The courtyard of Havenwood Academy buzzed with tension as students from the Adept Tier teams filed back from their respective dungeon expeditions. The usually disciplined training grounds were now filled with chatter, the clash of emotions from victory and failure mixing in the air. Some students limped with visible injuries, supported by their teammates, while others stood tall and proud, their weapons gleaming with fresh battle marks.
Kara's team moved through the throng, tired but victorious. Elara walked carefully, her arm bandaged from the Gloomspawn's attack. Kara stayed close to her, casting worried glances every few steps, while Xander and Luna flanked them, alert for anyone trying to push past in the crowded space. Drake trailed slightly behind, his hands clenched into fists, his sharp gaze scanning the other teams.
The sound of a sharp whistle cut through the noise.
"Teams, form ranks!" Instructor Fayne's commanding voice carried across the courtyard, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Her presence was a force in itself, her posture unyielding as she stood at the base of the central platform. Beside her were Professor Everhart, his hands clasped behind his back, and Master Chawng, who regarded the students with a critical eye.
Slowly, the students arranged themselves into orderly lines, the murmurs dying down to a tense silence.
Fayne's eyes swept over them. "The dungeon expeditions are not mere tests of skill. They are designed to measure your unity, strategy, and resilience under true pressure. Some of you rose to the challenge." Her gaze lingered briefly on Kara's team, then shifted to a group on the far right, who stood battered but proud. "Others… barely survived."
A ripple of unease moved through the students.
Professor Everhart stepped forward, his voice calm but cutting.
"Reports have been gathered. Rankings will be posted tomorrow. For now, you will receive direct feedback from your instructors. Some teams demonstrated exceptional coordination…"
His eyes flicked toward Kara's group. "Others displayed reckless behavior that nearly cost lives."
Kara straightened at the praise, but she didn't allow herself to smile. She knew the fight with the Gloomspawn could have gone very differently. Elara's injury was proof of that.
Drake, however, barely seemed to hear the instructors. His gaze was fixed on a group standing across from them: Team Veylan, the academy's top-performing group. They looked almost untouched, their armor spotless, their weapons gleaming. At their center stood Veylan himself, a tall, dark-haired student whose smirk was infuriatingly smug.
"Look at them," Drake muttered under his breath. "They didn't even break a sweat."
Xander glanced back at him, raising a brow. "Relax, Drake. They probably just had an easier dungeon."
Drake scoffed. "Or maybe they're just better."
Kara shot him a warning look. "Not now."
But Veylan clearly overheard. He smirked wider and stepped forward just enough for his voice to carry.
"Impressive, Kara. You and your little group survived your first real challenge." His tone dripped with condescension. "Though I hear one of yours couldn't keep up." His gaze slid deliberately to Elara's bandaged arm.
Elara stiffened, her cheeks flushing, but she stayed silent.
Before Kara could reply, Drake stepped forward, his fists tightening. "Say that again."
Veylan tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Just stating facts. Weak links drag teams down. It's no wonder you placed below us last time."
Drake's temper flared, and a thin tremor ran through the ground beneath his feet as his earth-aligned energy surged. "Why don't we settle this right now, pretty boy?"
Master Chawng's voice cut through like a blade.
"Enough."
Both Drake and Veylan froze, though neither lowered their glares.
Chawng stepped forward, his expression as unyielding as stone. "If you wish to challenge another, you do so properly. Not like undisciplined street fighters."
Professor Everhart adjusted his spectacles. "Actually," he said smoothly, "a controlled match may not be a bad idea. It would serve as both evaluation and… a way to release this tension."
Fayne's eyes narrowed, but she gave a short nod. "Very well. A sparring session. Drake, Veylan—you will face each other. The rest of you will observe and learn."
Drake's chest heaved with excitement. This was exactly what he wanted. Kara, however, frowned. She knew Drake's temper could easily get the better of him.
---
The training arena was quickly cleared. Students gathered around the perimeter, their excitement buzzing like electricity. Kara stood with Elara, Xander, and Luna, her arms crossed tightly.
"Drake's strong," Xander said, watching as Drake stretched his arms. "But Veylan's no pushover. This could get ugly."
"Veylan's fast," Luna added quietly. "If Drake loses focus for even a second…"
"He won't," Kara said, more to convince herself than the others.
