Capítulo 52: I win
The lunch ended in a flurry of movement and anticipation. Galen wasted no time, leading the way toward the knight training grounds with his usual confident stride.
I followed close behind, my stomach still protesting from the sheer amount of food forced into it. My heart raced with equal parts excitement and nerves.
This wasn't the first time I was facing Galen in a sparring match, but the stakes felt higher now. The last time we fought, I had lost control of my magic and nearly incinerated half the courtyard. But today would be different I could feel it.
We reached the training grounds, an open space surrounded by tall stone walls. The sky was a vivid blue, the air sharp with the faint scent of charred wood and metal from previous training sessions.
A few knights-in-training were scattered around, practicing drills, but they quickly cleared out when they saw us. Apparently, even my older brother's sparring matches were something of an event.
Elira and Carlos sauntered in behind us, Elira's mischievous grin already making me uneasy. "Oh, this is going to be good," she said, taking a seat on a low wall.
Carlos leaned against a post, looking as uninterested as ever but staying just close enough to watch. "Don't blow yourself up this time, Ren," he called out lazily, earning a scowl from me.
Galen ignored them both and strode to the weapon rack, his fingers brushing over the hilts of various swords before selecting one. He turned, the sunlight catching the polished blade, and gave it a few experimental swings.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, fire erupted along the edge of the sword, the flames licking the air as if alive.
I took a steadying breath, stepping forward onto the sand-covered ground. I didn't go for the weapon rack. Instead, I planted my feet firmly, holding my hands out in front of me.
"What are you doing?" Galen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not grabbing a sword," I replied coolly, letting the heat of my magic build in my chest.
He scoffed. "You're planning to fight me empty-handed? That's bold, even for you."
A smirk tugged at my lips as the familiar warmth of my red fire magic surged through me. I focused, shaping the energy, and in an instant, a sword of crimson flame materialized in my hand.
The blade crackled and shimmered, almost as if alive, its fiery edge dancing unpredictably.
Galen's expression faltered for a split second, his shock evident. "You've been practicing," he muttered, adjusting his stance.
"You have no idea," I shot back, raising my flaming weapon.
The fight began without warning. Galen lunged forward, his sword blazing as it cut through the air.
I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a swift swing of my own. Our swords collided with a burst of heat and sparks, the sound ringing out across the training grounds.
The sheer force of Galen's strikes made my arms tremble, but I held firm, meeting his attacks with calculated precision.
His movements were fast and relentless, each swing aimed to throw me off balance, but I had spent the last month training under Valeria. My reflexes were sharper, my control over my magic more precise.
I ducked under a horizontal slash and twisted, using the momentum to swing my fiery blade toward his side. He barely managed to block it, gritting his teeth as the impact sent him stumbling back a step.
"Not bad," he admitted grudgingly, regaining his footing.
"Not bad?" I retorted, pressing the attack. "You're starting to sweat, Galen."
From the sidelines, Elira laughed. "She's got you there!"
Carlos yawned dramatically. "This is mildly entertaining."
Galen's jaw tightened, and he charged again, his strikes coming faster and harder. I deflected each one, my movements fluid and deliberate. Every clash of our swords sent a shockwave of heat through the air, the sand beneath our feet kicking up in small clouds.
I began to notice patterns in his attacks subtle shifts in his stance, the way his shoulders moved before a swing. He was predictable, and I used that to my advantage.
When he raised his sword for an overhead strike, I feinted left, forcing him to adjust, and then I twisted to the right, my blade slashing across his guard.
The flames didn't burn him they were controlled enough to only sear his pride.
"Nice try," I said, grinning as he stumbled back.
His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of frustration.
"She's toying with you!" Elira called, her voice laced with amusement.
"Quiet!" Galen snapped, glaring at her before refocusing on me.
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up despite the tension of the fight. It felt good no, exhilarating to have the upper hand against my older brother.
But Galen wasn't done yet. He came at me again, his sword blazing brighter, his movements more aggressive.
I met him strike for strike, our blades clashing in a flurry of sparks and flame. The heat was intense, beads of sweat forming on my brow, but I didn't back down.
With a sharp twist of my wrist, I disarmed him, his sword flying from his grasp and landing in the sand a few feet away.
He froze, his chest heaving as he stared at the tip of my fiery blade pointed at his throat.
"I win," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
Galen's lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. "You've improved," he admitted grudgingly.
Before I could bask in my victory, Elira hopped down from her perch, clapping her hands.
"Well, that was fun to watch." She smirked, her sharp golden eyes glinting with mischief. "But it's been a while since we fought, Ren. Let's see how much you've really learned."
My stomach sank, and I turned to her, my fiery sword flickering as my concentration wavered. "Wait, what?"
She stretched her arms over her head, her grin widening. "You didn't think you'd get off that easy, did you?"
Carlos whistled low, shaking his head. "She's dead."
I barely had time to protest before Elira stepped forward, her aura radiating an almost palpable energy. This was going to be a whole different fight.
Estado de energía semanal
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