The morning at Elysium Academy arrived with a chill that cut sharper than any blade. Thaddeus Moon rose before the first light, the shadows in his room already stretching in anticipation. He traced their tendrils with a practiced hand, feeling their responsiveness, their subtle movements—a silent acknowledgment of his presence. Today was the first day of training, and he knew that even a minor mistake could reveal weakness.
Aurora had been awake long before him, pacing the Moon Tower balcony with her customary grace. She turned as he entered, eyes bright with focus. "The exercises begin today," she said quietly. "Remember—observe first. Many heirs here are skilled, but none are infallible. And shadows respond best when guided, not commanded."
Thaddeus nodded, adjusting the hilt of his katana beneath his cloak. "Then we shall see whose guidance is superior." Shadows rippled in response, curling around his feet as though sensing his intent.
The Moon siblings descended into the central training hall, a vast chamber where elemental energy shimmered across every wall, floor, and ceiling. The hall was circular, with six platforms spaced evenly, each resonating with one of the primary elements: Shadow, Sun, Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire. The energy was subtle at first, but those attuned—like Thaddeus—could feel it humming beneath the surface, alive and aware.
Students were already assembling. Thaddeus' eyes quickly scanned the crowd, cataloging appearances and movements. Some wielded bows, others rapiers, spears, or gauntlets, each reflecting the training of their noble house. A few minor nobles, though skilled, paled in comparison to the heirs whose auras shimmered with elemental resonance.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the Solgards. The golden-haired boy stood tall, shoulders back, an air of confidence bordering on arrogance radiating from him. Beside him, his sister moved with equal precision, her golden light reflecting off the hall like a shield. Thaddeus felt the familiar twinge of rivalry ignite, a reminder that this was not a friendly exercise but a battle for perception, skill, and perhaps status.
The instructor, a tall figure draped in robes embroidered with intertwining elemental glyphs, stepped forward. His voice echoed through the hall with clarity and authority:
"Welcome to your first day at Elysium Academy. Today, you will engage in exercises designed to test your control, precision, and adaptability. You will pair off, study your opponent, and demonstrate mastery of your elemental and martial skills. Remember—control without awareness is meaningless, and strength without strategy is wasted. Begin."
Thaddeus' shadow coiled around his feet like liquid night, sensing the faint stirrings of energy from his fellow heirs. He moved to the center of the hall, katana ready, observing the nearest figure—a girl with long, silvery hair whose aura pulsed like wind in motion. Subtle yet precise, her movements were calculated, almost hypnotic.
Selene Stormhaven, he noted silently. Wind element. Bow user. Agile, tactical… potential rival.
Pairs were assigned, and Thaddeus found himself facing a student from a minor noble family. The student's fire element manifested in small sparks dancing along her gauntlets. Thaddeus allowed her first strike, shadows bending and absorbing the energy, redirecting it harmlessly across the floor.
He struck next, katana arcs precise, shadows extending as extensions of his will, blocking and redirecting her attacks with fluid efficiency. Every movement, every calculation, every observation of distance and timing was noted, processed, and executed without hesitation.
A flicker of acknowledgment passed across her face—a recognition that she was outmatched—but Thaddeus barely noticed. His focus remained absolute.
During a brief pause, Thaddeus observed other heirs. The Solgard boy moved with confidence, striking a pose that radiated authority. He wielded a golden estoc, its tip glinting with elemental energy. Each movement was deliberate, each strike precise. Thaddeus' shadows tensed instinctively.
This will be a true test, he thought. And it begins soon.
Nearby, other heirs engaged in exercises. A pair manipulated water and ice, their attacks flowing like rivers and shattering like glaciers. A pair of Emberharts moved with fire and lightning, their spears crackling and leaving trails of energy across the floor. Each display was a lesson, a challenge, a potential threat.
Aurora approached, her shadow whispering at his side. "Observe, Thad. Learn their patterns. Anticipate. You must adapt faster than you react."
He nodded silently. Her advice echoed in his mind, sharpening his focus.
The final exercise of the morning involved elemental fusion drills, where heirs combined their powers with others to create controlled, complex attacks. Thaddeus was paired with Aurora, their shadows intertwining in fluid patterns, creating barriers, cutting through illusions, and demonstrating mastery over darkness.
Their combined attack was flawless, shadows moving as one, katana strikes synchronized with Aurora's subtle maneuvers. Observers murmured in admiration. Even minor nobles took note, though Thaddeus' attention remained on the Solgards across the hall.
The golden-haired boy executed a light-and-sun fusion strike with his sister, brilliant and precise, cutting through the air like a blade of daylight. Thaddeus noted the speed, the timing, the subtle manipulations of energy. He is skilled… but so am I.
After lunch, the students returned for sparring sessions, where alliances, rivalries, and strategy began to emerge. Thaddeus faced a wind-element heir, arrows flying from an unseen bow, slicing through the hall with precision. Shadows coiled, deflecting the projectiles, redirecting them harmlessly to the floor. He moved closer, katana striking in perfect arcs, forcing the heir to retreat.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed the Solgard boy observing, assessing. Their eyes met for a fleeting second—rivals already, a silent acknowledgment that each measured the other, noting skill, aura, and intent.
By evening, exhaustion weighed on the students. Yet even in fatigue, the lessons were absorbed. Thaddeus reflected on the day, shadows curling tightly around him as he walked the Moon Tower balcony with Aurora.
"The Solgards…" he began, fingers brushing his katana hilt. "They are strong, precise… everything I expected. But strength alone will not win the day."
Aurora's gaze was steady. "No. You must anticipate, adapt, and master yourself. That is the true test. Others will have power, but not all have control."
Thaddeus allowed himself a rare smile. "Control, yes. That is mine. And tomorrow, the real challenge begins."
The first day at Elysium Academy had ended, but the stakes had only risen. Rivalries had begun to form, alliances hinted at in subtle glances and shared maneuvers. The Solgards were no longer distant competitors—they were a presence, a measuring stick, and a challenge Thaddeus would meet head-on.
As the night deepened, shadows whispered at his feet, stretching and curling like living entities. They were ready, and so was he. For tomorrow, the Academy would test more than skill—it would test mind, heart, and resolve. And Thaddeus Moon would meet it all, katana in hand, shadows alive and attentive.