Page 38 of House Ignis

"Aggggh!"

Ember just laughed, strapping on her belt and patting Luna's fiery head. "Come on, Princess Primal. Combat class awaits."

•••

We moved to the combat field, the air thick with first-year adrenaline. It was a wide expanse of packed sand and worn grass, ringed by stone pillars etched with pulsing wards that shimmered like heat haze.

Stone benches rose in tiers beyond the perimeter, offering instructors a perfect view of the impending chaos.

We took our places near Ryven, Maddy, Darcy, and Ezra. Ember was practically vibrating beside me, her grin sharp.

Then Asher Maddox walked in.

The air shifted the moment his boots hit the sand. He was calm, collected, and lethal.

Even the wards seemed to hum lower, reacting to the power coiled beneath his skin. He didn't speak, merely folding his arms as his storm-silver eyes surveyed the field like a predator marking territory.

I ignored him flawlessly. Which is to say, I didn't ignore him at all.

"Welcome," a gravel-deep voice boomed.

The male at the front was broad-shouldered and scarred, wearing a vest that had clearly seen better decades.

"I am Professor Pyro. House Ignis. Your combat instructor." Of course. "Today, we assess you. Strength. Technique. Control. For this first round: no elemental magic. Discipline over destruction. Pair up."

My stomach dipped. Then Pyro's gaze shifted past us. "Ah. There he is."

I turned, and every god in existence laughed.

Jeremy.

He strode in with effortless confidence, his black training gear clinging to powerful muscle. His eyes found mine instantly.

"This is Prince Jeremy Eldrethine," Pyro announced. "He'll be assisting me in evaluating your progress."

Perfect. The snickering behind me was unmistakably Ember.

"Find your partners!" Pyro barked.

"Come on, Princess," Ember said, grabbing my arm before I could combust from humiliation. We stepped onto a mat while Maddy and Ryven claimed the one beside us.

Ember didn't hesitate.

She launched a strike straight for my face. I barely blocked, the force rattling my bones. She flashed a grin of approval, then swept my legs out from under me.

I hit the sand hard, the breath blasting from my lungs. "Okay," I croaked. "Ow."

"Pyreson—solid defense," Pyro called. "But you'll need faster recovery."

Before I could move, a familiar hand reached down and hauled me upright. Jeremy.

"Hey," he said, concern softening his eyes. "You good?"

"Yeah," I managed, brushing grit from my leathers. "I'm good."

I shot Ember a glare, but she just grinned and tossed me a water bottle. Jeremy gave me one of those infuriatingly perfect smiles.

"See you later," he said, winking before stepping back to rejoin Pyro.