The training grounds of the Fire Academy were alive with sound the next morning. The clang of steel rang against shields, instructors barked orders, and the students moved in pairs, sparring under the rising sun.
The wide, stone-paved courtyard gleamed with dew, and beyond the high walls, the forest stretched like a green sea.
Alex stood at the edge of the grounds, clutching the wooden training sword the instructors had issued.
His body still ached from the long night of meditation, but the ember in his chest pulsed faintly. It was small fragile but it was there for the first time since his arrival, he had a piece of fire all his own.
He should have felt stronger, but the stares of his classmates weighed on him.
The nobles' whispers prickled like thorns.
"That's the half-blood who couldn't summon even a spark."
"Why's he still here? The academy should have thrown him out."
"Pathetic. He'll never survive the first round of combat training."
Alex lowered his gaze, gripping the sword tighter he had expected the whispers, but they still cut deep.
The instructor, a tall man with iron-gray hair and eyes sharp as a hawk's, clapped his hands. "Today you will face your first combat duels these are not friendly spars treat them as if your lives depend on them only by fighting will you sharpen your strength."
The students straightened. Some smirked with confidence, others fidgeted nervously.
Alex's heart skipped a duel? He had fought against Kael before, but Kael was his brother he had taught, corrected, and pulled his strikes these strangers wouldn't.
The instructor's gaze swept across the rows of students. "Pairs will be chosen. Step forward when your name is called."
One by one, names were called. Students moved to the center of the courtyard, circling each other with wooden blades in hand.
Blows fell, sweat sprayed, and the sound of striking wood filled the air ome duels ended quickly, others dragged on with stubborn resistance.
Alex kept his head down, silently praying his name wouldn't be called too soon. But fate was cruel.
"Alex Eryndor."
The name struck like a hammer. Alex stiffened. Slowly, he stepped forward.
"And your opponent… Darion Valefyre."
A murmur rippled through the students.
Darion stepped out from the opposite line, his golden hair gleaming like sunlight, his uniform spotless, his wooden sword carried with the ease of someone born to fight. He was a noble one of the most arrogant Alex had met since arriving.
Darion smirked as he approached. "So, I get to fight the half-blood failure? This will be over quickly."
Laughter rippled among the nobles clustered at the sidelines. Alex's grip tightened. His chest burned not with fire, but with shame and anger.
The instructor raised a hand. "Begin!"
Darion moved first, fast and fluid. His sword whistled through the air, aiming for Alex's shoulder.
Alex barely managed to raise his blade in time. The impact jarred his arms, sending pain shooting up to his elbows.
Darion laughed. "Pathetic. You can't even block properly."
He struck again and again each blow was sharper, heavier. Alex stumbled back, his wooden sword shaking under the pressure.
His breath came short, panic rising.
The other students jeered from the sidelines.
"Fall already!"
"Go back to where you came from!"
Alex's vision blurred. His hands ached, his arms screamed. He knew he couldn't win.
And then a chime.
[System Notice: Emergency Quest Triggered.]
Quest: Endure the Duel.
Objective: Survive Darion's assault for 60 seconds.
Reward: +30 EXP, +1 Vitality. Bonus: Unlock Defensive Instinct (Passive).
Alex's eyes widened. Survive? Not win just endure his chest tightened, but hope flickered. He didn't have to defeat Darion he only had to last.
Darion swung again, aiming for his ribs. Alex twisted, the blow grazing him. He raised his sword desperately, blocking the next strike.
His arms shook, but he held.
"Stop running!" Darion snarled, pressing harder.
Alex's feet slid against the stone, but he refused to fall. His heart pounded, each second stretching like eternity.
[Time Remaining: 45 seconds.]
Another strike slammed into his guard, rattling his bones pain surged through his arms, but Alex grit his teeth.
He could almost hear Kael's voice in his head: Hold steady ,Balance, not speed, a shield is as strong as the will behind it.
Darion snarled, frustrated at Alex's stubborn defense. He struck harder, faster.
[Time Remaining: 30 seconds.]
Sweat poured down Alex's face his vision swam. His body screamed for him to drop the sword, to collapse, but he clung to it like his life depended on it because it did.
Darion feinted left, then struck right Alex barely caught it, the blow glancing off his shoulder pain exploded, but he didn't fall.
The crowd roared with laughter to them, Alex looked like a cornered animal clinging to life but the System's glowing counter kept him steady.
[Time Remaining: 15 seconds.]
Darion snarled in disbelief. "Why won't you break?"
Alex's lips curled into a weak smile "Because… I've endured worse."
Darion's eyes flashed with fury he raised his sword high, aiming to end it in one brutal strike. Alex raised his blade, body trembling.
The wooden swords crashed together. For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
[Time Remaining: 0 seconds.]
The System chimed.
[Quest Complete — Endure the Duel.]
Rewards: +30 EXP, +1 Vitality.
New Passive Skill Unlocked: Defensive Instinct.
Alex's body gave out his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the stone floor his wooden sword clattered beside him.
Darion stood over him, chest heaving, face twisted with rage.
He had expected an easy victory. Instead, he had been forced to fight for every strike.
The instructor stepped forward, raising a hand. "Enough he duel is over."
Darion lowered his sword reluctantly, glaring down at Alex. "You'll pay for this humiliation."
The nobles muttered angrily, but the other students… some of them looked at Alex with something else not pity respect.
Alex lay on the cold stone, gasping, the System's notifications glowing faintly in his vision.
[Skill: Defensive Instinct (Passive).]
Effect: When facing overwhelming force, increase defensive ability by 10%. The stronger the opponent, the stronger the instinct.
A faint smile tugged at his lips he had lost, yes but he hadn't been broken he had endured.
And in his chest, the ember pulsed once more, steady and patient, as though proud of him.