The next morning, Elric awoke feeling the lingering exhaustion from the trials. Despite the fatigue, there was a renewed energy thrumming within him, a sense of purpose that pushed him to rise early and prepare for the day. As he dressed, Astra stretched on the windowsill, her silver fur catching the morning light.

“You performed well yesterday, Elric,” she said with a proud glint in her eyes. “But don’t get complacent. There are many here who’ll challenge your progress.”

Elric nodded, fastening his robes and taking a steadying breath. “I know. But that’s exactly why I’m here.”

By the time he reached the academy’s dining hall, the chatter was already buzzing with yesterday’s trials. Students were sharing stories, boasting about their successes, and comparing notes on who had stood out. Elric overheard snippets of praise for his performance, but he tried not to dwell on it, focusing instead on what lay ahead.

As he sat down with his breakfast, Kaela appeared, sliding into the seat across from him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she leaned forward with a grin.

“So, Mr. Rising Star, how does it feel to have impressed Master Haldir himself?”

Elric rolled his eyes, trying to keep his amusement in check. “I’m just doing my best to keep up.”

Kaela laughed, leaning back. “Humble as ever. You’d better watch out, though. There are quite a few people who’ve taken notice of you.”

Elric raised an eyebrow. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“It is when one of those people is Aiden Thorne.”

Elric’s brow furrowed at the name, unfamiliar but already sounding formidable. Kaela’s expression grew more serious as she glanced over her shoulder, subtly nodding toward a group of students at the far end of the hall.

Aiden Thorne stood at the center of the group, a tall figure with sharp features and an air of quiet confidence. His platinum-blond hair caught the light, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to miss nothing. He was laughing with his friends, but his gaze drifted to Elric, a glint of challenge flashing in his eyes.

“Aiden’s been one of the top students here since he arrived,” Kaela explained, her voice low. “He’s powerful, skilled, and he doesn’t like competition. If he sees you as a threat, he won’t hesitate to make things…difficult.”

Elric glanced over at Aiden, meeting his gaze for a brief moment before looking away. “I didn’t come here to make enemies.”

“Maybe not, but Aiden’s the kind of person who sees any rival as an enemy,” Kaela warned. “Just be careful. He’s not one to underestimate.”

As they finished breakfast, Astra nudged him mentally, her voice quiet but firm. “She’s right, Elric. Aiden’s reputation isn’t just talk. He’s powerful, and he’s not afraid to use his strength to get what he wants.”

Elric nodded, storing away the warning. He knew Boundless Academy would be filled with challenges, and it seemed that Aiden Thorne would be one of them. Still, he wasn’t about to back down or let himself be intimidated.

The morning classes passed in a blur as Elric focused on his studies, keeping his mind sharp and his energy steady. He felt an added layer of resolve, a determination to prove himself not just to the instructors, but to himself. His focus was unwavering until the afternoon, when the students gathered on the academy’s outdoor training grounds for a sparring session.

Master Haldir stood at the center of the grounds, his voice carrying over the group. “Today, you’ll be pairing up to practice controlled combat. Your goal isn’t just to overpower your opponent—it’s to demonstrate control, adaptability, and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.”

He paused, glancing around. “Each of you will face an opponent of similar skill, but remember, magic alone isn’t what makes a great mage. Use strategy. Think, adapt, and show me that you belong here.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The students began pairing up, finding partners and spacing out across the grounds. Elric was about to seek out Kaela when a shadow fell over him.

“Looks like you’re my opponent today.”

Elric looked up, meeting the icy blue gaze of Aiden Thorne. The taller boy’s expression was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that spoke volumes. Elric felt a jolt of surprise, tempered with a hint of excitement. This was the rival Kaela had warned him about—the academy’s top student and one of its most feared talents.

Aiden crossed his arms, his tone casual but laced with a challenge. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Elric. Let’s see if you’re as impressive as everyone seems to think.”

Elric straightened, meeting Aiden’s gaze with calm determination. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

Master Haldir watched them with a scrutinizing gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Good. Let’s see what the two of you can do.”

