Deteni's sharp voice cut through the air, drawing the students' attention back to the front of the room. "For those of you who managed to complete the first exercise, congratulations on not being completely worthless. But don't think for a moment that you've accomplished anything significant. This is merely the beginning. Now, we move on to the next step—learning to form your own basic pain spell."
Jorel stared blankly at his desk, the harsh words from Deteni still ringing in his ears. The weight of his failure pressed heavily on his chest, drowning out the sounds around him. Deteni's voice faded into the background as Jorel's thoughts spiraled, consumed by frustration and self-doubt. He knew he was different, that his emotional numbness set him apart, but this was the first time it had truly felt like a handicap—a wall that he couldn't climb over, no matter how hard he tried.
He was able to feel a certain level of emotions- he could be sad or happy, feel frustration and anger, he just couldn't move past those surface level feelings to that place where true emotional pain comes from. The type of pain that can actually be used, or manipulated. The type of pain that contains strength.
He barely noticed as Deteni continued the lesson, explaining the intricacies of channeling pain and emotion into a spell. The other students listened intently, their eyes fixed on the instructor as he demonstrated different techniques, but Jorel was lost in his own thoughts. Every word felt like a distant echo, meaningless and out of reach.
"Each of you has the potential to create something unique," Deteni was saying, his tone as condescending as ever. "But only if you're willing to push yourselves beyond your limits. Pain is your tool—your weapon. Learn to wield it, or be crushed by those who do."
Jorel didn't respond. His mind was elsewhere, trapped in a loop of doubt and frustration. He had always prided himself on his ability to adapt, to find a way through any challenge. But this… this was something different. How could he possibly overcome an obstacle that was so deeply ingrained in his very being?
The lesson dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Finally, Deteni dismissed the class, his final words laced with disdain. "Remember, there's no room for weakness here. If you can't keep up, you'll be left behind." He shot an extra glare at Jorel as he said it before turning and walking back to the central podium.
Jorel gathered his things in silence, avoiding the eyes of his classmates as they filed out of the room. Ryen and Jain were waiting for him by the door, their expressions bright with excitement from the lesson. But as soon as they saw the look on Jorel's face, their smiles faded.
"Jorel, are you okay?" Jain asked, her voice soft with concern.
Jorel forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Just… didn't do so well in there."
Ryen frowned, his brow furrowing as he glanced back at the classroom. "Don't worry about it, man. It was just one lesson. You'll get it next time."
Jain nodded in agreement. "Yeah, everyone struggles at first. You just need to find what works for you."
But their words did little to comfort Jorel. He appreciated their support, but the frustration gnawed at him, a constant reminder of his failure. "Thanks," he mumbled, looking away.
As they walked out of the building, the trio was suddenly met with a sneer from across the courtyard. Drain VanHeart stood leaning against a pillar, a smug expression plastered on his newly scared face. His eyes locked onto Jorel, and the satisfaction in his gaze was unmistakable.
"Having trouble, Drecan?" Drain called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "Maybe you should stick to physical pain magic, where you belong. We could always use more cannon fodder in the army."
Jorel's fists clenched at his sides, anger bubbling up inside him. But before he could respond, Jain stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at Drain. "Why don't you mind your own business, VanHeart?"
Drain chuckled, pushing off the pillar and walking toward them. "Just offering some friendly advice. Not everyone's cut out for this, you know. Some people just… don't have what it takes. If you all hadn't come at me in a 3 on 1 I would've whopped your asses."
Ryen moved to stand beside Jain, his jaw set in a hard line. "Back off, Drain. You've got nothing to prove."
Drain smirked, his eyes still locked on Jorel. "We'll see about that. I'm looking forward to seeing how long you last, Drecan. It should be… entertaining."
With that, Drain turned and walked away, his laughter echoing in the courtyard. Jorel watched him go, his anger simmering just below the surface. But more than that, there was a deep sense of determination growing inside him. He couldn't let Drain's words get to him—not now. He had to prove himself, not just to Drain, but to everyone.
