The next day, the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Students gathered early, eager to witness the highly anticipated showdown between Kevin and Rayan—two friends who had trained together, but now faced each other for a coveted spot among the top four. Everyone knew this battle would be different. Kevin, undefeated, possessed near-perfect control over Prana, while Rayan had fought his way to the top with sheer skill, speed, and martial prowess. The question on everyone's mind was: could Rayan, the one without natural Prana, defeat the academy’s best?
Kevin and Rayan stepped into the center of the arena as the crowd murmured with anticipation. Even Mia and Liam, who had already secured their spots, watched intently, knowing this match would determine their final companion for the upcoming Prana expedition.
Kevin glanced at Rayan and smiled—a mix of confidence and camaraderie. "Ready to give them a good show?" he asked, his voice calm, yet laced with the weight of expectation.
Rayan tightened his grip on the staff strapped to his back. "Let’s make it memorable."
Adrian, the referee, gave the signal. In an instant, Kevin moved, disappearing from sight with breathtaking speed. He reappeared behind Rayan, delivering a brutal strike to his back. Rayan staggered but managed to jam his staff into the ground, halting his fall. The blow had been strong, but Rayan knew Kevin wasn’t holding back.
Undeterred, Rayan spun his staff, extending it as it twirled faster and faster, creating a whirling vortex of air. The crowd gasped as the winds howled, pulling Kevin toward the eye of the storm. Kevin struggled against the force, but Rayan timed his next move perfectly. Just as Kevin was drawn in close, Rayan released the staff from the vortex, sending Kevin soaring into the air.
The spectators held their breath as Kevin flew upward, twisting to regain control. Rayan leaped after him, delivering a powerful kick to Kevin’s chest, launching him back toward the ground. Kevin, ever the warrior, landed in a controlled roll, standing with ease and brushing the dust off his shoulders, a grin spreading across his face.
"Nice move," Kevin said, his voice carrying over the arena. Without a moment’s pause, he summoned his twin swords—each blade glowing faintly with Prana. He twirled them expertly, the air buzzing with energy as he charged at Rayan.
Rayan spun his staff in defense, blocking Kevin’s relentless strikes. The clash of metal against wood echoed through the arena as the two friends exchanged blow after blow, neither able to gain the upper hand. Rayan moved with incredible speed, deflecting Kevin’s attacks while countering with precise strikes of his own. The fighters moved like blurs, their forms almost indistinguishable amidst the flurry of action.
Kevin’s onslaught was relentless, and Rayan knew he couldn’t remain on the defensive for long. He saw his chance and lunged, driving his staff forward with immense force. It collided with one of Kevin’s swords, shattering the blade into pieces that scattered across the arena floor.
The crowd gasped in disbelief. For the first time, someone had broken one of Kevin’s weapons.
Kevin's eyes widened for a split second, but his surprise quickly faded. In a flash, he transformed the fragments of his broken sword into a large staff, similar to Rayan’s, but pulsating with even more Prana. His expression grew serious as he swung the staff with overwhelming force.
Rayan braced himself, but Kevin’s Prana-infused strike was too powerful. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, knocking his staff from his hands and skidding across the arena floor. Disarmed, Rayan was now at a clear disadvantage.
Kevin could have ended the fight then and there, but instead, he tossed his own weapon aside. "Let’s finish this the way we started—just you and me," Kevin said, his tone now lighter, almost playful.
Rayan’s heart raced, but he welcomed the challenge. They circled each other, their eyes locked in silent calculation. Without warning, Kevin struck, his fist aimed at Rayan’s chest. Rayan dodged, countering with a sharp kick to Kevin’s face, the blow landing clean and sending Kevin stumbling. But before he could hit the ground, Kevin summoned his Prana, stabilizing himself mid-fall and floating for a moment before regaining his footing.
The crowd roared, fully engaged in the back-and-forth battle between the two warriors.
Kevin moved again, faster than before, his fists a blur as he targeted Rayan’s vital points. Rayan narrowly evaded most of the strikes, and the fight devolved into a rapid exchange of dodges, kicks, and punches, each combatant pushing the other to their limits.
Then, in a split second, Kevin lunged at Rayan, aiming for his ribs with both hands. Rayan, reading the attack, twisted at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the strike. But as he dodged, Kevin released a surge of Prana, sending Rayan flying out of the ring.
The arena fell silent. Everyone knew what the outcome meant.
Kevin walked over to Rayan and offered his hand. After a brief hesitation, Rayan accepted, allowing Kevin to help him to his feet. Despite knowing he had lost his chance to be in the top four, the disappointment was evident on his face. Adrian’s voice boomed across the arena, announcing the names of Mia, Kevin, Liam, and Noah as the four fighters selected for the Prana expedition.
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The following morning, as the top four packed for their journey—one that could last up to two weeks—Rayan felt a deep sense of loneliness creeping in. Even before they left, he felt isolated, consumed by thoughts of how he would train harder in their absence. As they prepared to leave, Kevin avoided meeting Rayan’s gaze, guilt lingering in his expression. Mia, always kind, hugged him tightly before they departed.
After they left, Rayan returned to his room, staring at the mysterious egg he had been given. For the first time, doubt crept into his mind. What if there was nothing inside? His thoughts wandered back to his family, his mother, his sister, his friends—things he hadn’t thought of in a long time. He had become part of Neru, made new friends, but now, once again, he was alone. The only thing he could do was train harder.
