Three months had swiftly passed since Cel's arrival at the Eloken’s Academy of Magic, nestled in the heart of the Isari Empire’s capital city, Worlin. What she found exceeded all her expectations: a place not only of learning but of profound discovery, growth, and what she liked most, a place of good fun. The Academy was everything she had hoped for and more.

Yet, for all its wonders, Cel faced challenges she hadn't anticipated. The cultural divide between her serene Island of Moire and the bustling, straightforward Isari was wider than she had imagined. The food, with its unfamiliar spices and textures, was a daily adventure in itself—sometimes delightful, often perplexing. More jarring, however, was the demeanor of the people. Isari's citizens were direct, their frankness often bordering on what she perceived as rudeness, a stark contrast to the gentle courtesies of her homeland.

In this whirlwind of change, Drevan became her anchor. His friendship was a steady presence amidst the tumult of adaptation. He introduced her to the intricate customs of the Isari, decoding social nuances that would have otherwise eluded her. With patience and humor, he guided her through the maze of Academy life, from its rigorous academic demands to the labyrinthine corridors of its ancient halls and secret student parties hidden from the eyes of Eloken, Echo, and the rest of the crew.

“Do you want to go and grab something to eat after class?” Drevan whispered to Cel.

“No,” she whispered back. “I am going to the fighting grounds to watch Eloken and Evie spar.”

Drevan shrugged dismissively, and Cel smiled back at him. She enjoyed watching Eloken and Evie spar almost every day. The slim girl was the first person ever since the Honorable Combat to almost match Eloken in power. Eloken had more raw strength and knew better how to utilize magic, but the girl was more skilled with the sword and in fighting in general.

She was taught by Bayolar, who, in Eloken's words, was the best duelist he had ever seen. Eloken managed to convince Bayolar, with the help of Evie, to stay at the Academy and teach before they all continued with their quests.

Cel was sitting in one of his two classes, History of Swordsmanship and Duels, counting the seconds before the bell rang. She didn’t necessarily hate the class, and Bayolar was not a bad teacher, but she preferred his other class where they learned practical skills and had sparring sessions with wooden swords and spears.

“And that’s how Tolari was able to hold his own against an Imperial Knight, with only a long sword and no magic at his disposal,” Bayolar concluded today's lessons. “So, don’t rely on your magic at all times; you need to be aware of your surroundings and practice every day. Who knows? One day magic may disappear as quickly as it appeared, and what will you be left with?”

That resonated with Cel. She knew of her magical abilities and that she had been able to cast spells for only three months now, but she was already used to them and wouldn’t know what to do if they were taken away from her. At the Academy, several teachers insisted that they needed to continue to rely on their other instincts outside of magic sources, but the kids were stubborn and, as time passed, they grew more accustomed and comfortable with using their abilities in everyday life.

You got a toothache? Let me cast a quick healing spell your way so you don’t struggle. Want a quick bite from a bakery across the city? Let me enhance my speed and run there and back five times quicker.

Cel quickly learned that the only thing holding them back from using their abilities all the time was the fact that their magical abilities were not unlimited; they depended on the amount of the source they could store in their reserve. Like most things in life, the amount they were able to store in reserve varied from individual to individual. Just as a runner can increase their endurance through daily practice, magic users can expand the amount of source they can hold in reserve with daily practices.

No one at the Academy knew how and from where their reserves exactly filled. There were a few leading theories, but Cel didn’t bother her mind with that; she knew that once empty, it took her almost a full day to replenish her reserves of either source she could use.

They had monthly tests where professors, depending on their sources, took various measurements and tracked their progress. Eloken took Cel directly under his wings, and they quickly learned she could use all sources he could, except Vit. Her progress was astonishing; Eloken himself admitted she was learning and becoming more powerful than he had himself.

As the bell finally rang, Cel grabbed her backpack and rushed out of the classroom. Drevan shouted something after her, but she just waved him off. The fighting grounds were located in the backyard of the Academy, and Cel needed to go through the main entrance and then run around the building to reach them. There was a back entrance to the building, but it was forbidden for students.

But going this way allowed Cel to visit Serapion as well. The majestic creature, brought from the Festival, was located in one of the large cages made from Titanwood near the fighting grounds. Cel wanted Serapion to be allowed to roam the Academy grounds freely, but Eloken insisted that it stay caged as they still didn’t understand the full extent of her Dol powers and didn’t want to risk the creature going on a rampage. Cel managed to convince him to let her take the creature out once a day while she was present, to which he reluctantly agreed.

As Cel reached the training grounds, she could already hear some cheers. Eloken’s and Evie’s sparring sessions always gathered big crowds, and today was no exception. The area was circled with remnants of old pillars, telling tales of a time long passed. The grounds themselves were meticulously maintained, with the lush grass providing a stark contrast against the weathered stone. Small stands, crafted from the same stone as the pillars, offered spectators a place to sit and watch the day's sparring matches.

