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In the haze, the figure slowly stands to a massive height, equal to Gryphon, then steps forward.

“Hi,” Prince Ladon says. His shoulder length blue hair is pulled back on the top into a messy knot, exposing his pointed ears. The River Prince stomps forward, as if marching through strong currents. His eyes track the crowd where Ramona is still pressing a blade to Sabra’s neck, then a slow smirk pulls up the corner of his full lips. “It seems my old champion is still wickedly delightful to be around.”

Ramona whips around at the voice, the last person to notice our latest newcomer. Her mouth hangs open, and she flicks her daggers back into their hidden sheaths.

Sabra steps back, adding distance between her and my best friend.

I make eye contact with her, letting her see the knowledge of her retreat in my expression. That’s it. Be afraid.

She may have rendered me speechless this time, but I’ll be ready next time. It’s rare that my words escape me. I’ll not make that mistake again.

Gryphon skips to catch up with the River Prince and slaps a hand on his shoulder. “I, for one, am excited to have a new classmate that can match my power.”

Prince Ladon looks up to the ceiling.

Gryphon punches him in the stomach. “Just because you are a Prince doesn’t mean that I’ll treat you like one.”

Slowly, the Prince looks down to his stomach then over to Gryphon. Then, without another second, a steam of water slams down atop Gryphon with such force, his pants fall down, ass out and beet red from the slapping water.

As quickly as the torrent was released, it stops.

“Damn, alright. Don’t play with the River Prince, got it,” Gryphon mumbles then shakes his hair out, ass cheeks wiggling.

“Fucking Hel, Gryph,” Selene says before casting a wall of myst so thick that it covers Gryphon just before he would have turned to expose his dick to the class. “Pull your pants up before the Commander gets here!”

“I’m afraid that will not be possible.” Commander Hogsmith’s voice rings through the space, and the entire class spins to find him sitting atop a raised platform, orb light now floating above the space to reveal the training room.

In the middle of the room, a circular platform made of stone is floating ten or so feet into the air over a pit of sand.

“Today, we will be fighting, one on one, using our Source stones.”

The class groans.

Gryphon pulls up his pants.

Ramona steps away from the River Prince.

Ladon steps closer to her.

The Commander flicks his wrist, and the platform slowly descends into the sand. “I’ll be picking pairs at random. No weapons. Only magic… and your hands.”

I clasp my fingers together, stretching them until my knuckles pop.

Commander Hogsmith yells his first match. “Gryphon!”

My friend steps forward, grin pulling on his face, eager for a fight.

“Against our newest student from the River, Prince Ladon!”

The River Prince leans forward, lips close to Ramona’s ear. “Wish me luck, my little riptide.”

Ramona shoves him toward the circular stone.

Both men climb up onto the platform easily.

I expect the Commander to jump off, but he stays on the platform and swishes his wrist until the platform rises once more.

The class cranes their necks to watch.