Nyxar, the halls of the academy felt wider and emptier as he walked through them. Everything was new, everything unfamiliar. However, this was not an unusual situation for him; he had grown up in solitude, and still, he was getting used to it.
As his eyes focused on the large door in front of his class, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"You'd better slow down. Or else, you'll really run into me."
Nyxar slightly turned his head and saw the source of the voice. There, in front of him, was Percilla, with her fiery red hair and eyes that shone like flames. Her words were filled with the typical Scarlet style—fiery and suffocating.
"Slow down?" Nyxar replied in a cold voice. "How can I do that? My eyes are still open enough to see ahead of me."
Percilla's gaze hardened immediately. "I don't have time to argue with someone like you, but is being careless your thing?"
Her eyes now carried real anger. She had taken a few steps forward when the tension between them quickly caught the attention of the crowd. A few students turned their heads, and laughter could be heard.
The brief tension between Nyxar and Percilla echoed among the crowd. However, the situation changed suddenly. Just as Percilla furrowed her brows, she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder. She turned, and Aurelia was gently holding her.
"Oh my God, what are you doing?" Aurelia asked, her eyes filled with concern. Percilla looked at her for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Come on, let's go," said Aurelia, placing a friendly hand on Percilla's shoulder and trying to lead her away. "This is not the right place, and I don't think you've gained anything from this."
Percilla gave one last look at Nyxar, and then, with Aurelia, began to walk away from the crowd. Meanwhile, Nyxar stood still for a moment, watching them with a dark meaning in his eyes. As the crowd slowly dispersed, he felt a sense of unease in his heart. This first encounter had planted the seeds of something to come.
After the brief encounter, Nyxar continued on his way to the S-Class. This class, one of the highest in the academy, only housed the most elite students. As he entered, he was met with a spacious, luxurious classroom. The light streaming through the windows created soft reflections on the marble floor of the room.
Inside, a few students dressed in elaborate attire were talking amongst themselves. As he scanned the room, he noticed some of them wore special crests. These must have been children of royalty or high-ranking nobles. Students from the most important families of the empire had gathered here. Nyxar, however, was not one of them.
Without saying a word, he sat down in one of the empty seats at the back of the room. It was quiet, but there was an underlying pressure beneath that silence. A thirst for blood... The suffocating aura that unconsciously spread from him caused some students to involuntarily take notice. Even the strongest of them felt a momentary unease. However, no one openly mentioned it.
After a while, the number of students entering the room increased. As everyone took their places, the door suddenly opened, and all eyes turned in that direction. The person entering was Valeria Nacht, with her elegant posture in a shiny black uniform.
The room fell silent instantly. This was because Valeria Nacht was not just a teacher. She was one of the king's personal guards. Her appointment as a teacher at the academy was both good and bad news for everyone. The good news was that their training would be at the highest level. The bad news, however, was the undeniable fact that mistakes would not be forgiven.
Valeria's eyes scanned the room, then she took a few steps to her desk. She quietly surveyed the students and finally spoke, parting her lips.
"Welcome to the academy," she said, her voice carrying a seriousness devoid of any emotion. "The S-Class is one of the highest training units of the academy. Everyone here has been accepted due to their talent and status. However, remember, talent may have brought you here, but staying here is entirely up to you."
As the students listened attentively, Valeria continued. "It should go without saying, but I will still remind you: damaging academy property, causing unnecessary conflicts between students, and misusing knowledge are strictly prohibited. Do not forget that this academy is not here solely to make you stronger."
A few students nodded, while others simply listened. Valeria's eyes scanned the room before continuing.
"Now, you will introduce yourselves one by one. State your last name, your magical affinity, and your goals at the academy."
The students of higher status were the first to speak.
First, a young man with golden hair and a confident posture stood up. "Alexander Velbrandt, from the Duke Velbrandt family. My magical affinity is lightning and wind. My goal at the academy is to become a warrior worthy of my family's name."
Next, a girl with silver hair and an elegant posture stood up. "Princess Seraphina Von Eldoria. My magical affinity is water and light. My goal at the academy is to become the strongest mage in my country and a princess worthy of the throne."
Afterwards, Percilla rolled her eyes and stood up. "Percilla Scarlet. I want to master fire magic. And my goal? To be the best."
Aurelia gently nodded and stood up. "Aurelia Dawn. My magical affinity is light and holy magic. My goal is to develop myself at the academy and become the best healer."
When it was Nyxar's turn, he slowly stood up. His eyes briefly scanned everyone in the room. Then, in a calm voice, he spoke.
"Nyxar... Frost."
