The weekend sun rose slow and steady, casting a softer glow across the academy grounds. Unlike weekdays, the atmosphere in the dorm blocks was relaxed. No rush of footsteps, no frantic movements of students trying to avoid being late for class. Instead, most either lingered in their rooms or moved leisurely toward the cafeteria.

Arios left his dorm room without any rush. He had made up his mind to visit Lucy in her dorm that morning. It had been some time since he actually went there to see how she was doing. Normally, she came over with Liza to spend evenings in his room, but Arios wanted to check in on her space for once.

The hallways were quieter, with only the occasional group of students passing by. Arios walked steadily until he reached the girls' dorm wing. As expected, the area was less crowded compared to the weekdays. He arrived at Lucy's room and knocked gently, waiting for a response.

No answer.

He tried again. Still no response.

For a moment, Arios thought she might simply be sleeping in. But then he remembered the spare key she had pressed into his palm days ago, telling him he could use it if there was ever a need. He pulled it out from his pocket, studied it for a moment, then slid it into the lock and turned it.

The room clicked open.

Inside, Lucy's dorm was tidy. Her bed was made neatly, her desk had stacks of notes lined in order, and her small wardrobe was closed with no clothes left hanging out. Arios stepped in quietly, his eyes scanning the room. His gaze stopped on a familiar spot—the corner where she kept her practice wooden sword.

It wasn't there.

Arios narrowed his eyes slightly. That sword had been a gift from him, bought during one of their outings. Lucy had held onto it ever since, claiming she wanted to get better with her weapon handling. If it was missing, there was only one explanation.

"She's at training," Arios muttered under his breath.

He left the room, locked it back, and pocketed the key. His steps shifted direction toward the first-year training hall.

---

The training hall was already alive with noise when Arios arrived. Students sparred in pairs across the wide arena, wooden weapons clashing, spells being practiced at designated targets, and instructors moving around to give pointers.

Arios scanned the hall until he found them.

Lucy was there, holding her wooden sword, but she was clearly struggling. Opposite her stood Liza, who wielded her practice blade with the same ease as she held her playful smirks. Lucy's stance was correct but her swings were slow, and Liza took advantage each time, easily pushing her back.

"Too slow again!" Liza called out as she knocked Lucy's sword aside with a loud clack. "You're hesitating."

"I'm not!" Lucy shouted back, panting as she tried to steady her grip. "You're just too strong!"

Liza circled her, the grin on her face widening. "Excuses, excuses. At this rate, you'll never land a proper hit."

Lucy lunged again, putting her weight behind the swing. Liza sidestepped easily and tapped Lucy's shoulder with her sword. "And dead again."

Lucy groaned in frustration. "Why is it always like this!?"

Liza shrugged, flicking her sword lightly. "Because you overthink every single swing. It's like watching someone try to solve math problems in the middle of a fight."

Arios finally stepped closer. "She's not wrong."

Both girls turned at the sound of his voice. Lucy's face lit up, while Liza smirked knowingly.

"Arios!" Lucy called, lowering her sword slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"Came by your dorm," Arios replied calmly. "You weren't there, and the sword was gone. I figured you were training."

Lucy pouted lightly. "You used the spare key already? I wasn't expecting that."

"You left it with me," Arios said. "I'll use it when needed."

Liza leaned on her sword like it was a cane. "See? He knows you too well. You're predictable, Lucy."

"Shut up," Lucy muttered, cheeks puffing as she turned back to her stance. "I'm training seriously, you know."

"And losing seriously too," Liza added.

Lucy glared at her. "That's because you don't hold back!"

Liza tilted her head in mock innocence. "And why should I? If you want to get stronger, you have to face me properly."

Arios walked over, stopping near them. "She's right again. If she holds back, you won't improve. You'll just plateau."

Lucy sighed loudly, lowering her sword completely. "You two are impossible."

Liza chuckled, then jabbed her practice blade into the ground to rest it. "Come on, Arios. Don't you think she looks hopeless right now?"

