Chapter 76 - Lunch and Lessons

Darius stepped out of the Study of Air arena, his body buzzing with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration from Sylph's vortex challenge. The ornate archway's runes still glowed faintly behind him, their silver light fading as he walked onto the academy's stone paths, lined with ancient oaks whose leaves rustled in the cool breeze. The air hummed with the academy's ever-present mana, a subtle pulse that mingled with the scent of moss and earth, grounding him after the chaotic whirlwind of class. His robes, slightly disheveled from the vortex, clung to his skin, and his hair was a mess, but a grin tugged at his lips, Sylph's playful taunts and the near-escape lingering in his mind. The sun hung high, casting dappled shadows across the path, and the distant chatter of students filled the air, a lively contrast to the arena's boundless sky. His legs felt heavy, but his heart was light, the promise of mastering wind magic a spark that kept him moving toward the dining hall for lunch.