"Oh, look, we should have arrived sooner to watch the circus," Thornwood called out. Several students around him chuckled, while others exchanged knowing glances.
Vel ignored the interruption, turning back to Lyvenna. "For this, I might need to research the academy's library, to find anything ever mentioned regarding this element. Historical texts, forgotten spellbooks—anything that might reference Chaos as a recognized force."
Lyvenna gave him a quick nod, her voice dropping to ensure only their small group could hear. "A fascinating theory, Mr. Novalance. Perhaps we should continue this discussion after hours."
Vel watched as Lyvenna's demeanor shifted instantly from engaged mentor to professional instructor. Her shoulders straightened as she turned toward the approaching groups.
"It seems our private session is about to become more crowded," she said quietly to their group. "Remember what we discussed. Practice with purpose."
Instructor Caldwen led his group onto the training yard. Behind him followed students with standard attunement patches—Celia among them, Vel noted with satisfaction. Several other instructors followed with their respective classes, filling the once-peaceful space with chatter and movement.
"Lyvenna," Caldwen called, his voice carrying across the grounds, "continuing the tradition of early morning remedial lessons, I see."
Something in his tone made Vel's skin prickle. Caldwen emphasized "remedial" just enough to sting, though his face remained neutral.
Lyvenna's expression didn't change, though Vel noticed her fingers flex slightly at her sides. "Good morning, Caldwen. Yes, we're making excellent progress."
She turned back to her small group, her voice steady despite the disruption. "For now, let's return to our basic practical spell. I doubt we'll have much peace, but try to focus despite the distractions."
One of the other instructors, a broad-shouldered man with a neatly trimmed beard, stepped closer. "Lyvenna, would you mind moving your group to the side a bit? We need space for our practical demonstrations."
Though phrased as a request, his tone made it clear it was an expectation. The elite group apparently took priority over the "unstable" students.
"But we were here first," Tomas muttered, just loud enough for their small circle to hear.
Vel caught the frustration in his classmate's voice, a sentiment clearly shared by the others as they exchanged glances. Enya's hand tightened around her focus crystal while Rohen's jaw clenched visibly.
Vel shook his head slightly. This wasn't a battle worth fighting—not now, at least. There would be time to prove themselves later, when they had more than theories to show.
Lyvenna maintained her composure, though Vel noticed the slight tightening around her eyes. "Of course, Instructor Hust. We'll adjust our formation."
She gestured for her students to move toward the edge of their practice area, deliberately placing herself between them and the elite class.
"Continue with your elemental manifestation exercises," Lyvenna instructed them, her voice deliberately level. "Focus on maintaining stability. Hold the spell as long as possible."
The unstable students formed their revised circle, attempting to concentrate on their spellcasting despite the distractions.
Meanwhile, the other classes spread across the larger portion of the practice area in precise formations. Their spellcasting was notably more dramatic—elemental displays that were brighter, louder, and far more consistent than the unstable group's efforts.
"Observe proper form, students," Instructor Morana called out, her voice carrying easily across the grounds. "Power without control is merely a hazard."
Vel maintained his focus, producing another ice formation that wobbled before melting into water. This time he added a slight crystalline structure that lasted half a second longer—minimal progress that would satisfy observers without revealing his true capabilities.
From the corner of his eye, he caught Thornwood's attention shifting toward their group. Standing proudly in the middle of the class, Thornwood had just created a perfect sphere of fire that pulsed with even heat and control.
"Perfect demonstration, Mr. Thornwood," Hust praised loudly. "Note the consistency of elemental manifestation that comes from proper attunement."
Vel kept his expression neutral, continuing his exercise while monitoring the situation. Thornwood's smirk grew as he glanced in Vel's direction.
"It must be frustrating," Thornwood commented to his nearby classmates, voice pitched to carry, "watching real magic when you can barely manage parlor tricks."
Several students laughed, though Vel noticed others shifting uncomfortably at the mockery. He simply sighed, recognizing the provocation for what it was. Years of dealing with corporate politics in his past life had taught him when battles were worth fighting.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the unstable group shared his perspective.
"We're not tricks—" Tomas muttered, more to himself than anyone else, his hands trembling around his focus crystal. The small flame hovering above it began to sputter. Brown tendrils of earth magic bled into the fire, destabilizing it. The spell cracked like glass, then exploded outward in a burst of molten sparks.
