"The Solarian Edge: Blade of the Astral Realm"

The days blend into each other. Mornings start before the sun rises, filled with drills, sparring, and Eira's unrelenting commands. Kaius doesn't think, doesn't question—he just moves. His body still aches from yesterday's beatings, but he gets up anyway. Because if he doesn't, she'll make him regret it.

He fights. He loses. He gets back up.

And somehow, the people around him start to notice.

Not in a grand, dramatic way—no one is throwing praise his way or calling him a prodigy. But the laughter at his failures becomes less mocking. The ones who ignored him now acknowledge him with a nod. When he blocks a strike properly, there's no fanfare, but his opponent doesn't hold back the next time, like they actually see him as something more than dead weight. It's… different. It's new.

Eira watches from the sidelines, arms crossed, sharp gaze tracking every movement he makes. She doesn't say much, doesn't give praise or encouragement. But she hasn't dismissed him yet, and that has to mean something.

Then there's Veylan. The loud one. The annoying one. The one who has somehow wormed his way into every part of Kaius's life despite his best efforts to avoid him.

"You're less terrible than before," Veylan says, plopping down beside him after training, sweat-soaked and grinning. "Almost looked like you meant to block that last hit."

Kaius doesn't respond. He's too tired.

Then there's Theo—quieter, more serious. He's the only one who actually respects personal space, which earns him immediate points in Kaius's mind. But right now, Theo is fuming.

"Give it back," Theo grits out, glaring at Veylan.

Veylan holds up a half-eaten bun, looking entirely unbothered. "Finders keepers, losers weepers."

"It was mine."

"It was unattended. That's free real estate."

Kaius sighs. This is a level of stupidity he hasn't had to deal with before.

Theo turns to him. "Kaius. Tell him."

Kaius stares at them both for a long moment. Then, without a word, he reaches over, takes the remaining half of the bun from Veylan's hand, and eats it.

"Kaius doesn't respond—just keeps chewing. The stale bread, flecked with dust, tasted like a victory. It was the best thing he'd eaten all day."

Silence.

Veylan bursts out laughing. Theo looks betrayed.

"You're a menace," Veylan wheezes. "I knew I liked you."

Kaius doesn't respond—just keeps chewing. It's the best thing he's eaten all day.

Eira, watching from a distance, shakes her head with something that almost looks like amusement. He's still rough around the edges, still figuring out his place. But he's getting there.

And tomorrow, when the sun rises, he'll get up and fight again.