The afternoon light slanted through the training grounds as the final day of gruelling preparation approached. Three months had passed, a crucible of sweat, magic, and fierce determination and now, as Mr. Alden gathered the students in a semicircle, an air of bittersweet finality mingled with anticipation.
Ronan's thoughts churned as he stood slightly apart from his peers. Every day since that incident, when he reached for the natural fire and was inexplicably pulled into a void of infinite darkness, there had been a battle between hope and doubt.
He remembered vividly the chilling moment: his hand tugged by an unseen force, plunging him into silence and blackness, a darkness so complete that even his own body was lost from sight.
In that void, he struggled desperately to kindle even the faintest spark, and when he finally managed a tiny flame to flicker on his palm, it illuminated nothing but the deep mystery of his own limitation.
Now, as he watched Andrea, whose mastery had soared to Adept Tier Four, her eyes gleaming with the pride of overcoming every obstacle and Tavin, who bore the gentle yet formidable blessing of the water god that elevated him from Adept Tier Two to Three, Ronan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy and sorrow.
His own progression, marked by physical prowess nearly rivalling those of higher-ranked adepts and his swordsmanship and mana control had doubled in skill, but he lacked the mana capacity. Beside him, Orin, though still at Adept Tier Two, exchanged a sympathetic glance with Ronan.
Mr. Alden's voice was measured as he announced, "Today marks the end of your training here." His gaze swept over the students, pausing meaningfully on each face. "Andrea, Tavin, you have proven your mettle. You may now join the guild, where missions await that will further test your abilities, or continue with academy assignments. Remember, the mission points you earn will serve not just as currency, but as keys to unlocking further resources and opportunities."
Mr. Alden's tone softened as he addressed the remaining two. "As for Orin and Ronan, your journey is not yet complete. Your potential is undeniable, but there is still a distance to travel before you reach Adept Tier three. Continue to hone your craft, for greatness is not measured solely by the visible, but by the depth of the spirit within."
A heavy silence followed, and Ronan felt the weight of the unspoken questions pressing down on him. His thoughts swirled. Could the mysterious vision be a sign of something greater, or was it merely a fragment of a power he had yet to fully grasp?
He recalled the searing darkness and the futile struggle to command the elemental flame, and he wondered if the universe was testing him, pushing him toward a destiny that was as uncertain as it was inevitable.
As the group began to disperse, preparing to leave for the academy, Ronan lingered for a moment, staring at the horizon where dusk met night.
The embers of his small, solitary flame danced on his palm—a silent promise that no matter the darkness he faced, he would continue to seek the light of truth.
And though his journey was not as visibly triumphant as those of his peers, within him simmered a power and determination that might one day blaze forth, illuminating the shadows of his past and paving the way to a future yet unimagined.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the grand entrance of Serenwyn Magic Academy as Ronan, Tavin, Andrea, Orin, and Mr. Alden finally arrived.
The academy's towering spires gleamed under the golden light, a familiar yet imposing sight for the returning students.
As soon as Ronan stepped through the gates, his thoughts were consumed by his elder sister, Samantha. He had heard she was injured during her last mission, and the concern gnawed at him.
"I'll take my leave. I'll see you all tomorrow. Bye!" Ronan announced hurriedly before breaking into a sprint toward his dormitory.
"Tomorrow morning, come to the training ground. I have something for you," Mr. Alden called after him. Ronan, already halfway down the path, yelled back, "I will!"
Mr. Alden sighed, shaking his head. "That brat…" He sighed. "And all of you, Andrea, Tavin, and Orin, will also come. I have something for you as well."
The rest acknowledged his words before heading to their own dormitories. Ronan, however, changed course. His instincts led him straight to the academy's training grounds, where he found Samantha and Kairos sparring.
Their movements were swift and fluid, a dance of strength and skill honed through years of training. The moment they spotted him, they halted their exchange and turned to him.
"Ronan!" Kairos greeted, but before he or Samantha could ask about his journey, Ronan rushed forward, his face etched with concern.
