Chapter 124: spar with them

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: spar with them

Caleb was taken aback.

The three brothers went still as well, clearly not expecting Amelia to turn the demand back on him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You’re one of the leaders here. Your recruits behaved like that under your watch, so that reflects on you. If they’re going to be punished for what they did, then it’s only fair that you receive a punishment as well for failing to stop it."

Her logic was difficult to argue with.

Caleb’s expression remained carefully controlled, but the conflict in his eyes was obvious. If he refused, it would look as though he was defending the recruits’ behavior, which could damage his standing. But if he agreed, he would be lowering himself in front of the very people he commanded.

He was trapped either way.

After a long moment, Caleb exhaled through his nose.

"You’re right." His tone remained even, though the words clearly cost him something. "I will also receive punishment for failing to prevent this incident."

A quiet sense of satisfaction settled in Amelia’s chest.

She carefully slid off the treatment table and stood.

"Before I start my own punishment," she said, "can I at least take a bath?"

**

Some time later, Amelia stepped out freshly bathed and dressed in the academy uniform.

The fabric was stiff and practical, nothing like the clothes she had been accustomed to wearing at the Ellington estate.

Caleb led the way across the training grounds, pointing out different sections as they walked. The three brothers followed a short distance behind them, and their presence alone was enough to make most recruits look away.

Anyone who let their gaze linger on Amelia for too long was met with a cold, lethal stare from one of the brothers.

They eventually reached a large open area dedicated almost entirely to combat.

Recruits were sparring in pairs and small groups, their movements kicking up clouds of dust with every impact. Energy flashed across the field in different colors and forms—blades of wind, bursts of force, controlled flames, and stranger abilities Amelia couldn’t immediately identify.

She watched for a moment, openly impressed. "I’ve never seen so many people using gifted abilities in one place."

"It’s more common than most people realize," Caleb replied matter-of-factly. "Every recruit thinks they’re special until they meet someone better than them."

Reid’s voice drifted forward, casual and faintly arrogant. "That’s not us, though. Even now, our pictures are still framed and used to show everyone else exactly where their limits are."

Amelia glanced back at the three brothers.

She realized she still hadn’t seen any of them fully use their gifted abilities. She already knew what they were capable of—abilities that were impressive and, in some cases, deadly—but seeing them actually use those powers was something else entirely.

Caleb continued walking without looking back. "It’s only a matter of time before those framed pictures are replaced."

"And who exactly is going to replace them?" Reid asked. "You? You still have a long way to go."

Caleb didn’t rise to the bait.

"It’s not just me. While the three of you chose not to fight for the territory, there have been special individuals holding the line in the war. People who have defeated threats considered national-level dangers."

Dean rolled his eyes, the mockery clear in his tone. "I’d love to meet one of these people."

"You will," Caleb replied. "When they return from the private missions they’re currently on."

His gaze shifted toward Amelia.

"You’ve already displayed abilities that are considered both dangerous and highly effective on a battlefield. You’ll be sparring with some of the stronger recruits here."

Enzo’s expression hardened slightly.

"She hasn’t been trained, and you want her to start against the top fighters?"

"That’s how it is," Caleb said flatly. "She doesn’t get the same privileges as everyone else. I’m tired of repeating the reason."

Amelia spoke before the brothers could argue any further.

"It’s fine. I want to see how these people actually fight—and whether they even stand a chance against the enemies they’re supposed to face."

Caleb gave a short scoff.

"What do you even know about the kind of enemies we deal with?"

"I know the Underworld Territory is the main one," Amelia answered without hesitation. "The brothers and I have come across them more than once. So yes, I know."

Caleb’s steps slowed for a fraction of a second. A frown crossed his face, thoughtful and slightly unsettled. He didn’t respond. Instead, he continued leading them into the combat area.

The sparring stopped almost immediately. Recruits turned toward them, waiting.

Caleb raised his voice so everyone could hear him. "Most of you already know the Ellington brothers. Today, I’m introducing our newest recruit, Amelia. She’ll be sparring with the best fighters we have here."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"Does she think almost flattening a mall makes her better than the rest of us?"

"Her powers have gone straight to her head."

"Who does she think she is?"

A woman stepped forward from the group.

Her posture was straight, and there was an unmistakable confidence in the way she carried herself.

"I’ll spar with her."

Caleb nodded once. "Her name is Amy. She’s one of the best fighters we have."

Amelia studied the woman carefully.

Everything about her posture, combined with the way the other recruits reacted to her, made it clear that Amy wasn’t someone to underestimate.

If I defeat her... will that work in my favor, or will it only make staying here worse?

She pushed the thought aside and gave a short nod. "I agree."

Space cleared around them almost immediately.

Caleb stepped between the two women long enough to state the conditions. "Victory is decided if one of you surrenders or if one of you renders the other immobile. Agreed?"

Both women confirmed. The brothers were forced to remain at a distance with the rest of the onlookers.

Reid leaned slightly toward Enzo, his voice low.

"Is she going to be all right?"

"She knows what she’s doing," Enzo replied. "She’s recovered her memories. She understands every ability she carries now. I only hope she isn’t underestimating the other woman."

Caleb’s voice rang out across the combat area. "Begin!"

Amy moved first.

Her fist shot toward Amelia’s face. Amelia raised both arms and blocked the strike cleanly.

The impact sent a sharp gust of wind outward. Several recruits murmured in surprise that she had managed to stop the opening attack at all.

Others were less impressed.

"She better not think one blocked punch means she can actually go against Amy."

The two women separated for a brief moment, circling each other.

Then Amy reached down and drew a dagger.

She murmured something under her breath and without hesitation, she drove the blade into her own thigh.

Amelia’s eyes widened.

What the fuck—

Pain exploded through her own leg in exactly the same place.

She looked down in disbelief.

The fabric of her uniform was already darkening as a wound identical to Amy’s tore open across her thigh.