The next morning, the students gathered outside the camp. The air was crisp with morning dew, a light mist dancing around their feet. Among the group were Amelia, Elias, Eldrin, Kellan, Selyra, Tavin, Andera, Serena, Elenor, Egan, Oliver, Ronan, and Orin.
Mr. Arnold, Mr. Alaric, and Ms. Rose came out to see them off, greeting the students with pride in their eyes.
"Even though you've learned how to resist Corrupted Mana," Mr. Arnold began, his voice serious, "You must still tread cautiously. Corrupted Mana erodes the consciousness over time. No matter how well you counter it, take breaks often, and never prolong your stay in those areas. Understood?"
In unison, the students replied, "Yes, sir!" Just then, Mr. Valmire arrived. "Good morning, Grandpa!" said Amelia, Elias, Serena, and Orin in chorus.
Valmire chuckled warmly. "Good morning, children. Congratulations on passing the test." Orin crossed his arms. "I thought you left yesterday."
"How could I leave without saying goodbye?" Valmire replied with a teasing glint. Orin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. As if I don't know why you're really here."
Elias scowled. "Orin, mind your tone! That's Grandpa you're talking to. Have you forgotten your manners, hanging around that peasant boy Ronan?"
A flicker of anger flashed in Orin's eyes, but he spoke calmly. "I thought I was talking to my grandfather."
Mr. Valmire raised his hand. "Enough, both of you." Then he looked at Orin. "By the way, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"
Orin smirked. "Sure, sure." He introduced Tavin, Andera, and Elenor.
Valmire exchanged brief, kind words with each of them, congratulating them for their efforts and offering a few words of encouragement. Then he elbowed Orin gently, subtly gesturing toward Ronan. Orin sighed. "Grandpa, this is Ronan."
Ronan, clearly worn from sleepless nights, greeted him with a respectful bow. "Good morning, Sir. Sorry if I behaved rudely yesterday." Valmire placed a hand on his shoulder. "Another nightmare?" Ronan nodded silently.
Then, in his mind, he heard Valmire's voice: "I have a soothing stone. It can help you sleep and suppress dreams." Ronan replied in thought, "Thank you, but I already have one."
"If you ever need help," Valmire said in his mind, "you can come to me or Arnold. We will be there."
"Thank you," Ronan replied, a rare softness in his mental voice. Mr. Valmire gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "Take care, Ronan."
A few days later, the names of those selected for special training at Voidedge were posted on the main notice board.
Orin stood before the academy's notice board, eyes scanning rapidly until they landed on his name. He blinked once. Twice.
"Ananya, Elias, Kairos, Kaito, Orin, Serena, and Tavin."
He let out a short breath of relief. "Okay, I'm in," he muttered, but his brow furrowed almost immediately. "Wait, where the hell is Ronan?"
Not waiting for answers from a silent board, Orin turned on his heel. "I need a sparring partner anyway," he said to himself and started heading toward Mr. Alden's training grounds, where he knew he'd likely find someone to vent his energy on.
As he approached, the sound of conversation reached his ears. Stepping into the clearing, he spotted Kairos, Ananya, and Kaito standing beside Mr. Alden.
"Good morning, Sir!" Orin called out.
Mr. Alden turned toward him with a small smile. "Perfect timing. Good morning, Orin. Come, meet your new classmates." He gestured toward the trio.
Ananya, a poised young woman with an analytical gaze, offered a courteous nod. Kaito, more relaxed, gave Orin a grin and extended a hand. "Looks like we'll be training together. I've heard about your fights. Looking forward to crossing swords sometime."
"Likewise," Orin replied, clasping Kaito's hand firmly before turning to Kairos. "Good morning, Kairos. Have you seen Ronan?"
Kairos's expression shifted slightly, thoughtful. "He left with Kael this morning. Said something about collecting sword material."
Orin growled under his breath. "I needed him to spar with me." Mr. Alden raised an eyebrow. "How about Kairos, then? I'd like to see how your swordsmanship holds up against his."
Orin and Kairos exchanged glances. Kairos shrugged with a small smile. "Why not?"
"Sounds good to me," Orin said. They stepped onto the stone platform, surrounded by the familiar etchings of magical wards designed to absorb stray strikes. Mr. Alden's voice rang clear. "Sword skills only. No elemental spells other than sword-infused ones. Understood?"
