Silvercross Academy was never quiet, but this morning it felt unusually tense.
Whispers chased Kael Draven down every hallway.
"Did you hear? The Guildmaster himself tested him!"
"He broke another record!"
"I heard his summons move before he even speaks!"
Kael ignored them all. Ember perched on his shoulder, radiating faint warmth, while Aegros followed at his heels like a silent guardian.
"You know," Kael said, "it's impressive how fast rumors travel. Almost faster than me avoiding work."
Ember chirped, amused.
He turned a corner toward the training field—then stopped.
A familiar figure stood at the center of the arena, silver armor gleaming, sword planted in the ground.
Leon Vareen.
A Challenge Renewed
Leon looked different. His usual arrogance was replaced by sharp focus, his aura steady instead of loud. When he saw Kael, he smiled—not mocking, but determined.
"Draven. It's been a while."
Kael tilted his head. "Didn't expect you to recover this fast. I figured humiliation required at least a month of therapy."
Leon chuckled. "I learned something from our duel."
"That fire is hot?"
"That strength means nothing without control," Leon said evenly. "You taught me that. Now I want to test what I've learned."
He lifted a parchment—a Guild-marked document stamped with the Valenhardt insignia.
"Official team-trial challenge, endorsed by Guild Officer Lira. Two-man teams. Non-lethal. Winner gains first pick of next mission ranks."
Kael blinked. "You made paperwork for revenge? That's dedication."
"I prefer to call it discipline."
Ryn, who had been trailing behind Kael, whispered, "You have to accept! Everyone's watching!"
Kael sighed. "Peer pressure, my mortal enemy."
He looked at Ember and Aegros, who both seemed suspiciously excited.
"Fine," he said. "Let's give them a show."
The Arena
Word spread fast. Within minutes, the academy's stands were packed. Students, instructors, and even a few guild officers filled the seats.
Instructor Mira stood at the edge, shaking her head. "If the arena explodes again, I'm not filling out the forms."
Guild Officer Lira smirked. "Relax. We reinforced it after last time."
Kael muttered, "Confidence inspiring."
Leon's teammate—a wind-element archer named Sera—took position opposite Ember, bow already glowing.
Kael stretched lazily. "All right, team. Let's try to keep collateral damage under eighty percent."
Chirp.
Growl.
The referee raised a flag. "Begin!"
The Duel
Leon moved first, mana flaring around his sword.
"Gale Step!"
He vanished in a burst of wind, reappearing behind Kael in less than a heartbeat.
Aegros pivoted, metal claws blocking the strike. Sparks showered across the field.
"Still fast," Kael said. "Still predictable."
Leon smiled. "Not anymore."
He twisted, releasing a shockwave that knocked Aegros back. Sera fired three arrows in quick succession; they split midair, forming wind blades that sliced toward Ember.
Kael flicked his wrist.
"Flame Veil."
Ember burst into golden light, the arrows dissolving before they touched her. She spun once in midair and sent a spiral of heat down toward Leon.
He crossed his blade, wind mana condensing into a dome. The flame struck—and scattered harmlessly.
The crowd gasped.
Kael's grin widened. "You're learning."
"You forced me to," Leon said. "But let's see how you handle this!"
He slashed downward.
A storm erupted. The wind twisted into a vortex, pulling Ember off balance. Sera's arrows curved through the current like guided missiles.
Kael didn't move. He simply touched the ground.
"Aegros—Anchor Roar."
The wolf's claws glowed bright white. He stomped once, releasing a shockwave that shattered the vortex and grounded the entire field.
Leon stumbled. The wind vanished.
"Impressive counter," Leon said, panting.
"Thanks," Kael replied. "I like my air breathable."
Clash of Wills
For a moment, both sides paused, measuring each other.
Then Kael whispered, "Ember. Formation two."
The phoenix flared, splitting her light into three afterimages that circled the field. Each shimmered with different heat signatures.
Leon's eyes widened. "Illusions?"
"Echo flames," Kael said. "Don't blink."
Aegros charged, claws leaving molten streaks across the stone. Leon blocked, but the force drove him back. At the same time, one of Ember's afterimages exploded, forcing Sera to dive aside.
Leon regained his footing, sword glowing again.
"Wind Fang!"
Blades of air sliced outward—only to vanish against Kael's raised palm.
"Mana Echo," Kael murmured.
The air rippled—and Leon's own attack turned back at him, half as strong but twice as fast. He barely blocked in time, sliding across the arena floor.
Ember landed beside Kael, her wings folding. Aegros stood ready, rumbling low.
"Match point," Kael said quietly.
Leon straightened, sweat trickling down his temple. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"I lost again."
Kael blinked. "You're giving up?"
"No," Leon said. "I'm acknowledging. You're ahead for now. But next time, I'll win."
He lowered his sword in salute.
The referee raised the flag. "Victory—Kael Draven's team!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Aftermath
As the noise died down, Leon approached Kael, extending a hand.
"You fight differently than anyone I've met. It's like you're… not even thinking about commands."
Kael shook his hand. "That's because I'm not. They already know what I want."
Leon chuckled. "Then I'll have to train until I can do the same."
As Leon left the arena, Ryn bounded over.
"That was incredible! You totally dominated!"
"Technically," Kael said, "I just stood there and looked cool."
Ember chirped proudly. Aegros barked once in agreement.
From the stands, Lira watched with quiet satisfaction. "He's stabilizing. Finally learning to control that absurd power."
Mira folded her arms. "Or he's getting bored of winning."
Lira smiled. "Both, probably."
Nightfall
Kael sat on the dorm roof later, Ember glowing faintly beside him and Aegros curled at his feet. The air smelled of metal and smoke from the arena fires.
"You know," he said softly, "Leon's not bad. Might even be fun next time."
Ember chirped in agreement.
Aegros gave a low, approving growl.
Kael leaned back, staring at the stars.
"Level eleven, zero motivation, two beasts, and one determined rival."
He smiled faintly. "Life's getting interesting."