Part 1: Apology
A few hours had passed, and both Velion and Celestina had finished unpacking their things.
"All done," Velion said as he covered his bed with a sheet.
He glanced over and saw Celestina struggling with her own bedsheet.
"Can't you even put on a bedsheet? How spoiled are you?"
"Shut up!" Celestina snapped, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she furiously tried to fix it.
"Want some help?" Velion offered, walking toward her.
"N-No thanks, I can do it." She paused for a moment, then muttered while looking away, "I don't mind your help... it's not like I can't do it—I've just never done it before."
"What are you even trying to say?" Velion said as he started fixing her bed. A few minutes later, it was done. "There, all set."
"Thanks," she replied softly, then continued, "Well... I'd like to apologize for how I acted this morning. I hope you can forgive me." She extended her hand.
Velion smirked. "So, the edgy princess wants to apologize now, huh? Lucky for you, I'm in a good mood. So yeah, you're forgiven." He took her hand.
As they shook hands, Celestina said, "I still don't like the way you talk."
"I don't care."
Part 2: Battle of Prodigies
Later that day, they both walked to the Academy's practice room. The place was buzzing—students were casting spells, swinging swords, and sparring in heated duels.
"This place is really lively at this hour," Velion said, leaning casually against the wall. Celestina stood beside him, observing quietly.
A familiar voice broke through the noise.
"What are you two doing here?" Shin asked, walking toward them with his usual arrogant expression.
"when did you come here ?" Velion replied coldly.
"I've been here from the beginning," Shin said with a smirk.
"Ah, that explains it. Forgive me, I didn't notice you. Must've been because your mana is so tiny," Velion said mockingly.
Shin stepped forward, face-to-face with Velion. "What did you say?"
"I said your mana is so small I couldn't even sense you."
"You wanna fight? Because I've been ready since the awakening ritual!" Shin growled, light magic flickering in his hands.
"Same here. Been looking forward to this."
The two prodigies stepped into the arena, a silent tension hanging in the air. Students gathered, whispers and gasps spreading like wildfire.
"I'll use Thunder magic—what I awakened during the ritual," Velion thought. "Can't let anyone know I've got two elements. I'll save that trump card for later."
"You ready?" Shin asked, getting into his stance.
"Always," Velion replied, mirroring him.
Students buzzed with excitement. Celestina narrowed her eyes, arms crossed.
"This... is going to be wild."
The Battle Began.
"Holy Solar Flash!"
A blinding light burst from Shin's body, momentarily dazzling everyone in the room. The crowd covered their eyes.
"Ahh! I can't see!"
"Who used a flash spell in a spar?!"
Using the opportunity, Shin rushed in and tackled Velion, pushing him back. But Velion grinned.
"Lightning Dash!"
In a instant, Velion vanished and reappeared behind Shin. The crowd gasped—no one didn't even see him move except shin.
"Lightning Spear!"
A crackling spear of thunder materialized in his hand. He hurled it at Shin. But shin was fast enough to react.
"Divine Shield!"
A radiant barrier formed in front of Shin, absorbing most of the blow—but not all of it. Shin skidded back, smoke rising from his uniform.
Velion took a step back, readying his stance.
"You're good," Velion admitted.
"Don't underestimate me, fool! You're just an Advanced Grader! I'm Special Grade!" Shin shouted.
Velion smirked. "Power's meaningless if you don't know how to use it."
"I don't need a lecture!" Shin retorted. Both let out low, dangerous laughs.
"Lightning Dash!"
"Divine Step!"
They both vanished, moving so fast even some senior students couldn't keep up.
"Did you see that?!"
"Where did they go?!"
"Thunder Blade!"
Velion summoned a sword crackling with thunder.
"Blade of Light!"
Shin countered with a blade glowing with divine light.
They clashed—BOOM!
A shockwave exploded from their collision, shaking the entire practice hall. A small crack formed on the academy's protective barrier outside.
Smoke engulfed the arena. As it cleared, both were still standing—panting, bruised, but smiling like maniacs.
"Should we stop... or keep going?" Velion asked, eyes wild with excitement.
"We don't stop... not until one of us falls," Shin said, his blade ready.
They rushed in again—but just as they were about to clash—
WHOOSH!
A towering Wall of Water surged between them, and tentacles of water snaked out, grabbing both prodigies mid-swing.
"Both of you—STOP!" Celestina shouted. "You'll destroy the entire academy at this point!"
She struggled to restrain their raw power but managed to force them apart. The tentacles dissipated.
Velion and Shin blinked, snapping out of it. They looked around—craters, scorch marks, shattered tiles, broken weapons. Students stared in stunned silence.
"Thanks for stopping us," they said in unison.
"I never imagined... you two were this strong," Celestina said, amazed. "And you're both five... like me and the rest of us."
"Well, we are prodigies," they said together again, striking the exact same pose.
"…You two even have the same attitude," Celestina muttered.
"Maybe," Shin admitted, glancing at Velion.
"We might be equals for now," Velion said, "but one of us will surpass the other someday."
"You're right."
They both burst into laughter.
Suddenly, Miss Wanda stormed into the room. Her jaw dropped.
"What happened here?!"
A senior student raised a trembling hand.
"Velion and Shin… they fought. This is the result."
"You two… really are prodigies. This level of destruction—at age five—is almost impossible."
She paused. "By the way, Velion, Shin—the Headmaster, Veldor, is calling you both to his office."
They exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Yup. We figured."
They walked to the Headmaster's office. Velion knocked.
"Come in," Veldor's deep voice replied.
Inside, he sat at his desk, a glowing orb floating before him.
"I used my Magic Orb. I saw your battle. I was stunned by your power—and even more shocked that your final clash cracked the academy's barrier."
He pointed to the orb. "That barrier was created using all of my light-element power. It can easily withstand Advanced Grade spells. And yet… you two nearly broke it."
"I'm truly glad to have you both at this academy," Veldor said with a smile. "But please—control your powers. You might destroy the entire academy one day."
"We will," Velion and Shin said in unison.
"Good. That's all I wanted to say. You're dismissed."
They both nodded and left, walking through the hallway.