Chapter Eight— survival.
Every night, the notes kept coming.
Nyrah would hear that soft knock at her door. And when she opened it, no one was there. Just more books. More papers filled with detailed explanations and strategies.
She devoured them all. Stayed up late reading by candlelight until her eyes could barely focus. Then she'd practice what she learned. Footwork in her small room. Sword techniques with a practice blade she'd borrowed from the training hall.
Black would watch her from the bed, his head tilting every time she made a mistake.
"I know, I know," she'd mutter, correcting her stance.
Slowly, things started to click. Her movements became smoother. Her reactions faster. She could anticipate attacks better during sparring matches.
She stopped losing every single fight.
The first time she actually won a match, the other student looked genuinely shocked. So did everyone watching.
Nyrah's rank moved up. Not much. Just from ninety-eighth place to ninety-sixth. Then a week later, to ninety-third.
It wasn't impressive. Kieran, Killian, and Ryuu were still firmly at the top, along with students like Voss, Nymeria, and Saela. The powerful ones. The ones with magic and bloodlines and natural skill.
But Nyrah was improving. And that was something.
She still spent plenty of time on stable duty and other punishments. Still got mocked in the hallways. Still ate alone at meals.
But she was surviving.
Late one evening, Nyrah was walking back from extra sword practice in one of the training yards. Her arms ached and sweat dripped down her back despite the cool night air.
That's when she saw him. Ryuu.
He was walking alone through one of the quieter corridors. Most students avoided this area at night because it led to the library, and no one wanted to be caught studying after hours.
Nyrah quickened her pace. "Ryuu."
He stopped and turned, his expression neutral. "What?"
She caught up to him, a little breathless. "Are you the one leaving the notes?"
His eyebrows raised slightly. "What notes?"
"The books. Every night. Someone's been leaving training notes outside my door." She studied his face. "Is it you?"
Ryuu was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, "Why would you think it was me?"
"Because you're the only one who's been kind to me since I got here."
He stared at her. Then something shifted in his expression. It wasn't quite amusement, but close.
"You shouldn't mistake what I did for kindness," he said.
Nyrah frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I told Kieran to drop your cat because watching him torture you was annoying. Not because I cared." Ryuu crossed his arms. "Don't confuse convenience with compassion."
"Oh." Nyrah felt stupid for assuming.
But Ryuu wasn't done talking. He looked her up and down, taking in her training clothes, the practice sword at her hip, the determination in her eyes.
"You need to develop a stronger backbone," he said. "It won't be easy walking around here without drawing attention. You already stand out. Human. No power. No allies. You're a target."
"I know that."
"Then you should also know that you need protection. Real protection. Not anonymous notes and borrowed books." His voice was matter-of-fact. Cold, even. "Someone who can actually keep you alive when things get worse."
"Things are going to get worse?"
Ryuu almost smiled. Almost. "The real trials haven't even started yet. This is just preparation. When the Gauntlet actually begins, students will die. And you'll be one of the first they go after."
Nyrah's stomach tightened. "Why?"
"Because you're weak. Because taking you out is easy points. Because some people will want to make an example of you." He shrugged. "Take your pick."
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"Find someone powerful enough to make others think twice about attacking you. Form an alliance. Attach yourself to someone who benefits from keeping you alive."
Nyrah bristled. "You mean use someone."
"I mean survive." Ryuu's eyes were hard. "This isn't about honor or doing things the right way. It's about making it to the end. However you can."
"And if I can't find anyone willing to ally with me?"
"Then you die." He said it so casually. Like it was already decided. "You're on your own here."
The words hit Nyrah harder than she expected. She'd known she was alone. But hearing it said out loud like that made it real in a way it hadn't been before.
"Tell me how to survive," she said quietly.