"Tomas, release the spell!" Lyvenna called sharply.
Vel watched the spell shatter with a hollow pop. Fire-earth magic erupted outward, sending burning embers across the practice area. Students jumped back with startled yelps, batting at sparks that landed on their uniforms.
"Control your student, Instructor Thalassan!" Hust strode forward, his expression thunderous.
A cold dread settled in Vel's gut. This was spiraling into exactly the kind of attention they didn't need. Tomas stood frozen, his face pale as he stared at the smoldering marks on the sand.
"It was an accident," Lyvenna replied firmly, moving to stand beside a trembling Tomas.
"An accident that proves my point," Hust retorted. "Unstable attunement is dangerous without proper supervision."
"Perhaps," Lyvenna countered, "the accident wouldn't have happened without deliberate provocation."
The two instructors faced each other, the air between them growing heavy. The chatter across the training yard died, and every student turned to watch the silent confrontation.
Vel noticed Celia's concerned expression from across the field. She half-rose as if wanting to cross over, but another student placed a restraining hand on her arm. The divisions between their classes were becoming more apparent by the second.
Hust's face darkened. "You are saying my student is at fault? If they could control the spell, words shouldn't have affected them."
Vel clenched his jaw, recognizing the trap. Hust had twisted Tomas's accident into proof of their supposed inferiority—exactly the prejudice they were fighting against.
"If your students cannot prove they deserve to be here, I suggest your class finds another corner of the Academy to practice in," Hust continued, his voice carrying across the training yard for all to hear.
Lyvenna stood alone against the instructors' ridicule, defending her students without backup. Vel watched her shoulders tighten with the strain.
He could just stay quiet. The unstable group could accept the mockery. They would move on faster than expected. Yet from behind, Vel could see Lyvenna's helplessness as she stood despite the incident not being entirely her fault. Against his better judgment, Vel found himself stepping forward.
"With all due respect, Instructor," Vel began, his voice steadier than he expected. Conversations stopped mid-sentence as heads turned toward him. "Perhaps an apology is in order from Tomas for the disruption."
Tomas looked at him with surprise, then nodded quickly, seeming relieved that someone had taken control of the situation.
"I apologize for the incident," Tomas said, his voice barely audible.
Vel continued, "But to tell an unstable attunement student to demonstrate a stable spell on only our second day is quite a task." He met Hust's gaze directly. "Perhaps there is another way to prove ourselves?"
Silence spread across the training yard. Even the elite students had stopped their practice to watch.
Hust's eyebrows rose slightly. "What exactly are you proposing, Mr..."
"Novalance. Velarian Novalance," Vel supplied, his voice steadier than expected. "A contest. We will, as you suggested, 'prove' to you that unstable spells have their uses."
Hust's expression shifted to intrigue. Something in his calculating gaze suggested this was exactly what he'd hoped to provoke.
Walking right into his trap.
Murmurs spread through the students. Tomas straightened slightly, humiliation giving way to cautious hope.
"If we win, let's forget about this incident," Vel added, gesturing toward the scorched sand.
Hust studied him, then smiled thinly. "Fascinating. Day two at the Academy, and already challenging an instructor."
Thornwood stepped forward eagerly. "Allow me to represent our class, Instructor Hust. I'd be happy to demonstrate the difference between proper training and... creative interpretation."
Vel glanced at Lyvenna, suddenly aware his challenge had removed her control. Her expression remained composed, but he caught the slight narrowing of her eyes—calculation, not anger.
"Instructor Lyvenna, with your permission, of course."
"An interesting proposition, Mr. Novalance," she said carefully. "Though I wonder if you've considered all the implications."
The warning was clear. She was giving him a chance to reconsider.
Vel took a deep breath. Retreating now would only confirm every stereotype about the unstable group.
"Terms?" Hust inquired, tone suggesting he was humoring a child.
"A practical demonstration of our abilities. Not just isolated control exercises, but showing what we can actually do—"
"We have no interest in practical applications," Hust cut him off dismissively. "My students are trained to be warriors and mages, not casual crafters. Creating ice sculptures or warming bathwater isn't what the Academy teaches."
Several students laughed openly. Vel absorbed the mockery, letting it wash over him. He sighed quietly.
There's no other way out of this.
