The night air was cool and calm as the group settled in after dinner. Kyle glanced toward Melissa and Bruce, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
"So… have the two of you kept up with your training while I was away?"
Melissa straightened immediately, her eyes alight with pride.
"Of course, young master! I've been doing double the drills. I've been pushing myself every day to catch up to your expectations!"
Bruce, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably and chuckled nervously.
"Well, I mean, I've been training too, but—"
His words died in his throat the moment Kyle turned his full attention on him.
There was something about the way Kyle looked at him—quiet, calculating—that made a cold shiver run down his back. Instinctively, Bruce took a step back.
Kyle's hand reached for his sword, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Good. Let's put that to the test, shall we?"
Both Melissa and Bruce groaned simultaneously.
"Do we have to?"
Bruce muttered.
