The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the Eryndell University practice arena. The first-year group—Loot, Blade, Peach, Violet, Lux, and Umber—stood together, awaiting their test. This wasn't just any mock battle. No, today, they faced one of the second-year teams, and everyone could feel the pressure building.
Loot, unable to keep his energy in check, broke the silence. "Alright, alright, guys, we're all going to die, but at least it'll be fun, right?" He flashed a grin that was too bright for the circumstances.
Blade, ever the cool one, gave him a side glance. "Don't jinx it, man. I've got enough to worry about with this."
Peach bounced on her feet. "Eh, it's fine. If we lose, we just blame it on Lux. She's the fireball, literally."
Lux raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Real mature, Peach. You know I can burn you down in a second, right?"
"Okay, okay, let's focus, people," Violet chimed in, his voice quieter than the others. He adjusted his glasses, his gaze focused ahead. "We've trained for this. It's just another day. Stick to the plan."
"Yeah, stick to the plan," Umber added, tapping her foot impatiently. "Because I'm the sound expert, and I'm totally taking credit for this victory."
Loot grinned, half-mocking. "Sure, Umber. Sound expert. Just don't blow us all up with your... sonic booms or whatever."
The group chuckled as they made their way to the center of the arena. On the other side stood the second-year team—three students, two women and one man, looking coolly confident.
"Looks like we've got some competition," Blade muttered, sizing them up. The second-year team was already staring them down like they were fresh meat.
The leader of the second-year team, Jax, cracked his knuckles and smiled. "So, these are the famous first-years, huh? Guess it'll be fun to wipe the floor with you."
Lucia, with her short-cropped hair and sharp eyes, eyed them with a challenge in her gaze. "I don't know if it's gonna be fun, but it'll be quick."
Thorne, the third member of their team, barely glanced at them, his piercing green eyes scanning the group with a predatory intensity.
Professor Green, standing at the sidelines, clapped his hands together. "Alright, alright! Let's see what you've got! Just don't get yourselves killed, alright?" His mischievous grin was unmistakable.
Loot groaned. "You just jinxed us, Professor. Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Don't worry," Green said, still grinning. "You'll be fine. Just remember: You're all B+ students in the Essence of Soul Project so far. But hey, you've got potential."
"B+?!" Lux shouted, flustered. "We're the top class, we can't have B+! What kind of grading is that?"
Professor Green chuckled. "Hey, you're all fine. Now go out there and show 'em what you're made of!"
The battle kicked off quickly. Blade took the lead, as always, stepping forward with confidence. Jax charged at him, eager to prove his dominance. Blade flicked his wrist, and tools materialized from thin air—sharp, deadly objects he could manipulate at will. Jax, though, was no slouch. With his overwhelming strength, he charged head-on, dodging Blade's strikes and pushing him back with sheer power.
"I do love a good challenge," Blade muttered, ducking a wild swing.
"Yeah, that's nice and all," Lux shouted from the sidelines, "but maybe don't let him run you over."
"I'm not the one getting run over!" Blade shot back, narrowly dodging another punch.
Meanwhile, Peach was up in the air, her gravity powers allowing her to float with ease. She glanced at Lucia, who was already charging toward her.
Lucia grinned. "I like your style, kid. Let's see if you can dodge this." She snapped her fingers, sending an electrical surge shooting toward Peach.
Peach didn't flinch. With a subtle shift of her gravitational field, she glided out of the path of the bolts, floating just out of Lucia's reach. "Nice try. You're gonna have to do better than that."
"Oh, I will," Lucia said, flicking her wrist. A second barrage of electric bolts flew toward Peach.
Peach just smirked, using her gravity to push herself higher. "Really? You're gonna keep trying that?"
"Stop messing with me, kid!" Lucia snapped, clearly growing frustrated.
