Page 64 of Shattered & Returned

“Chop-chop,” he ordered.“You know the drill.”

Sindy and I slipped to the back of the line, my shoulders tight with unease.

“He seems like a terrible instructor,” I muttered, lips pressed thin. “No structure, no real teaching. Just tossing us into the deep end.”

Sindy nudged me with her elbow. “Actually, he’s popular.”

I sneered before she finished, “One of the best weapon masters here.”

I shot her a skeptical look before catching her sleeve. “Partner with me?” My voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ve never even held a weapon.”

“Of course,” she said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll go slow.”

Warm relief washed through me. In this chaotic place, I’d somehow been given more than a roommate. I’d been given a friend.

“I owe you one,” I said.

She just smiled. “Don’t be silly. That’s what friends are for.”

The line moved quickly.

One by one, the students stepped forward, each chosen by a sword. The ritual seemed both ceremonial and efficient. Sindy was handed a longsword with a simple red hilt.

When my turn came, the black jeweled dagger, the one that had rejected everyone else, landed before me with a sharpding. Its edges gleamed, ebony sigils swirling along the blade.

It felt familiar in my grip, like reuniting with an old friend. The weight was perfect, the hilt molding to my palm as if made for me.

Soon, we all stood in rows before the mats. Sindy and I took our places in the left corner at the back. Three pairs of students stood ahead of us, already eyeing each other.

“The rule is simple,” Dante announced. “First blood drawn decides the winner.”

I raised my hand and spoke without waiting. “What if someone yields before first blood is drawn?”

“That’s a coward’s way out!” someone nearby hissed. “Forsaken Academy doesn’t take sniveling runts!”

“I just don’t want unnecessary bloodshed,” I shot back. “Not even a drop.”

“What, do you faint at the sight of blood?” a voice mocked from another line.

“No,” I said firmly. “But this is a dangerous sport. There should be safety measures.”

Someone had to say it, even if it was me.

Laughter and jeers rose from the crowd. My face burned with anger and humiliation.

“What if someone gets stabbed to death?” I demanded, my temper flaring.

“They don’t deserve to live if they let their opponent get that close,” a light-haired boy snickered. “This isn’t a place for weaklings!”

Arguing that I hadn’t enrolled willingly would’ve been pointless.

“We’re the gods’ descendants, warriors destined to fight future wars!”

I’d heard this same grand nonsense in the dining hall.

“Take it easy, Bloom.” Dante winked at me. He had the fucking nerve to wink and tell me not to worry after handing out sharp blades and ordering us to draw blood!

“This isn’t right, Instructor Dante!” I insisted as Sindy tugged my sleeve in warning. “People could get seriously hurt or worse! Have you even considered that?”

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