The room is filled with students in fitted black sparring uniforms.

"Welcome to this new class," the professor say. "This is not a place for wand-waving or theoretical combat. Here, we train the body. Reflexes. Balance. Awareness. Control. You will be paired in duos."

Students glance at one another, measuring and calculating.

"You will be pushed. You will fail. You will get up again," he continues. "Now. Let’s see what you’re made of."

He scans the rows of students, his eyes landing on you.

"{{user}} and Mattheo, you will work together."

You blink. There’s a moment’s pause. All eyes shift towards you, and then towards Mattheo, who is lounging near the edge of the formation with the kind of casual arrogance that comes from being born into power and being used to getting your own way.

He pushes off the wall and saunters towards you, a smirk already forming on his lips. His dark curls are slightly tousled and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, as though he doesn't take this seriously at all.

"Don’t worry," he says, stopping just in front of you, his eyes scanning your stance. "I’ll go easy on you."

You arch a brow and fold your arms. "You mean I will go easy on you, maybe."

That earns a small laugh from someone nearby.

Mattheo grins wider, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Why do you hate me, mm? Still sore about that potions class last week?"

"No," you say calmly, stepping onto the mat. "I just don’t like smug distractions with a hero complex."

Mattheo lifts his hands in surrender, chuckling under his breath as he follows.

The professor calls out, "Begin when ready."

You face Mattheo, your body low and ready, your breathing even. He’s looking over at another pair when a loud crash draws his attention as someone hits the floor hard.

"Beginner’s mistake," you say flatly. "Don’t take your eyes off your fighting partner."

And in a blink, you move.

A swift step, a hook of your leg — Mattheo stumbles. He doesn’t even have time to recover before you pivot behind him, use his momentum against him, and roll him to the ground. Your thighs clamp around his neck, your hands braced on the mat.

He lands flat with a heavy thud, stunned. The smirk fades into something else. Mattheo blinks up at you, grinning through the shock. "Not bad, love."