That night, the academy training arena felt colder than usual. Damian stood between two very strong figures. On his right, Elric, his large body had super strength, He smiled down at us, convinced he was the strongest. On his left, Nero, quiet and had super strong shadow affinity powers.
"Three-way sparring training. One wins, two lose. If everyone falls, you all lose. The choice is yours." Said Professor Limbert.
They lined up to take positions. Damian took a breath. "Hopefully, no one gets hurt or seriously injured."
"That prayer doesn't apply to my opponent," Elric snapped with a laugh.
"Don't waste time," Nero whispered shortly.
Suddenly, they moved. Shadows charged from the left—Nero's attack. Elric's fist came from the right. Damian jumped back, forming an ice wall in front of him to block their attacks. But Nero's shadow penetrated the gap and grabbed his leg.
Elric hit the floor with his fist, causing a crack in the floor that destroyed the ice wall Damian had made earlier. Damian twisted his body in the air, then the area around him. Nero disappeared into his shadow to dodge.
The exchange of attacks was quick: now it was Elric's turn to duel Nero. Damian hid behind the ice wall he had created. Choosing a middle position, preparing a long-range attack.
"You are cunning, Damian!" shouted Elric as he blocked Nero's kick.
"Not cunning but strategic," Damian replied shortly.
"It's the same thing," Elric replied.
Time passed almost ten minutes. Damian breathed quickly, Elric wiped the sweat from his forehead, and Nero was also starting to get tired.
Until finally Limbert spoke, "Enough! Good. Now... fight me."
"WHAT?!" They were simultaneously shocked and looked at each other.
Limbert raised his staff. "Three against one. You've warmed up, right?"
Round Two began with Limbert raising his staff, and we launched a flurry of attacks at him. Damian charged forward, freezing the area around him and creating pillars of ice that rose from the icy floor. Nero snuck up behind him, preparing to stab with his shadow. Elric concentrated his mana in his hand, then leapt into the air and launched himself from above at Professor Limbert with his fist.
BRAKKK!
Limbert's staff swung down and deflected all of our attacks in an instant. The ice shattered, the shadows split, and Elric was pushed back. Damian, annoyed, froze the floor beneath Limbert's feet, but he jumped high, so Damian's attacks had no effect.
Elric tried to attack from the side, but Limbert struck the ground with his staff and conjured a solid wall of stone from the ground. Nero touched Limbert's robe with the tip of his shadow, creating a small tear. But that made Professor Limbert smile a little.
"Not bad," Professor Limbert said. "But not enough."
Once again, he released his mana aura, until the pressure of the mana pushed us back, making Damian's feet slip and almost fall. Nero fell backwards, while Elric knelt down, his breath gasping, but he was still laughing out loud.
"Crazy! What kind of power is this?!" Elric shouted.
A few seconds later, the fight was over. The three of us were lying down, defeated, without any strength left.
Limbert lowered his staff. His face was not angry, but instead radiated satisfaction. We looked at each other. Then Professor Limbert said, "This training is not about losing, but a valuable lesson that you just got. So don't be disappointed, instead use this experience to learn so that you can be stronger in the future."
A moment after the training was over, Damian, Elric, and Nero prepared to return to the dormitory. Suddenly, Professor Limbert called Elric. "Blazekraal. Come here, now."
Elric turned his head in surprise. "Huh? Why me?"
"You come. Now," Limbert ordered without explaining.
Damian almost interrupted, "Me too…"
Limbert gave him a cold look. "Wait your turn."
Damian nodded and stepped back, making room. Elric frowned, muttered softly, then followed Limbert. Nero and Damian exchanged glances for a moment.
Elric followed Professor Limbert through the training arena, then down the stairs to the area below the school's training arena.
Arriving in front of a room with an old metal door with intricate magical carvings. Professor Limbert opened the door, then told Elric to follow him into the room.
Elric stepped into the room, staring at a painting depicting six robed figures standing in a circle.
"What is this picture?" he muttered softly.
Professor Limbert stood to the side, his wand pointed at the painting. Then told Elric to come closer and touch the painting.
Elric approached the painting, then he reached out and touched the surface of the painting.
ZRRRRRRRRRRTTTT—
Instantly white light burst from the painting, spreading to the carvings on the floor, which then emitted white light. The room glowed white, and a mystical aura filled the air around the room.
Limbert looked at Elric seriously. "So... you too."
Elric was stunned, his eyes wide. "Me too... what?!"
"Like Damian and Nero, you… were chosen too," Limbert replied calmly.
In another corner of the Academy, thin shadows crept across the ceiling and walls, gliding silently without attacking, merely observing.
