The sun had already dipped lower in the sky when Alex, Riven, Kael, Saphira, and Edrin left the courtyard behind. Their path wound through quieter halls of the academy, stone arches stretching overhead like ribs of some ancient beast. Whispers followed them now and then—passing students glancing back, smirking, or shaking their heads.
"Freshmen, huh?" one voice muttered. "They won't last five minutes in there."
Riven didn't even turn his head. His smirk only deepened. "Cupcake," he drawled, "you hear that? Sheep bleating before the wolves even show their teeth."
Alex tilted his head, eyes glinting with cool amusement as his lips quirked in a sly, elegant smirk. "Mm. Let them bleat. I've never cared much for background noise."
Edrin walked a little closer to Kael, shoulders stiff, but he said nothing. Kael gave him a short nod, steady as stone, a silent reassurance: keep walking.
---
When the gates of the upperclassmen training grounds came into view, the group slowed. The place was different from the neat practice courts they were used to—this was raw, scarred, alive.
The ground bore gouges where blades had bitten deep. Stone scorched black from fire spells, air faintly humming with lingering mana. Cultivation platforms glowed faintly along the walls, etched with runes that pulsed like heartbeats.
Upperclassmen were already scattered across the space. Some sparred fiercely, mana blades sparking as they clashed. Others sat cross-legged on the glowing platforms, their breaths steady, mana weaving around them like invisible threads. The atmosphere pressed heavy against the freshmen, not hostile, but demanding.
"Now this," Riven said, eyes glittering, "feels like home."
Alex tilted his head, lips curving. "Crude… but honest. I like it."
Saphira's eyes were wide, a mix of awe and nervousness. "They're so… intense. It's not like the drills."
"Exactly," Kael said, voice low but firm. "This is where people come to get strong. No shortcuts. No holding back."
---
They chose a circle of cracked stone near the edge and began their warm-up. Riven was first, drawing his mana blade in a flash of violet light, twirling it with deliberate flair.
"Rusty, my ass," Alex murmured, summoning his own. His blade shimmered with a precise, almost delicate brilliance, movements sharp and controlled as he struck against Riven's with a clean clang.
Kael joined them, less showy, his strikes direct and forceful. Sweat slicked his brow quickly, but he never wavered.
Edrin hesitated before forming his blade. It flickered at first, dimmer than the others, and when he moved, his stance was uncertain. Still, he swung. Again. Again. His blade sputtered once, nearly failing, but he clenched his teeth and kept going.
"Good," Kael grunted between strikes. "Don't stop. Push through it."
Saphira, meanwhile, sat cross-legged near the edge, experimenting with channeling mana into her palms, weaving threads of light that danced briefly before unraveling. Her eyes shone with fascination.
---
After a while, the clash of their training slowed. They stood together, sweaty, breathing hard, but charged with energy. A few upperclassmen glanced their way—curious, maybe faintly amused, but no one interfered.
Riven sheathed his blade, lips curled into a grin. "Not bad for a warm-up."
Alex's voice was smooth, cool, but the spark in his eyes betrayed his excitement. "If this is what the timid avoid, then I'm glad we're not among them."
Saphira wiped her brow, smiling faintly. "It's harder than it looks. But… it feels right."
Edrin's blade flickered out, but his voice was steadier than before. "I'll get stronger. I have to."
Kael gave him a solid clap on the shoulder. "And you will. As long as you keep showing up."
The group exchanged glances, something unspoken weaving between them—anticipation, unity, hunger for more. Together, they left the grounds, their footsteps echoing against stone.
This was only the beginning.
Author's Note
The gang has taken their first steps beyond the gate! 🌌 Nothing too wild yet, but you can already feel the shift in their journey. Do you think this decision will set them apart—or draw trouble their way? 👀 Drop your thoughts in the comments, vote if you enjoyed, and stay tuned for what comes next! 💜