Among the onlookers, Cel found her two new friends who arrived at the Academy at the same time she did. She sat between them: a girl named Lyra, whose vibrancy drew attention wherever she walked, and a shy boy named Joren. Both of them were from the northern parts of the Isari Empire, almost as isolated from Worlin’s life as she was, so they quickly bonded over their shared experience of being newcomers in a strange city. Lyra's infectious laughter and Joren's thoughtful observations had quickly made them indispensable to Cel's experience at the academy.

"You are late," Lyra teased, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she made room for Cel on the crowded bench.

Cel, slightly out of breath from her rush, rolled her eyes playfully. "Only because I had to listen to Professor Bayolar talk about every duel that ever happened in the history of duels."

Joren chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "I'm surprised you made it at all. That man can talk about swords and techniques for days. But you didn't miss much; the match just started heating up."

Lyra leaned in, her voice filled with excitement. "You should have seen Evie’s last maneuver. It was like watching a dance, the way she wove her Vis with swordplay. I swear, I learn more from these matches than in most of our classes."

Cel smiled, settling in between her friends, her gaze fixed on the sparring duo in the center of the grounds. "Well, I'm here now. Let's see if Evie can outmatch him today. It's always a spectacle with those two."

The training ground buzzed with anticipation as Eloken and Evie faced off. The sparring match had just begun, so they were still dancing around each other. Eloken, with his Vis enchanted strength and speed, was in a grounded stance, hands slightly raised, ready to strike with full force. Evie, on the other hand, balanced lightly on her feet, her eyes locked on Eloken, and a wooden sword gripped firmly in her hand.

Eloken charged first; with his enchanted speed, he covered the distance between them in the blink of an eye. He didn’t go for a sword strike but tried to jam his shoulder into Evie, trying to throw her off balance. Evie was expecting his attack and darted to the side with graceful speed, her movements a blur to the onlookers.

As Eloken passed the point where she stood, Evie launched a series of swift attacks, her wooden sword a mere extension of her will. Eloken deflected the first few strikes, but Evie managed to find cracks in his defensive maneuvers and hit him several times in the ribs.

With a sudden shift in the air, Eloken used Tem, for him time slowed down, but for the onlookers, it seemed like the two of them were in some kind of temporary time bubble, air fuzzy and blurry around them.

Evie wasn’t expecting him to go for his volatile source that soon and did not manage to jump out of the bubble in time. But Evie didn’t come unprepared; she quickly used a large portion of her Lum source and cast the brightest ball of light she could. The bubble quickly turned from blurry to almost blinding light, prompting Cel to instinctively cover her eyes.

The light disoriented Eloken momentarily, giving Evie the opening she needed. As his time manipulation faltered under the unexpected assault of light, Evie, her vision shielded by a quick luminescent barrier she conjured, moved with precision.

The bubble completely dropped, and the light disappeared seconds later. Evie used the momentary advantage to execute a series of feints and strikes, each one pushing Eloken to the defensive as he struggled to adapt to the sudden shift in tactics.

Eloken, recovering from the initial shock of the light, tapped into his reserves of Vit to recover his vision, but Evie had gained huge momentum, leaving Eloken no other choice but to use one of the newly discovered power sources, Aet.

One of the new students came to the Academy with the ability to create both invisible and visible barriers in his vicinity. Eloken quickly discovered that he could tap into that source as well, adding that source to his arsenal he was at seven now. He still was not able to tap into Dol and Nis, sources only Cel and Illyan could use for now.

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He took a few quick steps back and made an invisible shield around himself. Cel gasped as Evie rushed towards Eloken, who acted disoriented, his hands covering his eyes as he was still recovering from the light explosion. Evie swung her sword with both hands over her head and descended hard, aiming for Eloken's head. Cel covered her mouth, expecting it to be the end of the duel, but her wooden sword broke as it hit an invisible barrier Eloken had created around himself.

Cel let out a relieved sigh, witnessing the culmination of a duel that had just taken an unexpected turn. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, not just for the spectacle of combat, but for the display of emerging abilities and the strategic depth it added to the duel. Eloken, with a slight nod of respect towards Evie, lowered his shield, signifying the end of their session and inviting some of the students to commence their duels.

Cel, Lyra, and Joren didn’t stay for the rest of the duels but went back into the Academy for lunch. They made their way to the dining area and found it bustling with the usual midday chatter and laughter. The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air as they were looking for a table. Cel spotted Drevan, who was waving them over to a table he was eating at, his easy smile a welcoming sight in the crowded room.

“Thought you might need a decent meal after all that dueling,” Drevan joked as they approached, gesturing towards the empty seats he had reserved. The table was set near one of the large windows that offered a view of the Academy’s verdant gardens. “So, who won?” he asked.

