Six months later, Leon and Isla were locked in a brutal battle. Leon's purple blood surged through him, and countless swords floated in the air, shimmering with lethal intent. With a sharp flick of his wrist, the blades tore forward like a deadly swarm, slicing the air with a terrifying hum.
Isla, wrapped in a shimmering yellow aura, called forth sleek, curved blades that spun around him like a storm. His eyes narrowed with cold focus as he sliced through the onslaught, metal clashing against metal in a relentless symphony. Each parry sent showers of sparks scattering across the training ground.
Leon's gaze sharpened. The blades multiplied—twice, then thrice their number—forming a halo of destruction. He hurled them at Isla again, the air crackling with energy.
ISLA: (breathing hard, smirking) Not bad, Leon... But you'll have to do better than that.
Isla rolled aside, flipped backward with grace, and slid beneath a swinging sword. One blade nicked his arm, drawing a thin streak of blood—but he didn't falter.
Leon seized the moment. With a burst of speed, he darted through the swarm, suddenly appearing in front of Isla. His fist glowed violently purple.
LEON: (grinning fiercely) Fast... but not fast enough.
He grabbed Isla's torso, lifting him off the ground with a forceful levitation. The swords whirled around them like a cyclone of death. Leon raised Isla high—then slammed him down onto the platform with earth-shaking force. A massive cloud of dust exploded upward.
The crowd gasped. Selena Ma'am clutched her mouth in shock. Students shouted in alarm.
STUDENT 1: Did he just end it?!
STUDENT 2: That was savage!
But as the dust settled, Isla stepped out from the haze—calm and composed, a blade pressed to Leon's neck.
ISLA: (voice cold as ice) Got you.
Flashback: Mid-fall, Isla twisted sharply, driving his blade into the wall to brake his descent. Vanishing behind the smoke, he silently circled around and struck.
TEACHER: (stepping forward) Winner: Isla!
Leon panted, surprised but smiling.
LEON: (softly) Well played...
Isla withdrew her blade and gave a respectful nod. The tension melted into applause.
SELENA MA'AM: (addressing the class) In these six months, you've all grown—body and mind. Congratulations.
The students erupted in cheers. Finn flexed, admiring his toned arms.
FINN: (dreamily) Think Selena Ma'am noticed?
FANNY: (smacking him) Get a grip, idiot.
A staff member whispered to Selena Ma'am. Her expression tightened.
SELENA MA'AM: In five minutes, report to the assembly hall. We have an important announcement.
Leon, Isla, Fanny, and Finn gathered.
FINN: What do you think it is?
ISLA: (serious) I hope it's not what I fear.
LEON: (raising an eyebrow) What do you mean?
ISLA: (avoiding eye contact) Nothing.
Leon caught the worry but stayed silent.
In the assembly hall, whispers rippled through the crowd. Magnus Sir stepped onto the stage.
MAGNUS SIR: You've all made remarkable progress—this year's batch is one of the finest in Astralis Academy's history. But now, it's time to prove your strength.
Our king and Velmoria's King have arranged the annual battle—Astralis Academy vs. Obsidian Sanctum. Two great academies clashing for honor.
This battle will affect your final exams—excel, and bonus marks are yours.
Murmurs swept the hall—excitement, nerves, and fear.
MAGNUS SIR: But there are two things—one good, one bad.
The good: The battle is six months away—ample time to prepare.
Cheers erupted.
MAGNUS SIR: The bad: only four students will represent Astralis Academy.
Silence.
MAGNUS SIR: Selection depends on both knowledge and combat skill. Work hard.
FINN: (groaning) Theory too? Seriously?
MAGNUS SIR: Questions? Visit my cabin. You're dismissed.
As the crowd dispersed, Leon pulled Isla aside.
LEON: What were you so worried about?
ISLA: (hesitating) Obsidian Sanctum isn't like us. Last year, Zeypharia's Aetherion Academy faced them. Many were crippled—two won't walk again.
FANNY: That's insane. Who trains warriors like that?
ISLA: They're brutal. Not killers—the rules forbid it. But their top fighters—Kaelira Vorn and Aren Vex—are monsters.
Kaelira is beautiful but cruel. Aren's calm mask hides a savage beast. Together, they could tear through us as we are.
LEON: (stunned) That strong?
ISLA: Yes. But six months... If we train hard, we can match them.
FINN: (clenching fists) Let's crush them.
FANNY: Hell yes. No way we're backing down.
LEON: (quietly) First, we survive the selection.