're learning faster than I thought you would," he admitted. "Most people don't adapt this quickly."

"Thanks, I think," I said, wiping my face with my freehand.

"Don't let it get to your head," he added with a smirk. "You're still rough around the edges." I roll my eyes, downing the water bottles contents in one go.

 Maybe Vlad wasn't half bad.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

Later that evening, I found myself on the rooftop, the city lights sprawling out before me. It had become my favorite spot, a quiet escape from the intensity of the training. I was halfway through my lunch when I heard the door creak open.

"Mind if I join you?" Vlad's voice cut through the stillness.

I looked over, a little surprised but not unwelcome. "Go ahead."

He sat down beside me, his usual stern demeanor softened by the cool evening air. For a moment, we just sat in silence, watching the city.

"You've got potential, Rio," he said suddenly. "More than I thought."

I blinked, unsure of how to respond. "Uh... thanks?"

"Don't let it make you cocky," he added quickly. "But... you're doing good."

I grinned despite myself. "Coming from you, that's basically a gold star."

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound rare but genuine. "Don't get used to it."

Later that evening, I found myself on the rooftop, the city lights sprawling out before me. It had become my escape over the past few days, a place where I could clear my head and watch the world go by. The city stretched out in all directions, its lights flickering like stars that had fallen just far enough to rest on the ground.