Lorian's frustration from the magic test still simmered, but he pushed it aside as he approached the next station. The courtyard felt quieter here, the buzz of energy shifting from physical exertion to something more cerebral. The intelligence test was ahead, a chance to prove that he wasn't just a fighter.

He stepped into the testing area, which was set up differently from the others. There were no weapons racks or targets. Instead, a series of tables were arranged in a circle, each one covered in strange objects—puzzles, riddles, and mechanical devices. An instructor in deep blue robes stood in the center, watching as students were directed to their stations.

Lorian's pulse steadied. He had always been solid when it came to tactics and strategy, something Captain Aric had drilled into him during his combat training. While others may have excelled in raw magical talent, Lorian had a mind for seeing patterns, for thinking ahead.

He was led to one of the tables, where a large, intricate device sat. It was made of brass and stone, its inner mechanisms a maze of gears, levers, and runes. The goal, as far as he could tell, was to align the gears correctly to open the device—though what lay inside was a mystery.

"Each test is timed," the instructor said, her voice even. "You'll be judged on your ability to solve the puzzle using logic and patience. Begin."

Lorian studied the device for a moment, his mind already working. The gears were etched with runes, some glowing faintly, others dark. He ran his fingers lightly over them, noting the subtle shifts in pressure as he moved one lever slightly.

Focus. This was his strength. He wasn't distracted by the showy displays of power or by the pressure of competition. This was about control, about using his mind.

He began turning one of the larger gears, watching as smaller pieces moved in response. The runes on the smaller gears began to glow brighter, and he could feel the mechanism clicking into place. Slowly but surely, the puzzle was coming together.

He thought back to the lessons Aric had given him on battlefield strategy: always think three steps ahead. One wrong move could lead to disaster, but if you understood the structure of things—if you could see the whole picture—you could find the solution. This wasn't so different. It was about seeing how each piece influenced the other, about finding balance.

As he worked, he could hear the murmurs of other students struggling with their puzzles. Some cursed under their breath, frustrated by the complexity of the tasks in front of them. But Lorian kept his focus, methodically turning each gear and adjusting the levers with precision.

The runes on the device began to glow fully, a soft hum filling the air as the mechanism clicked into place. Lorian paused for a moment, double-checking his movements, ensuring everything was aligned. Then, with a final twist of the central lever, the device opened with a satisfying click.

Inside, there was a small, glowing crystal—proof of his success.

The instructor approached, her face calm but clearly impressed. "Well done. You finished with time to spare."

Lorian nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing. He hadn't failed this time. He hadn't fumbled. This was his moment of control, his ability to use his mind to navigate a challenge. And it felt good.

He glanced around at the other students still working through their puzzles. Julian was at the far end of the courtyard, scowling at the intricate mechanisms in front of him, clearly struggling to find the right sequence. Celeste's usual confidence had slipped slightly as she examined her puzzle, biting her lip in concentration.

Vivienne, however, was working quietly, her puzzle already halfway solved. Lorian wasn't surprised. She had always been sharp, quick to notice details others missed. But even she wasn't finished yet.

As Lorian stepped away from the table, the instructor gave him a nod. "You've shown strong problem-solving skills. Continue to hone that focus—it will serve you well."

He gave a short nod in return, feeling a quiet sense of pride. Intelligence had always been undervalued in Aelshire, where combat and magical prowess reigned supreme. But here, at the academy, it was clear that intellect was just as important. This wasn't about brute strength or flashy spells. It was about control, strategy, and using your mind.

As he left the testing grounds, Lorian caught sight of Selene once again. She was standing by one of the instructors, her head bent in conversation. Her graceful demeanor was a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of the students around her. She looked poised, as always, a figure of calm amidst the chaos.

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Lorian felt his heart skip a beat, but before he could react, she gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod—one of acknowledgment, maybe even approval. It wasn't much, but it sent a ripple of warmth through him.

The moment was short-lived, however, as Julian's voice interrupted the serene moment.

"Well, look who's back. Our dear Shieldbearer survived the puzzle test," Julian said with his usual smirk. Celeste and Vivienne stood beside him, though Vivienne's expression remained neutral, and Celeste's amusement was clear.

Lorian rolled his eyes and kept walking, but Julian wasn't finished.

"Didn't think puzzles would be your thing," Julian continued, his tone light but barbed. "But I suppose if you can't handle magic, it's good you're decent with children's toys."

Lorian stopped and turned, his eyes meeting Julian's without hesitation this time. He could feel the sting of the earlier tests lingering, but he wasn't going to let Julian have the last word.

"Funny," Lorian said, crossing his arms. "I didn't realize 'decent' meant finishing faster than you did. Or was I mistaken when I saw you fumble with the gears?"

Julian's smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he recovered quickly, brushing off Lorian's words with a chuckle. "Oh, so you're feeling confident now, huh? Guess we'll see if that holds up in the final test."

"Maybe we will," Lorian replied, his voice calm but firm. "Or maybe you should just stick to talking. Seems to be what you're best at."

Celeste let out a sharp laugh, while Vivienne raised an eyebrow, impressed by the shift in the conversation. Lorian didn't wait for Julian's retort. Instead, he turned back toward the courtyard where the final test was about to take place.

