Chapter 3: Duel of Flames and Frost
The evening air in the Azure Tower's private training chamber carried a crisp chill, amplified by the wards etched into the stone walls. These rooms were reserved for house elites, but Liora's status as the archmage's niece had pulled some strings. Jax—still getting used to being called Elias—stood in the center, mana humming through his veins like caffeine on a deadline crunch back on Earth.
"Focus, Thorne," Liora commanded, her voice sharp as an ice dagger. She circled him, her blue robes swirling, hands glowing with faint frost. "Hale's affinity is fire-dominant, aggressive. He'll overwhelm you with raw power. You need counters—precision over brute force."
Jax nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. They'd been at it for an hour: sparring drills to prep for tomorrow's duel. His new allies had turned it into a group session. Anya hovered nearby, her healing magic ready to mend bruises. Kira lounged on a bench, offering quips and occasional beastkin agility tips.
"Got it," Jax replied, his tone relaxed despite the tension. "Like chess—anticipate moves, strike weak points. Earth strategy: hit 'em where it hurts."
Liora paused, tilting her head. "Chess? Some obscure game from your 'distant lands' tales?"
"Something like that." Jax grinned, not elaborating. His Earth knowledge was his ace—physics for spell trajectories, psychology for mind games. "Let's run it again."
She nodded, launching a simulated attack: a barrage of ice shards, mimicking Marcus's fire volleys in speed if not element.
Jax activated Mana Reinforcement, boosting his dexterity. He dodged left, weaving a Basic Mana Shield to deflect the rest.
[Skill Activated: Basic Mana Shield (Lv. 1)]
The shards shattered against the barrier, shards of frost sprinkling the floor.
"Not bad," Liora conceded, a rare hint of approval in her eyes. "But shields drain MP fast. Conserve for critical moments."
Anya stepped forward, placing a hand on Jax's shoulder. A soft green glow enveloped him, easing the fatigue.
[HP Restored: +15]
"Thanks, Anya," Jax said, turning to her with a warm smile. "You're a lifesaver—literally."
She blushed, her kind eyes sparkling. "Just doing my part. You've improved so much in one day. It's inspiring."
Kira hopped up, her fox tail flicking playfully. "My turn! Beastkin style—evasion and counters. Hale's big, but slow. Use speed."
She demonstrated, blurring across the room in a zigzag, then tagging Jax lightly on the arm. "See? Predictable patterns are death. Mix it up."
Jax laughed, mimicking her moves. His body felt lighter post-level-up, stats climbing steadily.
They rotated drills: Liora on offense, Anya on support, Kira on mobility. Jax fired off Fire Bolts, experimenting with angles—ricochets off walls for surprise attacks, inspired by billiards.
[Fire Bolt Cast Successfully – Experience Gained: +30]
[Mana Reinforcement Leveled Up to Lv. 2 – Duration extended to 7 minutes, +15% boost.]
The session built camaraderie. Between rounds, they shared stories. Liora opened up slightly about the pressure of her lineage—"Aunt Valeria expects perfection. Failure isn't an option." Her vulnerability peeked through the ice, drawing Jax in.
Anya confided her drive: "Healing saved my sister once. I want to master it for everyone." Her empathy was a balm in this cutthroat world.
Kira kept it light: "Beastkin like me? We're outsiders. Nobles sneer, but I prove 'em wrong with claws and cunning." Her mischief hid a deeper loneliness, one Jax recognized from his own isolated Earth days.
As midnight approached, they wrapped up. Jax reviewed his status:
[Name: Elias Thorne (Jax Ramirez)]
[Level: 3]
[Class: Novice Mage]
[HP: 150/150]
[MP: 220/220]
[Stats: Strength 10, Dexterity 12, Intelligence 17, Wisdom 14, Charisma 16]
[Skills: Basic Mana Sense (Lv. 2), Fire Bolt (Lv. 2), Mana Reinforcement (Lv. 2), Basic Mana Shield (Lv. 1), Elemental Affinity Scan (Lv. 1)]
[Experience: 250/300]
Close to another level. "Thanks, team," Jax said sincerely. "Couldn't do this without you."
Liora crossed her arms, but her gaze softened. "Don't get sentimental. Win tomorrow, or Azure loses face."
Anya squeezed his hand. "You will. I believe in you."
Kira winked. "And if you win big, maybe celebrate with a midnight run through the gardens? Beastkin know the best hidden spots."
Jax chuckled, feeling the harem vibes strengthen—organic, built on mutual respect and shared goals. "Deal."
