"Where were you, Ethan?" Nick asked, his voice edged with a flicker of concern. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the academy's main hall, casting long shadows over the worn stone floor. The others had been waiting for him for some time now, and a subtle unease had begun to settle among them. Their earlier training session was crucial—each moment mattered as their upcoming trials loomed ever closer. Asher's extended absence was hard to ignore
Ethan shuffled his feet, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Sorry, I got distracted," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I wandered into a different section of the library… and, well, I got sidetracked." He held up a thick, leather-bound tome, its cover etched with archaic symbols. "Found this old book about ancient elemental rituals. Couldn't put it down." He laughed softly, but the nervousness behind his words was clear.
Asher frowned, folding his arms. "You know we can't afford to waste time like that, Ethan Every minute counts."
Nick nodded firmly. "We better check in with the clerk. The academy's strict about tracking our training hours—we need to make sure we're still within the rules."
"You mean Darwin?" Asher's eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark. "Yeah, I'm ready for the usual lecture… or maybe some cryptic instruction. He loves those."
The trio made their way toward the administration wing, the corridor walls lined with faded banners commemorating past champions of the academy. The air smelled faintly of parchment and ink—a scent that felt oddly comforting to all three.
They found Darwin seated at his desk, surrounded by piles of scrolls and parchments. His face was a mask of deep concentration, brows knitted tightly as he pored over the paperwork. Yet, behind his serious demeanor, a hint of boredom lingered, as if the mundane tasks of administration grated against his restless nature. As the boys approached, he glanced up, eyes narrowing briefly before relaxing.
"Well, boys," Darwin began, voice low and gravelly, "seems your time is up." He leaned back, fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Hope you made good use of it."
Asher grinned, relief washing over him. "Yeah, we did—until the headaches started from reading all those dense spell texts," he joked, the levity easing the tension. He could tell Darwin was sizing them up, as if expecting some deeper meaning behind their casual tone.
Darwin chuckled softly. "That happens. Especially on your first deep dive into academy spells. Your minds aren't used to the strain." He pushed a parchment forward and tapped it with a slender finger. "I'll need your signatures before you're off."
The boys took the form, their signatures little more than hurried squiggles. "Not our best work," Ethan muttered under his breath.
"Now," Darwin said, folding his hands atop the desk, "I need your names and base elements. It's time to register you for the upcoming tournament."
The word hit them like a sudden breeze—tournament. A test of skill and strength, a rite of passage that could change everything.
"What tournament?" Ethan's voice carried a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Darwin's gaze sharpened. "Sorry, I can't say more than that." His tone was firm but polite. "Just answer my question."
Nick straightened, pride swelling in his chest. "Nick Stormbringer, wind element."
"Asher Matthew, fire element," Asher said, voice steady, though a flicker of excitement shone through.
"Ethan Alistair, lightning element," Ethan added, his tone calm but resolute.
"Thanks." Darwin's lips curled into a brief smile. He rose from his chair and reached beneath his desk, pulling out three books. Each was unique: a slim, silver-bound volume for Nick, its cover shimmering faintly; a deep crimson tome for Asher, warm to the touch as if alive with fire; and a rich purple book for Ethan, radiating a subtle crackle of energy. He placed them carefully on the desk.
"Consider these learning tools," Darwin explained, "guides for casting and controlling your elements more effectively. They're not just books—they're repositories of ancient knowledge."
Asher blinked, disbelief coloring his expression. "Wait… the academy is giving us these for free?"
"Nick, kick me—I must be dreaming," Asher joked, unable to hide his delight.
Darwin's low chuckle filled the room. "It's not about generosity. The academy doesn't hand out power on a silver platter. They want you to be self-sufficient, to rely less on the system and more on your own strength. That's the way it's always been. Everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up."
The weight of Darwin's words settled over them. The path ahead was hard, but now, at least, they had tools to help them.
Nick folded the books carefully, a new determination burning in his eyes. "We have a lot to practice."
"Right. But where do we cast spells safely? The academy forbids using magic around the grounds—it's dangerous and disruptive," Ethan pointed out, his brow furrowed. "We need a place where we can train properly."
Darwin nodded thoughtfully. "You could use the training hall." He paused, gauging their reactions. "It's a bit pricier, but training there significantly boosts your comprehension and accelerates your mastery. The environment is tailored to help you focus, and the safeguards keep you from accidentally hurting yourself or others."
Asher exchanged a glance with Nick and Ethan. "Sounds expensive."
Darwin shrugged. "It is. But if you want to get serious, it's worth every coin. Otherwise, you're stuck training on your own—and that comes with risks."
Nick tightened his grip on his book. "Then we need to find a way to get access. We can't afford to fall behind."
Asher nodded. "Agreed. We're in this to win."
Darwin gave them a measured look, as if weighing the strength of their resolve. "Good. Because the tournament will test everything you've got—and more. Not just your magic, but your wit, endurance, and spirit."
The boys absorbed the gravity of his words. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but with newfound tools and a shared purpose, they were ready to face whatever came next.
"Let's get moving," Nick said firmly. "No more distractions. Time to train."
Asher grinned. "Right behind you."
Ethan opened his new book, his eyes alight with quiet determination. "Let's make this count."