Arc: Shadow Beneath the Sunlight
Part 2 — Blades in the Dawn
The Announcement
The day after Kael and Liora's late-night forest visit, the academy felt charged with an unfamiliar buzz.
Not the usual gossip, not even exam nerves — this was different.
At breakfast, Kael noticed the dining hall was louder than usual. Students leaned over tables, whispering and grinning like they'd all been given the same secret.
Liora caught his puzzled look.
"You haven't heard?" she asked between bites of toast.
"Heard what?"
She leaned forward, lowering her voice for dramatic effect.
"They're bringing back the Celestia Trials."
Kael raised an eyebrow. The name alone carried weight — the Celestia Trials were a once-in-a-decade event, the academy's way of pushing students beyond limits. It wasn't just sparring in the training rings; it was a structured tournament with stages, obstacles, and duels that tested not just strength but strategy, endurance, and adaptability.
"I thought they stopped after… well, the incident," Kael said.
"They did. But Headmaster Orren thinks this new generation is ready."
Preparation Days
Over the next week, the academy shifted into overdrive. The normally quiet mornings now echoed with the clash of practice weapons, the crackle of elemental bursts, and instructors barking tips.
Kael's training: honing wind compression techniques for faster strikes.
Liora's training: perfecting rune layering for multi-cast spells.
Students challenged each other to friendly matches on every spare patch of grass or stone. The air smelled of ozone from lightning casters and faint smoke from overzealous fire users.
Kael even ended up facing Ravi again one afternoon — a rematch that ended with them both laughing after a double knockdown.
The Day Anand Arrived
Three days before the Trials were set to begin, the first-year courtyard grew uncharacteristically quiet. Heads turned toward the academy gate as a figure walked in.
Tall, lean, dark hair falling slightly over his eyes — the kind of gaze that looked through people rather than at them. His uniform was crisp but worn like he didn't care about the impression it made.
He moved as if he wasn't in a hurry, but every step was deliberate.
Kael heard a whisper from a nearby student.
"That's Anand… transfer from the Northern Dominion."
Anand's first impression wasn't loud or showy. He just signed in at the registry desk, ignored the small crowd forming, and kept walking.
First Sparks
By midday, Anand was already on the training field. Not because he signed up — because someone challenged him. A brash upperclassman had heard about his rumored "Dark Affinity" and wanted to see it.
The duel drew a huge audience.
Kael stood near the back with Liora, both curious.
When the signal was given, Anand didn't rush. He moved with unnerving patience, letting his opponent throw the first three attacks. Shadow tendrils coiled around his arms, deflecting blows with minimal effort.
Then, in one step, he closed the distance, striking with a controlled burst of shadow energy that knocked the upperclassman flat without injury — just enough force to end the match.
Gasps, murmurs, then applause. Anand didn't even bow, just walked off the field.
Kael Meets Anand
Later that day, in combat theory class, Anand was assigned to sit beside Kael.
"Kael," the instructor said, "you'll partner with Anand for the practical exercise."
They exchanged nods — no smiles.
The exercise was simple: defend a target from multiple simulated attackers. They didn't speak much, but their coordination was instinctive — Kael's wind kept enemies at range, Anand's shadows punished any who broke through.
When the final whistle blew, they were the only pair with their target untouched.
"Not bad," Kael said as they packed up.
Anand gave the faintest shrug. "You kept them distracted. Made it easy."
Tournament Day One
The Celestia Trials began under a cloudless sky, banners rippling from the towers. The first stage was a free-for-all elimination round — a wide arena where multiple fights happened at once.
Kael's match: a quick victory using gust-driven feints.
Liora's match: rune traps that caught two opponents off guard.
Anand's match: he didn't rush anyone — they rushed him, and none lasted more than a minute.
By the end of the day, all three had advanced.