Chapter Four: First Battle at Starsea

"Calder is using the Ring Blade Step from ace curriculum." "The new guy is going to get wrapped." High in the stands, a black-haired girl did not join the noise. Mira Kane sat at the front of the tactical division section, fingers moving across her personal terminal. She was not watching for spectacle. She was watching data. Astra-X's mobility curve was strange. It did not chase Rafe's afterimages. It did not even try to lock onto heat. With every small turn, it was adjusting its own center of gravity. It was waiting. "He is not falling behind," Mira murmured. "He is calculating the loop." The cadet beside her frowned. "What?" In the center of the arena, Rafe cut in from behind Astra-X.