As they parted, a faint unease lingered. That chill from earlier... was someone watching?
Morning brought the duel. The main arena buzzed with students from all houses, banners fluttering in a magical breeze. Word had spread: underdog Thorne versus Hale bully. Bets circulated—mostly against Jax.
Professor Elara officiated from the dais. "Standard rules: first to yield or drop below 20% HP loses. No lethal spells. Begin on my mark."
Jax stood at one end, Azure robes pristine. Marcus opposite, Crimson attire bulky with enchanted pads, smirking. "Ready to humiliate yourself, Thorne?"
Jax scanned him with his new skill.
[Skill Activated: Elemental Affinity Scan (Lv. 1)]
[Target: Marcus Hale – Affinity: Fire (Strong), Weakness: Water/Ice (Moderate)]
Predictable. Jax smiled confidently. "Let's make it quick. I've got classes."
The crowd chuckled. Liora's words echoed: precision.
"Begin!"
Marcus charged, unleashing a Fire Wave—a rolling inferno across the field.
Jax dodged right, channeling Mana Reinforcement for speed. He countered with Fire Bolt Lv. 2, aimed at Marcus's feet to unbalance.
The bolt exploded dirt, tripping Marcus mid-stride.
[Experience Gained: +40]
Marcus recovered, roaring. "Flame Fist!" His hand ignited, swinging wildly.
Jax weaved, Kira's evasion paying off. He erected a Mana Shield, absorbing the punch's heat.
[Damage Absorbed: 30 – MP Cost: 20]
Close. Jax retaliated: another Fire Bolt, this time curved like a boomerang—physics trick.
It struck Marcus's side, scorching robe.
"Argh!" Marcus HP dropped visibly via arena wards: 85/120.
The crowd gasped. "Thorne's holding his own!"
Liora watched from the stands, arms crossed, a subtle nod. Anya bit her lip, ready to heal post-duel. Kira cheered openly: "Get 'im, Elias!"
Marcus escalated: "Inferno Burst!" A explosion of flames erupted around him, forcing Jax back.
Heat singed Jax's skin—HP: 120/150.
He needed an edge. Drawing on training, he improvised: infuse Fire Bolt with mana sense for homing.
The bolt launched, twisting mid-air to hit Marcus's weak spot—exposed shoulder.
Boom! Critical hit.
[Critical Strike – Experience Gained: +80]
Marcus staggered, HP: 50/120.
"You're... cheating!" Marcus accused, panting.
"Nah," Jax quipped. "Just smarter."
Enraged, Marcus summoned his ace: "Blazing Vortex!" A whirlwind of fire spiraled toward Jax.
This was it—overwhelm tactic. Jax focused, MP dipping low. He combined skills: Mana Shield reinforced with extra flow, then dashed through the edge, using dexterity to minimize exposure.
[MP: 80/220]
He emerged singed but alive, closing distance. A point-blank Fire Bolt to the chest.
Marcus flew back, slamming the ward barrier. HP: 15/120.
"I... yield," he grunted, defeated.
The arena erupted. "Thorne wins!"
[Quest Completed: Rise in the Ranks – +200 Experience, Minor Artifact: Ring of Mana Regen (Passive: +5 MP per minute)]
[Level Up! Level 4 Reached.]
[HP +40, MP +50, +1 to All Stats]
[New Skill Acquired: Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1) – Versatile energy projectile, adaptable to elements.]
Power surged through Jax. Stats: Strength 11, Dexterity 13, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 15, Charisma 17. MP: 270 max.
Professor Elara raised Jax's hand. "Victory to Elias Thorne! Azure gains 50 house points."
Marcus slunk off, glaring daggers. But Jax caught a whisper from the crowd: "House Hale won't forget this."
Post-duel, in the healer's wing, Anya tended his burns. "You were amazing," she said softly, her touch lingering.
Liora arrived, handing him a potion. "Impressive adaptation. But Hale's family is vindictive. Watch your back."
Kira bounded in. "Hero of the hour! That curve shot? Genius. Now, about that celebration..."
Jax equipped the new ring, feeling mana trickle back. "Thanks to you all. Team victory."
Their bonds deepened over shared triumph. Liora even smiled faintly. Anya's gaze held promise. Kira's playfulness hinted at more.
But as they laughed, a messenger arrived—sealed letter from Archmage Voss.
"Elias Thorne: Report to my office immediately. We must discuss your... anomalies."
Jax's heart skipped. Anomalies? Did she know about his origins?
The shadowy professor lurked in the hall, smirking unseen.
Trouble brewed.