The duel was set in the academy's grand courtyard, a large, open area with stone pathways intersecting in elaborate patterns. On either side of the courtyard, stone stands rose like a stadium, filled with students and instructors eager to watch the final test. The energy of the crowd buzzed with excitement, and Lorian could feel the weight of their eyes on him as he approached the arena.

The courtyard was beautifully constructed, with ivy climbing the walls and banners bearing the academy's crest hanging from the surrounding columns. Despite its beauty, the space felt more like a coliseum now, the stands packed with eager onlookers. Instructors stood at the edges, ready to observe and assess the final battles.

"The final test is a 1v1 duel between students," the instructor announced. "Each of you will be paired with a different opponent. You will be using training weapons, and protective gear will ensure no one is seriously injured. The goal is to demonstrate skill, control, and awareness in battle."

Lorian's heart pounded. He was ready, or at least he thought he was. He'd been waiting for this moment—to prove that despite everything, he still had his edge in combat. As the names were called out, the matchups were set.

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"Lorian Aeloria, you'll be dueling…" the instructor paused as her eyes scanned the list, "…Julian Veldt."

Julian's smirk returned, wider than before. "Well, well. Looks like I'll get the chance to knock some sense into you after all."

In the stands, Lorian caught the familiar voices of Elara and the other nobles. His sister had a small smile on her face as she exchanged words with Celeste.

"Looks like they've set up quite the duel," Celeste mused, her arms crossed as she watched them prepare. "Your brother's in for a rough time."

"Elara, you can't really think Lorian stands a chance against Julian," Vivienne said, her voice calm but pointed. "He's strong, but Julian has trained in combat far longer."

Elara's smile was patient, her confidence in Lorian unshaken. "Lorian has always been more than people think. He's smarter than most give him credit for."

Julian's voice cut through the air as he looked over at Elara, catching part of the conversation. "Don't worry, Elara. I'll try not to embarrass your brother too much. Though, I can't make any promises."

"Try not to lose, Julian," Elara quipped back smoothly. "You've been talking a lot."

The crowd stirred with anticipation, murmurs of excitement rippling through the stands.

"This should be good," one student whispered. "Lorian's not bad with a sword, but Julian? He'll crush him."

Another student nodded in agreement. "Julian's been training with the best combat instructors in Aelshire. Lorian doesn't stand a chance."

Lorian stepped into the center of the courtyard, where an open dueling area had been marked. The crowd in the stands shifted, their whispers rising in excitement. He could feel the eyes of everyone watching—Elara, Selene, Celeste, Vivienne—but he blocked them out. This fight wasn't for them. It was for him.

They were handed their training weapons, swords that glowed faintly with enchantments designed to prevent serious injury. Both donned protective gear, which would trigger if a blow became too dangerous, signaling the end of the duel.

The instructor raised her hand, signaling the start of the duel.

Julian moved first, his blade already swinging down with a speed and power that caught Lorian off guard. The force of the blow reverberated through Lorian's sword as he barely managed to block it. His arms shook from the impact, and he staggered back, struggling to find his balance.

Julian smirked, pressing forward with another heavy swing. "Come on, Lorian! I thought you were ready!"

In the stands, Celeste leaned forward, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Julian's not giving him a chance. This is going to be over quickly."

Vivienne watched closely, her brow furrowed. "Lorian's footwork is good, but Julian is overpowering him."

Lorian gritted his teeth, bringing his sword up just in time to deflect another strike, but it was clear that Julian wasn't holding back. Each swing was stronger, faster than the last, forcing Lorian to stay on the defensive. Julian's sword moved with ease, his strikes brutal and relentless.

"He's got no room to breathe," Celeste said, shaking her head. "Julian's going to finish him."

Lorian's mind raced, his body already straining under the pressure. He knew he couldn't match Julian's raw power. Each time their swords clashed, it felt like a storm battering him, forcing him to take step after step backward. His breathing grew ragged, but his instincts kept him moving—dodging, parrying, and blocking just in time to avoid a direct hit.

I can't keep this up, Lorian thought, feeling the sweat trickle down his brow. Julian was too strong, too fast. But Lorian had something else: technique.

As Julian swung wide again, Lorian ducked low, using his footwork to slip under the blow. He twisted his body, moving in close to Julian's side and striking at an opening with a quick, precise slash. His sword grazed Julian's armor, but it wasn't enough to trigger the protective gear.

Julian growled, stepping back just in time. "Nice try, but you're still too slow."

Lorian kept his breathing steady, relying on his training, on the precision Captain Aric had instilled in him. He wasn't matching Julian's power, but he was holding on through sheer technique and experience.

"Lorian's holding his own," Elara commented softly, her eyes following her brother's movements. "He's not as outmatched as everyone thinks."

"Barely," Celeste muttered.

Vivienne's gaze was sharper, more calculating. "He's staying in this by being smart."

But Lorian could feel his body tiring, the weight of the fight dragging him down. He needed more. He needed something else.

Then, in the heat of the battle, Aric's voice echoed in his mind.

