"It was driving me crazy watching you deal with those cheap tricks."
"I wasn't falling for them," Towan retorted with a smirk. "I was testing him. Wanted to see how well he could channel his Essentia. With a little refinement, he could become a real threat."
"A little refinement?" Elliot raised an eyebrow. "He lacks control and efficiency. Sure, he relied on indirect attacks and passive damage, but he burned through his energy as if it were infinite. The guy wore himself out before you even got serious."
Towan and Elliot made their way back to their shared quarters. The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light filtering through the frost-coated windows of the academy. The chill of the night made the walk feel longer than it was, and the silence between them was broken only by the soft crunch of their footsteps on the gravel path.
As they reached their room, Elliot glanced at his brother, noting the faint exhaustion etched on his face. He waited until they had settled down, Towan leaning against the edge of his bed, before speaking.
“How are you feeling, Towan?” Elliot asked, his tone light but genuinely curious.
Towan looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Fine. Why?”
“Well…” Elliot hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “You just had your first fight against another student today—against an element we’ve never faced before. That’s gotta feel… different.”
Towan leaned back, staring at the ceiling as if replaying the fight in his mind. “It was strange,” he admitted. “We’ve only ever fought corruption or natural Essentia before. Fighting an actual element like that… it threw me off. I didn’t know how to react to some of their attacks. Honestly, if I hadn’t been stronger, I’m not sure how it would’ve ended.”
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Elliot’s expression softened, and a small grin tugged at the corner of his lips. “You should give yourself more credit, brother. It wasn’t just strength that got you the win.”
Towan glanced at him, his brows furrowed. “Oh?”
“You’ve trained harder than anyone I know,” Elliot continued, leaning forward with a fervor that matched his words. “Your combat skills are sharper, your Essentia flow is more refined, and your movements are controlled and precise. That’s not luck—it’s the result of years of dedication.”
Towan sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I get what you’re saying, but… I can’t help but feel like we’re still miles apart from where we need to be. Against our real enemies… the corrupted ones. If we had to face them now…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “There’s nothing we could do.”
Elliot’s expression grew serious, and he placed a firm hand on Towan’s shoulder. “You’re right—we’re not there yet. But this is the path we chose, isn’t it? Every fight, every step forward brings us closer. And don’t forget, we’re not alone in this. We have allies—Eryndar, Master… they believe in us. You should believe in yourself, too.”
Towan looked up at his brother, the weight of doubt slowly lifting from his shoulders. A faint smile played on his lips. “Thanks, Elliot. I needed that.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Elliot replied, standing up and stretching. “Now, let’s get some rest. We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
Towan nodded, a trace of his earlier confidence returning. “Goodnight, Elliot.”
“Goodnight, brother.”
The room fell into a comfortable silence as the two brothers settled in for the night, the faint glow of moonlight casting long shadows across the walls. Though uncertainty lingered on the horizon, for now, they allowed themselves the comfort of rest, knowing tomorrow would bring new challenges—and new opportunities to grow