The academy grounds were as busy usual.
Rows of seats were being arranged around the main Collesum while several workers moved back and forth, checking the platforms, benches, and training area.
The Entrance Tournament was approaching.
Some of the academy's existing scouts had gathered around the training grounds, watching a few of the new apprentices practice their abilities.
Among them were two young royals.
One wielded Fire Magic.
The other wielded Ice Magic.
A scout stood between them, watching carefully.
"Remember," he said, "the Entrance Tournament isn't simply about defeating your opponent."
The two apprentices listened.
"You'll be fighting while the Lords and the Great Elder watch. Your performance will determine whether you're worthy of entering the academy."
He looked at the two royals.
"And you two have another responsibility."
They exchanged glances.
"You're royals. Carry your names with pride. Show everyone why the energy of royalty stands apart from that of ordinary peasants."
The two apprentices nodded.
"Yes."
The scout stepped backward.
"Good. We'll begin with close combat. Once you've warmed up, you may begin drawing spiritual energy and using your magic."
The Fire user clenched his left fist.
Flames slowly wrapped around his hand.
The Ice user lowered his stance.
"Begin!"
The Fire user launched forward.
At the same moment, the Ice user slammed his right foot against the ground.
CRACK!
Sharp pillars of ice erupted from the earth and shot toward his opponent.
The Fire user punched through the first pillar.
BOOM!
Flames spread across his fist, melting the ice as he forced his way through the attack.
He pushed himself upward with a burst of fire.
WHOOSH!
He rose into the air.
The Ice user looked up.
The Fire user formed a glowing sphere of flames between his palms.
Forming a massive burning fist with it
"Take this!"
He swung downward.
The Ice user quickly crossed his arms.
Ice formed around his body.
BOOM!
The collision shook the training ground.
Several apprentices watching from the side reacted in surprise.
The Fire user landed and immediately charged again.
The Ice user met him halfway.
Their fists collided.
BOOM!
Fire and ice exploded outward in opposite directions.
The scouts watching them exchanged impressed looks.
"Wow."
"I'm not going to lie. This year's recruits are pretty strong."
"They're only getting started."
The two royals separated.
Both were breathing heavily.
Then—
Footsteps approached from behind the spectators.
A calm voice broke through the noise.
"I've always enjoyed watching strong people fight."
Everyone turned.
A young man stood several steps away.
He had white hair and dark eyes.
Like the others, he wore the new Apprentice Training Uniform.
One of the scouts frowned.
"And who do you think you are?"
Before the young man could answer, another scout immediately recognized him.
"Watch your mouth."
The first scout looked confused.
The other scout pointed toward the white-haired apprentice.
"That is Caleb Veyr."
Caleb smiled slightly.
The scout continued.
"Cadoc Veyr's brother."
A few of the apprentices immediately became interested.
Caleb casually looked toward the two apprentices who had been fighting.
"I'd like to test myself."
The scout crossed his arms.
"And what exactly are you asking for?"
Caleb looked toward one of the scouts standing nearby.
"A clash."
The scout raised an eyebrow.
"With me?"
Caleb nodded.
"I just want to see how much stronger I've become."
The scout smiled.
"So that's what this is about."
Caleb shrugged.
"You saw through me."
"Wasn't difficult."
The scout stepped into the training area.
"All right."
The two apprentices who had been fighting stepped aside.
The crowd gathered around them.
Caleb stood calmly in the center.
His opponent drew his sword.
He was a dark-skinned young man with a strong athletic build and a serious expression. Unlike the royal apprentices, he possessed no magical ability.
But the way he held his sword showed years of practice.
His name was Damon Cross.
Damon lowered his stance.
"Don't expect me to hold back just because you're new."
Caleb smiled.
"Good."
Damon suddenly dashed forward.
His speed was impressive.
But Caleb didn't move.
He simply raised one hand.
A thin line of blue flame appeared across the battlefield.
Then it expanded.
WHOOM!
A towering wall of blue fire erupted from the ground, cutting the training ground in half.