"Combat isn't just about strength. It's about focus, balance—channeling everything you have, including mana, into every move."

The mana. Lorian had always struggled with it in spells, but in combat? It wasn't about conjuring fireballs or lightning bolts. It was about using it to enhance himself.

He focused inward, feeling the faint pulse of energy in his core. He had failed to control it during the magic test, but this wasn't magic—it was something different. He could feel the mana, and he could let it flow through him.

Julian swung again, aiming for a powerful downward strike, but this time Lorian moved faster—his sword came up to meet Julian's with a ringing clash of steel. The crowd murmured, sensing the sudden shift in Lorian's movements.

"What's this?" Celeste muttered, her amusement fading.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. "He's faster now."

Lorian could feel the mana flowing through his body, strengthening his limbs, sharpening his reflexes. He dodged Julian's next strike with ease, countering with a quick, precise blow to Julian's side. Julian barely managed to block it, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Where did that come from?" Julian muttered, suddenly on the back foot.

Lorian pressed the attack now, his strikes faster and more fluid than before. The mana wasn't just enhancing his strength—it was giving him control, balance. He moved with precision, every swing deliberate. Julian's earlier smirk had vanished, replaced by frustration as he struggled to keep up.

In the stands, Elara's smile widened slightly. "That's more like it."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"He's turned it around!" Celeste exclaimed, her disbelief clear. "Did you see that?"

Julian's frustration was palpable now. His confident smirk had long vanished, replaced by a clenched jaw and narrowed eyes. Lorian, on the other hand, felt the mana flowing through him, steadying his limbs and sharpening his focus. The tide of the battle had shifted, but it wasn't over yet.

Julian growled and lunged forward with renewed aggression, his sword slicing through the air with blistering speed. Lorian sidestepped, his movements fluid and quick, the mana guiding him like an unseen force. He countered with a fast, precise strike aimed at Julian's shoulder, but Julian parried just in time, sparks flying as their swords clashed again.

"Don't get too comfortable, Lorian!" Julian spat, swinging his blade in a wide arc, forcing Lorian to leap back. "You're not going to win that easily."

In the stands, Elara leaned forward, her eyes locked on the fight. "Julian's not letting up," she muttered to herself. "He's too used to winning."

Celeste, beside her, shook her head in disbelief. "How is Lorian still standing? Julian should have overpowered him by now."

Vivienne, however, was watching more closely. "It's not just Lorian's speed… he's using mana. Look at his movements."

Down in the arena, Lorian adjusted his grip on his sword, focusing inward once more. He could feel the strain of maintaining the flow of mana—his muscles ached, and the mental focus it took was immense. But he couldn't afford to let it slip, not now.

Julian charged again, his blade coming down in a heavy overhand strike. Lorian raised his sword to block, but this time the force of the blow sent him stumbling back a few steps. Julian pressed the advantage, his strikes coming fast and heavy, forcing Lorian to rely on his agility to stay in the fight.

"You think some fancy footwork is going to save you?" Julian sneered, launching another powerful strike. Lorian barely deflected it, the impact reverberating through his arms. "I've trained with the best. You're just a sword for hire."

Julian's words stung, but Lorian didn't let them distract him. Instead, he focused harder, letting the mana guide his movements, feeling it surge through his limbs like a second wind.

He ducked under Julian's next swing, using the momentum to spin around and aim a slash at Julian's side. The blade connected with his opponent's armor, not enough to trigger the protective enchantment, but enough to knock Julian off balance.

The crowd gasped, murmurs rippling through the stands.

"Lorian's fighting back!" one student shouted, astonished. "He's not giving up."

Julian stumbled but recovered quickly, his face twisted in anger. "You're just delaying the inevitable," he hissed, gripping his sword with both hands and swinging with brute strength.

The blow was heavy, and Lorian blocked it just in time, but his legs buckled under the weight. His muscles screamed in protest, his arms shaking from the impact. Julian wasn't giving him any room to breathe, each strike more furious than the last.

Up in the stands, Celeste leaned toward Elara, her eyes wide. "Julian's going to overwhelm him if this keeps up. Lorian can't keep blocking those hits."

Elara's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "He's going to find a way," she said firmly, her confidence in her brother unwavering.

Vivienne's gaze remained locked on the fight, her expression thoughtful. "Julian's throwing everything he has at Lorian. But if he tires himself out…"

Julian, his rage building, growled in frustration. "Enough!" he shouted, raising his sword high for an overpowered strike, aiming to end the fight in one decisive blow. His mana surged visibly, crackling through the air around him as he poured everything he had into the attack.

Lorian saw it coming, but there was no time to dodge. He raised his sword to block, bracing for impact.

The force of Julian's strike crashed into Lorian's blade with an explosion of energy, sending shockwaves through the courtyard. The sheer power of the attack was too much. Lorian's sword snapped under the pressure, the blade shattered and launched out of his grip, clattering across the stone floor.

The crowd erupted into gasps and shouts, their excitement turning into stunned disbelief.

"He broke his sword!" Celeste exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "Julian—"

"It's over," Julian sneered, lowering his sword slightly as he watched Lorian stand defenseless, breathing heavily. "I told you, Lorian. You were never going to win."