Side Story 4.108 - Joha vs. Sari

Johanis' POV

He vanished.

One second, Sari was across the ring, shoulders relaxed like this was a lazy spar in the training fields. The next? Gone. Just a shimmer of dust in the space where he'd stood.

I didn't hesitate. I dove left.

Something—movement, wind, instinct—tugged at me just in time for Sari to appear behind where I’d been. He was fast. Not just "fast-for-a-wolf" fast. Fast like he'd been saving it. Holding back this entire time during training, like he’d been waiting for something like this.

Like this.

“Reflexes still sharp, young master.” he said mildly, circling me.

I kept my knees bent, body low. “You tried to ambush me. During a formal duel.”

“We’re not dead-serious until c