The morning light pierced through the mist that blanketed the Aurelius Training Grounds, a massive open coliseum carved into white stone. Dozens of first-year students gathered around the central arena, nerves and excitement mixing in the air.
"Alright, brats!" barked Professor Berrick Holt, the scarred veteran instructor. His voice could probably wake the dead. "Today's your first real test — The Trial of Blades!"
He slammed his gauntlet-clad fist into the air, and the ground beneath them shimmered, forming glowing runic circles.
"The purpose of this trial," Berrick continued, "is simple — show me your combat ability, your Eclipt control, and most importantly… your will to fight!"
"Sir, what if we accidentally kill our opponent?" one student asked nervously.
Berrick grinned, revealing missing teeth. "Then you fail for damaging school property."
A collective gulp rippled through the crowd.
---
Renji stretched his arms lazily beside Kaen. "Man, this guy's got war trauma energy."
Kaen smirked. "You sure you're ready for this? You still flinch when someone tosses a pebble at you."
"I don't flinch," Renji said. "I perform strategic dodges."
Before Kaen could reply, Professor Liora Vess walked in, heels tapping softly across the arena. Every male student instantly stood straighter.
"Professor Vess!" someone whispered. "She's supervising?!"
She smiled, waving gently. "I'll be evaluating how you channel Eclipt mid-combat. Remember: control, precision, and heart."
Kaen whispered, "She said heart. You're doomed."
Renji elbowed him. "Says the guy who'll faint if she smiles at him again."
---
The students began pairing up. Sparks, light, and wind filled the air as duels began under the professors' watchful eyes. Some fights were sloppy, others surprisingly fierce.
When Renji's turn came, Professor Galdric Runeveil, the Iron Warden himself, stepped forward to observe.
"Arclight, Drayne," Galdric said in his deep, commanding tone. "The academy expects much from you both. Do not embarrass yourselves."
Kaen grinned. "We wouldn't dream of it."
Renji scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, no pressure…"
The arena runes flared to life beneath them.
---
[Trial Commence]
Kaen unsheathed a slim silver sword, Eclipt flickering gold around his body. "Try not to blink, Renji. Wouldn't want you to miss my victory pose."
Renji sighed, rolling his shoulders. His Eclipt flickered pale white, unstable yet faintly shimmering. "You talk too much for someone who gets nervous when people watch."
"Let's test that theory."
Kaen dashed forward — speed like lightning. Renji barely blocked the first strike, his arm vibrating from the impact.
(He's faster than yesterday…)
Kaen twisted, sending a wave of golden Eclipt forward. Renji countered instinctively, slamming his palm into the ground. White light erupted, forming a barrier that cracked immediately.
The shockwave blasted dust everywhere.
Students gasped.
"Renji's still standing?!"
Kaen raised a brow, impressed. "Didn't think you'd block that."
"Didn't think I'd survive it either," Renji admitted.
Liora smiled faintly from the stands. "He's reckless… but adaptive."
---
As the battle continued, Renji found himself slipping into rhythm. Kaen's attacks were sharp but predictable. He focused, channeling his Eclipt deeper—feeling that strange dual tint swirl inside him.
(Come on… focus… balance it out…)
His aura suddenly pulsed darker for a second—black and white light clashing like thunder.
The ground cracked. A few students stumbled back.
Professor Cirin Ardent, who rarely spoke, glanced up from the corner. For a fraction of a second, his usually dull eyes flashed open, silver and knowing.
(That resonance… impossible…)
Renji blinked, unaware of what just happened. The next moment, Kaen struck again, disarming him. His sword skidded across the floor.
"Looks like I win," Kaen said calmly.
Renji smirked. "You sure?"
Kaen turned—just as Renji's Eclipt surged again, forming a faint afterimage behind him. He'd used the energy backlash from Kaen's own strike to propel himself forward.
Both attacks clashed — golden and white energy colliding in a burst that sent shockwaves rippling through the field.
When the dust settled, both stood panting, blades inches apart.
Berrick laughed thunderously. "Now that's a fight!"
Liora clapped. "Very good, both of you. Renji, your control's still rough, but your instinct is remarkable. Kaen, as precise as always. You both pass with distinction."
Kaen smirked at Renji. "Guess we're even."
Renji chuckled, brushing dust off his uniform. "For now."
---
After the duels ended, the class gathered beneath the academy's ancient monument — a massive obsidian statue depicting a man holding the twin moons in his hands. The Zenith Sovereign.
Professor Thayne Volar approached, his staff humming faintly with pale blue Eclipt.
"You see before you," he said softly, "the image of the one who saved our world. But peace… peace is fragile. The Dark God's malice was not destroyed — merely sealed."
The students listened, silent.
Thayne's eyes, old and distant, drifted briefly toward Renji and Kaen. "Legends say that when the seal weakens, the stars will dim and Eclipt will waver… that's why we train you — not just for glory, but for survival."
Renji frowned. "You really think the Dark God could come back?"
Thayne smiled faintly. "Hope for peace, young one. But prepare for war."
As he turned away, Kaen muttered, "You ever notice how these teachers always say something creepy before dinner?"
Renji laughed. "Yeah, it's like a rule here. 'Scare your students before feeding them.'"
---
That night, the academy's halls were quiet. Renji sat at his dorm desk, flipping through an old manual on Eclipt flow.
He paused, looking out the window. The twin moons flickered faintly — one of them dimmer than usual.
(Weird… it's never done that before…)
In the distance, hidden within the shadows of the academy's forest, a cloaked figure watched the dorm lights fade one by one. His eyes gleamed faintly crimson.
> "So… the cycle begins again. The seal trembles, and the inheritors gather."
He raised his hand, dark energy pulsing faintly around it — the opposite of Eclipt.
> "When the Zenith Sovereign fell, the world forgot balance. Soon, the Dark God will remember."
The wind howled faintly through the trees, carrying a whisper only the night could hear.
---
The next morning
Renji woke to Kaen's yelling. "Get up, idiot! You're gonna miss breakfast again!"
Renji groaned. "Let me die in peace…"
"You'll die hungry instead!"
"Same thing."
He rolled off the bed with a thud, somehow still half asleep, dragging his blanket like a cape. Kaen just sighed.
"You're hopeless."
Renji yawned. "And yet, strangely handsome."
"Delusional too."
The two bickered their way to the dining hall — the same way they always would.
But above the academy's tallest spire, unseen by all, the sigil of the Dark God flickered faintly for the first time in centuries.