"Then I'll excuse myself, sir," I replied to Master Jorin.
After the crowd started to disperse, I left the duel room after my unexpected confrontation with Daren, which had ended in my victory. The moment I stepped outside the room, I felt many gazes towards me. Their curious glances and whispered conversations were something that I had expected.
'It seems the news about the duel is already starting to attract attention,' I thought to myself.
As Kael walked down the corridor, lost in thought, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. "Kael, wait up!"
He turned to see Elara hurrying toward him, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a look of concern. Elara was known for her intelligence and kindness, and she had always been one of Kael's closest friends at the academy.
"Elara," Kael greeted her with a small smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Are you really okay?" she said, her eyes scanning him for any signs of injury. "You're not injured, are you?"
Kael nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was tough, but I managed to come out on top."
Elara let out a sigh of relief. "I was so worried. Daren's not someone to take lightly. You really showed him, though."
"Thanks," Kael replied, feeling warmth in his chest at her concern. "I just did what I had to do."
Elara's expression turned serious. "You still need to be careful, Kael."
"I know," Kael said, his resolve hardening. "But I can't let bullies like Daren push me around. I'll face whatever comes next."
Elara nodded, her worry still evident. "Just promise me you'll stay safe, okay? You're one of the few friends I have here, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
Kael felt a pang of guilt at the thought of putting Elara through more worry. "I promise. I'll be careful."
They walked together in silence for a moment, the busy hallway around them fading into the background. Kael couldn't help but appreciate Elara's presence. She had always been there for him, offering support and encouragement when he needed it most.
"You know," Elara said after a while, "I've been thinking about our classes lately. There's so much to learn, and it feels like we're just scratching the surface."
Kael nodded. "Yeah, sometimes it feels overwhelming. But I guess that's part of the challenge."
"Exactly," Elara agreed. "And challenges are what make us stronger. Just like your duel with Daren. It showed everyone that you're not someone to be underestimated."
Kael smiled at her words. "Thanks, Elara. It means a lot to hear that from you."
She returned his smile, her eyes bright with determination. "We'll get through this, Kael. Together. We just need to keep pushing forward and supporting each other."
As they continued walking, Kael felt a sense of camaraderie with Elara. Their friendship had always been a source of strength for him, and he was grateful to have her by his side.
"So, what's next for you?" Elara asked, breaking the silence.
Kael shrugged. "I need to keep training and improving my skills. There's still a lot I need to learn."
"Well, if you ever need a study partner, you know where to find me," Elara offered with a grin.
"I'll take you up on that," Kael said, feeling a sense of relief at her offer. "Thanks, Elara."
They reached a fork in the hallway, and Elara paused. "I need to head home, but I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah, see you later," Kael replied, waving as she walked away.
As he watched her go, Kael couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. He had friends who believed in him, and he couldn't let them down. With a deep breath, he turned and made his way back to his small apartment.
When Kael entered his apartment, he found Alaric lounging on the couch, a book in hand. Alaric looked up and grinned. "Hey, Kael! Heard you had quite a day."
Kael chuckled, dropping his bag by the door. "You could say that. How was your day?"
"Uneventful compared to yours, I bet," Alaric said, sitting up. "Come on, tell me about it. You always have the best stories."
Kael smiled, appreciating Alaric's enthusiasm. He kept his explanation simple, focusing on the training and the duel without mentioning his new skills. "I fought a guardian and won, then had an unexpected duel with Daren. Managed to come out on top."
Alaric whistled. "Impressive. You're going to be famous at the academy if you keep this up."
Kael shrugged. "I'd rather focus on getting stronger. Fame can wait."
Alaric nodded. "Good call. Anyway, you must be exhausted. Want to grab some dinner?"
"Sure," Kael agreed. "Let's eat."
Later that evening, after a simple meal, Kael retreated to his room. He closed the door behind him and let out a deep sigh, his mind still buzzing from the day's events. He sat on his bed and opened his status window again, letting the familiar interface calm his racing thoughts.
[Current Status]
[
Name: Kael
Title: None
Age: 8
Strength: 5
Mana: 115
INT: 25
STA: 15
AGI: 30
SP: 0
SC: 300
Mastery: None
Skills:
Mindscape (Passive Skill)
Mana Bullet (Basic Mastery)
Barrier (Basic Mastery)
Blink (Unlocked)
Chaos Energy: 0%
]
Kael stared at his stats, reflecting on his recent achievements and the challenges that lay ahead. The duel with Daren had been a wake-up call. Despite his victory, he knew he was still lacking in many areas, especially when it came to facing opponents like Daren who had both skill and backing.
He let his mind wander over the possibilities with his new skills. "Barrier has been a lifesaver, but I need to get better at using it in different situations. Mana Bullet is effective, but I have to work on my accuracy and power. And
Kael's mind raced with scenarios where
He couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability he had felt during the duel with Daren. "If I had been a bit slower or made one wrong move, I could have lost. Daren's not just a bully; he's a real threat. And his father's influence could bring even more trouble."
Kael closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. He knew he had to stay focused and keep pushing forward. "I have the potential to be strong. I just need to keep training, keep learning. I can't let my guard down."
His thoughts drifted to his friends, especially Elara. She had been so supportive, always there with encouragement and advice. "I need to protect them too. I can't let Daren or anyone else hurt them because of me."
Determination hardened in Kael's chest. "I won't let fear hold me back. I'll keep getting stronger, for myself and for those who believe in me."
He took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "This is just the beginning. I have a long way to go, but I'll make it. One step at a time."
Kael's thoughts settled into a quiet resolve as he prepared for sleep, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities. "I won't stop. I can't stop. I'll become the strongest, no matter what it takes."
And with that, Kael drifted back into a fitful sleep.
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