As the morning sun spilled over the high stone walls of the academy, the students gathered in the courtyard. Today was not just a trial of swords—it was a day where magic, raw and untamed, would be put to the test.
Rows of mannequins stood neatly arranged on the stone-paved ground, each awaiting the elemental touch of a student.
Master Marwen stood before them, his gaze sweeping across the assembled youths.
"Today," he began, voice calm but commanding, "you will demonstrate your Nexus and your attunement to the elements. Do not rush. If your body and spirit are not in harmony, power can turn against you. Each of you will be judged equally. Watch. Feel. And execute."
One by one, the students stepped forward.
Mira Vel was among the first, her fire element flaring to life in her hands. With a flurry of swift movements, she launched blazing attacks; the mannequins were engulfed in flame, unable to resist the inferno.
Next was Seraphine Lume. Channeling the water element, she moved like a flowing river—graceful, fluid, yet unrelenting. Her strikes unbalanced the mannequins with precise and calculated waves.
Then came Elias.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he prepared to wield light. A faint hum stirred within him. The light emerged, shimmering from his palms, and danced toward the mannequins. His first strike was clean and focused—a pulse of radiant energy rippled out and sent a mannequin staggering.
Riven stepped forward with barely a pause. His movements were sharp and agile as he summoned the wind. Gusts burst forth at his command, knocking mannequins back with elegant force. Though just behind Elias in turn, he quickly drew the attention of the observers.
Meanwhile, Lyra crouched low, hands brushing the ground. The earth responded. Stones shifted, rising to trap the feet of nearby mannequins. Her eyes lit with the spark of progress—she was learning control, one moment at a time.
Watching Riven, Elias whispered under his breath, "So fast… so refined. I need to push harder."
Riven glanced back with a smirk.
"Thorn," he said, using Elias's nickname, "have confidence. Speed matters, but never forget—precision is just as vital."
Supervisors circled the area, silently judging each movement, every burst of elemental power. Master Marwen approached Elias, offering a brief but weighty instruction.
"Don't lose focus. Light is difficult to wield… but when guided properly, it's one of the most powerful forces."
Elias nodded and drew a deeper breath, centering himself again. He faced the mannequins once more, now channeling his energy with greater control. Flashes of light burst forth—compact, deliberate—and several mannequins collapsed under his strikes.
He relished the challenge. Each successful move sharpened his confidence and deepened his understanding. He was no longer simply performing; he was evolving.
By the end of the tournament, most students had shown commendable skill. Riven emerged with the highest score, while Elias claimed second place. Both had advanced—not just in points, but in elemental harmony.
As the sun dipped below the academy walls, students returned to their dormitories, exhausted yet satisfied. Elias lay back in his bed, reflecting on the day. Pride mingled with hunger—a desire to climb higher, to stand not behind, but beside Riven.
That night, under the quiet hum of moonlight, his resolve burned brighter than ever.