"A duel, then," Vel said, his voice steady. He could feel Lyvenna's intense gaze on him, but he pressed forward. "Me versus Thornwood. He uses his spells, I use mine. First to three points wins."
The challenge hung in the air between them. Thornwood's expression shifted from amusement to calculation as he considered the proposition. Vel kept his breathing steady, knowing there was no turning back now.
Thornwood took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I believe our unstable friend here has bitten off more than he can chew," he announced, loud enough for everyone to hear. "It's not too late to back down now, you know. Return to your new training corner where you belong."
His words elicited more laughter from the students. Vel felt the weight of their judgment pressing down on him, but he kept his expression neutral.
"Thanks for the concern," Vel replied evenly.
Perhaps he had overextended himself. Alone, he might have backed away from this confrontation, preserving his anonymity and staying beneath notice. But seeing the people he'd come to care about facing such indignation—especially Lyvenna, who was clearly struggling between her roles as their advocate and a respected instructor—something in him refused to let it happen.
Vel walked to a nearby weapons rack and selected a practice sword, testing its weight in his hand with practiced familiarity. The wooden blade felt solid, reliable—unlike the volatile magic he was supposedly struggling to control.
"We will need protective charms," Lyvenna interjected, her voice firm and professional once more.
Hust nodded, gesturing for a student to bring him two small emblems. "Pin these to your uniforms," he instructed as he handed one to Thornwood and tossed the other to Vel without ceremony.
Vel caught the charm easily, examining the intricate pattern etched into its surface. A barrier spell, designed to absorb moderate magical impact.
"The match ends when one contestant scores three points," Hust continued, "or if a charm breaks or falls out." He eyed Vel with a mixture of amusement and condescension. "I trust those terms are acceptable?"
Vel nodded, pinning the charm to his unstable attunement emblem. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Celia at the edge of the crowd, her face showing none of the doubt that plagued the others. She smiled with confidence and gave him a small nod of encouragement.
That was enough. Whether he won or lost, at least someone believed he belonged here.
Vel walked to the marked dueling area as Thornwood stepped onto his side. The crowd of students had formed a wide circle around them, their faces a mixture of anticipation, amusement, and curiosity. Vel settled into a fighting stance, practice sword held confidently in his grip.
Thornwood made no move to select a weapon. He stood casually, the focus crystal embedded in his ornate bracelet glinting as he adjusted his stance.
"A sword?" Thornwood's eyebrow arched. "How... conventional. I thought you were here to prove something about your magic."
Vel merely shrugged, keeping his expression neutral. "The rules didn't specify weapon restrictions. And didn't Instructor Hust just say students are trained to be warriors too?"
A few chuckles rippled through the crowd. Thornwood's confident smile tightened at the edges.
Vel had seen Thornwood fight during the entrance exams—precise but predictable. The real challenge wasn't defeating him; it was doing so while maintaining his "unstable" facade.
Instructor Hust stepped between them, raising his hand. "The match will commence on my signal. Remember, three points to win."
Vel tightened his grip on the practice sword. He already had a strategy forming—one that would use his supposed instability to his advantage.
"Begin!" Hust dropped his hand and stepped back.
Thornwood wasted no time. His hand moved with practiced fluidity, and Vel watched a familiar magic circle materialize in the air between them—a standard fireball spell, just as he'd anticipated. Predictable.
The flaming sphere launched toward him with impressive speed, but Vel had already calculated its trajectory. He didn't need to dodge—not when he had a better option.
"Glacis Solith Temporus," Vel whispered, channeling a modified version of his ice-step spell. Instead of creating footholds, he adjusted the parameters for a three-second shield. Just enough to block the fire and dissipate before anyone could study it.
A thin sheet of ice manifested before him, intercepting the fireball with a sizzling hiss. Steam erupted where they collided, providing perfect cover for Vel's advance. He charged through the vapor cloud, closing the distance between them in three quick strides.
Thornwood's expression shifted from confidence to alarm. His hands moved frantically, attempting to form another magic circle—Vel recognized the beginning structures of a flame barrier spell.
Too slow.
"Aquas Oscillum," Vel muttered, channeling the simplest water spell he knew. A splash of water hit Thornwood directly in the face, breaking his concentration and disrupting the half-formed magic circle.
The momentary distraction was all Vel needed. He closed the final gap between them, his practice sword finding Thornwood's shoulder with precision.
