"Alright, break!"
The instructor's voice boomed across the cracked floor of the state-of-the-art training arena for the top 5.
Dozens of spiritual creatures groaned, hissed, and rumbled their discontent as they reluctantly backed off from their combat zones. Students staggered to water jugs, sweat-soaked and panting.
Kain and Serena walked off the training field last, shoulder to shoulder, still flushed and glistening with sweat.
Kain slumped against the nearest wall, legs stretched out and eyes half-lidded. Aegis dropped beside him with a muted metallic thud, practically steaming.
Serena, ever the picture of composed nobility, took a seat more gracefully. A slight flush on her cheeks was the only indicator she'd even moved that morning.
Her Elemental Guardian curled behind her in its water form, was curled behind her like a living throne, its coiled body emitting a constant cooling mist that made sitting beside her feel like being in an oasis with air conditioning.