At the break of dawn, the students of the Academy had already gathered. Today marked the beginning of the grand sword tournament, and the air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nerves. Some students struggled to steady their breathing, their hands trembling as they waited for their names to be called.
Elias inhaled deeply as he replaced his wooden training blade with a real practice sword—heavier, colder, more real. Beside him, Riven stood calm and composed, his black hair fluttering gently in the breeze.
"You're going to be tested today, Thorn," Riven said, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"And so will you, Riven," Elias replied firmly. "But I'm not backing down."
The tournament brackets were quickly formed. In the first rounds, students were paired off against one another. Elias's first opponent was Kael—a quick, impulsive fighter.
"Ready, Thorn?" Kael asked, already swinging his blade in the air.
"Always," Elias responded, stepping forward with calm but strategic intent.
The clash of blades rang through the courtyard as they began. Kael pressed the attack, trying to break through Elias's defense, but Elias held his ground with steady footing, deflecting the blows one after another. With a swift counter, Elias seized an opening and won the round.
All across the arena, students displayed not only power, but tactics. Lyra leaned forward as she fought, carefully reading her opponents' movements. Mira Vel and Seraphine Lume also made their presence known—at one point, their battle turned the arena into a blazing ring of fire, forcing everyone to take a step back.
In the semifinals, Elias faced Dorian Kal. Dorian's strikes were strong, his attacks fast and relentless—each blow pressing Elias to his limits.
"Be careful this time," Riven called out from the sidelines, eyes locked on the match.
"I know..." Elias whispered, pausing just long enough to center his breath. "But I won't give up."
Dorian launched another quick strike. Elias tried to counter—but a single moment of hesitation cost him the advantage. Dorian broke through, and Elias dropped to one knee, accepting defeat with a mix of pride and bitter disappointment pounding in his chest.
"Well played," Dorian said, offering a respectful nod.
Elias nodded in return. "Next time... I'll be ready for that."
In the final round, it was Riven versus Dorian. Riven moved like a gust of wind, his blade gliding with speed and precision, guided by his air element. From the sidelines, Elias watched in awe—Riven's talent was undeniable. But instead of discouraging him, it fueled his determination.
With one final, elegant strike, Riven disarmed Dorian and sent him to the ground. Silence fell over the courtyard for a moment before the overseers stepped in, briefly consulting among themselves. Then, the announcement was made—Riven had won.
He turned toward Elias with a slight smile.
"Keep going like this, Thorn, and you'll be standing here soon enough."
Elias caught his breath and smiled back.
"I'm looking forward to our match."
As evening fell, the students returned to their dormitories. Elias lay in his bed, going over the day in his mind—the sound of clashing swords, the thrill of the duel, the sting of loss, and the fire of motivation it sparked within him.
"I still have a lot to learn with the blade," he whispered to himself. "But one day… I'll reach Riven's level."
Outside, the wind tapped gently against the stone walls, and the stars shimmered in the night sky. The Academy had settled into a quiet hush as its students began to rest—gathering their strength for tomorrow's Nexus class, where new challenges awaited.