The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the University of Arcane Studies in an ethereal glow as night took hold. The cobblestone pathways were now bathed in the soft light of arcane lanterns, their faint hum adding to the quiet ambiance of the evening. Eldric walked briskly, his mind heavy with thoughts of the day's events, especially his encounter with Caden Valerius.

As he approached the Dark Element division's training grounds, a secluded area surrounded by ancient trees, Eldric felt a familiar presence. The air seemed to thicken with tension as he sensed a disturbance in the mana around him. The shadows cast by the trees appeared to ripple unnaturally, and Eldric's instincts told him he wasn't alone.

"Thorne," a cold voice called out from the darkness, and Caden Valerius emerged from the shadows, his silhouette barely discernible against the night.

Eldric halted, his gaze steady. "Valerius," he acknowledged, his voice calm but alert.

Caden took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "I've been waiting for this moment. I thought I'd give you a proper welcome to the Dark Element division. A test, if you will, to see if you're worthy of the reputation you're building."

Eldric frowned, sensing the challenge in Caden's words. "I'm not interested in pointless confrontations," he said, though he knew it would be futile to avoid what was coming.

Caden smirked, his hand slowly rising as dark tendrils of mana began to swirl around it. "This isn't pointless, Thorne. It's a lesson. The shadows here are not just for show—they're the true test of a dark mage's strength. Let's see if you can handle them."

Before Eldric could respond, Caden's mana flared, and the shadows around them seemed to come to life. The darkness thickened, coiling and twisting like serpents, ready to strike. Caden's expression was one of cold determination as he manipulated the shadows with practiced ease.

Eldric instinctively drew on his own mana, the Grimoire's presence within him responding to the threat. He felt the connection to the dark element strengthen, the shadows around him subtly shifting as he channeled his power. The dark mana flowed through him, sharp and potent, like a blade forged from the night itself.

Caden made the first move, sending a wave of shadowy tendrils hurtling toward Eldric. The attack was swift and precise, aiming to bind and overwhelm him. But Eldric was ready. With a thought, he directed his mana, and the shadows around him surged in response, forming a protective barrier that absorbed the impact.

The force of the collision sent a ripple through the ground, but Eldric stood firm, his eyes locked on Caden. He could sense the older student's frustration as his attack was neutralized, but there was no time to dwell on it. Caden was relentless, and another wave of darkness followed, this time more aggressive and chaotic.

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Eldric knew he couldn't just defend—he needed to counterattack. Drawing on the knowledge he had gleaned from the Grimoire, he focused on the shadows around him, shaping them into spears of darkness. With a swift motion, he launched them at Caden, who barely had time to react.

Caden dodged most of the spears, but one grazed his arm, drawing a thin line of blood. His eyes widened in surprise and anger, and Eldric could see that the senior student was beginning to take him seriously.

"You're better than I expected," Caden admitted, wiping the blood from his arm. "But you're still no match for me."

Caden raised his hands, and the shadows around them began to warp and twist in a way that Eldric hadn't seen before. The darkness condensed into a massive vortex, swirling with malevolent energy. Eldric recognized the technique—it was a high-level spell, one that required immense control and power.

Eldric didn't hesitate. He channeled his mana into his core, feeling the dark energy surge through him. He had learned much in his short time with Zephyrus, and he knew that he had to push his limits if he wanted to survive this encounter. The shadows around him responded to his will, forming a dense, swirling mass that pulsed with dark energy.

Caden unleashed the vortex, and it roared toward Eldric with terrifying speed. But Eldric was ready. He released the dark energy he had gathered, creating a counterforce that met Caden's attack head-on. The two forces collided in a deafening explosion of mana, the shockwave tearing through the training grounds.

For a moment, everything was shrouded in darkness, the world consumed by the clash of their powers. Eldric felt the strain of maintaining his spell, the pressure threatening to overwhelm him. But he gritted his teeth and pushed harder, refusing to back down.

Slowly, the darkness began to recede, and as the dust settled, Eldric could see Caden kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily. The senior student's clothes were torn, and his face was twisted in pain and disbelief. Eldric himself was exhausted, but he remained standing, his eyes still glowing with dark mana.

Caden looked up at him, his expression a mix of anger and respect. "You… you're stronger than I thought," he admitted, his voice hoarse.

Eldric didn't respond, his focus still on controlling the remnants of his dark mana. He knew that this battle had been a test not just of his strength, but of his resolve. And in that moment, he realized that he had passed, not because he had overpowered Caden, but because he had faced the challenge without fear.

Caden slowly rose to his feet, his posture tense. "This isn't over, Thorne," he warned, though the fire in his eyes had dimmed. "But you've earned my respect. For now."

With those words, Caden turned and walked away, leaving Eldric alone in the training grounds. The night was still, the echoes of their battle fading into the silence. Eldric took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from his body. He had survived his first true confrontation in the academy, and he knew that it wouldn't be his last.

As he turned to leave, Eldric couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had chosen the path of the Dark Element, and tonight, he had proven that he could walk it. The shadows would always be there, waiting to test him, but Eldric was ready. He had the Grimoire, his knowledge, and his determination. And with them, he would carve his own path through the darkness, no matter what challenges lay ahead.