The dawn mist rose over the training yards of Fort Valdrik, bathing the dark stones in a silvery hue. The echo of hooves echoed on the cobblestones as the apprentices formed up, breathing through clouds of steam. Kevin and Kelvin stood side by side, silent, their gazes fixed on Weapons Master Garron Martrek.
"Today," Garron said gravely, "it is not about strength or speed. Today it is about will. And I will see how many of you have what it takes to carry the banner of House Valdrik."
The other apprentices shifted restlessly. Some, like Deryn Kaelmont and Orrek Thar, exchanged tense glances. The rivalries in the courtyard were almost as dangerous as a sharp sword. Internal politics were becoming as sharp as any sword. Among the minor clans that had sworn loyalty to House Valdrik, there were clashes over privileges, and many saw the blizzard twins as competitors who must be defeated before they could gain a foothold.
Kevin sensed those glances. The recent patrol, where his mana had awakened, had given him new weight in the hallway conversations. Some respected him; others envied him. Kelvin, for his part, was still trying to break the barrier that denied him that awakening, and that emptiness was beginning to wear on his patience.
"Split into pairs," Garron ordered. "Some will be the hunters, others the prey. The prey will have a five-minute head start in the eastern forest. Whoever captures or kills their target survives the test. Whoever fails... will have no place here."
A murmur ran through the formation. This was no ordinary exercise: the eastern forest was riddled with cliffs, treacherous roots, and true predators. Garron hadn't chosen it for a frivolous lesson. Kelvin was paired with Deryn Kaelmont, a slender, agile young man whose smile never reached his eyes. Kevin, on the other hand, faced Orrek Thar, a burly apprentice who seemed to enjoy violence far too much.
The Eastern Woods
The chill increased under the shadows of the pines. Kevin moved stealthily, listening to every creak of branches, every distant flap of wings. His mana, though new, allowed him to feel faint currents in the air, warnings of nearby movement. Orrek, however, was no easy prey. His breathing was deep and measured, his footprints disappearing among the leaves as if he had been born in that forest.
Kelvin, for his part, ran through the undergrowth with a determination bordering on desperation. Deryn led him toward a ravine. The plan was clear: corner him, force him into a position where a blow was inevitable. Kelvin gritted his teeth. He couldn't fail again.
The clash came without warning. Kevin blocked Orrek's charge; the weight of the impact nearly broke his arms. A quick spin, a low kick, and the burly man fell backward. The fight was brutal, and Kevin knew that if he wanted to win, he must use not only strength, but precision.
Kelvin, on the other hand, didn't shy away from the confrontation. Deryn lunged at him, and they both rolled in the mud. Steel clashed with steel, and a burning pressure began to grow in Kelvin's chest. It wasn't anger... it was something else. Something that throbbed with every heartbeat.
"Wake up, damn it!" he growled, and in that instant, a blue flash, clear as the summer sky, erupted in his hands. His mana had awakened.
Deryn recoiled in surprise, as Kelvin's energy coursed through the air, rattling even the tallest leaves. In the distance, Kevin felt that presence and smiled, before bringing Orrek down with one last precise movement. The Return
When the apprentices returned to the courtyard, covered in mud, blood, and sweat, Garron Martrek watched them closely. His gaze lingered for a moment on the twins, whose eyes, now a deep blue, seemed to reflect the sky itself.
"Today you have taken another step," said the weapons master. "But remember, you are not brothers in the courtyard. Outside, one may live and the other may not. Train to be the blade that cuts, not the one that falls."
Lord Varyn Valdrik, who had watched silently from the upper gallery, turned and left without a word. Yet in his mind, the thought began to form that these two boys could be molded into something more than simple warriors.