"Point!" Instructor Hust announced, unable to keep the surprise from his voice.
Thornwood backed away, wiping water from his face with an indignant swipe of his sleeve. His cheeks flushed with a combination of embarrassment and building anger.
"Reset positions!" Hust commanded, gesturing for both students to return to their starting marks.
As they separated, Vel caught Thornwood's expression darkening. The elite student's earlier cockiness had evaporated, replaced by a tightly controlled fury.
"I'm just warming up," Thornwood barked to a nearby student who had whispered something, his voice tight with frustration.
"And you call yourself an elite student?" Hust's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd. "Just stood there waiting to be attacked? We don't train students to be statues!"
Thornwood's face flushed deeper, his jaw clenching at the public reprimand. The confident smile that had seemed permanently etched on his face had vanished completely.
Vel turned to glance at his own group. Tomas stood with his mouth slightly open, disbelief written across his face. Enya's eyes had widened, and she was whispering excitedly to Mira, who kept glancing between Vel and Thornwood with newfound interest. Rohen simply nodded with quiet approval.
Instructor Lyvenna maintained her composure, but Vel caught the slight upward curl at the corner of her mouth—the barest hint of satisfaction.
He glanced at his classmates. For the first time since arriving at the Academy, they weren't hanging their heads or averting their eyes. They were watching with something that looked suspiciously like hope.
Vel turned back to face Thornwood, analyzing his next move. His first victory had relied entirely on surprise and underestimation—advantages he'd just lost. Thornwood wouldn't make the same mistake twice. The elite student would be prepared for close-quarters combat now, and likely had countermeasures ready.
The standard tactic would be to keep his distance, forcing Vel to approach through a barrage of fire spells. Without revealing too much of his actual magical capability, Vel would be at a severe disadvantage at range.
Vel caught Celia's gaze from the edge of the crowd. Unlike the others, she wasn't surprised—she expected this from him. Her unwavering confidence bolstered his resolve.
What spells would Thornwood favor now? With distance as his advantage, Vel expected defensive barriers, area denial tactics, and heat manipulation.
"Begin!" Hust called out.
This time, Thornwood didn't wait. He immediately sidestepped, fingers tracing complex patterns as he moved. A familiar magic circle bloomed—larger than before, with modified outer sigils.
"Ignis Vallum!" Thornwood bellowed.
A wall of flame erupted between them, rapidly expanding outward. Vel recognized the strategy immediately—Thornwood was trying to control the battlefield, boxing him in while maintaining distance.
The fire began spreading in a semicircle, threatening to form beneath Vel's feet. He darted sideways, mind racing through countermeasures that wouldn't reveal too much of his actual skill.
The answer was literally beneath his feet. Sand.
"Aeris... Dualis!" Vel called out, deliberately stammering as if struggling with the incantation.
Wind magic erupted from his focus, but instead of a controlled blast, it split in two directions—one sweeping sand upward to smother the approaching flames, the other shooting backward as if the spell had misfired.
The "recoil" propelled Vel exactly where he wanted to go, sending him stumbling toward Thornwood's left flank. The standard students laughed at what appeared to be a clumsy backfire, exactly as Vel intended.
Thornwood turned to track him, already preparing another fire spell, confident in his superior position.
"Glacis Solith!" Vel muttered, channeling just enough mana to create a thin sheet of ice beneath Thornwood's feet.
The elite student's eyes widened in surprise as his footing suddenly vanished. His arms pinwheeled comically as he struggled to maintain balance, his half-formed spell dissipating.
Vel didn't hesitate. He charged forward, practice sword extended, and tapped Thornwood squarely on the chest before he could recover.
"Point!" Hust announced, genuine surprise coloring his voice. "Two-zero."
As they reset, Vel saw the frustration on Thornwood's face harden into a cold, calculated stillness that was far more unnerving.
"Reset positions!" Hust commanded.
Thornwood moved with deliberate control, his eyes never leaving Vel. The earlier flush of embarrassment had vanished, replaced by an unreadable expression.
"I've been treating this like a training exercise," Thornwood said, his voice low enough that only Vel could hear him. "That was my mistake."
Vel adjusted his grip on the practice sword, suddenly aware that the rules of their duel might not contain whatever Thornwood was planning. The protective charm seemed woefully inadequate against the focused intensity radiating from his opponent.
