The weeks following the duel with Cassian were both a trial and a turning point for Eran. The draw had left him with more questions than answers, but it had also ignited a fire within him. Cassian had underestimated him once, but Eran wasn't foolish enough to think that would be the last time. The duel had proven something important: he had power, raw and untamed, but it wasn't enough. Not yet.
The Training Begins
Eran's training intensified. Every free moment he had was spent in the Academy's sprawling grounds, where magical creatures roamed, and training areas were equipped with various elements to simulate different combat scenarios. He knew he needed to master control over his magic, to refine his techniques, or he would always be one step behind Cassian.
Lyra, sensing his drive, offered to help him train. Her sharp intellect and understanding of elemental magic made her the perfect partner. Together, they worked on honing Eran's skills—Lyra focusing on spell crafting and Eran focusing on combining elements. Fire and wind became his focus, an explosive combination that allowed him to attack from a distance and overwhelm his opponents with sheer force. Lyra's insights were invaluable, but she always warned him to be cautious with the Book of Secrets.
"You've unlocked dangerous powers, Eran," she reminded him, her tone serious one evening after a particularly fierce training session. "You need to find a balance, or it will consume you."
Eran nodded, but inside, the call of the Book was irresistible. Every time he tried to push his boundaries, the Book whispered to him—promising more, urging him to reach for greater power. He didn't fully understand what it wanted, but part of him didn't care. It was the only way forward.
Cassian's Shadow
Cassian, meanwhile, didn't make himself scarce. On the contrary, he seemed to take a more active role in showing off his talents. His presence on the campus felt even more imposing after their duel. The students whispered about the fight, some praising Cassian's unyielding power, while others began to talk about Eran's unexpected resilience.
Cassian had made it clear that he considered the duel to be a mere warm-up. As if to prove his superiority, he regularly challenged other students—his battles swift and decisive, often leaving his opponents sprawled on the ground. But Eran saw something in his rival's eyes, something that suggested Cassian was waiting for the next confrontation with him.
The tension between them only grew as Eran trained harder. He could feel Cassian's eyes on him, whether it was in the halls, in the library, or in the training arenas. The rivalry had become personal. But Eran refused to back down.
A Dangerous Encounter
It was during one of these training sessions, late in the evening, when things took a dangerous turn. Eran was alone in the training arena, surrounded by scattered training dummies and elemental stones. His breathing was steady as he conjured fireballs, hurling them through the air with practiced precision. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows across the walls, and he was so focused on his training that he didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching.
"Not bad," came a cold voice from behind him.
Eran spun around, heart racing, but his instincts kicked in, and he summoned a wind barrier just in time to deflect the force of Cassian's magic. A burst of dark energy shot toward him, creating a shockwave that sent him tumbling backward. His training had made him faster, but Cassian's speed and control were still unmatched.
"What are you doing here?" Eran growled, pushing himself to his feet. He had no time to waste on idle threats or games.
Cassian stood a few feet away, his silver hair glowing faintly under the moonlight. His expression was as unreadable as ever, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"I thought I'd test how much you've improved," Cassian said, his voice smooth, almost taunting. "You've grown stronger, but it still won't be enough. Do you really think you can challenge me again?"
Eran's eyes narrowed. "I'm not interested in just challenging you, Cassian. I'm interested in surpassing you."
Cassian's smirk widened. "Bold words. But it's one thing to talk about strength, and another to actually wield it. Let's see how well you do when your power is put to the test."
Before Eran could react, Cassian flicked his hand, and the earth beneath him cracked open, sending jagged spikes toward him. Eran's heart raced as he dodged, narrowly avoiding the sharp rocks. He could feel Cassian's magic pulling at the air around them—an overwhelming force, designed to test his limits. But Eran was no longer the same weak commoner who had entered the Academy months ago. He had power, and now, he would show it.
Eran's magic surged, a violent storm of fire and wind swirling around him. He combined the elements in an explosion of energy that pushed back the spikes, tearing through Cassian's attack. The arena seemed to shake under the force of their magic. But as the dust settled, Eran saw that Cassian wasn't done yet.
"You're learning," Cassian said, his voice almost impressed. "But you're still far from the mark. You lack control. And that's what will ultimately lead to your downfall."
Eran didn't answer. His fists clenched as he took a step forward, ready to face Cassian head-on. But just before the next attack could unfold, a voice interrupted them.
"Enough."
Headmaster Aurelius stood at the entrance to the arena, his arms crossed. His stern expression silenced both of them immediately.
"You two are to cease this foolishness," the headmaster said, his voice sharp. "This is an Academy, not a battleground. Cassian, you've shown your strength enough for one day. Eran, you have your own path to follow. I suggest you focus on it."
Eran glared at Cassian, who merely nodded and turned away. As the rival walked off, Eran couldn't shake the feeling that the war between them was far from over. Cassian had only grown stronger since their first duel, and he would keep pushing Eran to his limits.
But Eran had something that Cassian didn't: determination. He would not let Cassian, or anyone, stand in his way. He would rise to the challenge, not just to defeat Cassian, but to prove that he was more than just a commoner.
The Hidden Power
Later that evening, Eran retreated to his private quarters. The weight of the duel and the confrontation with Cassian hung heavy in his mind. As he sat alone in the quiet, the Book of Secrets appeared before him, as if summoned by his very thoughts.
The pages turned on their own, revealing new fragments of knowledge—dark spells, forbidden techniques, and deeper mysteries. Eran hesitated for a moment before reaching for it. He had already felt the power of the Book, but this time felt different. It was calling to him, urging him to push further. To go beyond his limits.
"Cassian thinks he's the only one who can grow," Eran murmured to himself. "But I'll show him that I'm more than just a commoner. I will become the strongest."
The Book's pages flickered as Eran read. He could feel its power coursing through him once more, its ancient magic wrapping around him like a cloak. This was the path he had chosen. It wasn't going to be easy, but Eran was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to become the force that would surpass all others.
And Cassian would be the first to see that he had made a grave mistake in underestimating him.