In a dark room, a figure stood hunched over. The dim light reflects off its surface, highlighting the features of its face hidden in the darkness.
His eyes were closed, and slowly the shadows around him crept outward, looking into every corner of the room. "Three of the six…are beginning to unite," he whispered, his voice almost drowned out by the darkness of the night.
He held his breath briefly, then slowly opened his eyes. A shadowy aura enveloped his body, and the light of the mirror danced across its surface.
"Time to speed up the game," he said softly, before the shadows spread out through the cracks in the walls, blending with the darkness of the Academy's corridors.
Kyle woke up in the darkness. His hands were bound by magic chains, his body hanging. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed in the silent room, and a dark figure emerged from the shadows and stopped in front of him. His face was hidden, but his magical aura pressed down like a heavy stone.
"You've seen them from a distance, haven't you? Nero. Damian. And the new one… Elric," the figure whispered as he stared into Kyle's eyes.
Kyle gritted his teeth, his breath heavy. "What do you want?" his voice was hoarse.
The figure laughed softly, coldly. "Help me get to know them better. If you do, your life will remain safe."
Kyle stared back with sharp eyes, his body tense. He couldn't move or run but could only feel the shadows closing in again, swallowing him into the darkness.
That morning at Zephyrus Academy felt different. Damian walked slowly to class, his mind still reeling from the previous night's training and Professor Limbert's sudden summoning of Elric. He didn't get a chance to talk about it with Elric.
After the bell rang, Damian, Tessa, and Rin walked to the cafeteria for lunch. As soon as they entered the cafeteria, they saw Liam had prepared food on the table, a sandwich, a glass of tea, and Damian's schedule for the day neatly laid out in front of him.
"Morning, Master Damian," he greeted calmly.
"Morning, Liam," Damian replied as he sat down.
Liam smiled, pointing to the list on his desk. "I've adjusted today's schedule: 30% for resting, 40% studying, and 15% additional training."
"Then the remaining 15%?" Damian asked in confusion
"For unexpected things... like Elric suddenly appearing," Liam replied
"Like... now?" Elric suddenly sat across from Damian.
"Yo! Miss you?" he greeted cheerfully.
Not long after, Lucien slipped from behind and took the seat next to Elric. "You said you missed me?" Lucien said.
They all laughed lightly, and for the first time, the cafeteria atmosphere felt happy. They discussed lessons, the latest exercises, and even who slept the best in class.
The conversation turned to a topic that always caused tension.
"Kyle's kidnapping issue is getting hotter, huh?" Lucien said.
Elric nodded seriously. "All the students here immediately accused Nero."
Damian replied confidently. "But there's no evidence yet. I… am not sure it's Nero."
There was a moment of silence before heavy footsteps were heard beside the table. All heads turned. Nero Valtzreid sat next to Damian. Instantly, several students in the cafeteria were shocked, spoons fell, and one student immediately stood up and quickly moved away from them.
But Damian, Liam, Tessa, Rin, Elric, and Lucien remained calm. Nero didn't speak, just stared.
Lucien extended his hand in a friendly manner. "Are you hungry?" Nero nodded slowly.
Damian grabbed a slice of sandwich from his plate and gave it to Nero. "Just take it, it's free."
Nero took the sandwich, chewing it quietly. No smile, no words. But for the first time, he was no longer sitting alone in the cafeteria.
That night in Damian and Liam's dorm room was completely silent except for the sound of paper and pen. Damian sat on the edge of the bed, while Liam sat in front of the study table, rewriting a list of strategies for the week.
"Liam… do you think we're strong enough?" Damian asked quietly, his eyes staring at the notes on his lap.
Liam stopped writing and looked at Damian seriously. "Compared to when we first arrived at the academy? We're much stronger now. But compared to the outside world... we're just getting started."
Damian nodded. "I want to be strong enough to protect Frostvale, my family, and my friends."
A small smile appeared on Liam's face. "And I will always be your protector, Master Damian."
Damian laughed, then cleared his throat. "You're too loyal, Liam, but thank you for everything."
Liam raised an eyebrow excitedly. "Loyalty is my specialty. I'm also training myself to make better tea now, all for Master Damian's comfort."
With that, Liam took the list from the table and placed it on Damian's lap. "Thank you, Damian. Because you are my reason to want to be stronger."
Damian smiled softly, then was surprised when Liam shouted while pointing at the wall clock: "BUT SERIOUSLY, TOMORROW YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP AT SIX FOR EXTRA WORKOUT!"
Damian protested and shouted, "LIAAAAAMMM!"