Chapter 261: Unwelcome Distractions

Micah’s attacks became more confident, blending both axes into a seamless sequence of offense and defense. Each swing was deliberate, each step purposeful, each pivot precise. Orion noted the subtle way Micah shifted his weight when anticipating Cat’s counters, the fluidity of his wrists, and the timing of his strikes.

Cat adapted as well, just like he had predicted, growing more aware of the rhythm Micah was establishing. She moved with elegance, not just brute force, forcing Orion to smile faintly. The two of them were learning from each other now, responding instinctively, a dynamic that couldn’t be taught—it had to be felt.

When Orion finally stepped forward, raising a hand, they both froze mid-motion.

"Stop," he said. "Notice the difference? Micah, look at yourself. This is what I meant when I said dancing with your weapon. You are beginning to create your own rules, adapting to your opponent, and making your weaknesses into something powerful."

Micah exhaled slowly, lowering his axes. "Yes."

"Good," Orion said, voice approving. "You still need more practice, but this is the start. Confidence, rhythm, awareness—combine them, and you’ll be unpredictable in battle. Cat, the same goes for you. Don’t just rely on strength; use instinct, momentum, and everything you can."

Cat nodded, a newfound determination shining in her eyes. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Orion allowed them one more round, this time focusing on the nuances of their footwork and timing. He watched as Micah shifted his weight in anticipation of Cat’s swings, planting his feet and pivoting fluidly to redirect the force of her attacks. Each time he blocked, it wasn’t just defense—it was a calculated redirection that created openings for his own counterattacks.

Cat adapted immediately, alternating between offensive and defensive stances, using her axe to measure Micah’s reach and power, predicting his swings with more accuracy than before. Orion noted that their movements were almost choreographed now, though unspoken and reactive, a dance formed from instinct and observation.

Satisfied with their progress, Orion finally stepped back, giving them a nod of approval.

Orion allowed himself a moment to glance across the training grounds. Some others were still struggling, still learning, but there were noticeable improvements across all groups.

Orion then made his way to the shortswords group. The longsword trainees required little oversight now.

Longsword was the more common weapon, after all, and most of them were familiar with their weapons, how to use them, what worked, and what didn’t work. He left that group to Garron.

When Orion got to the shortswords group, he was reminded more of Sophia’s absence because this group was normally four. Laia trained with a dummy, but she was getting better.

To be honest, their small group was the best at the training grounds right now. There was very little for him to do.

And he liked that they didn’t pause or become distracted because Sophia wasn’t with them. Instead, they were more determined to work better and harder. There were very few corrections to make.

Joren’s footwork still needed a little work, but he was good. The twins were better too.

Orion had no idea what he should even teach them. They just needed to master what they had, and it wouldn’t be long before they did.

Seeing how they had improved, he wondered if it was time to mix up the groups so that they all sparred against each other, with different weapons.

But then the footsteps sounded behind him, and his body tightened.

He knew who it was before she spoke.

Holly.

She approached with a practiced calm, blonde hair tied neatly, expression determined.

"Orion," she said.

He didn’t turn. "You’re supposed to be with the longswords group. What is it?"

"I want to change weapons."

Joren froze mid-swing.

Laia stopped breathing.

Nia muttered, "Oh goddess."

Orion turned slowly.

"What?"

"I want to train with shortswords instead," Holly repeated.

A long, heavy silence followed.

Orion blinked. "Say that again."

"I want to join the shortswords group."

Orion exhaled slowly.

"You’re better with the longsword," he said. "Your technique suits the reach. You have a height advantage. Your center of gravity—"

"You said," Holly reminded him calmly, "that if we don’t feel comfortable with our weapon, we’re free to change."

Orion stared at her.

He definitely said that.

And right now, he definitely regretted saying it.

And Holly definitely thought she was being subtle.

She wasn’t.

Still, he wasn’t going to fight her on rules he established. His big mouth caused it after all; he just never thought that Holly would be the first person to use it.

He gave her a tight nod. "Fine."

Holly smiled like she’d won something.

"Take your place."

She stepped into the semicircle beside Joren, who alternated between staring at her and Orion, a frown plastered on his face.

Orion made sure to avoid Holly. She trained with Nia, but shortswords were not her weapon after all. The longsword suited her better.

Orion told Nia to show Holly the steps, making sure to avoid Holly, but Holly wasn’t having that.

She knew Orion was avoiding her, putting her with Nia instead. She scowled at Nia whenever Nia tried to show her something, and just as Orion was about to leave to check on a different group, Holly called out to him.

"Orion, are my anchor steps supposed to be this light?" Holly asked, lifting her foot unnecessarily high.

"No," Orion said flatly. "Lower."

"Like this?" She exaggerated the movement.

"No."

"Is this stance correct?"

"No."

She moved closer. "What about this grip?"

"No, Holly."

Nia, Laia, and Joren watched with frowns on their faces but pretended like they were not seeing what was going on.

Holly didn’t stop at all. She was undeterred, and besides, Sophia wasn’t here to grab Orion’s attention after all.

"Orion, can you correct my foot angle?"

"Orion, is this too flighty?"

"Orion, do you prefer the swords held wider apart?"

Orion inhaled sharply—through his nose, through teeth that were beginning to grind.

He tried to correct Joren when he made a mistake, but Holly stepped between them, asking if her wrist alignment was correct.

Orion did not have the patience to continue with her schemes and turned to her in anger. "Hol—"

He couldn’t finish the words because he heard someone call out to him urgently. He turned and saw Rita running across the training grounds, calling out to him.

"Alpha Orion!"

Immediately, Rita reached him, gasping. "Lysander sent me to get you. He said it’s important."

Orion didn’t need to be told twice why Lysander would ask for him. He knew it had something to do with Sophia. His anger toward Holly was forgotten because she wasn’t even important at that point.

He announced to the trainees that Garron would continue their training for the rest of the day and then left the training grounds with Rita.