The medbay buzzed with a nervous energy Elian couldn't shake. The victory that once tasted sweet now lay ashen in his mouth. The referee's pronouncement of the "tests" loomed large, a dark cloud threatening his future.
He was staring dejectedly at the chipped enamel mug of lukewarm broth when the curtain billowed open. Two figures entered, their presence silencing the chattering healers fussing around him. One was a tall woman with an air of regal command, her silver hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her piercing blue eyes held an intensity that made Elian feel like a bug under a microscope. The other was an old man, his back bent with age but his movements surprisingly spry. His wiry white beard reached his chest, and his cloudy grey eyes twinkled with an ageless wisdom.
"Elian of Arcana Academia," the woman announced in a voice that held the weight of authority. This must be Grand Mage Eva, he thought, his stomach clenching.
"Grand Mage Eva," Elian rasped, his throat still scratchy from sleep, "Grand Mage…" he hesitated, unsure of the older man's name.
The old man chuckled, a dry rasp that sounded like wind rustling through dead leaves. "No need for formalities, lad. Call me Eldrin."
Elara gestured to the healers scurrying out at her silent command. "We have reviewed the reports of your fight, Elian," she said, her voice devoid of warmth. "There are concerns regarding the magic you displayed in the final clash."
Elian swallowed hard, the words feeling heavy on his tongue. "I… I didn't know," he mumbled, "It just happened."
Eldrin, however, seemed more intrigued than concerned. He pulled up a stool by Elian's cot and leaned forward, his cloudy eyes studying the young man. "Tell me, lad," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle for someone so aged, "describe what you felt."
Elian closed his eyes, trying to recapture the sensation. "Desperation," he whispered, "a need to win, to stop the blizzard. It felt… like a fire burning within me, but black and cold at the same time."
Elara shifted on her feet, her stern expression cracking slightly. Eldrin, however, nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting," he muttered. "Very interesting."
The next couple of hours were a blur of tests. Elian channeled fire, light, and ice, the elements he practiced regularly, under the watchful eyes of the Grand Mages. He felt drained afterward, his limbs shaky and his head throbbing.
Finally, Eva and Eldrin exchanged a long glance. Elara turned to Elian, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Elian," she announced, "we have completed our assessment."
Anticipation choked Elian's throat. "And?"
Eldrin smiled, a rare sight that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Well, lad," he chuckled, "it seems you're quite the anomaly."
Elian's heart sank. Anomaly? Was he dangerous? Cursed?
"You possess the abilities of a Triple Mage," Eldrin continued, "capable of manipulating fire, light, and ice. However," he paused, his gaze flickering to Elara, "there's a… a hidden element at play here."
Elian's breath caught in his throat. Another element? What could it be?
"It appears," Eva interjected, her voice still serious but less harsh, "that you have a latent affinity for shadow magic. The raw power you unleashed during the fight was most likely a surge of this dormant magic fueled by your desperation."
Relief washed over Elian, weak but warm. Not a curse, just a hidden power? He looked at Eldrin, hope flickering in his eyes. "So… it's not dangerous?"
Eldrin shook his head, his beard bobbing. "No danger, lad. Dark magic, while powerful, can be tricky to control. But with proper training, it could become a valuable asset."
Elian couldn't believe his ears. Shadow magic, once a source of fear, was now a potential strength? His head swam with possibilities.
Elara noticed his expression. "However," she said, her voice firm, "mastering Dark magic won't come easily. It demands discipline and focus. And remember, lad," she held his gaze, "there's a fine line between desperation and darkness."
Elian nodded, the weight of her words settling in. Winning the Grand Arcana paled compared to the revelation of his true nature. He still had much to learn, much to control.
"So," Eldrin said, his voice breaking the tense silence, "does this mean you still want to claim that victory, lad?"
Elian found a smile,...a smile that stretched his face despite the throbbing pain in his head. Relief and a spark of defiance ignited within him. "More than ever," he declared, his voice hoarse but firm.
Elara gave a curt nod. "Very well. The Grand Arcana champion will be announced publicly tomorrow morning."
With that, the Grand Mages rose, their work seemingly done. Elian watched them exit the medbay, the weight of their assessment settling on him. Triple Mage with a hidden affinity for shadow magic. It was a lot to process, a new and complex identity to navigate.
As the curtain fell back into place, Marco burst in, his face a mask of frantic excitement. "Elian, you won't believe what just happened!" he exclaimed, his voice practically bouncing off the walls.
Elian winced at the sudden noise, his head feeling like it might split open. "Marco," he rasped, "a little less enthusiasm, please."
Marco toned down his voice a notch, but his excitement was palpable. "They called an emergency council meeting! Apparently, Princess Jenna threw a royal tantrum about the tests, claiming you cheated or some such nonsense."
Elian sighed, a mix of irritation and amusement washing over him. Jenna just couldn't accept defeat graciously. "Typical."
"Well," Marco continued, his eyes gleaming with mischievous delight, "rumor has it she challenged the Council's decision and demanded a rematch. But guess what?"
Ignoring Elian's groan, Marco leaned closer, his voice dripping with drama. "The Grand Mages denied it. They said with your latent shadow magic awakening, a rematch would be too dangerous for both of you."
Elian couldn't help but let out a chuckle, a weak sound but laced with genuine humor. Jenna, denied a rematch because her opponent was deemed "too dangerous"? It was almost poetic justice.
A wave of exhaustion washed over him, the adrenaline from the conversation fading. Marco must have noticed the change in his demeanor because his voice softened. "You okay, buddy? You look like you could use another nap."
Elian nodded, the white walls of the medbay starting to blur at the edges. "Yeah, just a little tired. Thanks for the… update, Marco."
"Don't mention it," Marco replied, his voice warm with genuine concern. "Just get some rest. You deserve to actually enjoy your victory… well, after you win again with shadow magic and all."
Elian closed his eyes, a tired smile playing on his lips. Victory, shadow magic, a complex future – it was all a lot to take in. But as sleep finally claimed him, a new determination settled deep within him. He would master this hidden power, not let it control him. He would face whatever challenges lay ahead, one step at a time. After all, he was Elian of Eristia, a Triple Mage with a secret weapon – and a victory to celebrate.