Glancing toward his friends, Vel saw Tomas and the others watching with hopeful expressions. Mira gave him a small thumbs-up while Rohen nodded in quiet support. Even Enya, typically standoffish, leaned forward with anticipation.
Instructor Lyvenna stood with arms crossed, her eyes narrowed as if sensing the same danger Vel detected. The slight tension in her posture suggested she was ready to intervene if necessary.
Their faith in him—this unexpected solidarity—strengthened Vel's resolve. Whatever Thornwood had planned, he would face it and finish what he'd started.
Then, from the corner of his eye, Vel spotted a familiar figure at the edge of the gathering crowd.
Kein Atherwind stood slightly apart from the other elite students, watching with calculated interest. Behind him, more elite students had gathered—not just curious onlookers, but the Academy's top performers, all witnessing an unexpected challenge to their superiority.
Vel realized this had escalated beyond defending his classmates. A public defeat of one of their own would reflect on all of them.
"Final point," Hust announced, looking between the two combatants. "Begin!"
The final round began in complete contrast to the previous two—no cautious circling, no strategic pauses. Thornwood's hands moved in a blur, complex sigils materializing into a magic circle far more intricate than anything he'd displayed before.
"Ignis Bellator Dualus!" Thornwood's voice rang with authority, echoing across the training grounds.
Two humanoid figures made of living flame materialized before him. One wielded a sword of concentrated fire, the other a bow with arrows of brilliant embers. They stood taller than a man, heat radiating from their forms in visible waves.
Vel's eyes widened. This wasn't a first-year spell—not even close.
So this was the true capability of an elite student.
The flame warrior with the sword charged directly at Vel, forcing him to retreat. Its movements were fluid and precise despite its fiery composition. Behind it, the archer nocked a flaming arrow, taking careful aim.
"Damn it," Vel muttered, desperately seeking solid footing as he backpedaled.
The sword construct swung with unnatural speed, driving Vel further back with each attack. He parried one strike, then another, the practice sword barely holding against the supernatural heat. Each clash sent sparks flying, the wooden blade already showing signs of charring.
Meanwhile, the archer drew back its string, the arrow glowing brighter as it prepared to release.
Vel glanced toward Thornwood, who stood perfectly still, arms crossed with a satisfied smirk. The elite student made no additional movements, seemingly content to let his constructs do the work.
"Aquas Oscillum!" Vel called out, directing a splash of water at the sword warrior.
The liquid passed through the flaming figure, creating a momentary cloud of steam but leaving the construct entirely undamaged. If anything, it seemed to move more aggressively afterward, forcing Vel to dodge frantically.
A spell of this caliber required continuous mana to sustain—Thornwood likely couldn't cast another major spell without risking his control over the constructs. That was the weakness Vel needed to exploit.
His practice sword was heating dangerously, already blackening from repeated contact with the flame warrior. Another few clashes and it would be useless.
"Glacis Solith Feryis!" Vel whispered, channeling a thin layer of ice to coat his wooden blade. The protective sheath hissed as it met the construct's fiery sword but held firm, buying precious seconds.
Vel sidestepped another swing from the flame warrior, feeling sweat trickle down his back. If this were a real fight, one well-placed Ice Lance Sniper would be enough to take Thornwood down—or at least break his concentration on maintaining these constructs.
But he couldn't allow himself that luxury. Revealing such advanced spellcasting would be troublesome and defeat the purpose of this duel.
The flame archer held its position, arrow still nocked but not yet released.
Why? Vel studied Thornwood's stance, noting the slight tremor in his hands from mana strain. This had to be deliberate—wait for the perfect moment when I'm most vulnerable, then release the killing shot. And if I try to charge him directly, it will intercept me. Smart. Frustrating, but smart.
"Getting tired?" Thornwood called out, his voice carrying a hint of strain despite his confident posture. Maintaining two constructs simultaneously was clearly taxing him.
Vel needed to win as an "unstable" student—that meant sticking to his water-air combination, no other elements.
Vel ducked another swing from the flame warrior, feeling the heat singe his hair. His practice sword was growing dangerously hot despite the ice coating.
As the duel stretched longer, Vel felt his muscles growing weary. Each dodge became more difficult, his reactions slowing by fractions of seconds. But he also noticed Thornwood's increasing impatience. The elite student's fingers twitched at his sides, his jaw clenched with the effort of maintaining his spell.
