The morning air was crisp at the Royal Academy of Magic, filled with lingering mana from recent trials and the faint scent of freshly conjured gardens. Students moved briskly through the courtyard, whispering and glancing at the floating platform Lucien had prepared.
"Master… you really didn't have to make the platform so huge," Kellen muttered, eyes widening. "I mean… It's terrifying."
Lucien stretched on a hovering ledge, arms behind his head, expression impossibly smug. "Terrifying? No, no, my dear Kellen. It's exhilarating! And a bit dramatic—adds flavor to the proceedings."
Rorio yawned while spinning in a lazy circle. "Mostly exhilarating. Slightly terrifying. Very good entertainment ratio."
Aria flexed her fingers, letting small flames dance between her palms. "Flavor, huh? I hope you're ready, ice cube. We are not going to hold back."
"My… name is Darius," came a sharp, measured voice. The tall, icy-haired prodigy stood at the far end of the courtyard, the morning light glinting off his staff. His aura radiated confidence, bordering on arrogance. "And neither will I."
Myra hovered slightly above the ground, adjusting air currents to steady herself. "He looks… precise," she whispered. "Like he plans everything."
Lucien grinned, floating down toward them. "Ah, predictability. How boring. That's why I invented slight unpredictability." He snapped his fingers, and a few random, harmless mana bursts exploded near Darius, who instinctively raised a shield.
"Minor adjustments," Lucien said, eyes sparkling. "Adds… excitement."
Rorio barked. "Mostly excitement. Very fun. Minimal injuries—probably."
The students stepped onto the platform, which hovered several meters above the ground, shimmering with mana barriers marking the sparring arena.
"Rules are simple," Lucien announced dramatically. "Show your skills. Demonstrate creativity. And have fun… or endure mild humiliation. Optional theatrics encouraged."
Kellen gulped. "Mild humiliation… that doesn't sound optional."
"Details, details," Lucien waved casually. "Now… begin!"
Immediately, elemental energy surged.
Aria sent a controlled jet of fire toward a target crystal, which Darius countered flawlessly with a stream of water.
Kellen conjured a miniature water bridge, only for Rorio to playfully flick a tail gust, shifting the current just enough to force Kellen to improvise.
Myra manipulated wind currents to support both, her confidence growing with every adjustment.
Lucien leaned back on an invisible balcony, clapping slowly. "Observation is key. Creativity is rewarded. And… miscalculations are highly amusing."
Rorio barked. "Mostly creativity. Minor miscalculations. Excellent entertainment ratio."
Halfway through the sparring match, Lucien decided to spice things up.
A subtle flick of his fingers caused the arena to rotate slowly, platforms shifting unpredictably. Magical obstacles appeared: floating fire orbs, tiny whirlwinds, and harmless mana spikes that sent sparks into the air.
Darius's eyes narrowed. "Interesting… the instructor is… meddling."
Lucien grinned. "Meddling? I prefer enhancing dramatic tension."
Rorio barked enthusiastically. "Mostly tension. Minor chaos. Excellent ratio. Snacks afterward."
Aria smirked, flames dancing brighter. "I like it. Ice cube, hope you can adapt."
Darius, though visibly frustrated by the unexpected shifts, adjusted quickly. His precision remained impressive, his elemental mastery near perfect—but the minor unpredictabilities were enough to slow him just slightly.
Meanwhile, the trio of students learned from watching him.
Kellen began anticipating Darius' movements, adjusting water streams to counter him without direct contact.
Myra experimented with new air currents to subtly redirect energy.
Aria combined her fire with quick thinking, creating creative combos rather than direct attacks.
Lucien clapped slowly. "Ah… evolution in action. Students learning not just from me, but from observing their peers… and rivals. Delightful."
Rorio barked, wagging his tail. "Mostly learning. Slightly impressed. Excellent ratio."
Even Darius couldn't hide a faint smirk, acknowledging that the trio had grown more capable since the Trial of Elements.
By the sparring match's climax, Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Now… let's test your teamwork further."
With another snap, he created a series of floating elemental nodes around the arena. They pulsed with mana, absorbing and redirecting energy. The challenge was simple on paper: stabilize the nodes using their combined abilities.
Darius scoffed. "I can do this alone."
Lucien leaned down, whispering to Rorio, "Ah… let's see how long that confidence lasts."
Rorio barked. "Mostly fun. Minor arrogance correction. Excellent ratio."
Indeed, Darius struggled to manage all the nodes solo. Meanwhile, Aria, Kellen, and Myra instinctively coordinated, using their powers creatively and fluidly.
Lucien floated down, grinning. "Lesson? Some problems are easier with teamwork. And slightly more entertaining."
Rorio barked. "Mostly teamwork. Minimal explosions. Perfect ratios."
Darius' icy composure faltered slightly, though he refused to show weakness. "Not bad… for beginners."
Aria smirked. "Beginners? Ice cube, you better get used to losing here."
Lucien clapped once. "Excellent! Rivalry established. Growth achieved. And fun? Immeasurable."
As the students left the arena, panting and laughing, Lucien and Rorio lingered.
"Tomorrow…" Lucien murmured, eyes twinkling. "We introduce higher-level challenges. Adept III to IV. Rorio, I think they're ready for more fun."
Rorio yawned. "Mostly fun. Possibly mild panic. Snacks afterward."
Lucien leaned back, surveying the students walking away, their confidence and camaraderie strengthened. "And soon… the fated hero will appear. Timing, Rorio… perfect timing. Our little experiment grows ever more interesting."
Rorio wagged his tail. "Mostly interesting. Definitely fun. Snacks later. Perfect ratio."
Rivalries had been born. Bonds had been strengthened. And Lucien, creator of worlds, smiled knowingly. Tomorrow promised more surprises, higher realms, and unpredictable fun.