The academy grounds were alive with energy. With only weeks left before the grand tournament, every student pushed themselves to their limits, eager to prove their worth. The training fields echoed with the clash of steel, the hum of enchantments, and the crackling of elemental magic.
For Kalem and his friends, the tournament was more than just a test—it was a chance to showcase their progress. Each of them had different approaches to preparation, yet their dedication was the same.
Kalem: The Relentless Craftsman
Kalem's workshop—a repurposed storage room behind the tavern—was cluttered with half-finished weapons, scraps of metal, and glowing shards of refined Lynthian crystal. The heat from his forge made the space stifling, but he didn't care. His hands worked tirelessly, hammering, shaping, and refining new designs.
He had already crafted several weapons for experimentation—each infused with a different type of enchantment. Some focused on raw power, others on speed and agility, and a few on endurance. His latest project was a dual-phase spear, a weapon with a retractable blade that could shift between a standard spear and a compact short-sword form.
"Too complex?" Kalem muttered to himself as he tested the mechanism. It moved smoothly, but he knew that in the heat of battle, unnecessary complexity could mean death. He set it aside and turned his attention to a new material—an alloy infused with pulverized mana crystals. If he could get the mixture just right, it would hold enchantments longer without degrading.
Despite his love for experimentation, Kalem understood that a warrior needed consistency. If he relied too much on his creations without mastering the fundamentals, he'd be at a disadvantage in the tournament. With that in mind, he made a decision:
"One final experiment. Then I'll focus on combat training."
Jhaeros: The Bond Between Beast and Master
On the academy's western training grounds, Jhaeros moved fluidly alongside his new partner—a dire wolf with thick silver-gray fur and piercing amber eyes. The beast was nearly the size of a warhorse, its muscles rippling beneath its coat as it prowled the dirt-covered field.
Jhaeros had spent weeks earning the creature's trust, and now, at last, they moved as one. He named the wolf Velka, after an ancient Ilvaar legend of a guardian beast.
Their training was intense. Jhaeros focused on coordinated movement, ensuring that Velka responded to his gestures and commands without hesitation. In battle, they would need to act as a single entity—attacking, defending, and adapting together.
"Again," Jhaeros whispered, raising his hand in a sharp motion.
Velka lunged forward, dodging imaginary attacks before circling back and flanking an invisible enemy. Jhaeros moved in tandem, using his agility to weave between Velka's motions, delivering precise strikes where an opening appeared.
He was confident in his skill, but one thing still troubled him—the other competitors. There were rumors that some students had access to forbidden techniques, things that could manipulate or even disable a beast's mind. He would need to prepare for anything.
Nara: The Inferno Within
Deep in the elemental training halls, Nara sat cross-legged, surrounded by flickering embers. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she struggled to maintain control. She had always been strong, her flames destructive and wild. But in a tournament setting, raw power wasn't enough.
She had been training relentlessly, not in brute force, but in refinement—controlling multiple elements at once. It was frustrating work. Fire had always been her dominant force, but earth and wind required a level of patience that didn't come naturally to her.
She inhaled slowly, channeling her energy. Small pebbles around her lifted into the air, caught in an invisible current. The embers pulsed, shifting between red, blue, and white.
"Steady..."
A single misstep, and the entire flow would collapse.
Suddenly, a loud crack rang through the chamber as a burst of wind disrupted her concentration. The embers flared wildly before dying out.
"Damn it!" she growled, slamming her fist against the ground.
She wiped the sweat from her brow, frustration gnawing at her. If she couldn't master this by the tournament, she'd be at a serious disadvantage against fighters who could exploit her weaknesses.
"Again."
Lyra: The Observer
Unlike her friends, Lyra had no reason to train for the tournament. As a non-combatant, she wasn't allowed to participate. But that didn't mean she was sitting idly by.
She watched from the academy's observation tower, studying the different fighting styles, enchantments, and strategies her classmates employed. She knew that knowledge—true knowledge—was just as powerful as any sword or spell.
She took careful notes on Kalem's crafting, Jhaeros's beast-mastery, and Nara's elemental struggles. If she couldn't fight alongside them, she would support them in her own way.
"Kalem's weapons rely too much on enchantments. He should refine his physical technique."
"Jhaeros's wolf is powerful, but what happens if it's taken out of the fight?"
"Nara needs to focus on adaptability, not just power."
Each observation was a puzzle piece, and Lyra intended to see the bigger picture before the tournament began.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group gathered in their usual spot—a small open courtyard behind the tavern. Their training had left them exhausted, but there was a shared sense of excitement in the air.
"So, how are we feeling about the tournament?" Kalem asked, stretching his sore arms.
"Like I need another week," Nara groaned, rubbing her temples. "I swear, if I lose because my own damn magic betrays me, I'm going to set something on fire."
Jhaeros chuckled. "Velka and I are ready, but I won't get overconfident. The competition will be fierce."
Kalem turned to Lyra. "And you? No regrets about sitting this one out?"
Lyra smirked. "None. I'll be watching, analyzing, and making sure you don't embarrass yourselves."
Kalem laughed, shaking his head. "Of course you will."
As the group settled into conversation, the tension of the upcoming battles remained in the back of their minds. The tournament would be a proving ground—not just of their strength, but of everything they had learned so far.
One thing was certain.
They would face it together.