Arc: Shadow Beneath the Sunlight
Part 3 — Between the Clashes
Morning of Day Two
Kael woke up to the muffled thump of footsteps in the dorm hallway. The Trials always did that — turned normally slow mornings into something close to festival days.
He stepped into the cafeteria and nearly laughed.
Half the tables were empty of food, the other half full of students shoveling down eggs, bread, and fruits like they were about to go to war — which, in a way, they were.
Liora sat in the corner, sipping tea like the chaos didn't exist.
"Morning," Kael said, dropping into the seat across from her.
"Morning," she replied. "Eat fast. Second stage starts sooner than you think."
He looked around. "Where's Anand?"
"Training grounds," she said. "He was there before sunrise."
Stage Two — Paired Duels
The second stage of the Celestia Trials paired up competitors randomly for two-on-two matches. It was meant to test coordination under pressure.
Kael was paired with a second-year water mage who talked too much during strategy.
Liora ended up with a silent sword-user.
Anand? He got paired with a light-element caster — an ironic match for someone who wielded shadows.
Kael's match started rough. His partner's flashy water waves kept messing with Kael's wind arcs, but after a quick barked "stop showing off and cover me," they found rhythm. A final push — wind gust to throw the enemy off balance, water spear to finish — sealed their win.
Anand's match was… different.
He barely spoke, just moved in perfect sync with his partner's light beams, letting shadows bend and snap where the light didn't reach. When the battle ended, the light mage looked shocked.
"You… actually work well with others," the light mage said.
Anand just walked away.
Midday Break — Slice of Life
The matches paused for lunch, giving everyone a chance to breathe. The academy courtyard had been transformed into a mini festival — food stalls run by culinary students, small games to win charms and ribbons, and a music troupe playing near the fountain.
Kael and Liora strolled through the stalls, Kael buying skewered grilled meat while Liora browsed enchanted trinkets.
"You're eating again?" she asked.
"Fuel," he replied around a mouthful. "You'd understand if you used wind magic."
From the edge of the crowd, Anand watched them without joining in. He held no food, no trinkets — just stood near the fountain, eyes scanning the area like he was somewhere else entirely.
Kael noticed, but didn't say anything.
Afternoon Matches — Subtle Connections
In the stands, students cheered wildly for flashy finishes, but Kael kept finding his eyes drawn to Anand's fights. There was something… careful about the way Anand fought.
Not cautious, but as if every move was calculated to reveal as little as possible.
Liora leaned over during one match.
"You see it too?" she asked.
"Yeah," Kael said. "Feels like he's holding back."
Evening After Day Two
The Trials were paused for the day, but energy still buzzed through the dorms. Some students partied in the lounges, others crashed early.