The other students backed away, forming a wide circle around Elric and Aiden as they took their positions. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as both mages raised their hands, preparing for the duel.

Astra’s voice murmured in his mind. “Stay focused. Remember what you’ve learned. Aiden’s skilled, but he’s overconfident. Use that to your advantage.”

Elric nodded subtly, his eyes fixed on Aiden as he waited for the signal to begin. The moment Master Haldir gave the nod, Aiden wasted no time, launching a powerful spell that sent a shockwave of energy surging toward Elric.

Elric barely had a moment to react, but his training kicked in. He raised a shimmering barrier, deflecting the attack just in time. The impact reverberated through him, but he held firm, his eyes narrowing as he gauged Aiden’s strength.

Aiden smirked, clearly unimpressed. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

Without missing a beat, Aiden launched another attack, this time summoning a vortex of swirling flames that spiraled toward Elric with deadly precision. Elric’s heart pounded as he channeled his energy, focusing on the runes for water magic. He conjured a shield of shimmering water, the barrier holding just long enough to extinguish the flames before they reached him.

The crowd murmured, impressed by Elric’s quick thinking, but Aiden showed no sign of slowing down. He shifted tactics, casting a spell that sent shards of ice hurtling through the air. Elric dodged, weaving between the attacks, his mind racing as he searched for an opening.

Astra’s voice echoed in his mind, calm and steady. “Watch his movements. He’s quick, but he relies on power to overwhelm his opponents. Use his aggression against him.”

Elric took a deep breath, centering himself. He waited, watching as Aiden prepared another spell, his hands crackling with energy. Just as Aiden unleashed the attack, Elric dodged to the side, sidestepping the blast and closing the distance between them.

He raised his hand, channeling his magic into a focused strike. A bolt of energy shot from his fingertips, aiming for Aiden’s midsection. Aiden’s eyes widened in surprise as he scrambled to block the attack, but Elric’s spell struck true, sending him staggering back.

A ripple of astonishment ran through the spectators, but Elric didn’t let his guard down. He could see the flicker of annoyance in Aiden’s eyes, the prideful gleam replaced with a hardened determination.

“You got lucky,” Aiden muttered, his tone venomous.

Elric held his ground, his expression steady. “Luck has nothing to do with it.”

Aiden’s face twisted in a scowl, and he launched himself at Elric with renewed intensity. His movements were faster, more aggressive, and Elric felt the pressure mounting. He struggled to keep up, each of Aiden’s attacks coming dangerously close to breaking through his defenses.

But Elric remembered Astra’s advice—use Aiden’s aggression against him. He began to anticipate Aiden’s moves, reading the patterns in his attacks and sidestepping just in time. Gradually, he led Aiden into a trap, drawing him in with feints and carefully placed blocks.

Finally, he saw his opening. As Aiden overextended, Elric pivoted, channeling his energy into a powerful spell. He unleashed a burst of wind, sending Aiden sprawling across the ground, his defenses shattered.

A stunned silence fell over the training grounds as Aiden scrambled to his feet, his face flushed with humiliation. Master Haldir stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the end of the match.

“Well done, Elric,” he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. “You demonstrated both skill and strategy—a rare combination.”

Elric felt a surge of pride, but he kept his expression humble, nodding respectfully to Master Haldir. He glanced at Aiden, who was glaring at him with a mixture of resentment and something else—respect, perhaps, grudging as it was.

As the crowd began to disperse, Kaela appeared beside him, her eyes wide with amazement. “That was incredible! I knew you were good, but taking down Aiden? That’s something else.”

Elric shrugged, trying to downplay the achievement. “I just did what I had to.”

Kaela grinned, nudging him playfully. “Well, keep it up. You’re definitely making a name for yourself here.”

As they walked back toward the main building, Elric felt a sense of accomplishment settle over him. He knew there would be more challenges, and he would face rivals even stronger than Aiden, but for now, he’d proven himself—and that was enough.