✨ Chapter 35 – Training for War
By midday, the academy buzzed with anxious energy.
Hundreds of students — from bright-eyed first-years to intimidating seniors — stood across the main training grounds. Professors from each division gathered at the front, forming a line of authority the academy rarely displayed.
The crimson "Stage Red" banners fluttered against the cold breeze.
Ariana stood among the Hybrid Division, trying not to look overwhelmed.
The courtyard felt huge today.
Alive.
Almost humming with tension.
Kai stepped beside her.
"You alright?" he asked softly.
Ariana nodded.
"I just… didn't expect everyone."
Kai's lips curved faintly.
"You're the reason half these people aren't panicking."
Ariana blinked.
"What? No, I'm not—"
"You are," Kai said firmly.
"All divisions saw what you did at the breach. They know you won't break."
Ariana looked away, heat rising to her cheeks.
"Leadership doesn't have to be loud," Kai added.
"Sometimes it's just… existing. The right way."
Her chest tightened.
But before she could answer — a loud whistle blew.
Professor Vayne marched onto the field.
"All divisions to your combat groups!"
Students scrambled into clusters.
Ariana found herself grouped with:
— Hybrids
— Elementals
— Mentalists
— and a few Guardians
A mixed unit.
The kind that would be used in a real battle.
Kai went to join the senior Shifter unit but paused, giving Ariana one last lingering look.
"I'll be watching," he said.
Ariana smiled.
"I know."
But she didn't see that he lingered for a moment longer than he should have…
or that Rylan elbowed him with a smirk as he finally walked off.
Training Begins
Instructor Elrin clapped loudly.
"Hybrids, you're with me! Form rows — coordinated strike formation!"
Ariana tried to follow, but she kept glancing across the field to see how Kai was doing.
Immediately she regretted it.
Because Seraphina Vale — in all her shining, golden elegance — was standing right beside Kai in the senior Shifter unit.
And she was smiling.
Brightly.
Too brightly.
Ariana tried not to stare.
She failed.
Seraphina leaned toward Kai, saying something Ariana couldn't hear.
Kai rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Ariana felt something twist unpleasantly in her stomach.
Jealousy.
Again.
Her wolf snorted.
"Golden Flower flutters too close."
Ariana muttered under her breath, "I know."
But Professor Elrin's shout yanked her back.
"STERLING!
PAY ATTENTION."
Ariana flinched.
"Y-yes, sir!"
Elrin glared at her.
"You're leading the hybrid row today."
Ariana's eyes widened.
"What? Me?"
Elrin sighed.
"Miss Sterling, you've proven more control in three weeks than some of these students have in three years. Front."
Ariana stepped forward nervously.
Her classmates whispered excitedly.
"Isn't she the girl who sealed the breach?"
"She looks so young."
"Strong bloodline, they say."
"I heard she has four abilities!"
Ariana's cheeks warmed.
Elrin raised his voice.
"Sterling! Demonstrate stabilizing hybrid magic."
Ariana gulped.
Okay.
Just breathe.
She extended her hand.
Light sparked, soft and silver.
Telekinesis pulsed in the air beside it.
Her aura shimmered faintly.
Small, contained.
Controlled.
The class gasped.
Elrin nodded once.
"Well done."
Ariana exhaled shakily.
Maybe she could do this.
"Now," Elrin said, "pair her with someone from the Elemental Division."
A tall boy with wind magic stepped forward — Ashen Lark.
A smug, senior-year air wielder.
He bowed dramatically.
"An honor, Sterling."
Ariana blinked.
"Oh—I, um—okay."
She held out her hand to stabilize his wind-whip spell.
Ashen stepped too close.
"Don't worry, I'll carry the attack. You just match my energy."
He placed his hand over hers —
way too much contact, way too much warmth.
Ariana froze—
and Kai, across the training field, turned sharply at the exact moment.
His eyes narrowed.
Then he started walking toward them.
Fast.
"Uh…" Ariana whispered, pulling her hand back slightly.
"I can do it on my own."
Ashen smiled.
"Relax. I work with nervous juniors all the—"
He didn't finish.
A hand grabbed Ashen's wrist and twisted gently — firm, not painful, but unmistakably possessive.
Ashen's eyes widened.
Kai stood there.
Expression calm.
Eyes not calm.
"Remove your hand," Kai said softly.
Ashen immediately did.
Ariana blushed furiously.
"Kai—what are you—?"
Kai looked at her, softer now.
"You okay?"
"Yes!" she squeaked. "He was just helping!"
Ashen glared.
"Vesper, this isn't your group."
Kai lifted a brow.
"This is Ariana."
Ashen blinked.
"…And?"
Kai deadpanned.
"Exactly."
Ariana almost fainted.
"Okay!" Rylan shouted from across the field.
"Kai! Stop threatening juniors!"
"I'm not threatening him," Kai said calmly.
"You absolutely are," Calen muttered.
Seraphina hurried over, cheeks pink.
"Kai, your unit's waiting—"
Kai didn't look away from Ariana.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked quietly.
Ariana nodded.
"Yes. I promise."
Kai nodded once and stepped back…
…but his eyes lingered on Ashen like a warning.
Ashen swallowed.
Loren shouted from the Prefect stand,
"Let the girl train, Kai!"
Kai scowled and walked back to his unit.
Seraphina watched him go, then glanced at Ariana with a small, amused smile.
"He's protective," she said softly.
"Too protective."
Ariana almost choked.
"You think so?"
Seraphina gave her a knowing look.
"I think he likes you more than he knows what to do with."
Ariana felt her face heat.
Then Seraphina squeezed her arm once — friendly, supportive — before leaving.
Ariana stood frozen.
Did… Seraphina just help her??
Her wolf hummed.
"Golden Flower softening."
Ariana exhaled shakily.
A Strange Pulse
The training session continued.
Ariana partnered with several students, growing more confident.
Her wolf stayed calm.
Her bracelet stopped burning.
But halfway through a drill—
A shockwave rippled through the ground.
Everyone froze.
Students gasped as sparks of corrupted red lightning flickered across the sky.
Just faint.
Just a warning.
Zane's head jerked up.
"That came from beyond the forest line."
Kai sprinted to Ariana's side.
"That's not from the door," he said.
"That's from outside the academy."
Loren swallowed.
"They're preparing the battlefield."
Seraphina hugged her arms, visibly shaken.
"Are we… running out of time?"
Ariana felt her wolf rise, howling silently.
"Soon. Soon."
Ariana whispered:
"They're getting ready. For something big. Maybe… a full-scale assault."
Kai gently took Ariana's hand.
"We'll be ready too."
Aster's voice echoed faintly in Ariana's mind.
Moon-sister… shadows gathering… storm coming…
Ariana squeezed Kai's hand.
"Then so will we."