"This is taking too long," Thornwood muttered, loud enough for Vel to hear. "Finish him."
The archer's arrow glowed white-hot as it finally released, streaking toward Vel with unnatural speed.
Time slowed as the flaming arrow cut through the air. He shifted his weight to dodge, but noticed something had changed in Thornwood's stance. The elite student's confidence had given way to desperation—sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing had become labored.
Even if he scored this point, he'd be too drained to continue fighting effectively.
The flame warrior attacked in perfect coordination with the arrow's release. Vel had no choice but to block with his sword—just one more impact and the blade would shatter. At the same time, the arrow streaked toward him.
Vel quickly raised his other hand, casting another ice barrier. But the barrier was too weak due to his own constraints as an "unstable" student. The arrow pierced straight through.
In a split second, Vel dropped his sword and threw himself sideways. The flaming arrow scorched past his shoulder, causing his protective charm to glow briefly. Thornwood realized his coordinated gambit wasn't working and dismissed his constructs with a frustrated wave. The flame warriors dissolved into embers.
"I'm done toying with you," Thornwood snarled, his hands moving in complex patterns Vel hadn't seen him use before.
"Ignis Voracium Infernum!"
A knot of ice formed in Vel's stomach. He recognized that incantation—a high-tier flame spell from his game, designed for wide-area damage. The spell was military-grade, far beyond Academy training limits, and dangerous to everyone in the vicinity.
"Are you insane?" Vel shouted as a massive beast formed from concentrated flame materialized before Thornwood. "There are people here!"
The fiery creature resembled a serpent with the size of dragon, its body composed of swirling inferno. It charged toward Vel with unnerving speed, maw opened wide as if to swallow him whole.
Vel glanced at his practice sword—dropped on the sand where he'd abandoned it to dodge the arrow. The protective charm on his chest would shatter against such power, offering no guarantee against the afterburn.
Before the beast could reach him, instinct took over. Vel lunged for the sword, snatched it up, and found his stance after a quick roll. His muscles remembered what his mind had practiced countless times with Von.
"Air Cutter!"
Vel channeled his energy through his sword. A crescent of compressed air shot forward, slicing through the flame beast toward Thornwood.
Before either attack could find its mark, two translucent domes materialized—one encasing Vel, another surrounding Thornwood. The flame beast crashed against Vel's barrier with a thunderous boom while his Air Cutter dissipated harmlessly against Thornwood's shield.
"WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT USING MILITARY-GRADE SPELLS AGAINST OTHER STUDENTS!" Instructor Hust bellowed, his face contorted with fury as he maintained Thornwood's containment dome.
Lyvenna stood nearby, her hands extended toward Vel, maintaining his protective barrier with focused concentration. Her expression remained composed, but her eyes flashed with quiet anger.
Vel's heart pounded as the protective dome slowly dissipated around him. Had he just exposed himself? Air Cutter wasn't exceptionally advanced compared to Celia's Trinity Volt or Kein's Cross Flash. Still, it was far beyond what an unstable student should know. His mind raced for an explanation.
"Are you alright?" Instructor Lyvenna asked, her voice calm despite the tension in her shoulders. Her eyes studied him with newfound interest.
"I... yes," Vel managed, finding his voice. "Thank you for the barrier."
Across the training yard, Instructor Hust's face was a storm of fury as he berated Thornwood. The dome around the elite student was still partially intact, muffling his words, but fragments carried across the now-silent yard.
"—absolutely unacceptable—"
"—arrogance beyond measure—"
"—could be expelled for such—"
"—completely undisciplined—"
The crowd had initially fallen silent with shock, but now whispers rippled through the gathered students. Some pointed at Thornwood, others at Vel. A few were demonstrating the motion Vel had used for Air Cutter, discussing it animatedly.
Tomas reached him first, followed closely by Rohen, Mira and Enya.
"That was incredible!" Tomas blurted out, eyes wide. "Where did you learn that sword technique?"
Vel took a steadying breath. "My father. He served as a guard in Elnor." This much was true—Von had indeed shared many techniques with him. "He taught me the forms. I've been practicing for years, but this is the first time I've managed to actually execute it properly."
"You picked a dramatic moment for it," Mira said, glancing at Thornwood, who now stood with his head bowed before Hust.