Damon immediately stopped.
The spectators fell silent.
The flames rose high above them, burning with an almost unnatural brilliance.
Caleb smiled.
Damon stared at the flames.
"What…?"
Caleb lowered his hand.
"Your move."
Far from the academy grounds, three figures moved rapidly through the forest.
Duke was ahead.
Janelle followed closely behind him, while Lena struggled to keep up.
Branches whipped past them as they moved between the trees.
Duke glanced backward.
Lena was noticeably slower.
Her physical ability isn't very impressive.
He looked forward again.
But she probably relies heavily on her Root Magic.
Behind him, Lena looked at Duke.
Her cheeks became slightly warm.
He's really handsome.
She quickly looked away.
I've never seen a boy this handsome before.
She shook her head.
Love at first sight? I never believed in that.
She glanced at him again.
But there's something different about him.
Duke suddenly stopped.
"Stop."
Janelle nearly ran into him.
"What?"
Duke crouched.
"We're here."
The three looked ahead.
Through the trees, they could see a large wooden structure.
A carriage stood nearby.
Duke lowered himself further.
"Take cover."
The three hid behind the trees.
A moment later, voices came from the road.
A group of bandits were returning to the hideout.
They had a family with them.
A frightened mother pleaded desperately.
"Please… leave my children alone."
One of the bandits shoved her aside.
"You should've given us everything we asked for."
Duke's expression remained calm.
He watched.
He listened.
Another bandit examined the carriage.
"This thing alone could be worth a fortune."
"Definitely."
Another looked toward the carriage.
"It's a royal carriage."
The others became excited.
"A royal?"
"Then we're getting paid big this time."
"I bet the boss will be thrilled."
One of them looked toward the family.
"So what do we do with them?"
The muscular bandit smiled.
"What do you think?"
He stepped toward the frightened mother.
"We'll make use of them first."
Janelle's expression hardened.
Lena looked disturbed.
Duke remained silent.
Then he spoke quietly.
"This is bad."
Janelle looked at him.
"Yeah."
Duke looked toward the hideout.
"I'll stay here and keep watch."
Janelle frowned.
"What?"
"You wanted to test yourself, didn't you?"
He looked at her.
"Then this is your chance."
Janelle smiled.
"You're absolutely right."
She stood.
Lena looked at her.
Janelle glanced toward her.
"You coming?"
Lena nodded.
"Of course."
The two stepped out from behind the trees.
The bandits immediately noticed them.
"What the—?"
One of them looked Janelle up and down.
"Looks like we've got some scouts."
Another stared at her.
"She looks like a royal too."
The muscular bandit grinned.
"She'll be worth a fortune."
Janelle's expression became cold.
"Everything you're saying disgusts me."
She stepped forward.
"And I'm going to help put an end to it."
The bandits reached for their weapons.
Knives.
Daggers.
Axes.
"Get them!"
Several rushed forward.
Lena raised her hand.
"Root Magic."
The ground beneath the bandits shifted.
Roots burst from the earth and wrapped around several of them.
"Gah!"
Others charged through the roots.
Lena moved backward.
More roots emerged around her.
She used them to block, trap, and throw her attackers aside.
"There's too many!"
Janelle looked toward the muscular bandit.
"I'll handle him."
He raised his massive sword.
"Big mistake."
He charged.
Janelle raised one hand.
"Barrier."
A transparent barrier appeared in front of her.
BOOM!
The bandit's sword struck it.
Cracks spread across the ground beneath Janelle's feet.
She held her position.
"Not bad."
She pushed her hand forward.
A barrier formed against the bandit's side and slammed into him.
He staggered.
Janelle immediately followed with a kick to his stomach.
He blocked with his sword and slid backward.
"Wow."
He smiled.
"You're stronger than you look."
Janelle raised her fists.
"I'm just getting started."
The bandit swung.
Janelle jumped over the attack.
She landed and covered her fist in Barrier Magic.
BAM!
Her punch struck his face.
He stumbled backward.
