The class was quiet as the teacher looked at everyone.
"Today, we will start with basic combat training," he said.
Some students looked excited.
Others looked nervous.
"You will learn how to use your magic in real battles," the teacher continued.
Arin listened carefully.
He didn't even understand his own power yet.
"Follow me," the teacher said.
Everyone stood up and moved to the training ground.
It was a large open area.
There were practice dummies and marked fighting spaces.
"First, we will test your basic attack strength," the teacher said.
Students started going one by one.
Fire, wind, and lightning filled the air again.
Most of them were confident.
Arin stood at the back.
Leya stood not far from him.
"You'll be fine," she said softly.
Arin nodded, but he wasn't sure.
Then suddenly—
"Tch. You again."
Arin turned.
It was the same arrogant boy from before.
He looked at Arin with a smirk.
"Don't embarrass yourself today," he said.
Arin didn't reply.
The boy stepped forward for his turn.
He raised his hand.
A strong fireball formed quickly.
Boom.
It hit the dummy and burned it badly.
Some students clapped.
The boy smiled proudly and looked back at Arin.
"Watch and learn," he said.
Arin looked away.
Soon, it was his turn.
He walked forward slowly.
Everyone was watching him again.
"Begin," the teacher said.
Arin raised his hand.
Nothing happened.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Some students started whispering.
"He can't do it again."
"I knew it was luck."
Arin clenched his fist.
He tried to remember that feeling.
That cold, strange power.
For a moment…
nothing.
Then—
A small dark spark appeared again.
It was weak, but it was there.
Arin focused.
The spark moved forward slowly…
and touched the dummy.
Crack.
The dummy broke slightly.
It wasn't as strong as before, but it worked.
The teacher's eyes narrowed.
"Interesting…" he said quietly.
The arrogant boy looked annoyed.
"That's nothing," he said.
Arin stepped back silently.
Just then, a new voice came from the side.
"Not bad."
Everyone turned.
A girl was standing there with her arms crossed.
She looked confident and calm.
Her eyes were sharp.
"I didn't expect someone like you to do that," she said.
Arin looked at her, confused.
"Who is she?" he thought.
Some students whispered.
"That's Rina."
"She's one of the top students."
Rina walked a little closer.
She looked directly at Arin.
"This might get interesting," she said with a small smile.
Arin didn't know what to say.
Behind him, Leya was watching quietly.
For some reason…
she didn't like the way Rina was looking at him.
Arin looked at his hand again.
The dark spark had disappeared.
But that cold feeling…
was still there.