Some students were surprised by the name, while others furrowed their brows. However, Nyxar continued without paying them any attention.
"My magical affinity..." He paused for a moment, then simply continued. "It's not definite yet. My goal at the academy is... to reclaim my clan's glory."
Some students murmured quietly. Valeria glanced at Nyxar for a moment, then gestured for him to continue.
Thus, the introductions continued, but Nyxar's presence had left a lasting impression on some.
Valeria led the entire class to the training grounds. Everyone's eyes were on her, nervous and excited. Only a few students in the class were strong enough to truly compete with her—she was so powerful that no one could challenge her.
The training ground was vast, and every step the students took felt firm beneath them. The dazzling sun reflected off the metal shields and swords, causing them to shine brightly.
"They're only stronger than a few," Nyxar muttered to himself as he moved toward Percilla, his eyes focused on the warriors. Passing this class would offer him a great opportunity—there was so much he could learn from Valeria.
Valeria began assessing the students' strength one by one. With a sword in hand, she constantly moved to see how skilled they were in practice. The first to come forward quickly raised their shield and prepared a spell. At that moment, Valeria's eyes suddenly shifted, and she quickly moved, performing a maneuver that nullified the mage's spell. Her sword flew towards the shield with great speed. The shield had been enhanced by magic, but Valeria's movement was so quick that the shield fell to the ground, and the mage stepped back in shock. No one dared to touch Valeria.
The other members of the class took turns attempting to challenge her. A spear master quickly moved forward and threw his spear at Valeria. But with a single move, Valeria cut the spear in midair, shattering it. The spear master had no choice but to retreat. Swordsmen and swordmasters attempted to approach with greater caution.
Nyxar, Percilla, and Aurelia silently watched the shifting balance of power in the class. Every movement would indicate how far they needed to go. But Valeria kept defeating her opponents with such finesse that no one could stand against her. Only a few of the students introduced earlier would have the ability to challenge her. At that moment, Nyxar understood Valeria's power better. He knew he needed to be as talented as her, or else there would be no meaning in staying at this academy.
Finally, Percilla found an opening and made her move. Her sword quickly lunged toward Valeria, but Valeria merely stepped back, deflecting the strike. "You too?" Valeria said, smiling. There was ambition in Percilla's eyes, but it was impossible to read any meaning from Valeria's eyes. She was so fast that everything seemed like a silhouette.
Finally, Nyxar, moving toward Valeria on the training grounds, felt his purple energy rapidly spreading through his body. The power tightened his muscles, making each step feel stronger. However, the cost of this power would soon start to show. His body quickly grew pale, as if the blood inside him was being drained. Despite this, Nyxar kept moving quickly, his sword cutting through the air with a magical swiftness.
The Frost family's swordsmanship was evident in every movement. Rapid and skillful maneuvers left a trace behind; his sword became a star soaring through the air like the wind. His sword didn't just leave the sound of metal scraping; it also left a chilling feeling that defied time. With every strike, ice shards rose from the ground, as if a blizzard formed from the sharpness of his blade.
Simultaneously, he activated the ice spells. The ground suddenly froze, and Valeria's feet slipped, causing her balance to falter. Nyxar took advantage of the opportunity and aimed his sword, but Valeria quickly moved back with a swift motion. Despite the slipping sensation, Valeria's steps remained firm. She was so strong that with small movements, she dodged every threat, as if she knew every attack in advance.
Nyxar quickly moved on to a new strike, each blow following the previous one. Hundreds of sword swings combined his speed, intelligence, and the Frost family's mastery. But Valeria, without stepping back even once, perfectly countered every move, evading the attacks with a step to the right, a step to the left. She was so fast that despite Nyxar's speed, he couldn't land a single serious blow on her.
Over time, Nyxar's body began to wither under the influence of the purple energy. Each strike, each spell, weakened him a little more. But the anger and hatred inside him drove him to keep moving, increasing his endurance.
Finally, Valeria decided to launch a counterattack. With a single move, she swung her sword toward Nyxar's unguarded side. Nyxar quickly raised his sword to block, but a momentary delay forced him to step back. Valeria smiled with watching eyes.
"You're slowing down, Nyxar," Valeria said with a slightly mocking tone. "You need to fight better."
Nyxar felt the limits of his body, affected by the purple energy. But the warrior within him refused to give up. Gripping his sword tightly, he decided to attack Valeria once more. Each of his strikes surrounded the battle like a cold storm, but Valeria kept retreating, only watching, never engaging.