"She's improving," Arios said flatly.

Lucy's eyes widened slightly. "See!? He said I'm improving!"

"But you're still hopeless compared to me," Liza replied quickly, smirking.

Lucy groaned again. "Why are you always like this!?"

"Because it's fun," Liza shot back.

Their banter drew the attention of a few nearby students, who smirked or chuckled at the scene. Arios, however, didn't seem fazed. He looked at both of them for a moment, then finally said, "Move aside."

Both blinked at him.

"What?" Lucy asked.

"I'll train with you," Arios said. "Both of you."

Liza's smirk grew wider. "Now this will be interesting."

Lucy, however, looked half nervous and half excited. "You mean… spar with both of us?"

"Yes." Arios stepped forward, picking up a spare practice sword from the rack. He twirled it lightly, testing the weight. "One after the other, or both at once. Doesn't matter."

Liza leaned forward, eyes glinting. "You're going to regret saying that."

Lucy pointed her wooden sword at him, determination flashing on her face. "Then I'll show you I'm not hopeless!"

Arios raised his sword calmly. "Come."

---

The first clash came fast. Lucy charged at him first, clearly eager to prove herself. Her swing was straightforward, aimed at his side. Arios blocked it with minimal effort, the wood smacking loudly against his own blade.

"Too much force," Arios said calmly. "Your balance is off."

Lucy gritted her teeth and tried again, this time slashing downward. Arios sidestepped and tapped her shoulder with the blunt edge.

"And dead," he said simply.

Lucy stumbled back, frustrated. "Already!?"

"Again," Arios ordered.

She lunged again, only for Arios to deflect and disarm her in one motion. The wooden sword clattered to the ground.

Lucy groaned, stomping her foot. "You're worse than Liza!"

Liza laughed openly at that. "Told you, hopeless."

"Shut up, Liza!" Lucy snapped.

Arios didn't comment. He simply motioned for Liza to step in next.

She grinned eagerly. "Finally."

Their clash was sharper. Liza's swings carried weight and precision, and her movements were more refined than Lucy's. She pushed forward aggressively, testing Arios with quick strikes. Arios blocked each one, his expression never changing.

"Better," he said after deflecting her third strike. "But reckless."

Liza narrowed her eyes and attacked again, faster this time. Arios twisted his wrist, parried her strike, and with one push forced her back two steps.

Liza caught herself, panting lightly, then grinned. "You're really something, Arios."

"You're too focused on attacking," Arios said. "Not enough on defending. It leaves openings."

Lucy, watching from the side, puffed her cheeks again. "He makes it sound so easy…"

"It is easy," Arios replied.

Liza smirked. "For you, maybe."

They clashed again, the sound of wood striking echoing through the hall. This time Arios shifted suddenly, disarming Liza with the same ease he had done to Lucy. Her wooden sword spun out of her hand and landed a few feet away.

"And dead," Arios said again.

Liza stared at her empty hands for a moment, then chuckled. "Fine. You win."

Lucy pointed at Arios dramatically. "You're a monster."

Arios lowered his sword calmly. "You asked me to join in."

Lucy pouted, crossing her arms. "I didn't expect you to be that good."

"You should have," Arios said.

Liza stretched her arms, sighing. "Well, at least it was fun. Getting crushed by you feels less annoying than crushing Lucy all the time."

"Hey!" Lucy shouted.

Liza grinned. "What? It's true."

Lucy groaned, but the corners of her lips twitched as if she couldn't stay mad for long. Arios placed the practice sword back on the rack and looked at them both.

"You need more training," he said bluntly.

Lucy slumped her shoulders. "I know…"

Liza shrugged. "Guess we'll just have to keep at it. Though don't expect me to go easy on her."

"You never do," Arios said.

The three of them shared the space for a while longer, the sound of training continuing around them. For once, there was no heavy tension about rumors, councils, or politics. Just sparring, bickering, and the steady rhythm of practice.

And for that short time, it felt almost normal.

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