The morning bell echoed sharply through Bo Zhai School, signaling the start of a new day. Students gathered in the classroom, buzzing with excitement.
"What spell should I demonstrate first?" a boy asked eagerly.
"Lightning streaks—fast and flashy," Zhao Ling replied with a grin.
"I'll crush everything with ice!" Wei Bou boasted.
Jing Feng's calm voice cut through the chatter. "Wind can slice cleanly and precisely. Power isn't always about brute force."
Huo remained silent, observing everyone. His crimson bracelet glinted faintly, pulsing with anticipation. Dual elements… I can't hold back.
Before they could argue further, the door creaked open. Teacher Wang Chi entered, eyes sharp and commanding. "Follow me. Practice awaits."
The students hurried after him into the training hall, awe sweeping over them. Towering stone pillars and reinforced targets lined the room, each massive enough to withstand repeated spells.
"These stones can withstand low Echo-level attacks," Wang Chi explained. "Show me control, not just raw power."
Students whispered excitedly among themselves, debating which spell to use first.
"I'll combine fire bursts with speed," one said.
"Multiple ice shards, Precision Freeze," Wei Bou replied confidently.
"Wind Arc Blade," Jing Feng said softly, curling his fingers.
Huo's lips tightened. Time to test my limits.
Huo stepped forward. Fire blazed along his arm, and lightning coursed through his legs, propelling him forward.
"Crimson Flash!" he shouted, releasing a rapid surge of fire and lightning that struck a towering stone pillar. Cracks spider-webbed across its surface, chunks of rock shattering, yet the pillar groaned and held. Sparks danced in the air, heat shimmered against his skin, and the hall vibrated with the sound of cracking stone. Dust filled his nostrils, and the ground trembled beneath his feet like a heartbeat.
Wang Chi nodded, observing closely. "Comparable to low Echo spells. Strong—but needs balance. Power without control is dangerous."
---
Jing Feng stepped forward next, wind gathering around his arm.
"Cyclone Arc!" he shouted, swinging his arm in a graceful arc. A massive blade of wind sliced a stone pillar cleanly in half. Dust and debris whipped violently, howling in the students' ears.
Huo's eyes widened slightly, admiration flickering across his features. He's precise… faster than I imagined. I have to keep up.
The students gasped.
"Middle Echo level," Wang Chi said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Whispers spread among the students:
"That… is stronger than Huo's spell!"
"Huo's fast, but Jing Feng's… insane."
Huo patted Jing Feng on the back. "You're my best friend," he said warmly. Jing Feng's grin widened as he patted Huo back heavily, pride shining in his eyes.
Wei Bou – Precision Freeze: Ice shards launched in perfect arcs, splitting pillars like glass. Every strike calculated, every fragment a potential trap. Peak Whisper-level. Huo nodded faintly. Calculated… every shard a threat.
Zhao Ling – Thunder Streak: Lightning arced unpredictably, zigzagging past his own shadow, striking targets before eyes could track it. Low Echo, subtly surpassing Huo's speed. Subtle, sharp… I need to sharpen my reflexes.
Lao Qin – Earthbreaker Slam: The ground trembled, jagged stone spikes erupting like miniature earthquakes, crushing pillars and sending dust clouds tumbling. On the verge of Echo-level. Raw, unyielding… good, I like a challenge.
The students exchanged awed whispers. "Zhao Ling moves lightning like it's nothing."
Huo clenched his fists, staring at the shattered stones. The cracks seemed to echo his own failures. Fire surged, lightning flared, but still… still not enough. His chest ached, palms burned.
A memory flashed—a young Huo playing with his father, laughter echoing through the courtyard, warmth and safety mingling with the promise he had made. I won't fail again… I can't.
---
Shadows Loom
Outside the hall, a black crow circled silently, tracking their movements. Its wings sliced the air with unnatural precision, eyes glinting unnervingly. Wang Chi's gaze followed the bird.
"It seems they've noticed us earlier than expected," he muttered. "We must ensure their security."
The room fell silent for a moment, the thrill of training tempered by an unspoken awareness that unseen eyes were observing.
As they prepared for the next round, whispers continued among students:
"I heard a city in China fell recently," a boy murmured.
"And Kashi too. No one knows why," another said.
"Secret organizations… or Crown-tier mages moving in the shadows," a third speculated.
Huo's eyes flickered. Fire and lightning… far away… A distant challenge tugged at his instincts, unseen but undeniable.
Meanwhile, students debated which spells to show off next, each wanting to impress, to stand out.
I have to surpass them. I have to be ready… for everything.
The energy in the hall was high, but tension simmered beneath the surface. Students compared strengths, whispered about each other's potential, and plotted how to outshine their peers. Wang Chi's sharp eyes scanned each student, noting control, creativity, and raw power.
The crow swooped lower, shadowing the hall. Wang Chi's lips curved faintly. "Prepare yourselves," he warned. "The world outside moves faster than we anticipated. We must act to ensure their safety."
Adrenaline surged. Today's training wasn't just about power—it was about strategy, precision, and awareness. Beyond the walls of Bo Zhai School, eyes were watching, waiting for even the smallest misstep.
The hall fell silent. Stones cracked, spells lingered in the air, and every student felt the weight of responsibility pressing down. This was only the beginning.
CHAPTER 6:- END