The morning air was sharp, cold enough to sting the lungs yet alive with energy. Rael stood outside the training grounds, his gaze fixed ahead. Rows of students filled the open arena, their voices blending into a restless hum of anticipation.
Today classes started with combat training, "First combat session huh" Allen's voice came from behind casual as ever, Rael didn't turn "Looks like it".
Allen stepped beside him, stretching his arms lazily " I've been looking forward to this" Rael remained silent, his eyes drifted across the field. Students were already pairing up, some confident, others visibly nervous. A few were showing off small bursts of elemental energy flickering around their hands.
Fire
Wind
Lightning
Power
Real power
Rael clenched his fist slightly, Shadow... Grade E, the label echoed in his mind like a curse although he will be able to upgrade . A sharp sound cut through the noise.
Clack
All voices died instantly, Instructor Dorell stood at the center of the arena, hands clasped behind his back, silver eyes scanning the crowd. "Form lines" his command was simple and the reponse was immediate. Within seconds, the students arranged themselves into rows.
Dorell walked slowly, his presence heavy "You've all awakened your orrin" he began " Some of you believe that alone makes you strong" He stopped, turned gave turned hardened "You are wrong, power without control is useless. Talent without discipline is meaningless" His eyes swept across them "And today you will learn that"
Assistants stepped forward, placing weapons along the training field "Pair up" Dorell said "You will engage in controlled combat" A pause " No killing intent, no lethal strikes but do not hold back" The arena shifted instantly, students moved quickly, forming pairs while some already had partners and others searched. Rael stayed where he was watching, Allen glanced at him "You're not moving?" "Not yet" Allen shrugged "Suit yourself, don't get struck with someone annoying " H e walked off, already waving at someone across the field.
Rael exhaled slowly, then "You" He voice was sharp, confident, Rael turned, a boy stood a few steps away, arms crossed with dark red hair, sharp eyes and a faint smirk " I've been looking for you" Rael didn't react "Why?" the boy tilted his head slightly. "Shadow orrin right?" A few nearby students turned to listen but Rael said nothing, the boy stepped closer "Rare ability" he continued " But i heard something interesting " His smile widened "Grade E" A few quiet chuckles spread, Rael met his gaze calmly " So" The boy's eyes narrowed slightly as if disappointed by the lack of reaction "I want to see it for myself" he said " How something rare ends up... worthless" Rael studied him for a moment, then nodded "Fine"
They stepped into open space, a circle naturally formed around them spectators waiting "Names" Dorell's voice echoed from a distance "Kael Varis" the red-haired boy said confidently. Rael didn't look away "Rael Neon" Dorell gave a slight nod "Begin" Kael moved first, fast, too fast.
Rael barely had time to react as a sharp gust of wind surged forward, cutting through the air. Wind orrin, Rael shifted to the side but was to to slow, the force clipped his shoulder, sending him stumbling back "Too slow" " Is that really Shadow" Rael steadied himself his breathing slowed and eyes focused.
Kael didn't wait striking with another attack this one stronger than the last. Wind gathered around his arm, compressing into visible current before launching forward, Rael raised his hand instinctively darkness flickered, weak and unstable.
A thin layer of shadow formed the shattered on impact, the fore hit him directly. He slid across the ground, boots scraping.
A few students winched "That's it ?" "Grade E really is trash " Rael pushed himself up slowly, his arm trembled slightly not from fear but from strain. Kael exhaled almost bored "Is that all ? " But their was no response, Rael adjusted his stance lower, more grounded, watching "Think" he thought to himself, "my shadow wasn't strong enough to block, not directly. So i don't have to block "
Kael rushed in again, this time closing the distance with wind gathered around his legs, boosting his speed, a direct strike but Rael didn't move back instead he stepped forward,
Kael's eyes flickered just slightly, he didn't expect Rael not to dodge. Rael shifted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the main strike. The wind grazed past him, tearing through the air behind. It was a close call but he manage to dodge, his shadows flickered again this time it didn't try to block, it wrapped
Thin strands coiled around Kael's wrist for a spilt second and his movement broke just enough for Rael to drive his shoulder forward pushing into him, they both staggered back
The crowd went quiet "That worked ?", Kael glanced at his wrist then back at Rael his smirk faded "Interesting" The air shifted, Wind gathered again stronger this time, more focused
Kael's expression sharpened "No more playing" , Rael felt more pressure this time around, Kael raised his hand, wind compressed into a tight spiral then released, Rael reacted instantly shadow surged not outward but downward. His own shadow stretched unnaturally, pulling his body sideways at an awkward angle, the attack missed barely and Rael lost balance falling hard before he could recover Kael was already there his hand at Rael collar, Wind holding him down "End" Dorell's voice cut cleanly through the tension.
Kael released him and stepped back while Rael stayed on the ground for a moment thinking, he stood up slowly "He lost"
" Not surprising"
"But did you see that?"
"That shadow movement"
Kael looked at him one last time " You're weak but not useless" he muttered then walked away, Rael didn't respond just looking at his shadow which was flickering slightly like it was alive "Interesting fight" Rael turned looking at Instructor Dorell who was analyzing him "You lack power' Dorell continued " Your control is poor and your output is minimal given your grade " Rael said nothing
"But" A slight pause " your instincts are not" Rael looked up "You adapted" Dorell said "Not efficiently, not cleanly but you adapted which is a major contributor to any fight" His silver eyes narrowed slightly "Most would have tried to overpowered him but you didn't" Rael exhaled slowly "Overpowering him wasn't an option"
Dorell studied for a moment longer then nodded once "Train boy " He turned to leave then stopped "And Rael " Rael looked up again "Next time" A faint glint passed through Dorell's eyes "last longer" he walked away.
Rael stood there in silence deep in thought " too weak " was his thought, he flexed his hand slightly remembering the moment, a faint smile touched his lips just for a second "Guess I've got work to do"
Across the field Kael glanced back once watching and from above a certain instructor with a faint red glow in eye stood silently "He starting to show it"