Chapter 10.5 — The Prodigy’s Gaze

The broadcast flickered across my tablet screen, the sound low enough that only the insects in their glass terrariums could hear it with me.

Lilith Ironwood’s first match against Mary Goldington.

I wasn’t planning on watching it.

But when I saw her name scroll across the day’s match list, my thumb paused.

My finger tapped the screen once. Unconsciously.

She moved differently than when we sparred.

Not bad—just… honest.

No wasted motion. No cheap bluffs. No theatrics to hide behind.

Boxing footwork in a league full of kickers and strikers.

Interesting.

A clean jab. A tight cross. A slip that shouldn’t have worked, but did.

I leaned forward without meaning to.

“She’s unrefined,” I murmured. “But her rhythm… it isn’t something you teach.”

A beetle crawled up the glass beside me, tapping lightly.

It seemed to agree.

Footsteps behind me.

Iris’s reflection appeared in the darkened screen.

“You’re watching that?” she asked, one brow raised. “Since when do you care about the Seed Rookies?”

“I don’t.”

I kept my eyes on the screen.

“But she did something curious.”

“What, she beat her opponent?” Iris teased lightly.

“No.”

My eyes narrowed as Lily began mixing in kicks after only a short time.

“She’s adapting in real time. Faster than most.”

Iris folded her arms. “That’s it? You’re interested because she’s adaptable?”

“Adaptable and honest.”

I stopped the feed on Lily’s final exchange—her stance firm, her eyes steady.

“Most fighters flinch when the pattern breaks. She adjusted.”

Iris looked at me with that knowing look. “So you think she’ll be strong?”

“Not now.”

I closed the tablet and stood.

“But someday.”

Iris blinked. “You don’t usually care about that kind of thing. Is that all it really is?”

I shrugged, heading for the door.

“I only care about bugs, fighting, and… maybe this boxer. That’s all.”

Let’s see how far you get, Ironwood.

I’ll be watching.