“It was a draw,” Cel replied, catching her breath from the excitement and the quick walk back.

“Ehh, a draw,” Drevan let the words hang. “They are just making a show out of it all now. They like the attention. I think they are agreeing on who wins each time.”

Cel frowned slightly, her loyalty to Eloken sparking her defensive instinct. "It's not about making a show, Drevan. They both push each other to their limits. It's incredible to see how they adapt and overcome. It's not about attention."

Drevan, noticing Cel's rising passion, smirked teasingly, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, come on, Cel. You can't tell me you don't enjoy the spotlight too, especially being Eloken's prodigy. It's part of the fun, isn't it?"

Lyra, ever the supporter of Evie, chimed in, her voice lively. "And let's not forget how Evie shines on her own. It's not just Eloken out there. She’s a marvel with a sword, and her strategy with the Vis and Lum sources today? Pure genius."

Cel couldn’t help but smile, acknowledging Lyra's point. "True, Evie is exceptional. But it's not about taking sides. They both are learning and evolving. That's what matters."

Drevan laughed, the sound warm and friendly. "I know, I know. I'm just pulling your leg. It's just fascinating to watch you all grow so quickly. But enough about that, are you coming to the party tonight?”

Cel hesitated, her thoughts immediately going to the mountain of coursework awaiting her and the early training session she had promised Eloken she would attend. "I don't know, guys. I've got so much to catch up on, and Eloken expects me in the training grounds at dawn."

Lyra leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with the promise of adventure. "Come on, Cel. It's not every day we get to sneak out and have some real fun. Besides, it's a great way to unwind after all the hard work you've been putting in. And who knows? You might learn a thing or two that isn't in the books."

Joren, usually the more reserved of the three, added his encouragement, a rare excitement in his voice. "I think we could all use a break, Cel. And honestly, it would be more fun with you there. We've been planning this for weeks, and it's not like we're going to do anything reckless. It's just a little gathering."

Seeing the genuine enthusiasm in her friends' eyes and feeling the weight of constant study and training on her shoulders, Cel found herself wavering. The idea of a night filled with laughter, dancing, and perhaps a bit of innocent mischief was increasingly appealing.

"Okay, okay," Cel finally conceded, a reluctant smile spreading across her face. "I'll come, but we have to be back before the first light. Eloken would have my head if he found out I was slacking off."

Lyra clapped her hands in delight, her laughter infectious. "Deal! It's going to be epic, you'll see. We'll make sure we're back with plenty of time to spare. Joren has already figured out a quiet route in and out."

Joren nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose with a mischievous grin. "I've mapped out the perfect path. Minimal chance of getting caught, and it's a quick way back."

During the first year, Drevan and other students who attended the academy from the beginning found an old abandoned building at the edge of the Academy's large estate. It was still unknown what the building was used for. When they found it, it was completely abandoned and in ruins, and they slowly cleaned it up, brought in some furniture, and made themselves a nice spot where they could gather without the professors looking over them.

Fine, fine, I said I’ll go,” Cel confirmed. “I have to check if Tuk is up for it as well. Where is that boy anyway?”

“It will be a little harder to sneak him in and out,” Drevan joked again, but at Cel’s stern look, he stopped smiling. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I saw him eating when I came in; he must have left already.”

“Okay, so when are we going?” Cel asked. “I have a quick session with El after the classes and then I'm free.”

“El?” Drevan poked. “You call him El? Does he know that?” Cel gave him her now famous piercing look with her purple eyes, and he raised his hands in surrender. “We leave once the lights are out, around nine. Sneak out of the building however you know and meet us at the pillars.”

Cel nodded in agreement and left the dining area to go and hang with Serapion before her classes continued. She had yet to decide on a name for her companion, even though she heard people calling it different names; she was still looking for the perfect one.

The afternoon set of classes passed quickly: a block of Isari and Continental history, a block of Math classes she despised, and a single class on the cultural traditions of Isari's neighboring countries. After grabbing another quick bite, she found herself at the training grounds where Eloken was already waiting for her.

“You are late, Miss Cel,” Eloken said without looking at her.

“Only because I had to dodge Professor Thalen's extended lecture on the cultural impact of his Greogar kingdom on the continent. You know how he loves to catch students for impromptu discussions.”

Eloken chuckled, throwing her a training spear. "I'm surprised you made it at all. That man can hold someone hostage with his theories for hours."

Cel caught the spear in her right hand. “What’s on the plate today?” she asked.

“Let’s do a quick session with the spear and some emotional manipulation later on,” Eloken said, walking towards the center of the training pit. “I have some business to attend to later, so today we keep it short.”