Both nodded. In perfect synchrony, they drew their swords. "Begin!"
The clash was immediate—metal against metal, fierce and ringing. Orin charged with aggressive swipes, his footwork aggressive and his momentum relentless. Kairos, graceful and composed, focused on defence, his blade weaving a protective net.
"You're fast," Kairos said between parries.
"That's the idea," Orin replied, grinning. "Training's paying off."
He increased the tempo, pushing Kairos further back, the air shimmering with each clash. Sparks flew as their swords met again and again, a dance of skill and instinct.
Mr. Alden crossed his arms, watching with interest.
Kairos was visibly straining now. His arms trembled slightly with each block. Orin could feel it—his opponent faltering.
"Come on, Kairos," Orin said with a teasing grin. "Ronan always brags about your swordsmanship. This is all you got?"
Kairos didn't reply. His eyes, however, were calm. Too calm.
Orin lunged forward with a decisive slash.
Kairos smirked. A trap.
He stepped to the side, letting Orin's blade carve through the air. With precise timing, he parried the next attack and brought his foot up, slamming a kick into Orin's chest. Orin slid backwards, boots grinding against the ground.
As Orin tried to regain his footing, Kairos lifted his sword. Light gathered along the blade's edge.
"Radiant Slash."
The arc of brilliant light tore through the air toward Orin.
Still sliding, Orin's expression hardened. Wind gathered along his own blade.
"Zephyr Slash!"
His wind-based mana slash collided with the light attack in mid-air, creating a flash of energy as the two techniques cancelled each other out.
Orin finally managed to steady his stance, sword raised. He looked up—but Kairos was gone from sight.
A sharp presence.
Orin turned his head, eyes widening. A blade rested gently on his shoulder from behind.
Mr. Alden's voice rang out. "Winner, Kairos."
Orin let out a deep breath, sweat trickling down his brow. He turned slowly, offering a grin. "You got me. That faint… nicely done."
Kairos returned the smile, lowering his blade. "You're a storm when you fight. I just waited for the calm after." They both laughed.
Mr. Alden walked over, hands behind his back. "Well fought. Both of you. Orin, your speed and attack power are impressive, but you rely on them too heavily. Strategy matters just as much as strength. Use your mind alongside your blade."
Orin gave a respectful nod. "Understood, sir."
Mr. Alden turned to Kairos. "Your strategy and movement were excellent, and you kept a level head. But your strikes lacked precision. In a real battle, that might cost you. Train to make every blow count."
"Yes, sir," Kairos said. Orin stepped forward, serious now. "Sir… why isn't Ronan going with us to Voidedge?"
Kairos, too, looked toward Mr. Alden, curiosity and concern in his eyes. The instructor let out a long sigh. "There are… politics involved." He paused, choosing his words.
"Ronan needs three times the normal resources to grow. And unfortunately, the academy distributes resources equally among students of the same Tier."
Orin's brows furrowed. Mr. Alden continued, "So when the higher-ups see someone like Ronan—someone with limited mana, a rare and costly physique, they calculate the return on investment. In simple terms, they think it's a waste."
Kairos frowned. "That's ridiculous. He's talented."
"He is," Mr. Alden agreed. "But the system doesn't favour outliers. They prefer to invest in those who show a 'guaranteed future.' It's not fair. And I don't agree with it. But my hands are tied."
Orin clenched his fists. "So they just leave him behind?"
"Let him forge his own path," Mr. Alden said gently. "If he ever asks for help, and you can offer it—do so. That's all I ask."
Silence hung heavy for a moment. Then the training ground doors opened, and Elias, Serena, and Tavin walked in.
Mr. Alden turned, his posture sharpening again. "You three, warm up. We start with formation drills, then movement synchronisation."
As the newcomers prepared, Orin glanced one last time in the direction of the training ground entry gate.
"He'd better come back stronger," he muttered. Kairos smirked. "He will. Knowing Ronan, he'll probably surprise all of us."
Orin smiled faintly. "I'm counting on it." And with that, they returned to training, their blades still humming from the clash—but their hearts, perhaps, even more fired up for what lay ahead.