"How are you? I heard you were hurt during a mission. Are you okay?" His voice brimmed with worry, his eyes scanning Samantha for any visible wounds.
Samantha's heart warmed at her little brother's concern, but the sheer intensity of his worry made her chuckle. She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Hey, hey, calm down! I'm fine. It was just a minor injury, nothing serious."
Ronan still looked unconvinced, but he sighed in relief. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Now, what about you? How was your training?"
At this, Ronan's face brightened, and he eagerly launched into recounting his experiences with Mr. Alden. He described their rigorous training sessions, the intense sparring, and his encounter with a strange gravitational field near an ancient tree in Eldergrove.
Samantha, in turn, shared the details of her mission. "We encountered a masked man… his power was as strong as Mr Felix's or maybe even stronger." Her expression darkened slightly. "The worst part? He was controlling a human puppet."
Ronan and Kairos exchanged uneasy glances. Such magic was sinister, the kind that sent chills down their spines.
Kairos, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "Mr Felix is probably furious he didn't get to fight him himself."
Samantha smirked. "Oh, he was livid. You should've seen his face."
They shared a laugh before Samantha suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Ronan, have you done something wrong? Ms Amara looked furious when I mentioned your name."
Ronan blinked. "Ms. Amara? I don't think I've done anything…"
Kairos, however, burst out laughing. "Oh, I know why! You use Fire magic just like her. She wanted to teach you flame control, but Mr. Alden got to you first, and you didn't even meet her before leaving."
Ronan groaned, already dreading the inevitable encounter.
Kairos grinned mischievously. "Let me know when you go to see her. I'd love to watch."
"Shut up!" Ronan huffed, making them laugh harder. The trio spent the afternoon reminiscing and exchanging stories, their bond stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the academy, Tavin and Andrea found themselves face-to-face with their cousin, Sophia. The eldest of their generation, Sophia carried herself with poise and quiet strength, her sharp eyes softening as she listened to their tales of training with Mr. Alden.
"I'm proud of both of you," she said with a genuine smile. "Andrea, advancing to Adept Tier Four is impressive." They exchanged stories of their training for a few hours before going to their room.
At night
Andrea hesitated before speaking. "Tavin… can you help me with something?"
"Of course," Tavin replied instantly.
She hesitated, then, looking down, murmured, "I… feel guilty. About how I treated Ronan before… for his low mana and single elemental affinity."
Tavin opened his mouth to respond, but the moment he heard Ronan's name, he cut her off. "No, I can't help with this."
Andrea looked up at him, her confusion evident. "But you just said…"
Tavin suddenly turned away, his shoulders shaking. Andrea frowned. "Are you… laughing?"
Tavin coughed, trying to stifle his amusement, but Andrea wasn't fooled. Her voice dropped as she whispered, "I am sorry. I treated your friend badly."
Realising her sincerity, Tavin composed himself and faced her. "Andrea, it's not your fault. Society sees single-element mages as weak, but Ronan never cared about that. You don't need to apologise. Just talk to him normally next time. You'll understand."
Andrea looked uncertain. "Are you sure?"
Tavin nodded. "Trust me."
A beat passed before Andrea sighed in relief. "Thank you." Then, after a pause, her expression twisted into realisation. "Wait… you laughed at me, didn't you?!"
Tavin's smirk was all the answer she needed before he bolted.
"You brat! Get back here!" Andrea yelled, charging after him.
Tavin, barely containing his laughter, dashed straight to Sophia, putting on his best pitiful face. "Sophia! Save me! Andrea wants to kill me!"
Sophia raised a brow. "What did you do?"
Andrea huffed. "He made fun of me."
Sophia was stunned. Tavin and Andrea had barely spoken before, yet now they were playing like real siblings. A warm feeling settled in her chest as she watched them bicker and chase each other under the night sky.
"What happened in these past three months?" she mused to herself, smiling softly.
The night ended with laughter echoing through the academy grounds, a testament to bonds old and new.