After having lunch and the students filed out, Elliot and Alira exchanged a quick glance before slipping ahead of Towan, leaving him behind without so much as a backward glance. He hesitated, watching their retreating figures, when Sylra’s voice pulled him back, who was behind him

“So... you use natural Essentia, huh?” she said, her tone light but probing.

Towan glanced at her, startled. His pale face betrayed his nerves, and the way he fidgeted with the strap of his bag only made it more obvious. Sylra fell into step beside him, her movements relaxed, her confidence as 8steady as her stride.

“It’s rare,” she continued, her gaze flicking to him as if gauging his reaction. “I’ve read about it, but I’ve never seen anyone actually use it. It’s... different.”

Towan’s grip on his bag tightened. “Different doesn’t always mean good,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sylra arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “You sure about that?”

Her question hung in the air as they walked, the hum of conversations around them fading into the background.

For a moment, Towan’s steps faltered, and he glanced at her—unsure whether she was teasing him or trying to make him feel at ease.

“It’s not like I chose it,” he admitted finally, his voice steadier now.

Sylra gave a thoughtful nod, her expression softening. “Maybe not. But you’re handling it better than most would. Don’t sell yourself short.”

Her words carried an unspoken encouragement that made Towan’s cheeks flush faintly. As they continued down the hallway, the tension between them began to ease, replaced by an unspoken understanding.

The wide stone hallways of the academy stretched before them, illuminated by soft glimmers of enchanted sconces lining the walls. The echoes of footsteps and faint murmurs from other students drifted through the air, mixing with the faint hum of Essentia coursing through the building itself. The two walked side by side, their pace steady as they headed toward the next classroom. The faint scent of parchment and ink lingered, a hallmark of the academy's scholarly atmosphere.

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“It’s not weird at all,” Towan said after a brief silence, his gaze fixed ahead, though his mind was clearly elsewhere. “Most martial artists use natural Essentia.” His tone was matter-of-fact, as if reminding himself as much as her.

Sylra tilted her head, her lips curving slightly in amusement. “Not many make it this far using it, though,” she pointed out, gesturing casually to the other students passing by. “Almost everyone here uses elements. It’s just... the way things are.”

Towan hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly. “I’ve seen people stronger who don’t rely on any of that,” he said quietly, his mind flickering to Rhys, Kade, Eryndar, and even his own master. Their images were vivid in his mind—figures of raw power and precision that needed no elemental crutch.

Sylra raised an eyebrow, her tone curious but sharp. “Stronger than you and me?”

“Well…” Towan glanced at her, feeling the weight of her question. “They were above me, no doubt. But you?” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I can’t really tell. I don’t know where your full power lands on that scale. Could you put up a fight against Rhys or Kade? Maybe. I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Sylra’s smirk widened ever so slightly, though her eyes remained thoughtful. “Is that so?” she mused, her voice laced with intrigue. She didn’t press further, letting the weight of his uncertainty linger between them.

The conversation fell into a brief lull as they neared the classroom door, the faint chatter of other students growing louder. Towan couldn’t tell if she was sizing him up or simply letting the topic simmer, but her confidence was undeniable—and, if he was being honest, a little unsettling.

After their brief conversation, Towan and Sylra finally arrived at the classroom for Elemental Mastery Techniques.

Towan froze for a moment at the entrance, his eyes widening as he took in the massive training hall before them. The room was unlike anything he had imagined. The walls shimmered faintly with intricate Essentia seals, their glowing patterns shifting in response to the energy in the air. The floor bore the marks of countless battles—charred streaks, frozen patches, and jagged cracks that hinted at the intensity of the training sessions held here. Overhead, enchanted lanterns bathed the space in a warm, steady light, their glow reflecting off conduits of various elements scattered across the room.