Arriving outside the academy he was greeted by some "friends". They weren't really his friends more people he got along with due to attending the academy together. Opening the large wooden door he got ready for another day of training. Today was different tho, the instructor bringing them to the field they usually trained in just outside the walls. Sitting in the grass he observed his surroundings, a clear blue sky with no clouds in sight, green plains to his left as far as could see. A way off to his right a forest of dark trees. As the instructor spoke he understood how todays training was different. Today they would be doing mock battles. Thorne sat in the field with his peers hoping his opponent would be below him in the class rankings or at least not far above. However he wasn't that lucky, the man he was facing was ranked 3rd out of the 36 trainees Thorne being 16th. The boy was about a foot taller and from what Thorne could gather a well put together combatant. He truly was dreading todays training, with no way out he got to his feet and grabbed his wooden sword getting in his battle stance. But before the fight began his opponent turned to the teacher and asked "sir with all due respect is this really fair? I don't mean any offence to my opponent but am I not far stronger?" By the looks of it the boy asked with genuine concern and didn't mean to belittle Thorne. He didn't take it that way however, "in battle you won't always face those weaker then you. Begin!" Thorne was slightly angry with how his skills where undermined and lunged forward with rash determination. What's the worst that could happen, they where using wooden swords after all. With all the speed he could garner Thorne lunged forward the point of his sword aimed for the heart, even with the element of surprise the enemy was just faster, pivoting to the left causing Thorne to lose balance and stumble forward. Now off balance and falling head first Thorne readied himself to roll out of distance and brace for combat, his enemy had a reaction time far above average however and sent a kick speeding into his stomach. Thorne practically flew across the ground landing in a heap gasping for air. But his attacker didn't let up. The training was far from over, somehow still clutching his sword Thorne held it up to absorb some of the impact. As the duel raged on, Bow's inexperience showed. strikes were swift and powerful, and easily overwhelmed him. The other students gathered to watch, their cheers urging the duelist on. Minutes felt like hours, and the duel showed no signs of ending. Bow's exhaustion was palpable, and his wooden sword felt like a lead weight in his hands. taunts grew louder, and attacks more aggressive. Bow's determination wavered, and he stumbled, leaving himself wide open. His opponents wooden sword came crashing down, striking Bow on the shoulder with a resounding thud. As Bow was falling, gasping for breath, something extraordinary happened. His vision blurred, and a pain like nothing he'd ever felt surged within him. Unbeknownst to everyone, Bow possessed a dormant mana core, a source of untapped magical power. In his moment of desperation, Bow's mana core awakened. With his attacker growing closer, it was almost as if his instincts took over, he held out his hand and sent off a powerful blast blowing his opponent at least ten meters away, before he had a chance to understand what just happened he fell to the ground, unconscious.