The sun painted Aurelia Academy's towering stone walls in shades of gold, while students' quiet footsteps echoed through the corridors. Elias stepped out of the dormitory, took a deep breath, and thought of the day ahead—one where he would test his own limits.
Riven passed by, giving a faint smile:
"Today will be a little tougher. Are you ready?"
Elias replied with a determined look:
"I'll be watching your every move. I'll push my own limits."
In the training grounds, wooden swords lay ready. Commander Aldren observed the area but did not interfere; he was there to watch the students develop their reflexes, balance, and strategies on their own.
Elias gripped the wooden sword, steadied his breathing, and made his first moves. Every step was measured, every swing carried lessons from the previous day.
Riven approached with a slight smirk:
"You have a good stance, Thorn. But be careful—if you don't control your breathing, you'll tire quickly."
"Thanks," Elias said with a small nod. "You're fast… too fast."
The two observed each other in silent rivalry. Riven's swift movements and sharp reflexes pushed Elias, offering challenges that taught more than they hindered. Each strike, each defense helped Elias uncover his weaknesses and grow within.
Other students also continued their individual practices, testing their harmony with both sword and element. Lyra felt her water element for the first time; when she raised her hand, a faint ripple of water stirred, and her eyes lit up:
"I think I can feel it now… just a little current," she whispered to herself.
Kael discovered his connection with the earth, planting his feet firmly and adjusting his sword swings with the ground's resistance.
The individual training lasted about two hours. Elias and Riven's eyes met every so often, silently measuring each other's progress.
By the afternoon, they gathered in the stone hall, where blue and violet crystals glimmered softly. Master Marwen walked among them, speaking with calm authority:
"If your body and spirit are not ready, you cannot wield any power. Do not rush; observe, and try to feel. The Nexus will awaken the element within you."
The students closed their eyes. Elias sensed a faint vibration inside—his light element brushed against him in small waves, though not yet strong enough to control. Riven, with his air element, caught the subtle currents swirling around him, forming a balanced flow.
Lyra whispered with excitement, eyes still shut:
"This time… it feels like it's flowing."
Kael felt the tremor of the earth beneath his feet, trying to control the ground's response.
At the end of the lesson, Master Marwen gave each student a brief evaluation:
"Thorn, the light element is within you. The road is long, but your potential is clear."
"Riven, your harmony with air is good. Speed and agility are balanced."
"Lyra, the water element is beginning to flow—patience will take you further."
"Kael, you've started to grasp the earth's resistance. You'll need a stronger will."
Elias glanced at Riven with a faint smile:
"You see, your air element is ahead of mine. But that won't stop me."
Riven nodded with a grin:
"And you're finding your own light, Thorn. We'll move forward together."
By nightfall, the students returned to their dorms. Elias lay on his bed, reflecting on what he had felt and learned that day: both in swordsmanship and Nexus, he had glimpsed his own boundaries. Each individual training, each elemental discovery was shaping him—slowly but surely—into something stronger.
Tired, yet filled with hope, he closed his eyes. Tomorrow would bring new trials.ü