Cel nodded and didn’t give him time to prepare, lunging at him straight away. Eloken, knowing his protégée so well, was ready and dodged her Vis-enchanted lunge with ease. He held back against her, but she could see him trying more and more lately, although today’s sparring session wasn’t much different than their others.

She attacked, and he dodged. He attacked, and she ended up on her bum. Fifteen minutes of the same repeated until Cel lost her composure and, using Pal and sand from the pillars, blinded Eloken and finally hit him once with her spear.

“Nice,” Eloken said, flashing a huge grin as he held a spot on his head where she hit him. “It’s so damn hard to provoke you into full rage, but I'm slowly breaking you.”

Cel smiled back, standing proudly with her spear at her side. “You don’t want to see me go full rage mode; you might have to use all of your Vit reserves to sustain the damage.”

Eloken chuckled. “Enough of sparring, let’s test your Dol abilities.”

Cel nodded and drew some of the Dol from her reserves into an active state. Eloken's demeanor shifted almost instantaneously, his previously relaxed stance tightening, eyes narrowing, a scowl replacing his grin. The air between them seemed to thicken with tension, an invisible force field charged with emotional energy.

Cel focused, directing the flow of Dol to amplify feelings of frustration and anger within Eloken. Despite his rising irritation, Eloken allowed the emotion to surface, showcasing the trust and understanding between teacher and student. He paced back and forth, clenching and unclenching his fists, a physical manifestation of the inner turmoil Cel was orchestrating.

After a moment, he stopped and focused, employing his own techniques to mitigate the artificially induced anger, demonstrating the strength of will and mental fortitude required to counteract emotional manipulation.

With a deep focus, Cel began to reverse the flow of emotional energy she had directed at Eloken. Instead of amplifying his frustration and anger, she gently started to weave a sense of calm and peace using her Dol source, aiming to soothe the tempest she had stirred within him.

Gradually, Eloken's tense posture began to slacken. His previously narrowed eyes softened, and the scowl that had taken residence on his face eased into a look of serene calm. The change was subtle at first, but as Cel continued to channel towards tranquility, the transformation became more apparent. Eloken's breathing slowed, his pacing ceased, and he stood still in the center of the training pit, a picture of absolute peace.

As Eloken reached a state of relaxation so deep it bordered on sleepiness, his eyelids drooped, and he looked as though he could fall asleep standing. The sight brought a mischievous thought to Cel's mind. With Eloken so defenseless, it would be easy to tap him with the spear, claiming victory in their sparring match. However, the thought was fleeting. Despite the temptation, Cel knew that exploiting Eloken's trust for a momentary triumph would not be a wise decision.

"Cel, dial it back," Eloken instructed, his voice steady, almost sleepy. Cel withdrew the energy, and the relaxed state dissipated as if a switch had been flipped, and Eloken’s posture returned to normal.

"That was impressive control," Eloken acknowledged, offering Cel a nod of approval. "You're getting better and better with this. We'll practice more tomorrow.” Eloken wanted Cel to push her limit with this newfound source, and he wanted to practice against it if he ever ran against another Dol user in the wild.

“So,” he continued, taking a step toward her. “Are you going to a party tonight?”

Cel froze for a moment, her attempt to maintain an expression of innocence faltering under Eloken's knowing gaze. "Party? What party?" she ventured, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, but the slight quiver in her voice betrayed her nervousness.

Eloken raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Cel, we may be old, but we are not ancient. Dalalmir, Echo, and I were not so different from you and your friends when we were your age. We know about the secret gatherings, the midnight escapades, and all the 'little secrets' you think you're keeping from us."

Cel's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and surprise. "I...we didn't mean any disrespect or to break any rules. We just thought it would be nice to have a little fun, away from the prying eyes… from, you know," Cel admitted, her voice soft but sincere.

Eloken's smile widened, his eyes reflecting understanding rather than judgment. "Us? The scary teachers and the founder?” He teased. “I'm not here to reprimand you, Cel. Don’t worry!” He stepped closer, lowering his voice to ensure only Cel could hear. "Just be cautious. The world beyond these walls isn't as forgiving. You know well that we have a lot of enemies and so-called friends that are just waiting for our mistakes. And while we appreciate the creativity in sneaking out, know that our leniency has its limits. We're responsible for your well-being, after all."

Cel nodded, absorbing his words. The realization that Eloken and the others were aware of their antics but chose to offer guidance rather than punishment filled her with a newfound respect for them. "Thank you, Eloken. I promise we'll be careful."

Eloken nodded, the serious moment passing as his usual relaxed demeanor returned. "Good. Now, off with you. And remember, being able to hold your own in a duel doesn't mean you're invulnerable. Keep your wits about you, always."

“I know you're going easy on me,” Cel said. “I'm not dumb.” She smiled and walked off to prepare for the night ahead.