Page 235 of Axis of Fire

“But the second real danger appeared, you dismissed all the progress you’ve made.”

It almost looked painful for him to maintain eye contact with her.

“And in critical situations, you stop thinking.”

He was being harsh.

But he wasn’t wrong.

“What happens during the Trials if something catches you off guard badly enough that you lose control and unleash your full power?”

Stasia remained silent.

Though not silent enough to stop herself from scoffing.

“The next mistake belongs to both of you,” Tarven continued, shifting his gaze between us.

“But yours is worse, Stasia, because you already knew about Miloran’s magic from my stories.”

Neither of us answered.

“You focused on the effects instead of the source.”

Miloran nodded approvingly.

“And neither of you used your surroundings properly,” Tarven continued.

“You could’ve avoided far more of those attacks.”

“And your synchronization is terrible.”

“If you’re going to survive team combat, you need to be able to adapt to anyone.”

I let out a quiet breath.

Slightly surprised by this side of Tarven.

Yesterday, he had seemed emotionally unstable.

Now I finally understood why he belonged among the Strongest Twelve.

“Regardless,” I finally said, “I’m proud that we didn’t leave the battlefield willingly.”

“And I’m proud that we eventually figured out how to synchronize our powers,” Stasia added.

“Well done.”

Tarven nodded.

“Now no one’s entering that training hall for the next month.”

“Unless Airis somehow figures out how to clear the air faster.”

“And if you thought training was over for today...”

He glanced at both of us.

“This was only the beginning.”