"I panicked," Vel admitted, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "When I saw that fire beast coming at me, my body just... reacted."
"What happens now?" Vel asked, looking between the instructors.
"The duel has been called off," Lyvenna said, dismissing the last wisps of her barrier spell with a flick of her wrist.
"I'm not sure either," Lyvenna added, glancing toward Hust still berating Thornwood. "Escalating a practice duel to that level is grounds for serious consequences."
After a moment, Hust finished with his outburst. His face remained flushed with anger as he gestured sharply for Thornwood to stay put. The elite student stood with shoulders slumped, looking uncharacteristically subdued.
Hust walked toward Lyvenna with measured steps, his boots striking the packed sand with deliberate force. The gathered students parted before him, conversations dropping to whispers.
Before anyone could speak up, Lyvenna asserted herself.
"Your student requires disciplinary action," Lyvenna stated flatly to Hust. "Combat spells against training charms could have resulted in serious injury."
"I am well aware," Hust replied, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. "Rest assured, appropriate measures will be taken." He turned his attention to Vel, eyes narrowing slightly. "Though I find myself curious about Mr. Novalance's rather... perfect sword art. Quite extraordinary for an unstable attunement student on his second day."
Vel met his gaze steadily. "Survival is a powerful motivator, Instructor Hust."
"Indeed." Hust's expression remained skeptical.
Hust sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I must admit, Mr. Novalance has proven that unstable spells could be quite useful depending on the caster."
His gaze drifted toward Thornwood, who stood with his head down on the other side of the training yard. "Someone with powerful spells but no judgment of when to use them..." He shook his head in disapproval.
"Very well, let's all forget about our little incident today," Hust announced, loud enough for nearby students to hear.
"This has gone beyond what we expected. It would be pointless for a practice session today. The students' minds are clearly distracted."
He gestured to his own class. "Class, dismiss!"
Vel watched as Hust's students began to disperse, their expressions ranging from disappointment to relief. The other instructors, however, continued with their sessions, the elite and standard groups resuming their training as if nothing had happened.
Instructor Lyvenna approached her small group of unstable students, her expression thoughtful as she surveyed them.
"For our group, that showcase was far more than our 'practical spell application' lesson could hope to accomplish," she said with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Dismiss for today. We came here earlier than the other classes, after all."
As the crowd began to thin, Vel's eyes caught a familiar figure standing at its edge. Kein Atherwind watched him intensely, his gaze calculating and assessing. There was something unreadable in his expression—not quite anger or admiration, but a focused evaluation that made Vel feel like he was being measured against some unknown standard.
The moment their eyes met, Kein turned away abruptly, his uniform cloak swinging slightly with the motion. He rejoined the elite students without a backward glance.
On the other side of the practice area, Vel spotted Celia standing with her group. She clearly wanted to come over, but Caldwen remained close by, enforcing discipline among the standard students.
Vel gave her a small nod and gestured that he'd speak with her later. Celia returned the nod with understanding.
Gathering his practice sword and falling in step with Tomas and the others, Vel followed his unstable attunement group as they exited the arena. The air around them buzzed with excited chatter about what they'd witnessed.
"I can't believe you held your own against him," Tomas said, his voice filled with admiration but tinged with something else. "That Air Cutter... I've been trying to manage a simple fireball for years."
"You made it look so easy," Mira added quietly. "While it seems hopeless for the rest of us."
Vel caught the underlying uncertainty in their voices—pride mixed with a deeper sense of inadequacy. They were happy he'd defended them, but it only highlighted how much stronger he was compared to their struggles.
He glanced toward Lyvenna, expecting to share a moment of understanding, perhaps a small smile or approving nod. Instead, something in her eyes made him pause. She was watching him, but not the way she had before. Not as a promising student with potential to unlock. Her gaze was calculating, analytical—the look of someone studying a puzzle that didn't quite fit.
The warmth was gone. The mentor who had believed in him had been replaced by an instructor trying to figure out what he really was.
So much for staying unnoticed. The duel might had proved their point, but at what cost? Vel had wanted to help his friends and Lyvenna—instead, he might have painted a target on their backs. Worse, his memory drifted to that threatening message back in Elnor. Drawing this kind of attention was exactly what he'd been trying to avoid. And now, even the relationships he'd fought to protect felt different, strained by the very abilities he'd used to defend them.