Lumia stood at the edge of the training grounds, her amethyst eyes fixed on Kael as he moved with startling precision.
She watched him closely, her gaze narrowing as he executed another flawless maneuver, the technique one of her mother's most complex.
'Two weeks... Two weeks, and he's already mastered this?' Lumia thought, gripping the hilt of her practice sword tightly.
It had taken her months to grasp even the basics of the same skill, yet here he was, gliding through the technique as if it was second nature.
She bit her lip, a mix of admiration and frustration swelling within her.
"That's pretty great," she muttered to herself.
Watching him train ignited something in her—a flicker of determination she hadn't felt in a long time.
'What is it about him?' she wondered.
Kael wasn't like anyone she'd ever met.
There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself, as though he knew exactly who he was and what he wanted.
Her grip tightened.
"If he can do it, so can I," she whispered, though her voice wavered slightly.
Deep down, a voice in her head argued that she could never reach his level—that Kael was simply out of her league.
But she silenced the thought quickly.
No, she told herself firmly.
'I'll surpass him. I don't care how long it takes. I'll train harder, push further. I'll show him, show everyone'
As if sensing her intensity, Kael stopped mid-motion and glanced her way.
His piercing gaze sent a jolt through her, but she quickly composed herself, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow as if to challenge him.
Kael smirked faintly, wiping the sweat from his brow as he walked over.
Lumia's heart skipped a beat, but she buried the feeling beneath her usual confidence.
"What's wrong Lumia you seem but out of the place," Kael said.
"Nothing wrong," she shot back.
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Sure."
They fell into step together, walking toward the shaded side of the grounds.
Lumia hesitated for a moment before breaking the silence. "Kael, are you planning to join the academy next year?"
Kael nodded, his expression growing more thoughtful. "Yeah"
She stopped, turning to face him fully. "Then let's go together," she said, her voice steady.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You want to join the academy too?"
"Of course," Lumia replied, a determined gleam in her eyes. "You're not the only one who's aiming for greatness, you know."
A small smile tugged at Kael's lips. "Alright, Lumia."
Lumia watched him walk away, her resolve solidifying like tempered steel.
'He might be ahead of me now,' she thought, clenching her fists. But I'll catch up. I'll surpass him. Just wait and see.
As she turned to head back toward the castle, her heart was filled with a mixture of excitement and determination.
The academy wasn't just a goal; it was the first step toward carving her own path—and proving, not just to Kael but to herself, that she could stand as his equal.
...
Kael stood at the castle gates.
Lumia and Celestara stood side by side, their gazes fixed on him with a mixture of pride and concern.
Lumia's amethyst eyes shimmered as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Celestara, ever composed, offered him a small smile, though the way her hands clasped tightly in front of her betrayed her worry.
"Well then," Kael began, his voice steady but carrying a trace of bittersweetness. "It's time to leave."
"Take care of yourself," Celestara said, stepping forward.
Her purple hair swayed in the evening breeze as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You've shown great promise, Kael. Don't let anything hold you back."
Lumia, her arms crossed, tried to appear indifferent but failed miserably.
"Just don't forget what I said," she muttered, her voice softer than usual.
"We're going to the academy together next year, so don't go getting yourself killed before then."
'What a cunning way to say goodbye' kael thought.
As then Kael chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I'll try not to."
He turned to his sleek, enchanted bike—an elegant machine forged with a blend of magic and engineering.
As he swung a leg over it, he glanced back at the two women who had become an unexpected part of his journey.
"Goodbye, Lumia. Goodbye, Celestara," he said, his voice carrying a quiet resolve.
"I'll see you both again soon."
With a twist of his wrist, the bike roared to life.
CLUTCH
The deep, resonant hum of its engine filled the air as he sped off down the winding path, the wind tugging at his hair and the horizon stretching endlessly before him.
As the castle disappeared behind him,
Kael's thoughts shifted inward.
"I've gained two powerful skills:Venezia Sanguis and Dark Void," he mused, recalling the intensity of Celestara's training.
His lips curved into a determined smile.
"The academy is next year," he muttered to himself, the wind carrying his voice away. "Until then, I have three goals."
First, to awaken the fire element. Which will help him to acquire his mother powerful skills.
Second, to awaken his true draconic form. The thought sent a shiver through him—not of fear, but of anticipation.
And lastly, to raise his stats and rank to at least S-rank.
His destination was clear. "The labyrinth," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. It was a perilous place, filled with monsters and traps that would push him to his limits.
But it was also the perfect testing ground to hone his skills, grow stronger, and it will help him to increase his skills levels.
The road stretched on, the world ahead teeming with possibilities and danger. As the stars began to emerge in the darkening sky....