Leo sat in his room, piecing together everything he'd recently learned. The thought of his parents brought a spark of hope to his heart. If my father is as strong as they say, he must still be out there. And if he's out there, he's protecting Mom. I need to find them. His mind was so consumed by this resolve that he didn't notice the black wisp until it had settled at his feet like a loyal pet, its shadowy form pulsing softly.
He stared at it, wondering why it hadn't left. It had already shown him visions of the beastmen, the attack on the academy, the danger that lay ahead—yet here it was, silently lingering.
After a few moments of hesitation, Leo reached toward the wisp, feeling a connection begin to take hold. It didn't speak, but its movements felt deliberate, circling and weaving as if trying to convey something important. Leo concentrated, struggling to understand, but the message remained unclear.
Suddenly, he felt his amulet warm against his chest, drawing his attention. The connection with the wisp faded, and it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Leo touched the amulet and saw a message from Mr. Brookfall.
Leo took a deep breath and answered, prepared to hear his next steps. Mr. Brookfall's familiar voice came through, calm and steady. "I've sent over your schedule for tomorrow," he began. "Your first class will be with me, where we'll focus on aligning you with your unique strengths, your heritage, and uncovering your potential."
Leo listened intently as Mr. Brookfall continued, "After that, you'll have hand-to-hand combat and weapons training. Then you'll break for lunch. Following that, you'll have two more sessions: elemental training and then a special void and time magic class."
Surprised, Leo asked, "What about healing magic? That was one of my lower levels…"
A slight chuckle came through the connection. "Healing will come naturally to you, Leo. From what I've seen, you're more than capable of regrowing a limb or a non-vital organ with practice. Right now, we need to focus on the types of magic that will grow faster and equip you for what's ahead. Like your father, I believe you'll have the potential to learn all types, given time."
Leo smiled, absorbing the weight of Mr. Brookfall's words.
After getting his schedule, Leo messaged Darian to see if he could join them. A few minutes later, Darian responded, telling Leo to meet them in the garden outside. With a quick nod to himself, Leo gathered his things and headed to the garden, feeling a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
Meanwhile, in the academy's training park, Darian, Sera, Mira, and Alaric had started their afternoon practice session. Alaric had been particularly intense during training, pushing himself harder than usual. Mira noticed and decided it was time to confront her brother.
"Why do you keep picking at Leo?" she asked, her tone sharper than usual. "I get that you don't like the idea of him being young and strong, but it's not like he asked for this. He didn't even know how strong he was until recently."
Alaric scoffed, looking away as he tightened his gloves. "He just… it's hard to explain. He's had everything handed to him—strength, connections. Meanwhile, we've had to earn our spots here."
Mira didn't back down. She gave him a stern look. "Alaric, he's a kid. And right now, he needs people who'll support him. Darian and Sera have already said they want Leo on our team, that they believe in him. You should give him a chance, too. Either join us in helping him, or talk to him directly if you have a problem."
Her words took Alaric by surprise; Mira rarely challenged him so openly. His shock quickly morphed into frustration. "So, you're siding with him over your own twin brother?" He clenched his fists, his pride stinging. "Fine. I'll talk to him. I'll challenge Leo to a sparring match—no magic, just hand-to-hand. Then we'll see if he's as strong as everyone thinks."
Mira's expression softened slightly, but she didn't back down. "If that's what you need to do, then do it. But at least try to see him as more than just competition."
Alaric muttered something under his breath, still looking determined to go through with his challenge.
Darian noticed the tension between Mira and Alaric, a rare sight that made him raise an eyebrow. He approached them cautiously, curiosity in his eyes. "Hey, is everything okay? I don't think I've ever seen you two actually fight before."
Mira turned to him, her expression softening as she tried to ease the tension. "Alaric is just... well, being a little stubborn," she said with a smirk, nudging her brother. "But we've come to a bit of an understanding."
Alaric rolled his eyes but nodded. "Yeah, just some sibling stuff. We're fine," he muttered, still determined but less visibly irritated.
Darian, still a bit confused, was about to press further when his amulet pulsed with a faint glow. He glanced down and saw it was a message from Leo. He couldn't help but smile a little, realizing Leo must be on his way. Looking back at Alaric and Mira, he said, "Well, Leo just messaged me. He's coming to join us in the garden."
Mira's expression brightened, and even Alaric seemed to perk up a bit, though he tried to hide it. Darian grinned. "I think we'll all feel better once we're back to training together. Maybe you can use this chance to talk things out, Alaric."
With a final glance between the two siblings, Darian led the way to the garden, his mind buzzing with thoughts about how the dynamic might shift once Leo arrived. As they made their way over, the sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something important was about to unfold.
Leo arrived at the park to see his friends lounging on a bench under the shade of a large oak tree, the remnants of their training session evident in the faint glow of magic that still hung around them. Darian and Sera spotted him first, waving him over with eager grins.
"Hey, Leo!" Darian called. "So, what's your schedule looking like? I hope we've got some classes together."