Nyxar paused for a moment. In his eyes, memories of the past began to flash. These were reminders of one of the oldest techniques of the Frost Clan; a hidden, dangerous power sealed deep within his soul. Revenge, hatred, the desire to win—these emotions merged and echoed within the cold, deep void inside him. In that moment, he felt something awakening.
He took a deep breath, his vision darkening. In that instant, the air around him froze. Purple mist quickly disappeared, replaced by ancient letters and shapes made of ice, forming a pattern. Each one seemed to carry meaning, but there was an unsolved mystery within. This technique was part of the Frost Clan's oldest and most powerful defensive magic; it was also a deadly attack.
The training field began to freeze in seconds, the ground covered in ice. Valeria, on the verge of losing her balance, quickly slid and regained control. The other students, feeling the cold sinking into their bodies, began to struggle to move. Valeria's eyes noticed the ice and letters rapidly spreading around Nyxar's body. This was a power that could only belong to the Frost Clan's secrets, but Nyxar's magical capacity wasn't yet enough for it. His power was too great to contain. But he was using it, driven by ambition and a thirst for revenge, without thinking of the price.
A demonic voice echoed in the ears of a few students in the class. "Absolute Cold…" These words hung in the air, spoken in a low tone but unmistakably a threat.
The air around Nyxar had condensed so much that everything seemed frozen. His magical capacity was rapidly draining, and every movement of his body felt like paying a price. The ice's influence spread, forcing every muscle in his body. No matter how strong he was, he was about to surpass his limits. His ambition was pushing him, but the cost of this power was heavy.
Valeria suddenly realized Nyxar's condition. She immediately saw the trembling of his body, the purple energy damaging his body, and his seemingly paling skin. Nyxar was starting to weaken. Valeria quickly tried to stop him, but Nyxar made another move, swinging his sword. Valeria was forced to dodge swiftly, but when she came back, a small wound appeared on her arms. He was so strong that controlling such great power had become nearly impossible.
Valeria paused for a moment. She realized that Nyxar's deep use of power was destabilizing him. She knew she had to stop him quickly. But Nyxar, with one final effort, lunged forward. His eyes were now glowing with purple light; his body was surrounded by a cold aura.
However, this last effort wasn't worth the price. His magic had run out. Nyxar lost his balance and collapsed to the ground. His breath became shallow, and his vision began to fade.
Valeria rushed to his side, but Nyxar was unconscious. He had exhausted too much of his energy, and falling into this state so soon meant he had exceeded the limits of his abilities. His magic had drained, and after a while, though he tried to open his eyes and rise again, it was too late. At that moment, Valeria noticed a strange tremor in the air as golden light began to emerge from her hands. A light shone, as if pulled from the void, rapidly surrounding the area. As the students exchanged fearful and shocked glances, Valeria's eyes struggled to recognize the man who appeared before her.
His white hair reached down to his waist, and he was dressed like a priest. His robes gleamed with golden embroidery, radiating a sacred glow, and his garments fluttered lightly in the wind. A light began to shine in his hands; a holy aura filled the space, quickly clearing the cold and frozen air.
The man moved toward Valeria. With one hand, he reached toward Nyxar's pale body, and the air around him suddenly shifted. Holy light broke through the darkness and frozen atmosphere, flowing toward his body. Nyxar suddenly took a deep breath. His body visibly regained its former health. His color returned to its natural vibrancy, and the cold sweat and pale skin vanished.
Valeria, watching with surprise and gratitude, observed the archbishop. He was always calm in the toughest moments and strong no matter what. During the years she spent with him, she had witnessed this power time and time again. The archbishop had always been a guide, a mentor, but now, with a single gesture, he had healed Nyxar.
"Master…" Valeria said, bowing her head respectfully. "Did you come to see me?"
The archbishop looked at Valeria gently. "Yes, I came to see you, my student. But this situation... how should I put it... was quite a surprise." His eyes shifted to Nyxar. "This young man tried to go too far. But pushing the limits of magic means paying the price."
The archbishop took a deep breath and extended his hands again, quickly healing Nyxar. "But everything has its limit. True power is balancing oneself without harming others."
The students began whispering about who this man was. "He... He's the Archbishop of the Church..." one of them said, while the others nodded in shock. "Nothing can oppose him."
The archbishop approached Valeria and gave her a gentle smile. "I have much to teach you, Valeria. But now, we need to calm the young one and strengthen him. Every student with high goals sometimes tries to push their limits. And the ambition inside this student will lead him to greater power. But I remind you, using any means to win doesn't weaken you, it weakens your journey."
Valeria fell deep into thought as she listened to her master's words. She had observed Nyxar closely. He had a destructive ambition, but she also realized how dangerous it could be.
Thank you for reading <3