Silence was almost absolute in the combat arena. The air seemed thicker, charged with expectation, as all eyes turned to the center of the magic circle.
Logan took a deep breath, smelling the cold stone, sweat, and mana hanging in the air. The floor beneath his feet vibrated slightly, as if the arena itself sensed the confrontation.
Marcus Steelheart, in his impeccable Eryndark uniform and with an icy gaze, rolled his shoulders, warming up his muscles. He displayed an arrogant confidence, but his gray eyes were attentive, calculating Logan's every move.
Professor Darius Morn, arms crossed, watched in silence, ready to intervene at the slightest sign of danger.
"Ready?" Darius's voice sounded firm, echoing in the stands. Marcus nodded with a crooked smile. "Always."
Logan simply inclined his head, feeling his heart pound in his chest. He glanced towards Blake and Kassia, who were cheering discreetly for him from the side of the arena.
He closed his eyes for a brief instant, seeking within himself the calm he had learned from the Ancestral Qilin. When he opened them, he was ready.
"Begin!" the professor announced, taking a step back.
***
Marcus advanced first, quick as a serpent. Logan raised his forearm, activating
Marcus spun his body, delivering a low kick. Logan jumped back, feeling the sole of his rival's boot graze his leg. "Just going to stay on defense, Black?" Marcus provoked, already preparing another attack.
Logan didn't answer. He advanced with an agile step, trying to surprise Marcus with a palm strike to the chest. Marcus blocked with his forearm, activating his own
Marcus was aggressive, using his body weight to pressure Logan. In a swift motion, he faked a right punch and, at the last second, pivoted his hip, delivering a side kick that struck Logan's ribs. The impact made Logan recoil, breathless.
"Tiring already?" Marcus smiled, his eyes shining with satisfaction.
Logan felt the pain throb but ignored it. He attempted a downward strike, but Marcus dodged, grabbing Logan's arm and pulling him down. Logan rolled across the floor, using the momentum to get up quickly.
They studied each other for an instant, circling one another. Marcus attacked with a sequence of punches and kicks, forcing Logan to retreat. Logan blocked most of the blows, but some got through, hitting his shoulder, abdomen, thigh. Sweat dripped down both their faces.
Logan realized that, despite his technique, he was taking more hits than he landed. Marcus was strong, fast, and had a sharp combat sense. Every time Logan tried something new, Marcus seemed to anticipate it, blocking or dodging with precision.
"Admit it, Black," Marcus whispered during an exchange of blows, "you're no match for me. It doesn't matter whose son you are."
Anger threatened to overwhelm Logan, but he controlled it. He remembered the Qilin's words: "Accept who you are, don't fight your nature."
He felt the shadows within him stir, eager, almost pleading to be released. For so long, he had tried to hide this side, but now, in the heat of combat, he realized it was time to stop resisting.
Logan took a deep breath, closed his eyes for an instant, and let the shadows flow. When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an intense gold. He raised his arm and murmured: "
This time, the shield that emerged was not blue, but black as night, with golden veins pulsing within it. A shadowy aura enveloped Logan, and the arena seemed to grow colder for an instant.
Marcus hesitated, surprised by the change.
Logan advanced, his movements now more fluid, almost ethereal. He blocked Marcus's punch with the black shield, effortlessly absorbing the impact. Then, he spun his body and delivered an elbow strike reinforced with
"What is this?" Marcus snarled, trying to recompose himself.
"Just accepting who I am," Logan replied, his voice firmer.
Marcus attempted a high kick, but Logan dodged with agility, the shadows around his feet seeming to guide him.
He counter-attacked with a sequence of punches, each reinforced with the black
The audience murmured, impressed by Logan's turnaround. The black shield seemed to absorb part of Marcus's attacks, and Logan's blows now left dark trails in the air, like traces of golden smoke. Marcus, furious, channeled mana and attempted a fire spell, launching an incandescent ball at Logan.
Logan raised the black shield, which absorbed the flames without taking damage. He advanced, using the ability to reinforce his legs and leap over Marcus, landing behind him and delivering a blow that knocked him to the ground.
Marcus rolled, getting up quickly, but Logan was already upon him. A final punch reinforced with black
"Enough!" shouted Professor Darius, stepping into the arena. "The duel is over."
Logan stepped back, breathing heavily. The shadows around him began to dissipate, and the black shield vanished, giving way to the natural glow of mana.
Marcus got up, furious. "He cheated!" he shouted, pointing at Logan. "That wasn't the class spell! He used forbidden magic!"
Professor Darius raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "No, Steelheart. Logan did use
Darius turned to the class, his voice clear and didactic. "Observe." He raised his arm, channeling mana. "
The shield became wreathed in flames, crackling and illuminating the arena. "In ability form, the touch can burn an opponent." He punched a training dummy, which instantly caught fire. "In magic form, the shield can be used in various ways, depending on the element and the user's creativity."
The class broke into excited murmurs. Blake, thrilled, closed his eyes and channeled his ice affinity. "
A light-blue sheen enveloped his fist, and he punched a test dummy. The point of impact instantly froze over, covered in ice crystals. "See that?" Blake grinned at Logan. "This is incredible!"
Professor Darius nodded. "This can be replicated for other spells and abilities. It is up to each of you to test, experiment, and discover what works best for your affinities. Creativity is one of a mage's greatest weapons."
Kassia, inspired, tried channeling wind mana into her
Logan, still panting, felt a wave of relief and pride. For the first time, he didn't feel ashamed of his shadows. They were part of him, and now he knew he could use them to grow, not to hide.
Marcus, on the other hand, was red with anger but said nothing more. He knew he had no argument; Logan had won within the rules, and brilliantly so.
***
At the end of the class, the professor gathered everyone for a brief speech. "Remember: power lies not just in brute force, but in the ability to adapt. Learn to know your limits, but also to surpass them. And never underestimate the potential of your own gifts."
The class applauded, some still commenting on the duel between Logan and Marcus. Blake and Kassia approached Logan, smiling. "You were incredible," said Kassia, hugging her friend. "You finally accepted who you are." "And you showed everyone you're not just some king's son," Blake added, patting Logan on the back.
Logan smiled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. "Thanks, guys. I think I finally understand what the Qilin meant about accepting my nature."
They left the arena together, ready to face the next challenges of the Academy—now as an even more united and confident team.
***
At the exit, Professor Darius watched Logan for a moment, a slight smile on his lips. "Mister Black," he called, when the trio was almost at the door. Logan turned, surprised. "Yes, Professor?"
Darius approached, lowering his voice. "You have rare potential. Continue exploring your limits, but remember: control is as important as power. And never fight alone."
Logan nodded, feeling the weight and responsibility of the professor's words. "Will do, sir."
Darius smiled and returned to the arena, while Logan, Blake, and Kassia headed for the dining hall, ready to celebrate another victory, not just in combat, but over themselves.