The courtyard of Ashwright Academy was alive with tension and heat. Molten rivers twisted through jagged black stones, casting rippling light across the training grounds. Steam rose from fissures in the rock, curling lazily, carrying the faint scent of sulfur and scorched stone. Students dotted the space, testing minor elemental bursts, sparks of necromancy, and controlled fire spells.
Aria Thorne adjusted her gloves, taking a deep breath. Her heart pounded in her chest—excitement, nerves, and the ever-present edge of danger mixed in a dizzying pulse. Today she would test her two newest spells: Bone Shard Volley and Shadowed Bone Lash. She had practiced for hours in the library with Selene and Riven, but this would be different—the open space, the heat, the real motion of the world outside parchment and sketches.
Selene stood nearby, her arms crossed, eyes narrow and focused. "Control first," she reminded her. "Power comes second. Don't let the spell get ahead of you."
Riven, ever the provocateur, grinned and flicked a small flame into the air, sending sparks across the courtyard. "Don't worry, Death-Touched. I'll keep things interesting. Maybe even throw a few extra fireballs just for fun."
Aria exhaled and summoned her first spell. Bone Shard Volley. Tiny shards of skeletal energy hovered above her palms, glinting faintly in the molten light. She guided them carefully toward a row of practice dummies. The shards arced smoothly, striking precise points and leaving trails of faint blue fire.
"Nice control," Selene murmured, examining the flow. "Your timing is improving. But don't relax just yet."
Riven flicked another fireball toward a dummy near Aria, forcing her to react quickly. Her skeletal shield sprang to life, deflecting the heat effortlessly. Good. Keep flowing. Control the energy… not the other way around. The shards ricocheted between dummies, each movement elegant and deadly.
"Impressive," Riven admitted, a rare note of seriousness in his voice. "But I'm not going easy on you. That was just warm-up."
Aria's pulse jumped as she prepared her second spell. Shadowed Bone Lash. The energy coiled around her arm like a living whip, skeletal and serpentine. She lashed it toward the dummies, the necrotic energy exploding outward, shattering practice stones and sending sparks dancing across the floor. The courtyard seemed to pulse with the power she was releasing.
Selene's voice was calm but tinged with awe. "You're blending necromancy with elemental bursts seamlessly. That's… rare."
Riven's smirk faded. "Okay… seriously scary. I'm going to have to step up next time."
Hours passed. Aria tested, adjusted, recalibrated. She and her friends laughed at minor failures, celebrated successes, and argued lightly over rune placement. Riven forced her to adapt by creating distractions—tiny flames, shifting shadows—while Selene focused on precision, helping her refine angles and timing.
By sunset, the courtyard was bathed in molten orange, rivers glowing like veins of fire. Aria lowered her hands, dissipating the shards, her chest heaving slightly with exertion.
"You're ready for more advanced trials," Selene said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've integrated control, intent, and medium. The spells—they're yours."
Riven leaned back, flicking a final spark across the stones. "But don't get comfortable. Out there, in the real battles, things won't wait for perfect execution."
Aria allowed herself a small smile. She had survived the courtyard's test, refined her spells, and taken a step closer to mastery. Each shard, each lash… a step closer to what I need to be. I can protect them. I can face the cult. I will survive.
As the shadows stretched long across the molten courtyard, she tucked her chalk and scrolls into her bag, ready to rest—but already imagining refinements for tomorrow. A faint chill tickled her spine, the echo of challenges yet to come whispering in the heat.
I will be ready.