From the next day, Rayan threw himself into his training. Adrian helped him hone his skills, teaching him new techniques with the staff, how to control Prana through it, and even how to release energy toward an opponent. Rayan learned to block attacks more effectively and even discovered how to use his staff to leap higher, improving his agility.
When the others finally returned from their expedition, Rayan was waiting for them. As Kevin, Mia, and Liam entered, Rayan immediately noticed something had changed. They all seemed stronger, more capable, and even Mistwing, Kevin’s Prana creature, had grown larger and recognized Rayan with a cheerful chirp.
Kevin, now exuding a more hardened, battle-tested aura, explained their adventures—the stronger enemies they faced, the seniors who outmatched them, and the Prana they had collected from the monsters they fought. Mistwing, too, had gained new powers. Rayan couldn’t help but feel jealous, though he was genuinely happy for his friends.
Time passed, and more expeditions came and went, yet Rayan or any other team member couldn’t break into the top four. Kevin had become unstoppable. In sparring matches, he would defeat Rayan with ease, sometimes without even moving. Each time the gap between them seemed to grow wider.
Time passed, and more expeditions came and went, yet neither Rayan nor any other team member could break into the top four. Kevin had become a force of nature, seemingly unstoppable. In sparring matches, Rayan would give everything he had, but it was never enough. Kevin, often toying with him, would dodge and parry Rayan’s strikes with ease, sometimes without even moving. It wasn’t just Kevin’s overwhelming strength that unsettled Rayan; it was the growing distance between them. With each passing day, the gap in their abilities widened, and what was once a bond of brotherhood began to feel like a chasm of isolation.
There was a time when Kevin had admired Rayan’s resolve, his unyielding spirit despite the lack of natural Prana. But now, Kevin barely seemed to notice him. Their old camaraderie had faded into something colder, more distant, and the change cut deeper than any wound Rayan had ever taken in combat.
As Kevin soared higher in power, he began to gravitate toward others who shared his strength—Noah in particular, who, like Kevin, had grown stronger with each expedition. The two often trained together, their sessions intense and competitive, leaving no room for Rayan to join in. He watched from the sidelines, a silent observer, his heart heavy with both envy and determination.
By the fourth month, Rayan’s frustration had reached its peak. Once again, he placed fifth, just shy of the top four. His muscles ached from endless training, and his spirit was weighed down by repeated failure. The disappointment stung more with each passing day, but he refused to give up. Every night he pushed himself harder, determined to close the gap between him and Kevin.
That month's final battle saw Kevin and Mia, two of the academy’s most gifted fighters, face off. Their skills had evolved to near perfection, each move precise and powerful. The air in the arena crackled with tension as the two warriors squared off.
The clash that followed was nothing short of breathtaking. Kevin’s movements were lightning-quick, his strikes fueled by a refined control of Prana that few could rival. Mia, ever the fierce competitor, fought back with unyielding determination, her speed and agility keeping her in the fight. The audience watched in awe as Mistwing and Biggo joined the fray, their battle mirroring the intensity of their masters. Mistwing darted through the air with predatory grace, while Biggo, grounded but unmovable, roared in defiance, sending shockwaves through the arena with each powerful stomp.
For a while, it seemed the battle could go either way. Mia’s cunning tactics kept Kevin on his toes, forcing him to adapt and improvise. But then, in a moment that no one could have predicted, Kevin and Mistwing unleashed a devastating combination attack. Mistwing’s wings glowed with raw Prana as Kevin focused his energy into an arrow-like blast. The projectile tore through the air, striking Mia’s leg with unrelenting force.
The arena fell silent as Mia crumpled to the ground, clutching her injured leg. The pain was evident on her face, but she struggled to stand, determined not to give up. However, the damage was too severe, and Adrian called the match. Mia, unable to continue, was forced to sit out the next expedition.
For Rayan, the news that Mia would not be joining the expedition filled him with a surge of excitement he hadn’t felt in months. Finally, after all the training, all the disappointment, this was his chance. He would finally be part of the team. He would finally step beyond the gates.
Yet, even as the thrill of opportunity coursed through him, Rayan couldn’t ignore the subtle change in Kevin. Something in Kevin’s demeanor had shifted. There was no longer the warmth of the friend who had once encouraged him. Instead, Kevin’s eyes held a cool indifference, a silent understanding that they were no longer equals. Rayan wasn’t sure when it had happened, but Kevin had stopped seeing him as a peer. Now, Kevin sought out Noah, who was closer to his level. They trained together often, their bond strengthened by their shared victories.
Rayan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being left behind.
That night, after the announcement, Rayan lay in bed, his mind restless. Adrian had spoken with him earlier, offering words of wisdom and caution. He had explained the dangers beyond the gate—the hostile creatures, the unpredictable terrain, and the physical and mental strain of the expeditions. But Rayan’s mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of what lay ahead and how much had already changed.
In the stillness of the night, Rayan’s thoughts spiraled. Would he be able to keep up with the others? Would he ever close the gap between him and Kevin? The questions gnawed at him, feeding a mixture of anxiety and determination that left him unable to sleep.