Leo approached and held up his amulet, letting it display his class lineup for the week. Darian's face lit up with excitement as he scanned the list. "This is perfect! We have almost the same classes, except for your first one since it's with your mentor. But everything else? We're set! I'll help you get caught up on anything you need. So, you want to join us for some training?"
Leo's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I'd love to! What kind of training are you guys working on?"
Sera jumped in to explain, her face glowing with pride. "We're focusing on control and precision today—how well we can manipulate the strength and direction of our spells. It's about making sure that, even when we're tired, we can hit our target and adjust the spell's intensity."
Darian nodded. "It's easy to go big with magic, but true skill comes in the fine-tuning. Controlling power without losing focus is crucial, especially in real missions."
Leo took it all in, nodding thoughtfully. "That sounds challenging but exciting. I think I could use practice in that too!"
Mira, who had been listening quietly, offered a warm smile. "Then let's get to it. We'll start with some simple spells, adjusting their strength. It's more difficult than it looks, but that's why we're here."
The group moved to an open area in the park. They took turns casting various spells, each one trying to control both the force and precision. Leo found himself caught up in the flow, his friends guiding him through techniques and tricks as they encouraged one another.
As they trained, Darian couldn't help but notice how quickly Leo adapted. "You're picking this up fast, Leo! It's like you've been training with us all along."
Leo shrugged, though his smile was proud. "I guess I've had a little practice before, but this makes it even better."
As the group continued their practice, Leo suddenly felt an intense gaze on him—a sharp, prickling sensation that disrupted his focus. He looked up just in time to see Alaric stepping in front of him, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"Leo," Alaric said, his voice firm, "I want to test your strength myself. No magic, just hand-to-hand. I've heard a lot about your skills, but I want to see what you're really made of."
The air grew tense as Alaric's challenge hung in the silence. Leo noticed the challenging glint in Alaric's eyes—an almost unspoken frustration. Darian stepped forward, concern flashing across his face. "Alaric, this isn't necessary. We're supposed to be training together, not against each other."
But Alaric kept his gaze locked on Leo, unwavering. Mira placed a hand on her brother's shoulder, giving him a warning look. "Alaric, this isn't the time for showing off. Leo's new, and he doesn't need to prove anything to you."
Leo, sensing the underlying tension, took a deep breath. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, but he also didn't want to create any division among his new friends. "It's okay, Mira," he said quietly, meeting Alaric's gaze. "If Alaric wants to test my strength, I'm willing to try."
Alaric gave a slight nod, clearly pleased by Leo's response. They both stepped into an open spot, and the rest of the group formed a loose circle around them, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Darian leaned toward Sera, whispering, "Alaric's been on edge about Leo since he arrived. I hope this settles things between them."
The two boys squared off, each assessing the other with focused determination. Alaric made the first move, lunging forward with a swift jab. Leo sidestepped, his reflexes sharp, and took a step back, his stance calm and measured.
Alaric's strikes were precise and powerful, each one calculated. Leo responded with controlled movements, dodging and blocking with surprising ease. After a few exchanges, Alaric's frustration became more apparent; despite his strength, Leo matched him at every turn.
Alaric's jab came in fast, aimed right for Leo's face. Instinctively, Leo dropped low, using Alaric's momentum against him and sweeping his legs out from under him. With a solid thud, Alaric hit the ground, and before he could react, Leo extended a hand to help him up.
"I don't know why you're upset with me," Leo said, his voice steady but kind, "but I'm not here to go against you. I want to learn and grow strong, just like you."
Alaric took Leo's hand, pulling himself up. Though he dusted himself off with a tinge of pride still bruised, his gaze softened. "I'm sorry, Leo," he admitted. "I've worked hard to get where I am. It… it just got to me, feeling like all that work might not be enough."
Darian nodded sympathetically, understanding Alaric's frustration. He had held the top spot in the class, and Leo's unexpected talent had shifted the dynamics, with Darian now ranked second and Alaric third. Alaric's hard work was undeniable, but Leo's natural abilities brought a new challenge they hadn't anticipated.
Leo looked at his friends, his voice quiet yet filled with conviction. "That's not my intention. My village was attacked, my parents are missing… It feels like the more I use my magic, the more it grows. My father taught me just enough to protect myself, but he always held me back from pushing my limits. Now, every time I try, it seems like my power increases."
The group listened intently, and after a moment, Leo added, "I'd like to be a part of your team. I want to help all of you grow, and I'd be grateful if you'd help me, too."
Sera stepped forward, giving Leo a warm smile. "Of course you can, Leo. I'm happy to have you on the team, and I know most of us are."
Mira glanced at her brother, who, after a slight pause, nodded. "Yes, I want you on the team, Leo," Alaric said, a faint smile appearing. "And I want a rematch someday. Next time, I won't go easy on you."
Darian let out a laugh, clapping Alaric on the back. "Come on, man. Just accept you got your butt kicked this time."
They all laughed, and as the tension melted away, they began heading toward the dining hall for dinner. Leo, lingering at the back of the group, couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. He had found friends who understood him, who challenged him—and maybe, just maybe, he'd found allies who would help him on the path ahead.
As they walked, Leo thought, Maybe this team can help me find answers, and I can help them grow, too.