Not bad

The training grounds were buzzing with activity, the energy of the knights fueling my growing irritation. The clang of swords meeting shields echoed like a chaotic symphony, accompanied by the rhythmic thud of boots on the packed dirt.

Squads of knights sparred in circles, their shouts of encouragement or frustration cutting through the crisp morning air.

The faint smell of sweat mingled with the earthy scent of the grounds, while banners fluttered lazily in the breeze, their vivid colors catching the golden rays of sunlight.

I stood with my arms crossed, tapping my foot against the hard-packed ground. Dust puffed up faintly with every impatient movement.

The early morning sun cast long shadows that stretched across the grounds, glinting off the meticulously polished armor of the knights.

Everything was prepared for the rank test. A line of advanced crystal balls sat on a raised stone platform at the center of the grounds, each glowing faintly with a pale blue hue.

They pulsed in perfect unison, a rhythmic heartbeat of magic that drew awed glances from the younger knights.

These orbs were marvels of magical engineering, their translucent surfaces etched with runes that shimmered faintly, even in the daylight.

They represented not just the test ahead, but also the pinnacle of magical technology symbols of progress and power that few truly understood.

And yet, Ren Khasar was nowhere to be found.

"Where is she?" I muttered, glaring at nothing in particular. My voice was low, but my frustration rang clear. "Can't she at least show up on time?"

"Impatient, aren't we?" drawled a voice from behind me.

I turned sharply to see Captain Delara, her smirk as irritating as ever. She leaned casually against a fencepost, her presence both commanding and annoyingly nonchalant.

Delara was one of the older captains, her silver hair tied back into a sleek braid that hinted at her disciplined nature.

Her teal eyes sparkled with amusement, taking far too much pleasure in my irritation. The faint scars tracing her arms and neck spoke of countless battles, and the way she carried herself poised, confident, with an air of quiet menace made it clear she could still hold her own in any fight.

"I'm not impatient," I snapped, narrowing my eyes at her. "I just don't like wasting my time."

Delara raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Well, you'll find that waiting is a common theme with rank tests. But don't worry, I'm sure Ren will make an entrance worth waiting for."

A booming laugh broke through our conversation, and I turned to see Captain Ardan approaching.

He was a towering figure, his broad shoulders and thick arms giving him an almost giant-like appearance. His sun-weathered face was split into a grin, and his laugh carried with it a good-natured confidence that grated on my nerves.

"Oh, she always does," Ardan said, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads. "The last time Ren took the rank test, she wiped the floor with all of us. S-rank without even breaking a sweat."

"S-rank," I repeated flatly, though my heart skipped a beat.

"Yep," Ardan confirmed, his grin widening. "And if the rumors are true, she's only gotten stronger since then. The girl's a prodigy, no doubt about it."

Delara nodded, her smirk taking on a sly edge. "She's also got a way of making these tests look fun. When Ren's around, things tend to get... interesting."

Interesting? I rolled my eyes, biting back a sharp comment. The last thing I wanted was to fuel their obvious enjoyment at my expense.

"Oh, and just wait until you see her fighting gear," Delara added, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's just say it's... memorable."

"She's something else, that one," Delara said with a low chuckle. "If I were twenty years younger..."

I shot her a glare, cutting her off before she could add anything more. "If you're both done singing her praises, maybe we can focus on the test?"

Before either of them could respond, a ripple of murmurs spread through the gathered knights. My gaze followed theirs, and I felt my breath hitch despite myself.

Ren had arrived.

She strode toward us with the same infuriating confidence she always carried, her every step purposeful and poised.

Her fighting gear was as striking as it was functional, a sleek black ensemble that hugged her muscular frame like a second skin. The material shimmered faintly in the sunlight, reinforced with enchanted threads that promised both mobility and protection.

Her jet-black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, swaying slightly with each step. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, the sunlight catching the flecks of gold in their depths, making them seem almost otherworldly.

Her arms, bared by the sleeveless design of her gear, showcased lean, corded muscles that flexed subtly with each movement, a testament to the sheer power she carried within her compact frame.

The air around her seemed to hum with latent energy, an invisible force that made the knights part instinctively, clearing a path for her. Ren's presence demanded attention, a silent declaration that she was in a league of her own.

"Speak of the devil," Delara murmured, grinning.

The female captains weren't subtle. One of them, Captain Kaira, leaned over to Delara and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "If I weren't married, I'd take my chances with her for a night."

"Same," another added with a laugh, earning a few chuckles from the nearby knights.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as a string of curses ran through my mind. Idiots. All of them.

Ren reached the platform, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd before landing briefly on me. She smirked, that same maddening smirk I'd grown to despise.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," she said, her voice casual and unaffected, as if she weren't the center of attention. "Shall we get started?"

The crowd shifted, a mix of anticipation and excitement buzzing through the air. Ren approached the first crystal ball, her movements fluid and precise, like a predator stalking its prey.

She placed her hand on the ball, and I watched as her red fire magic flared to life, wrapping around her in a fiery aura. The energy was so intense that the crowd fell silent, the only sound the crackling of her flames.

The ball began to glow, its light intensifying with every passing second. I braced myself, expecting it to display something impressive, but when the glowing letters SSS appeared, my breath caught in my throat.

"SSS?" someone whispered, disbelief evident in their tone.

"She's almost at rank X," another muttered.

I stared at the glowing letters, my mind racing. How could anyone be disappointed with that? And yet, Ren's expression didn't change. If anything, she looked... bored.

"Hmm," she murmured, stepping back from the ball. "Not bad, I guess."

Not bad? Not bad? My jaw tightened as I fought the urge to yell at her.

Delara nudged me with her elbow, grinning. "Looks like you've got quite the bodyguard, Princess."

I ignored her, my focus fixed on Ren as she turned toward me. Her smirk returned, and she crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.

"Oh, right," she said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. "My bodyguard duty."

The words hung in the air, and I swore I could feel my blood boil. This was going to be unbearable.