A low, steady hum filled the academy’s sparring grounds, blending with the rhythmic thud of footsteps and the metallic clinks of weapons being drawn from their racks. Beneath the sprawling canopies of towering trees, students gathered in small groups—some stretching, while others bounced lightly on their toes to loosen up. The air buzzed with energy, a mix of eager anticipation and an unspoken tension. Sparring sessions under the watchful eyes of the instructors always carried a heightened sense of excitement.

As Luna scanned the crowd for a sparring partner, a familiar figure caught her eye. Elara moved gracefully through the arena, exuding confidence while maintaining a relaxed demeanor. She exchanged a few words with her fellow instructors, her expression warm yet focused, before her gaze shifted toward the students. Luna felt her eyes linger on her, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow.

“Luna Alaric?” Elara’s voice cut through the din, clear and resonant.

Luna blinked, her heart skipping a beat as she realized Elara was approaching. She straightened up, a mix of surprise and thrill coursing through her. “Yes?”

Elara’s lips curved into a small, inviting smile. “How about sparring with me again? I’d like to see what you can really do.”

A murmur of excitement rippled through the nearby students as they turned to watch, their faces lighting up with interest. Sparring with an instructor was a rare opportunity—let alone doing it two days in a row. Luna swallowed hard, caught in a whirlwind of excitement and nervousness.

“I’d… I’d be honored,” Luna replied, steadying her voice.

Elara nodded approvingly and motioned for her to step forward. They moved to the center of the ring, the curious crowd forming a circle around them. Luna focused on her breathing, trying to quell the nerves buzzing beneath her skin. She couldn’t use her true abilities in front of the class, so she had to rely on her martial arts training.

Elara’s expression shifted as they took their stances, a gleam of focus in her eyes that Luna hadn’t seen before. She gave Luna a respectful nod, her smile fading into an expression of concentration.

Luna mirrored her, dropping into a light, balanced stance. Around them, the other students fell silent, their gazes fixed on the unusual match unfolding before them.

“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Elara said softly, her tone both encouraging and challenging.

With a controlled exhale, Luna launched into a series of quick, restrained strikes. She held back, moving with the fluidity of her usual style but carefully masking her true speed. Elara blocked each strike effortlessly, her movements smooth and confident as she matched Luna’s pace.

Then, in a flash, Elara pressed forward, her strikes becoming sharper, faster, testing Luna’s reflexes. Luna countered, her instincts kicking in as she blocked and sidestepped, moving in time with Elara’s rhythm. She could feel the thrill of the match building within her, the challenge of going against someone as skilled as Elara. Even as she restrained herself, Luna felt a sense of freedom in their exchange, as if Elara were drawing out her potential.

But then Elara shifted, aiming a powerful strike at Luna’s center. Luna’s body reacted before her mind caught up, her reflexes flaring as she twisted to the side, dodging with a speed that surprised even her. In a fluid movement, she found herself behind Elara, her hand hovering near her shoulder to signal her counterpoint.

The crowd gasped, the silence breaking with astonished murmurs.

Elara turned slowly, her eyes gleaming with interest as she assessed Luna. There was no surprise on her face—just a hint of admiration, and something else that Luna couldn’t quite place. She raised a hand, calling for a pause as she studied Luna with newfound intrigue.

Elara stepped closer, her expression softening as she lowered her voice so only Luna could hear. “That was impressive,” she said, her tone warm yet probing. “You have excellent instincts… and something more, I think.”

Luna felt her cheeks warm under Elara’s gaze. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how much to reveal. “I just… I train a lot. I guess I’ve picked up a few things.”

Elara’s gaze held hers, and for a heartbeat, Luna felt a strange sense of connection—a feeling that Elara could see right through her, past the facade she’d carefully built. Elara’s eyes softened, as if she understood Luna’s hesitation without needing an explanation.

“There’s more to it than that,” Elara murmured, a gentle smile forming on her lips. “I don’t expect you to share everything, but… I think you have talent—a talent worth cultivating.”

Luna could only nod, her throat tightening as a mixture of gratitude and fear swirled within her. She wanted to open up, to tell someone the truth of her abilities, but the risk was too high.

Elara seemed to sense her inner conflict, her smile reassuring. “Just know that I see potential in you, Luna. You don’t have to hold yourself back.”

The way she said it made Luna feel both encouraged and exposed, as if Elara saw a part of her that she kept hidden from everyone else. It was both thrilling and terrifying.

As the match ended and the students began dispersing, Elara lingered, waiting until most of the crowd had left. Luna stayed as well, her heart still pounding from their exchange.

When she was alone, Elara walked over to her, her expression thoughtful. “Luna, I’d like to propose something,” she began, her tone more serious. “How would you feel about training with me privately?”

The offer took Luna by surprise. “Privately?” she echoed, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Elara nodded. “Yes. You have raw skill, but I believe you could benefit from more refined training. And I think… with the right guidance, you could become truly exceptional.”

Luna’s heart raced. Training with Elara meant honing her skills, learning from someone who could challenge her. But it also meant keeping up her disguise, constantly walking the line between showing her potential and hiding her true abilities.

“I… I’d be honored,” she said finally, forcing herself to sound more confident than she felt.

A warm smile broke across Elara’s face. “Good. We’ll start tomorrow at dawn, here at the arena. And you don’t have to hold back in front of me.”

As she left the sparring grounds, Luna felt a complex tangle of emotions twisting inside her. She felt an undeniable pull toward Elara—something about her presence, her understanding, made Luna feel safe yet vulnerable in ways she hadn’t expected.

And yet, the fear lingered. The thought of training with Elara, of risking exposure each day, made her heart pound with both excitement and apprehension. Would Elara notice her Rift powers? Could she keep them hidden while learning and growing under Elara’s watchful eye?

The sun dipped lower in the sky as Luna made her way back to her dorm, her mind filled with possibilities and uncertainties. She knew she couldn’t ignore the feeling that Elara saw something in her that no one else did. But as much as she longed to let someone in, to trust someone with her secret, the fear of what that revelation could bring kept her silent.

As she reached her dorm, Luna took one last glance back toward the arena, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, new risks… and perhaps, the start of a bond she’d longed for yet feared.

For now, she would prepare, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead, determined to balance the growing connection with Elara and the fragile secret that defined her.