After two gruelling months of training within the Dimensional Rift, the group's hard work bore fruit. The intensity of the environment pushed almost everyone to the edge of their limits, and most emerged stronger for it.
Kairos, Elenor, Tavin, and Kellan advanced to Adept Tier Two, their newfound strength evident in their confidence and mastery over their abilities.
Ronan, despite his unyielding determination, remained at Adept One but was on the verge of a breakthrough. Though the gap between him and the others grew, his resolve only deepened.
As the group reconvened on the final day of training, new bonds began to form with their assigned mentors. They are assigned based on their elemental affinity and weapon selection.
"We leave for training tomorrow morning at first light," Mr. Alden said, his piercing gaze shifting between Ronan and Tavin. "Pack your things tonight. We will be gone for the next three months."
Tavin, on the other hand, maintained his composed demeanour, though a flicker of hesitation crossed his face. "Understood," he replied simply, masking his emotions behind a polite nod.
Kairos clapped Ronan on the shoulder. "Don't let him grind you into dust, yeah? We'll all be waiting for you two to come back stronger." His grin didn't quite mask the concern in his eyes.
Elenor stepped forward, her tone softer. "Three months isn't so long. Just... make sure you don't push yourselves too hard."
That Evening
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, the group of friends gathered one last time in the clearing near their dormitories. The soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets set a serene backdrop for what was meant to be a cheerful send-off. Yet, an undercurrent of bittersweet emotion hung in the air.
Kairos was the first to speak, breaking the silence with a grin. "So, Mr. Alden's taking you two away for three months. Better come back stronger, or we might leave you behind."
Tavin chuckled, his usual confidence tinged with a hint of nervousness. "Don't worry, Kairos. When I come back, you'll be the one struggling to keep up."
Ronan leaned back against a chair, arms crossed, his usual lighthearted smirk in place. "You sound so sure, Tavin."
The group shared a laugh, but Elenor's smile faltered as she looked at the two boys. Her gaze lingered on Ronan, who was trying his best to keep the mood light. She knew him well enough to see past his jokes. The thought of them leaving, of the dangers they might face, weighed heavily on her.
As the conversation began to wind down, Ronan and Tavin exchanged glances and then turned to their friends. Tavin cleared his throat. "We will be away for the next three months. I hope Mr. Alden's training is not going to be... intense."
Elenor stepped forward. "Both of you, promise me you won't do anything reckless during your training." Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her worry.
Tavin gave her a reassuring smile and raised a hand in mock surrender. "I promise. No recklessness from me."
Ronan, however, avoided her gaze, his smirk turning mischievous. "If something like that happens, I'll just run really fast."
Elenor's eyes narrowed, and before anyone could react, she grabbed Ronan's ear, twisting it just enough to make him wince. "So, you're planning to be reckless, huh? Is that it?"
"Ah—ow, ow, Elenor!" Ronan yelped, his hands flailing. "I was kidding! Let go!"
The group burst into laughter, but Elenor's expression remained serious. When Ronan finally managed to pry her hand away, he looked at her, ready to make another joke. But the concern in her eyes stopped him cold.
For a moment, the playful mask slipped, and Ronan gently placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair. His voice softened, the humour giving way to sincerity. "Don't worry, Elenor. I won't do anything I can't handle. I promise."
Elenor blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she swatted his hand away. "You better not. Both of you," she said, glancing at Tavin as well. "If I hear you've done anything reckless, I swear, I'll beat you both when you get back."
Ronan chuckled, his usual bravado returning. "Noted. I'll make sure Tavin doesn't trip over his own feet, either."
Tavin rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
As the group began to part ways, the weight of their shared bond settled over them. The laughter and teasing had eased some of the tension.
The next morning, Ronan arrived at the grand entrance of the Serenwyn Magic Academy. The towering gates shimmered faintly, infused with protective enchantments, and the surrounding atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. As Ronan stepped forward, he noticed a figure waiting near the entrance.
The young man, tall with a confident posture and an easy smile, turned toward Ronan. "You must be Ronan," he said warmly.
Caught slightly off guard, Ronan nodded. "Yes, and you are?"
The young man chuckled and extended a hand. "Oh, my bad. I'm Orin, a fellow student admitted at the same time as you."
Ronan shook his hand, appreciating Orin's straightforward demeanour. "Nice to meet you, Orin."
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, discussing their excitement and nervousness about the days ahead. As they spoke, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention.
Orin glanced toward the new arrivals and grinned. "Looks like our group is complete now."
Ronan turned, his eyes landing on two figures. One was unmistakably Tavin, who carried himself with a calm but confident air. Beside him stood a young woman. She looked every bit the noble, with a poised yet guarded expression.
Tavin's face lit up when he spotted Ronan. "Ronan! Good morning," he said, offering a friendly wave.
"Good Morning," Ronan replied, smiling. His gaze shifted to the woman, sensing a subtle tension.
"This is my cousin, Andrea," Tavin introduced. "She's joining us for this journey."
Andrea inclined her head slightly but kept her distance. Her eyes briefly swept over Ronan, her thoughts hidden behind a polite smile. Inwardly, she wrestled with her belief that single-element users like Ronan were a waste of resources, but she chose to keep her opinions to herself, for now.
"Nice to meet you," Ronan said with genuine warmth, though Andrea only responded with a curt nod.
Before the moment grew awkward, a cheerful voice broke the silence. "Good morning, everyone!"
They all turned to see Mr. Alden approaching.
"Apologies for the delay," Mr. Alden said, stopping before the group. With a flick of his wrist, the orb expanded into a sleek, magical flying ship, its polished surface gleaming in the morning sunlight. "Hop on. We've got a lot to cover today."
The group followed his command, climbing aboard the ship. Orin couldn't hide his excitement, his eyes darting around to take in every detail of the magical vessel. Tavin looked more composed but equally impressed, while Andrea maintained her aloof demeanour, taking a seat with an air of quiet judgment.
As the ship rose into the air, Ronan found himself marvelling at the smooth ascent, the city below shrinking rapidly.
Mr. Alden stood at the helm, addressing the group. "Now that we're all here, let me outline the next three months. The training program is designed to push you beyond your limits. The first month will focus on building your physical strength. Your body is the foundation of everything. The second month will be devoted to refining your mana control and expanding your reserves. Finally, in the third month, you will be hunting monsters to apply everything you've learned in real-world situations."
Orin leaned forward, excitement brimming in his voice. "Hunting monsters? That sounds incredible!"
Tavin nodded thoughtfully. "A balanced approach. I like it."
Andrea crossed her arms, her tone sceptical. "Hunting monsters is all well and good, but some of us need more tailored training. Physical strength isn't everything."
Mr. Alden's gaze sharpened slightly, though his voice remained calm. "The program is designed to benefit everyone, Andrea. You'll find that even the basics can be the key to unlocking advanced techniques."
Andrea frowned but said nothing further, turning her attention to the view outside. The rest of the journey was filled with a mix of chatter and anticipation.