"Where are you headed?" Dante's voice came through the fading murmurs of the classroom, catching Aldrich mid-step as he rose from his seat.
"To the training grounds," Aldrich replied simply, his tone clipped, eyes fixed on the door ahead.
With the exams practical looming, Aldrich knew he couldn't afford to coast on past glories. His place in S-Class was not yet secured, it was earned daily, sharpened with every effort made toward survival and progress.
"There are a few things I need to tighten up," he added, adjusting the strap on his satchel. "I can't afford to fall behind. Not now."
Dante leaned back slightly, considering him with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Mind if I tag along?"
Aldrich glanced sideways, his brows furrowed in suspicion. Dante Pendragon was not the type to voluntarily seek out training. His talents came effortlessly, an innate understanding of combat mechanics meant he rarely, if ever, needed repetition to learn.
