(Kael, Age 13 — Week One at the Academy)
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I. Morning Drills at Arclight
The courtyard thundered with footfalls as Arclight students ran drills under the rising sun. Wooden swords cracked against shields. Breath misted in the cool morning air. The entire courtyard pulsed with disciplined Body and Mind Source.
Kael rolled his shoulders, muscles honed under Eiran and a dragon Sovereign. Valdyros lounged on a rooftop above, tail flicking like a bored emperor surveying peasants.
Ryven jogged over, red hair in maximum chaos."You ready? They said today's the first evaluated spar."
Kael smirked. "I thought yesterday was the evaluation."
"That was paperwork."Ryven grinned. "Today is pain."
Korran approached with calm confidence."Instructor Soren said he will pair us with students of 'equal demonstrated aptitude.'"
Ryven elbowed Kael. "Translation: you're fighting either Serin or a wyvern."
Kael exhaled. "I'll take the dragon."
Korran blinked. "Was… was that humor?"
Valdyros whispered telepathically:
« It was also accurate. Serin is far more dramatic than most wyverns. »
Kael barely choked back a laugh.
Then Serin Vail approached—immaculate, composed, unreadable. His gaze flicked briefly to Kael. Not hostile. Competitive. Sharpened.
"I trust you slept well," Serin said. "Clarity will be essential today."
Kael raised a brow. "Are you wishing me luck?"
Serin shook his head. "Luck is for the unprepared. Excellence requires discipline, not chance."
Ryven whispered, "He's so noble it physically hurts."
Korran nodded solemnly.
Serin pretended he didn't hear.
⸻
II. Eclipsal Tower — Lyria & Nira's First Lesson
On the opposite side of the campus, Lyria Saren stood among the Eclipsal initiates, her dark braid shimmering faintly with budding Soul Source. Nira clutched her small staff nervously beside her.
Mistress Thaleen raised her hands."Soul Source is emotional. Reflective. It amplifies what lies within."
Lyria focused, hands steady.
"Begin," Thaleen instructed.
Nira exhaled slowly—life-green energy glowing around her fingers.
Lyria followed—
A shimmering blue aura flowed around her palms, gentle yet vibrant, rippling like moonlit water.
Thaleen's eyes widened."…Very promising. Both of you."
Lyria blushed, but pride flickered behind her eyes.
Across the courtyard, unseen by the girls, a cloaked observer whispered into a dark crystal:
"The Saren girl shows accelerated resonance. She may become leverage."
The crystal pulsed with a distant voice:
"Good. Continue observing. But remember—the boy remains the priority."
The spy withdrew into the shadows.
⸻
III. The Arclight Arena — The Trial Begins
Arclight's training arena was a circular marble amphitheater glowing under midday sun. Students filled the stands, buzzing with anticipation.
Instructor Soren—broad-shouldered, scarred, and radiating authority—stepped into the center.
"Today begins your first combat trial. Demonstrate your aptitude. Demonstrate your discipline."
Pairs were called.
Ryven Dask vs. Orren KintKorran Hale vs. Tavir ThornMore matches followed—fast, fierce, chaotic.
Ryven dodged like wildfire incarnate.Korran won with measured power and precision.
Then—
"Kael Varos."
Silence.
"Serin Vail."
The entire arena stiffened.
Ryven whispered, "Ooooh, it's happening."
Korran folded his arms. "This will be… illuminating."
Lyria and Nira rushed to the spectator railing.Valdyros slithered down the rooftop, positioning himself regally above the arena.
Serin stepped forward, blade in hand.Kael matched him.
Both bowed.
Soren raised his hand.
"BEGIN!"
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IV. Rivalry Ignited
Serin attacked instantly—fast, elegant, ruthless precision.Kael blocked, wrists vibrating with the impact.
Serin shifted stances flawlessly, footwork smooth as flowing water. His strikes balanced Mind Gate calculation and Body Gate speed.
He's stronger since the Exam, Kael thought.
Serin's voice stayed calm even mid-assault."You've improved."
Kael ducked barely in time."So have you."
"I was always good," Serin said matter-of-factly.
Kael grinned. "Fair."
Kael countered with fluid motions honed in a storm-forged canyon. He slipped a subtle pulse of wind beneath his step—
Serin's eyes widened——but he twisted out of range with impossible responsiveness.
"You telegraphed the shift," Serin said. "Barely. But enough."
Ryven shouted, "Stop flirting and fight!"
They clashed again.Wood cracked.Feet slid.Pressure hummed across the arena floor.
For a moment—they were perfectly matched.
Then Kael's instincts snapped together—Body, Mind, and the faintest whisper of Soul aligning. His next strike carried subtle weight and fluidity beyond raw strength.
Serin raised his guard—
CRACK!
Serin dropped to one knee, stunned—not hurt, but humbled.
He looked up at Kael through widened eyes.
He's… stronger than me.And he's holding back.
Kael immediately stepped back, lifting his blade."You okay?"
Serin stood slowly."…Yes. You controlled the hit."
Then softer:"I appreciate that."
Instructor Soren stepped forward.
"MATCH."
Cheers erupted.
Ryven whooped.Korran nodded in respect.Lyria exhaled shakily, hand pressed to her chest.Nira sighed in relief.
Serin sheathed his wooden blade and approached Kael again.
"That was…" He paused. "…exhilarating."
Kael smiled. "Let's keep pushing each other."
Serin blinked—caught off guard.
No one had ever seen him that way.Not as a rival to defeat… but as a partner in growth.
"Agreed," Serin whispered.
⸻
V. The Dark Lord Takes Notice
Night settled over Elyndria.
Far below the city, beneath stone and sewer and shadow, a masked man sat upon a throne of blackened metal.
Jet-black hair.Red eyes like stormlight consumed.A smoldering hatred carefully caged.
Malek Voren.
Leader of the undercity.
The cloaked spy knelt before him.
"My lord, the boy performed beyond expectation in his first trial."
Malek leaned forward, eyes glinting."As predicted."
"He shows discipline. Instinct. Leadership."
"And power," Malek murmured, the word edged like a blade."Power that should be mine to direct."
His fingers drummed slowly.
"Begin the next phase. I want pressure applied. Challenges. Observations."
"And if he is the Vessel foretold…"
A smile—cold as a blade drawn in darkness.
"…then I will mold him before the god-king ever learns his name."
⸻
VI. Closing Scene
Kael collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion deep yet satisfying.
Valdyros curled at the foot of the bed, tail twitching lazily.
« Today was a good day. You held balance—barely. »
Kael smirked at the ceiling. "I'll take barely."
Across the room, Serin sat upright, staring out the window—eyes full of silent determination.
Lyria, back in the Eclipsal dorm, replayed the duel in her mind, cheeks warm.Nira whispered a quiet prayer for everyone's safety.Ryven loudly bragged about his victory three doors down.Korran meditated, calming his breath.
And deep beneath them—
Malek Voren opened his eyes.
The board had been set.
The pieces were moving.