The morning sun filtered through the tall stained-glass windows of Arclight Academy, casting fractured light across the polished classroom. At the front of the room stood Professor Selene Arctyr, her silver hair pinned neatly, sharp eyes scanning the students. She was the head of Advanced Mana Theory, specializing in mana manipulation and the subtle interaction between different affinities. Calm and observant, she had a reputation for challenging even the most talented students, though her interest was piqued by prodigious—or dangerous—talents.
"Today," she said, voice calm yet commanding, "we will explore the interaction of multiple affinities in combat scenarios. Understanding how your mana flows, reacts, and clashes will be vital. Those who cannot control it… will fail."
Students murmured nervously, eyes flicking to one another. Kael sat in the back, hood low, axes chained at his side. His rainbow-colored eyes blinked slowly, observing the others with calculated detachment. He didn't participate in the chatter; he didn't need to. His reputation, while subtle at this stage, was already forming among the few who had glimpsed his true strength.
Ay, bouncing slightly in his seat, couldn't contain himself. "I can't wait to see what happens when someone actually tests me," he whispered to Lyra, sparks of frost and fire flickering around his fingers. "Someone's going to feel the full force today. I hope it's him."
Lucien Solari, the Hero of Light, raised an eyebrow but remained calm, light magic gently illuminating his golden hair. "Patience, Ay. Observation is just as important as action. You don't want to draw unnecessary attention."
Lyra rolled her eyes at him, smirking. "We all know Ay won't be patient. Just watch."
After an intense hour dissecting mana flows, affinities, and theory, Professor Selene dismissed the class. "Take this knowledge and apply it in the sparring arena. And remember… your power is not just skill, but control."
The arena was a marvel, blending modern magic-tech and medieval fantasy aesthetics. Stone walls, floating platforms, and holographic projections mapped attack ranges and mana intensity. Magical runes etched the ground, reacting dynamically to elemental energy. Dummies and constructs moved unpredictably, testing reflexes. Ambient lighting shifted as mana flared—darkening with void, flickering with fire, shimmering with frost.
Students spread out nervously, some testing their abilities against the constructs, others whispering about the lone figure already standing in the center. Kael, of course, had arrived early. His axes, chained and resting by his sides, hummed faintly with void and darkness energy. Rainbow-colored eyes scanned the arena. His grin widened impossibly, eyes flashing red, sending a subtle shiver through the onlookers.
Most students gave him a wide berth. His reputation, whispered across the academy halls, preceded him. No one wants to fight the "Silent Storm", they said. Even the top-tier students don't approach him.
But not Ay. The battle junkie's grin mirrored Kael's as he stepped forward. Fire and frost dancing along his arms, he called out, "Finally! The rumors are true. Let's see if you're as strong as they say!"
Kael tilted his head, expression calm yet terrifying. His red eyes locked onto Ay's, and the air seemed to thicken. The hum of void and darkness pulsed from him, axes vibrating subtly in his hands.
Ay laughed, a mix of excitement and challenge. "Good. I was starting to think you were just a myth. Don't hold back—neither will I."
With a burst of frost and fire, Ay lunged, immediately closing the distance. Kael moved fluidly, axes spinning on their chain, meeting Ay's attack with perfectly timed blocks. Sparks flew as ice and fire collided with shadows that seemed to swallow light itself. The ground beneath them cracked where void energy leaked from Kael's strikes, and the holographic projections flickered and warped.
Other students watched from the sidelines, mouths agape. Not a single one dared intervene. Even Lucien and the others observed silently, mesmerized by the intensity. Both fighters' expressions were terrifying: Kael's grin impossibly wide, eyes blazing red; Ay's eyes alight with the thrill of combat, a predator's focus in every movement.
The first clash ended with a shockwave that sent both back a step, neither faltering. Both laughed—harsh, breathless, playful.
"You're faster than I expected," Ay panted.
Kael's grin widened further, shadow and void swirling. "I've had time to grind."
Ay wiped sweat from his brow. "Good. I love a proper challenge."
The spectators felt the arena shiver under their combined power. The fight had only begun.