"Come on," Jain said, placing a hand on Jorel's shoulder. "Let's get to the next class. We've got combat formations today."
Jorel nodded, forcing himself to push aside the frustration and focus on what was ahead. "Yeah, let's go."
The trio made their way to the training grounds, where their next lesson awaited. The area was a large, open space, with various weapons and training dummies scattered around. A group of instructors stood at the front, their eyes scanning the students as they arrived.
The lead instructor, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his face, stepped forward. His voice was deep and commanding as he addressed the group. "Today, we'll be learning the basics of combat formations. Pain magic is powerful, but its true strength comes when used in coordination with others. A well-formed squad can take down enemies far stronger than any single individual."
He began to explain the different types of formations, each designed to maximize the effectiveness of pain magic. "There are three primary roles within a squad: the Vanguard, who leads the charge and takes the brunt of the attacks; the Flanker, who moves quickly to outmaneuver the enemy and strike from the sides; and the Support, who stays at the back, providing healing or reinforcing the others' with ranged spells."
As the instructor spoke, he demonstrated each role with the help of a few advanced students. The Vanguard stepped forward, their body glowing with a protective aura as they absorbed the attacks from the dummies. The Flankers moved with speed and precision, striking at the dummies' weak points before darting back out of reach. The Support stayed behind, channeling their pain magic into the others, enhancing their strength and endurance by cutting themself open.
"Your success in combat depends on your ability to work together," the instructor continued. "Each role is vital, and the strength of the squad lies in its coordination. You'll be divided into groups now, and each group will practice forming these roles in battle."
"If you are the role of support, try and utilize the pain spell Soren up here used. Cut your arms and bleed for your teammates so they don't have to. Imagine pouring out your blood in their place giving them strength, and resiliency. If you cannot do it yet, figure it out soon."
Jorel, Ryen, and Jain were placed in a group together, along with a few other students from Raven House. The instructor assigned their roles—Jorel as the Vanguard, Jain as the Flanker, and Ryen as the Support.
As they moved into position, Jorel couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Physical pain magic was his specialty, and as the Vanguard, he could focus on what he did best—taking the hits and holding the line.
The training began, and Jorel led the charge, his body tense and ready. The dummies were enchanted to mimic the attacks of real opponents, and as they moved in, Jorel braced himself, channeling his pain magic to reinforce his body. The first dummy struck him with a powerful blow, but Jorel held firm, absorbing the impact and pushing back.
Jain moved quickly around the dummies, her attacks precise and controlled. She struck at their weak points, disrupting their formation and creating openings for Jorel to exploit. Ryen stayed at the back, his hands glowing with a soft red light as he channeled his magic into Jorel and Jain, while blood trickled down his arms.
The group worked well together, each member playing their role to perfection. Jorel could feel the difference—this wasn't just a solo fight. With Ryen's support and Jain's quick strikes, he was able to hold the line and push forward, taking down the dummies one by one.
After several rounds of practice, the instructor called a halt, his expression one of approval. "Not bad, Raven House. You've got potential. Try swapping red head and skinny boy. I think she's got more tolerance than he does."
He continued on down the line, repositioning some and scolding others.
Ryen shrugged, "Fair enough, I mean she is the one who knows barrier magic." The other two nodded in aggreeance and swapped roles.
The change was instant and powerful, Jain was able to cover for the rest of the squad while Jorel's quick footed movements and twin dagger fighting style fit the role of Flanker much better.
As the lesson ended, Jorel felt a renewed sense of confidence. The frustration from the earlier class hadn't disappeared, but the success in combat formations had given him something to hold onto. He might struggle with emotional pain magic, but here, in the physical realm, he could still prove himself.
As they walked back to the dorms, Jorel, Jain, and Ryen discussed the day's lessons, their spirits lifted by the progress they had made. But in the back of Jorel's mind, the challenge of mastering emotional pain magic still loomed. He knew that he couldn't ignore it forever—sooner or later, he would have to confront his weakness and find a way to overcome it.