Chapter 5: Settling In
Talon stood at the edge of the academy's sprawling courtyard, watching students bustle through the space like a well-oiled machine. The placement results were still fresh in everyone's minds, but he had barely paid attention to the whispers that trailed him as he made his way to his dormitory. He'd earned his spot, first place no less, and he wasn't about to let the weight of expectation slow him down.
The dormitory itself was a modern building infused with magic-tech enhancements. Its glass façade shimmered with faint runes that adjusted the lighting and temperature within. Each student was assigned a small, single room, a stark reminder that Vanguard Academy valued independence over luxury. Talon stepped inside his room and let the door slide shut behind him.
The space was compact but functional: a bed with crisp white sheets, a desk with a holographic display for assignments, and a reinforced locker for personal items. The only decoration was a faintly glowing sigil embedded in the wall, marking him as a registered student.
Dropping his bag onto the bed, Talon stretched, his muscles aching from the battle with the basilisk. Though he hadn't fully recovered, his mind was already racing with thoughts about his next steps. The Nemean Lion shard's power coursed faintly beneath his skin, but he knew he had only scratched the surface of what it could do.
"B-rank, huh?" he muttered to himself. "Guess it's time to prove I'm more than that."
A sharp knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Talon raised an eyebrow as he crossed the room and opened it to find Edrik standing there, his wide grin barely contained.
"There you are! Come on, you've gotta see this," Edrik said, practically bouncing on his heels.
"See what?" Talon asked, though he was already pulling on his jacket.
"The training grounds. Some upperclassmen are showing off their shards. Word is, one of them's an A-rank," Edrik explained, his excitement contagious.
"Alright, lead the way," Talon said, closing the door behind him.
---
The training grounds were a vast expanse divided into multiple sections, each tailored to different types of combat and shard abilities. From obstacle courses to sparring arenas, it was a place where students honed their skills and tested their limits. A small crowd had gathered near the main sparring ring, and Talon and Edrik joined them just as a duel began.
In the ring stood a tall, imposing figure with fiery red hair and a shard's signature glow pulsing faintly around him. The upperclassman's movements were precise and deliberate as he faced off against his opponent, a second-year wielding a pair of daggers that shimmered with frost. Their clash was a spectacle of fire and ice, the crowd's cheers blending with the crackling of elemental magic.
"That's Marcus Kyrel, second-year, A-rank shard from a salamander, a legendary creature known for its fiery control. He's supposed to be one of the strongest students here."
Talon watched the fight closely, noting the way Marcus controlled the battlefield with bursts of flames from the salamander shard, scorching arcs of heat. It was clear that Marcus wasn't just powerful—he was experienced.
Talon's lips curled into a smirk. "Looks like I've got a new target to beat."
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Orientation sessions provided a detailed overview of academy life. The headmistress, Kaelthana, an imposing figure with an aura of command, delivered a powerful speech in the grand hall.
"Our mission at Vanguard Academy is simple but vital," she began. "To forge you into hunters capable of defending humanity against the ever-encroaching Rift Zones. Each of you possesses a shard and the potential to wield it—but potential alone will not keep you alive. Discipline, training, and teamwork will. Fail to embrace these, and the Rift will claim you."
Kaelthana's words hung heavy in the air, setting a somber tone that made even the boldest students pause. After her address, instructors handed out manuals outlining the academy's rules and expectations. Among the most important:
Mandatory Combat Training: Every student must complete daily exercises tailored to their shard's unique abilities. Curfew Enforcement: Students are not allowed outside the dormitory areas after 10 PM without explicit permission. Shard Usage Restrictions: Unauthorized use of shard abilities on campus grounds is prohibited to ensure safety. Rank Advancement Protocols: All rank assessments are conducted under strict conditions during academy-sanctioned events.
Talon noted the strictness of the rules but found them practical. If anything, they made him eager to push his limits within the structured environment.
By the time he returned to his dorm, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the campus in a soft, golden glow. Talon sank onto his bed, exhaustion finally catching up to him. Yet, even as his body ached for rest, his mind remained restless. He could still feel the weight of the basilisk shard in his hand, the thrill of victory, and the unspoken challenge in Instructor Velas's gaze.
The Nemean Lion stirred within him, its roar faint but insistent. Talon smirked.
"Tomorrow," he murmured, closing his eyes. "Tomorrow, we start hunting for real."