Chapter 42: The Brutal Path
The academy grounds buzzed with activity as Thrain and his fellow students trained under the midday sun. They honed their combat skills, sparring with weapons ranging from traditional swords to improvised tools fashioned from everyday objects. The instructors pushed them to think creatively, teaching how to weaponize natural elements, smoke, sand, or water. One exercise focused on creating smoke screens to obscure movements and blind opponents, requiring quick reflexes and cunning to outmaneuver each other.
To everyone's surprise, Thrain was unusually focused. He followed instructions without deviation, refraining from his usual impulsive antics. For the second day in a row, he trained diligently alongside his peers. His classmates exchanged whispers, wondering if this was a sign of his maturity, or if he was simply scheming something bigger.