The match began with a sharp clap from Master Chawng.
Veylan moved first, a blur of motion as he summoned twin blades of condensed wind energy. He slashed them through the air, sending slicing gusts hurtling toward Drake.
Drake slammed his fists together, the ground beneath him erupting as jagged stone pillars rose to block the attack. The gusts shattered harmlessly against the rock.
"Is that all you've got?!" Drake roared, charging forward. With a powerful stomp, he propelled himself high into the air, his fist glowing with earthen energy as he aimed a crushing blow at Veylan.
But Veylan was ready. He sidestepped with fluid grace, spinning as he countered with a kick that sent a burst of wind crashing into Drake's side. Drake hit the ground hard, skidding backward, but he rolled to his feet with a snarl.
"Drake, focus!" Kara shouted. "Don't just charge in!"
Drake gritted his teeth. He wasn't just fighting Veylan—he was fighting the gnawing feeling that maybe Veylan was right. Maybe Kara's team wasn't strong enough. Maybe he wasn't strong enough.
The arena trembled as Drake's energy flared wildly. He slammed both hands into the ground, and massive stone arms burst upward, forming a towering golem. The crowd gasped as the creature roared to life.
Veylan's smirk faltered for just a moment. "Alright then," he muttered, spinning his blade
"Let's see what you've really got."
Drake squared his stance, fists tightening, the earth beneath him trembling slightly as his Geo Manipulation flared, sending jagged stones skittering across the ground toward Veylan. The two clashed immediately, the sound of metal against stone echoing across the training ground. Sparks flew as Drake dodged and countered, his movements heavy and forceful, but Veylan's speed and precision kept him constantly on the defensive.
Veylan's Mirage Step made him even more dangerous. His body blurred, creating fleeting afterimages as he weaved through Drake's attacks, each motion forcing Drake to guess where the real strike would land. One moment Veylan seemed to be at his left, the next behind him, his twin blades slicing through stone pillars as though they were paper.
On the sidelines, Kara, Xander, Luna, and Elara stood in tense silence, watching every movement. They weren't allowed to interfere, Master Chawng's rules strict and clear. This was Drake's fight alone.
Drake gritted his teeth, raising a wall of jagged stone to block a sudden flurry of strikes. Veylan didn't even slow down—his real form flickered past the wall, striking from an unexpected angle. Drake barely twisted away, but a shallow cut bloomed across his forearm.
"Too slow," Veylan taunted, his tone calm but sharp. "Raw strength won't save you."
"I don't need saving," Drake growled, slamming his palms into the ground. A series of stone spikes erupted around him, forcing Veylan to leap backward—only for him to vanish in a blur and reappear behind Drake. The blunt edge of a blade slammed into Drake's ribs before he could react, the force lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into the dirt.
The courtyard fell silent.
Drake groaned, clutching his side, but refused to stay down. Slowly, painfully, he forced himself to his feet. His vision swam, but determination burned in his eyes. Veylan studied him for a long moment before finally sheathing his blades.
"You've got heart," Veylan said evenly. "But heart alone isn't enough. Train harder, or you'll break before the enemy does."
Drake staggered forward, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Kara and the others rushed to meet him now that the fight was over, their concern plain on their faces.
"You went all out," Kara said, her tone firm but supportive. "That's what matters."
Xander nodded, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. "You lasted way longer than I thought you would against Veylan. That's saying something."
Drake gave a weak laugh, shaking his head. "You guys don't get it. This… it's more than just fighting for me. I've had to…" His voice cracked, and he turned slightly away. "I've had to keep my family safe—make sure my sister and mom are okay. Every fight, every training session… it's all tied to that. I can't fail them."
The others exchanged quiet looks. Luna's voice was soft. "We understand, Drake. You don't have to carry it all alone."
Drake exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. "I know… it's just hard. I keep thinking that no matter how hard I push, it's never enough. But seeing you all here, believing in me… it makes the weight a little lighter."
Elara gave him a small, encouraging smile. "Then let us keep sharing that weight."
Drake's lips curled into a determined grin, despite the bruises forming on his face. "I will. I'll get stronger. Next time, I won't lose like this."
As they walked back toward the academy building together, Veylan remained behind, watching silently, his expression unreadable.