A deafening explosion tore through the academy grounds. The windows rattled violently, and a fiery glow illuminated the sky outside. Screams echoed in the distance.

Kaelan immediately turned on his heels, his expression dark.

“They’re here,” he muttered.

Aleron barely had time to react before another explosion rocked the building, shaking the very foundation. He could hear the sounds of battle breaking out—the clash of steel, the crackle of magic, and the panicked shouts of students.

Kaelan’s eyes burned with urgency. “Aleron, get to the training grounds! The students need to be organized.”

Aleron hesitated. “But who’s attacking us?”

Kaelan didn’t answer immediately. He turned toward the window, staring at the chaos outside. Figures in dark cloaks moved like shadows, overwhelming the academy’s defenses with ruthless efficiency. Then, his gaze hardened.

“The same people who have been watching us.”

With that, Kaelan vanished in a burst of wind, leaving Aleron standing in the empty corridor.

THE BATTLE BEGINS

Aleron sprinted through the academy, heading toward the training grounds. His instincts screamed at him to be ready for anything. When he arrived, the scene before him was pure chaos.

Students—some armed, some barely able to cast magic—were fighting desperately against an overwhelming force. Dark-robed figures moved swiftly, their weapons flashing under the moonlight. Some wielded magic, while others engaged in close combat, cutting through the academy’s defenses with precision.

Aleron clenched his fists. He didn’t know who these people were, but he wasn’t about to stand back and watch his fellow students get slaughtered.

A group of robed attackers charged toward him. Aleron reacted instantly, drawing his sword. The first enemy swung a blade at him, but Aleron sidestepped and countered with a swift strike to the ribs, sending the attacker sprawling.

Another enemy lunged with a dagger aimed at his throat. Aleron ducked, then drove his elbow into the attacker’s gut before finishing with a precise slash.

The battle raged on. More students joined the fight, rallying together in an attempt to push back the invaders. Some of the stronger students unleashed magic—bolts of fire and wind cutting through the night—but the attackers weren’t ordinary foes. They countered with deadly efficiency, using strange techniques that Aleron had never seen before.

Then, amidst the battle, a deep, commanding voice rang out.

“Enough.”

The fighting momentarily halted as a tall figure stepped forward, his presence suffocating.

Aleron’s grip on his sword tightened. He recognized that aura. It was the same as the shadow he had sensed in the library.

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The figure slowly removed his hood, revealing a face that sent shockwaves through the academy.

Roderic.

The academy’s swordsmanship teacher.

Gasps erupted from the students.

“Professor Roderic?” one of them stammered.

Roderic’s expression remained unreadable. “I suppose there’s no need to hide anymore.”

Aleron’s mind raced. Why? Why would a respected teacher betray the academy?

Roderic’s gaze swept over the students, then settled on Kaelan, who had just arrived. The headmaster’s expression was unreadable, but Aleron could sense the tension.

“You always suspected there was a traitor among you, didn’t you, Kaelan?” Roderic said, his voice calm. “And yet, you failed to stop me.”

Kaelan’s jaw tightened. “I should’ve known it was you.”

Roderic smirked. “Too late for regrets.”

With a flick of his wrist, dark energy crackled to life around him. His followers tensed, preparing for another attack.

Kaelan’s eyes narrowed. “So, you were after the flame all along.”

Roderic didn’t deny it. Instead, he simply said, “Step aside, and I’ll make this quick.”

Kaelan’s response was immediate.

“No.”

Lightning erupted from his hands, colliding with Roderic in a blinding flash. The battle reignited.

Aleron barely had time to react before more enemies rushed toward him. He fought with everything he had, cutting through opponents with precise, efficient strikes. But for every enemy he defeated, more took their place.

The students fought bravely, but they were struggling. The attackers were highly trained, and their coordination was unlike anything the academy had faced before.

Then, Aleron saw it—Roderic was making his way toward the flame chamber.

Kaelan was occupied with several powerful enemies, and the professors were spread thin trying to protect the students.

Aleron knew what he had to do.

He broke away from the battlefield and sprinted toward the inner sanctum of the academy. He didn’t know why, but something inside him told him that if the enemy got their hands on the flame, everything would be lost.

The corridors were eerily silent as he approached the flame chamber. He could feel its power thrumming in the air, growing stronger with every step.

Then, just as he reached the entrance, Roderic appeared.

The former teacher looked at him with mild amusement. “So, you’re the one who’s been causing trouble.”

Aleron didn’t answer. He raised his sword.

Roderic chuckled. “Do you even know what you’re protecting?”

Aleron ignored him. He knew words wouldn’t matter.

Roderic sighed. “Very well.”

And then, he attacked.

Their swords clashed in a flurry of sparks. Roderic was fast—faster than any opponent Aleron had faced before. Every strike was precise, every movement controlled. Aleron was forced on the defensive, barely able to keep up.

But he refused to fall.

Roderic’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. “You’re better than I expected.”

Aleron gritted his teeth. He had no time for compliments.

Then, Roderic did something unexpected. He unleashed a wave of dark energy, sending Aleron crashing through the chamber doors.

Aleron landed hard, skidding across the stone floor. When he looked up, his breath caught in his throat.

The flame was right in front of him.

It burned with a light unlike anything he had ever seen—ancient, powerful, and alive.

Roderic stepped forward, his eyes locked on the flame. “It belongs to us.”

Aleron pushed himself up, his entire body aching. He knew he couldn’t let Roderic take it.

But before he could react, the flame surged.

A blinding light filled the room, engulfing everything in its glow.

Roderic staggered back, shielding his eyes. “What—?”

And then, before Aleron even realized what was happening…

The flame rushed toward him.

Aleron gasped as searing heat flooded his body, sinking into his very soul.

Rodric’s eyes widened. “Impossible.”

The ground trembled, and the entire academy seemed to shake.

Outside, Kaelan felt it. The students felt it.

Something was changing.

Aleron’s vision blurred. His body burned, his mind spun. But amidst the chaos, he could feel it—power.

Then, everything went white.

TO BE CONTINUED……..