Violet, for his part, was off to the side, using his telekinesis to create distractions and launch debris at Thorne, who was effortlessly dodging or slicing through the obstacles. The lanky second-year student looked almost bored, his weapon flickering in and out of existence, his power completely under his control.
"You'll need more than that, little man," Thorne muttered, blocking a rock Violet hurled at him. His energy blade flared brightly, and Violet's eyes narrowed in focus.
"Alright, everyone, follow my lead," Violet called out, and with that, the first-year group leaped into action. Blade fought Jax while Peach and Lucia dueled in mid-air, Violet and Thorne circling each other like predators.
It was a mess of fire, gravity, tools, and telekinesis, but with Violet's strategy, the group began to rally. Peach sent Lucia flying with a forceful gravity shift, and Blade found an opening to land a strike on Jax, sending him back. Violet used his telekinesis to slam Thorne into the ground, giving the team the upper hand.
And just like that, it was over. The second-year team was left scrambling, their strength unable to outmaneuver the cleverness of the first-years.
The arena quieted down, the echoes of battle fading. Everyone was breathing heavily, their energy drained, but their spirits lifted. The team had done it.
"That was way too close," Peach muttered, floating down to the ground.
"Yeah, we got lucky," Blade said, catching his breath. "But we made it."
Professor Green walked over, grinning. "Well, look at that. You're alive. That's a win in my book. And for your B+ in the Essence of Soul Project? You've got potential, but we need more work on team coordination."
Loot flashed a grin at Blade. "See? B+. I told you we were geniuses."
Lux huffed, crossing her arms. "B+?! We should've gotten an A."
"Don't you all start. You did well," Professor Green said, shaking his head. "But remember, this is just the beginning."
As they made their way off the field, the conversation shifted, the adrenaline still fresh in the air.
"You know," Umber said casually, "I've been thinking. The hunters? They're not all bad. Not all of them are beyond redemption."
The group fell silent, and Blade's gaze sharpened, his usual cool demeanor faltering. "Redemption? For the hunters? After everything they've done? You really think that?"
Umber shrugged. "I mean, some of them, maybe. Not all hunters are the same, Blade. Just because they're on the wrong side doesn't mean they're lost causes."
"Are you kidding?" Blade's voice dropped. "You're seriously suggesting we should forgive them?"
Violet, who'd been quiet for most of the conversation, glanced at Blade and Umber, his mind clearly working through the implications. "She's not wrong, Blade. People can change. Not all hunters are out there to hurt others."
Peach, who had been listening closely, chimed in. "Actually, I agree. Some of them are manipulated, just like anyone else. Not everyone's a villain just because they're on the wrong side."
Blade was silent for a moment, but when he spoke again, his voice was harsh. "I don't buy it. Some things can't be forgiven."
Umber raised an eyebrow. "Guess you're not as open-minded as you think, huh?"
"Guys, not now," Lux interjected, sensing the rising tension. "We just won the fight. We don't need to start a war with each other."
Loot, ever the peacemaker, stepped in too. "Yeah, Blade, chill. Maybe Umber's got a point. People are complicated."
But Blade wasn't finished. He turned to Peach. "You really believe they can change? After all the damage they've caused?"
Peach stood firm. "I do. And if that offends you, well, sorry, but that's what I think."
There was a long pause, and then Blade, clearly frustrated, threw out the challenge: "Fine, if you think you can change my mind, how about a match? One-on-one. Right now."
Peach raised an eyebrow, eyes gleaming. "Oh, you want to challenge me?"
"Let's see how strong your beliefs are," Blade said, his voice steady but edged with challenge.
Lux's face was filled with concern. "Guys, this is not the time for a fight. Not right now."
Loot shot Blade a look. "Hey, we just survived one battle. Are you sure you want another?"
But the challenge had been thrown, and it was clear neither Blade nor Peach was backing down.
The chapter closed on their heated exchange, a new tension hanging in the air. They'd won the battle against the second-year students, but now, the war within their own group had begun.