As the students began to disperse, Lukas made his way to Henry. "You fought well, Henry," Lukas said, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Simon may have won today, but you've shown everyone that you're a force to be reckoned with."
Henry sighed, looking at the rank A sword in his hand. "I thought this would give me an edge," he admitted. "But Simon's lightning magic was too powerful."
"It's not just about the weapon," Lukas replied. "It's about how you use it and how you grow from each experience. We'll train harder, and next time, you'll be ready."
Before Henry could respond, a loud voice echoed through the arena. "Attention, all participants!" It was Archmage Fiske again. "For those who have passed the practicals, please proceed to the main hall to receive your magic stones. For those who have not, do not be disheartened. There will be other opportunities to prove yourselves."
Lukas and Henry joined the throng of students making their way to the main hall. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Inside, the hall was filled with tables laden with small, glowing stones – the magic stones that would boost their cultivation speed.
As they approached the tables, a familiar figure stepped in front of them. It was Simon Reynold, the boy who had defeated Henry, his face twisted in a smug grin. "Well, well, if it isn't the lowlife and his noble friend," he sneered. "Enjoying your moment of failure, Henry?"
Lukas stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Enough," he said, his voice cold. "Henry may have lost the duel, but he fought with honor. Unlike you, who hides behind your family's name and resources."
Simon's grin faltered, but he quickly recovered. "We'll see how long your bravado lasts, Lukas. Just remember, in this academy, power and status are everything."
Ignoring Simon's taunts, Lukas and Henry walked over to the table where the instructors were distributing the magic stones. As Lukas received his magic stone, he handed it over to Henry. "I don't think I have any need for this. You'll need it more than I do," Lukas said as he placed it in Henry's hands.
"Are you serious? You don't need a cultivation stone?" Henry exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm from a noble family, you know. I can get 100 of these if I want," Lukas replied.
"Oh... thanks, Lukas. I don't know how I'll ever thank you for all this," Henry said.
"You don't have to," Lukas replied with a smile.
Henry nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "You're right. I won't let today's loss hold me back. I'll train harder and become stronger."
As they left the main hall, the students buzzed with conversations about the day's events and the new challenges ahead. Lukas and Henry made their way to the training grounds, determined to start their preparations immediately.
The training grounds were a sprawling expanse of open space, dotted with various training equipment and targets. Several other students were already there, practicing their spells and honing their skills. Lukas led Henry to a quieter corner, where they could train without distractions.
"Let's start with some basic exercises," Lukas suggested. "We need to build up your stamina and control over your magic."
Henry nodded, feeling a surge of determination. He watched as Lukas demonstrated a series of exercises, combining physical movements with spellcasting. Henry followed suit, focusing on his fire magic and trying to improve his control and precision.
Hours passed as they trained, the sun beginning to set on the horizon. Despite the exhaustion, Henry felt a sense of accomplishment. Each movement felt more fluid, each spell more controlled. Lukas watched with satisfaction, seeing the progress his friend was making.
As they took a break, Lukas handed Henry a flask of water. "You're improving," he said with a smile. "Keep this up, and you'll be ready for whatever the academy throws at you."
Suddenly, Lukas felt a pair of ominous eyes watching them from the shadows. He turned his head slightly to where he felt the eyes, but he couldn't see anyone. "Hmm, this aura, it feels familiar," Lukas mumbled to himself.
"What was that?" Henry asked, noticing Lukas's change in mood.
"We'll have to be careful in this academy. I felt someone spying on us," Lukas said, his voice serious.
"Well... most of the girls would want to take a look at the handsome young master of the number one noble family in the kingdom, you know," Henry joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"No, it's not that. This one had a hostile aura," Lukas said with a stern look in his eyes.
"Uh... you can sense aura? I thought that was only possible for archmages," Henry said, surprised.
"Um... I just had a feeling, I guess," Lukas said, trying to avoid further questions from Henry. "I think we should head back to the mansion. We'll be assigned to our dorms tomorrow, so it's only wise to get ready now," Lukas pointed out as they stood up to leave.
The walk back to the mansion was quiet, each lost in their thoughts. Henry couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and Lukas's words had left him uneasy. As they reached the mansion, the grandeur of the building did little to ease their concerns.
That night, as Henry lay in his bed, he replayed the day's events in his mind. He remembered Simon's sneering face, the jeers of the other students, and the intensity of the duel. But more than anything, he remembered the determination in Lukas's eyes and his unwavering support.
"I won't let you down, Lukas," Henry whispered to himself. "I'll become the mage I was meant to be."
The next morning, the academy was abuzz with activity as the students prepared to be assigned to their dorms. Henry and Lukas stood among the crowd, listening to Archmage Fiske as he read out the names and dorm assignments.
"Henry Aelius and Lukas De Arcadian, you will be in Dormitory A, Room 3," Fiske announced.
As they made their way to their new room, Henry couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. This was a new beginning, a chance to prove himself and grow stronger. The dormitory was a large, imposing building, with rows of rooms lined along the corridors. Room 3 was spacious and well-furnished, with two beds, a study desk, and a small bookshelf.
"This isn't too bad," Lukas said, dropping his bag on one of the beds. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but we'll manage."
Henry nodded, placing his own belongings on the other bed. "Yeah, we'll make this work."
Over the next few days, Henry and Lukas settled into their new routine. Their days were filled with classes, training sessions, and studying. Henry focused on improving his fire magic, determined to master his control and increase his power. Lukas, always by his side, pushed him to his limits and provided guidance.
One afternoon, as they were training in the grounds, they were approached by a group of students. At the forefront was Simon, the boy who had taunted Henry earlier.
"Look who it is," Simon sneered. "The lowlife and his noble friend. Enjoying your little training session?"
Lukas stepped forward, his eyes cold. "What do you want, Simon?"
"Oh, nothing much," Simon replied with a smirk. "Just wanted to remind you that no matter how hard you train, you'll never be on our level."
"Is that so?" Henry said, stepping beside Lukas. "We'll see about that."
Simon's smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. "Enjoy your delusions while you can. You'll never surpass us."
As Simon and his group walked away, Lukas turned to Henry. "Ignore him. He's just trying to get under your skin."
Henry nodded, clenching his fists. "I know. But it just makes me more determined to prove him wrong."
The weeks passed, and Henry and Lukas continued to train tirelessly. Their bond grew stronger, their skills sharper. Henry's control over his fire magic improved significantly, and he started developing new techniques. Lukas, always pushing himself as well, refined his skills and strategies.
One evening, as they were practicing in the training grounds, they were approached by a young woman with icy blue hair and piercing eyes.
"You're Henry and Lukas, right?" she asked, her voice cool and confident.
"Yes, we are," Lukas replied. "And you are?"
"I'm Ellice Frost," she said with a small smile. "I've been watching you two train. You're both quite impressive, but right now, I want to duel you, Lukas." She added as a serious face suddenly overshadowed her smile.