Janelle created a blade-like barrier along her arm and swung.
The bandit blocked with his sword.
"You're making me take this seriously."
His expression changed.
"I'm not going easy on you anymore."
He charged again.
His sword moved rapidly.
Janelle blocked each strike with barriers around her arms.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Every impact shook the ground.
The bandit swung one final powerful strike.
Janelle jumped aside.
The sword crashed into the earth.
She immediately formed a barrier above him.
"Got you."
She slammed her hand downward.
The barrier crashed toward him.
He rolled away just in time.
The barrier struck the ground.
BOOM!
He stood again.
"Impressive."
He rushed toward her.
At the last second, he appeared behind her and swung his sword.
Janelle created a barrier.
CLANG!
The attack was completely absorbed.
She turned.
Her fist connected with his face.
He stumbled.
Janelle swept his leg out from under him.
He fell.
She jumped.
The bandit rolled away just before she landed.
Janelle stood.
"You don't want to give up, do you?"
The bandit slowly got back up.
"You really think I'm that easy?"
Janelle raised her hand.
"Let's see."
Several barriers appeared around him.
His eyes widened.
"What the Hell?"
The barriers shot toward him from different directions.
"Damn it!"
He barely dodged.
BOOM!
The barriers crashed into the ground around him.
Dust rose into the air.
He stared at the damage.
"Her barriers are stronger than I expected."
Janelle appeared in front of him.
He swung.
She blocked.
He swung again.
She blocked again.
Her Barrier Magic covered her hands like protective gloves.
She parried every strike.
Then—
CRACK!
A small crack appeared along his sword.
He didn't notice.
Janelle did.
She struck his side.
"UGH!"
He stumbled.
He tried to recover.
Janelle jumped.
She drove her fist forward.
BOOM!
The blow knocked him to the ground.
Then He went still.
Janelle landed.
She looked toward Lena.
"Need help?"
Lena smiled.
"No. I was waiting for you to finish."
She raised both hands.
"Root Magic!"
The forest responded.
Roots wrapped around the remaining bandits and pulled them together into a massive bundle.
The roots tightened into a large spherical shape.
Janelle stared.
"Wow."
Lena smiled.
"I like crafting."
Janelle laughed.
"That's one way to use it."
From a distance, Duke watched.
They're both strong.
His eyes remained on Janelle.
Janelle has gotten stronger.
For a brief moment, he got a brief flashback of the two of them when they were younger, training together behind his residence.
Duke smiled faintly.
I wonder if she became this strong just to keep up with me.
His thoughts were interrupted.
BOOM!
A sudden blast struck pass the Trees burning it up
Duke's expression changed.
Without a second he rushes towards them
Without saying a word
And then
An iron barrier formed in front of the three.
BOOM!
The massive blast struck it.
The barrier shook.
Duke narrowed his eyes.
Footsteps echoed through the forest.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Step.
Step.
Step.
A man emerged from the burning trees.
He was taller than the other bandits and carried himself with far more confidence.
His eyes moved across the scene.
The captured bandits.
The damaged ground.
Then towards Duke's location.
His expression hardened.
"One thing I hate more than anything…"
He raised his hand.
"…is intruders."
A burst of fire struck Duke's iron barrier again.
BOOM!
Duke held his ground.
The man smiled.
"And I hate people who think they can play the hero all the time."
He took another step forward.
"And do you know The worst part?"
His eyes narrowed.
"They're just children."
Duke slowly lowered his hand.
The iron barrier began to crack.
The man raised his hand again.
"Children should learn to stay home."
A powerful burst of fire exploded against the barrier.
BOOM!
The Impact causes the barrier to Shatter.
Revealing Them.
Then Duke slowly steps forward,
Janelle and Lena stood behind him.
The man smiled.
"Heroes don't always get happy endings."
He lowered his hand.
"I am Varek Dorne."
His eyes locked onto the three apprentices.
"And I hate it when people interfere with my business."
The forest fell silent.
Duke stared at him with cold eyes
Because the real battle was about to begin.