The courtyard buzzed with tension as the instructors stepped forward to gather their newly assigned students.
Stone feet and enchanted limbs moved with uncanny grace, the constructs far from lifeless — they possessed a presence that demanded respect, not through intimidation, but through sheer discipline and refined purpose.
Instructor Thalion, whose aura radiated a proud and battle-hardened nobility, called out firmly, "Rafael Mendoza. With me." His voice was sharp, forged like steel in the crucible of war. Rafael responded instantly, falling in line behind the towering instructor, his sword resting against his back as if drawn by instinct.
Faelar followed next, his movements elegant and precise like an archer's perfect shot. He offered a wry smirk as his emerald cloak swayed. "Mark Villanueva," he called. "Let's hope your aim is better than your posture." Mark chuckled nervously and fell into step, already adjusting his stance.
Instructor Eryndor's heavy footsteps echoed like a distant drumbeat. "Vincent Perez," he grunted. "You look like you can carry twice your weight. Let's see if your weapon can say the same." Vincent exhaled a short laugh and followed, his massive blade resting on his back.
Sylrieth remained perfectly still until his gaze flicked toward three of the teenagers. "Daniel Cruz. Carla Santos. Abby Suarez. You'll learn swiftness, silence, and savagery from me," he said, his tone almost melodic. Carla exchanged a look with her brother, then jogged after the instructor with an eager grin.
Instructor Althaea's flames flickered around her fingertips as she raised her hand, her demeanor warm yet sharp. "Patricia Gomez. Erika Lim. Magic of fire and illusion requires balance. I'll be the flame that tempers you." Patricia nodded. Erika simply stared, fascinated by the embers that danced in Althaea's palm.
Vaelrya tilted her head, studying the next two with a cool smile. "Kevin Fajardo and Nolan Suarez. Support fire and elemental control — both require discipline, come with me." The boys nodded, exchanging a brief fist bump before following her.
Protheus clasped his hands behind his back, scanning the dispersing pairs. He gave a satisfied nod—until a cough interrupted him.
"Your Majesty," Thalion said with an amused lift of his brow. "Were we only training half of the group today?"
Protheus blinked. "Come again?"
Sylrieth stepped to the side and motioned toward a group still standing awkwardly in the courtyard: Maria Mendoza, Joshua Dela Cruz, Sofia Dela Cruz, Angela Reyes, Janine Soriano, Carlo Ramirez, Liza Ramirez, and Denise Bautista.
"You appear to have forgotten a few," Sylrieth said dryly. "Unless leaving them stranded is part of their training?"
"Of course not," Protheus said, clearing his throat with affected dignity. "I was merely… testing your awareness."
"Ah," Faelar said with a wink. "A test for us, then. How thoughtful, My Lord."
Protheus sighed, muttering under his breath, "This is why I preferred dragons. They never backtalked."
Thalion stepped forward again. "Very well. I shall take Maria Mendoza and Joshua Dela Cruz under my tutelage. One blade is good. Three is better." His sharp gaze turned to the two siblings. "Move quickly.
"Yes, sir!" Joshua called as he followed. Maria gave a small nod, already checking her shield straps.
Sylvanna, whose steps were quieter than wind brushing leaves, now came forward, her voice serene yet commanding. "Sofia Dela Cruz. Angela Reyes. Liza Ramirez. Denise Bautista. You'll be under my care." Her soft gaze hardened. "Healing is not submission. It is willpower. You will strengthen more than your healing magic here."
The girls exchanged brief looks, then followed without hesitation.
Vaelrya tilted her head, her voice as smooth as a whisper through mountain air. "Janine Soriano. With me." She turned without waiting, and Janine trailed after her, her cloak catching the morning light.
Lastly, Sylrieth's gaze fixed on Carlo Ramirez. "You walk quietly. You see more than you speak. I like that, come with me." Carlo nodded once, silent as always, and moved to join him.
Protheus glanced at the instructors, his white robe fluttering behind him. "There, all assigned."
Eryndor grunted, "Perhaps next time, Your Majesty, you might carry a scroll."
Faelar added with a playful grin, "Or a chisel to inscribe it on the courtyard floor, just in case."
Protheus gave a long, suffering sigh. "Next time, I'll leave the organizing to you lot and sip wine in my office."
"My Lord, with all due respect," Althaea said, a trace of a smirk on her otherwise graceful face, "please don't."
The students chuckled quietly, their nerves eased just enough before the true rigor of training would begin. The courtyard settled once more, the air charged with both anticipation and a strange sense of camaraderie — the storm was coming, but for now, they stood at its edge, ready to dive in.
Moments later…
Angela Reyes, ever curious and brave enough to ask what others only whispered, raised her hand slightly as Sylvanna paced before them. "Um, Instructor Sylvanna," she began, "earlier, I think I heard you and the others call Master Protheus 'Your Majesty'… or was it 'My Lord'? Why did you call him that?"
The silver-haired instructor paused mid-step. The sunlight caught her pale eyes, giving them an almost ethereal glow. A slow, deliberate silence followed, enough for the other girls—Sofia, Liza, and Denise—to perk up and lean in subtly, clearly curious too.
Sylvanna turned to them, her expression unreadable.
"That," she said, "is a secret."
The girls looked at each other.
"A secret?" Liza asked softly.
Sylvanna's tone shifted slightly, warmer yet firm. "Yes. One that is not given freely. If you want to know who he truly is, then show it—not through questions, but through discipline. Through effort. Through results."
Denise bit her lip, half in awe. "So… if we train well, we'll be told?"
Sylvanna offered the faintest smile. "If you earn it. Now enough gossip, form up. Magic won't wait for curiosity to be satisfied."
The girls exchanged wide-eyed glances but did as they were told. As they moved into position, a newfound eagerness stirred in their hearts—not just to improve, but to unlock the mystery surrounding the man they had taken for just another powerful mage. Perhaps there was a throne behind those quiet eyes. A history behind his measured words.
They had only just begun to understand what kind of world they had stepped into.