CHAPTER 111 — PROVING GROUND
The training chamber was quieter now.
The echo of Zehell's last strike had long faded, but the image of the split dummy remained—two halves lying cleanly apart as if separated by a careful decision rather than force.
Long Hao lowered the practice spear slowly.
Zehell stood opposite him, her own weapon resting lightly in her grip again. The faint silver lines had dimmed, returning to a soft, dormant glow.
Colby leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
Marek was perched on a crate, spinning an arrow idly between his fingers.
Darius stood near the doorway, watching with unreadable calm.
Zehell studied Long Hao for several seconds.
"You observe before moving," she said.
Long Hao didn't deny it.
"It's efficient."
"It's cautious," Marek corrected.
Zehell ignored him.
"You noticed my stance," she continued. "My breathing pattern. The way the spear channels force."
Long Hao nodded once. "You don't waste motion."
