After a short break, Zayren found himself back in the arena, facing Alec. He'd expected this match, but the pressure was real. Alec's holy energy was almost blinding, while Zayren's storm powers crackled with a fierce, icy blue, dark and ominous against the bright holy light.
The duel began with Alec launching a bolt of light directly at Zayren, who swiftly deflected it with a gust of wind. Lightning surged around him, and he thrust his spear forward, summoning a gale of icy shards that forced Alec to dodge.
"Is that all you've got?" Alec taunted, light gathering around his fist. He lunged forward, fist glowing with holy energy. Zayren barely dodged in time, feeling the searing heat pass his cheek.
Focusing, Zayren called to his Simurgh. The great storm-bird swooped down, flapping its wings with a powerful gust that sent Alec skidding backward. Zayren took advantage, launching a torrent of wind and ice in Alec's direction.
Alec countered with a radiant shield, light spilling around him, but Zayren noticed something interesting—the shield flickered at the edges. Alec was burning through his holy energy quickly.
"Your power's impressive, but it's wasted on a brute like you," Zayren called out, his voice cold.
Alec's expression darkened. "Don't get cocky, Stormborn. I don't need luck to deal with you."
Alec charged again, this time with a holy sword materializing in his hand. Zayren twirled his spear, summoning a cyclone that spiraled around them, both blinding and freezing Alec in place for just a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Zayren darted in, landing a quick strike across Alec's arm.
The cyclone faded, and Alec staggered, fury blazing in his eyes. But the duel bell rang, signaling its end.
The crowd erupted, some cheering, others stunned by the fact that Zayren, the "villain," had held his own against Alec. Zayren stepped back, his cold expression masking the faint satisfaction that flickered inside him.
---
**Chapter 4: Shadows in the Academy**
The victory earned Zayren some unwanted attention. Whispers filled the hallways as he and Lyra walked back toward their dorms.
"That was a risky move," Lyra remarked, glancing at him with an amused smile. "Taking on Alec? You've got a death wish."
Zayren chuckled. "If I was afraid of a challenge, I wouldn't be here."
Lyra's smile faded slightly, her eyes growing serious. "There's more to worry about than just Alec. The demon attacks are escalating. If the academy keeps pushing these trials, some of us might not survive."
He glanced at her, noting the hint of fear she tried to mask. "Don't worry," he said quietly. "Whatever comes, we're stronger than they think."
That night, as Zayren lay in bed, he felt a strange disturbance—a cold, hollow sensation that gripped his heart. His connection to the Simurgh flared, warning him. He rushed to the window, looking out into the moonlit courtyard, where shadows shifted unnaturally. His storm sense tingled, a premonition of an oncoming battle.
The demon forces weren't waiting for graduation—they were already here.
---
**Chapter 5: The First Demon Invasion**
Alarms blared throughout the academy, and Zayren dashed outside, spear in hand. Other students scrambled, most of them still groggy from sleep, but the tension in the air jolted them into alertness. Teachers were already in formation, facing a wall of demons that had somehow breached the academy's defenses.
Zayren's storm powers flared to life, and he could feel his Simurgh descend, unleashing a fierce cry. Beside him, Lyra joined the fray, her dark energy spreading like a shadowy mist, cloaking her movements as she advanced toward the demon ranks.
"Zayren, to your left!" she shouted.
He spun, raising his spear to parry a demon's attack, then launched an ice spike into its chest. A vicious wind followed, driving the demon back. More surged forward, and Zayren and Lyra fought side by side, their elemental powers blending in a dance of shadows and storms.
Alec appeared on the other side of the field, his holy energy shining like a beacon. Zayren watched as Alec fought, slaying demons with ease. And for the first time, he felt a reluctant respect for the academy's "hero."
But he didn't let his guard down. The demons were after something—something within the academy. And Zayren knew this attack was only the beginning.