As the whirlwind surged toward him, Lorian's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Instead of resisting the oncoming gale, he embraced it. The roaring wind slammed into him, but he deftly twisted his body, channeling the force to propel himself backward through the air. The world blurred as he shot toward the relic, his movements fluid and controlled.

Zephyr's confident smirk vanished, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief. "What? Impossible!" he shouted, watching helplessly as Lorian hurtled toward the relic. "No!"

Lorian landed in a low crouch before the pedestal, absorbing the impact with feline grace. The relic hovered inches from his face, its glow illuminating his determined expression. Without hesitation, he reached out and grasped it. The relic felt solid and cool in his hand—a tangible symbol of his resolve.

At that moment, Zephyr's team arrived on the platform, their eyes widening at the sight of Lorian holding the relic. "After him!" Zephyr's roar echoed through the tower, thick with fury and disbelief.

His team reacted instantly.

A fiery bolt spiraled toward Lorian, the heat distorting the air around it. Sensing the incoming attack, he shifted his weight onto the balls of his feet. At the last possible moment, he leaned back just enough for the flame to scorch past his nose—a hair's breadth away. The intense heat singed the tips of his hair, but he remained unscathed.

Using the momentum, Lorian flipped backward, landing atop a fallen pillar. From this elevated position, he surveyed his opponents. They spread out below like predators circling prey, but Lorian was no ordinary quarry.

A mage to his left began weaving an intricate spell, arcane symbols swirling around his hands. Recognizing the formation—a binding spell meant to immobilize—Lorian sprang into action. Drawing upon the techniques of creatures he had battled in his mindscape while training with Lysara, he dashed along the length of the pillar, his footsteps light and silent, and leaped toward the mage.

Midair, he twisted his body, narrowly avoiding a jagged shard of ice hurled by another attacker. As he closed in on the mage, he tucked the relic securely against his chest and extended his free hand. A faint glow emanated from his palm—a condensed burst of his own magic. He thrust it forward, striking the mage's spellcasting hands. The impact disrupted the incantation, causing a harmless flicker of light as the spell fizzled.

Landing gracefully, Lorian didn't pause. He darted behind a nearby stone pillar as another blast of arcane energy sizzled past him, exploding against the wall and shaking the very foundation of the tower. The pillar provided momentary cover, and he heard the hurried footsteps of an approaching opponent.

Timing his move perfectly, Lorian spun around the pillar just as a swordsman charged forward, blade poised to strike. Seizing the element of surprise, he delivered a swift and powerful kick to the attacker's chest. The force sent the student hurtling backward like a rag doll, crashing into two of his teammates who were close behind.

The trio collapsed in a tangled heap, their weapons clattering across the stone floor. One of them, caught completely off guard, released a spell prematurely. A crackling orb of energy spiraled out of control, smashing into a nearby support column. The explosion sent chunks of stone and a cloud of dust billowing into the air, momentarily obscuring everyone's vision.

Seizing the opportunity, Lorian moved with the swiftness of a stalking panther. He weaved through the swirling dust, his movements a blend of calculated precision and raw agility. Drawing upon the techniques of creatures he'd fought in his mindscape, he mimicked the serpentine strikes of a venomous viper and the relentless advance of a dire wolf.

A hulking warrior lunged at him with a massive hammer, the weapon's arc threatening to crush anything in its path. Lorian dropped into a low slide, feeling the rush of air as the hammer swung inches above him. As he passed beneath the warrior's legs, he delivered a sharp kick to the back of the knee—a vulnerable spot he'd learned from observing predatory beasts. The warrior buckled, crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud.

Rhyssa appeared through the haze, her eyes locked onto him. She unleashed a volley of crystalline shards, each gleaming like a fragment of ice under moonlight. Lorian raised the relic, using it to deflect some of the incoming projectiles. The remaining shards he parried with swift, precise movements of his sword, the blade ringing with each contact.

"You're full of surprises," Rhyssa snarled, frustration evident in her voice.

Lorian offered a faint smile. "I like to keep things interesting."

Zephyr's wind magic began to swirl more violently, the air pressure shifting as he prepared a powerful attack. Gusts whipped around the platform, pulling loose stones and debris into a spiraling vortex. Lorian felt the pull but anchored himself, drawing upon his own aura to stabilize his footing.

With a sudden burst, Zephyr directed the vortex toward Lorian. Instead of retreating, Lorian sprinted forward into the maelstrom. His movements became a blur—a dance of calculated steps and sudden shifts. He moved unpredictably, making it nearly impossible for Zephyr to lock onto his position.

Sensing the mounting danger of staying in one place, Lorian made a swift decision. Clutching the relic tightly, he broke away from the eye of the vortex and dashed toward the edge of the platform. His instincts told him that constant movement was his ally; if he lingered, he risked being overwhelmed as more competitors converged on his position.

"He's making a run for it!" one of Zephyr's teammates shouted.

Zephyr's eyes narrowed. "Don't let him escape!"

Lorian raced down the spiraling staircase that wound along the exterior of the stone tower. The ancient steps were uneven and slick with moss, but he navigated them with ease, his movements precise and calculated. Behind him, the thundering footsteps and shouts of pursuers echoed off the stone walls.

As he descended, a burst of flame whooshed past his shoulder, scorching the wall beside him. Glancing back, he saw Rhyssa preparing another spell, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Without breaking stride, Lorian leaped onto the narrow ledge of a broken parapet and vaulted over a gap in the staircase, cutting the distance to the ground level.

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Below, the base of the tower teemed with new challengers—students drawn by the commotion and the lure of the relic. They emerged from the surrounding forest and ruins, their eyes locking onto the glowing orb in Lorian's grasp.

"There he is! Get the relic!" a voice rang out.

Assessing his options in a split second, Lorian sprinted toward a cluster of dilapidated columns—remnants of an ancient courtyard. The first of the new attackers lunged at him—a tall boy wielding a spear crackling with electrical energy. Lorian sidestepped the thrust, feeling the hum of electricity brush past his ribs. Using the spear's momentum against its wielder, he hooked his foot around the shaft and twisted, wrenching it from the boy's grasp and sending it clattering across the stones.

Before the disarmed student could react, Lorian delivered a swift palm strike to his chest, knocking him backward into an advancing duo. The three of them tumbled into a heap, buying Lorian precious seconds.

He darted between the columns, but another group cut off his path. A girl with braided silver hair raised her staff, summoning a gust of icy wind that crystallized the air with shards of frost. Drawing upon the evasive tactics he'd honed, Lorian dropped low, sliding across the slick ground beneath the freezing blast. As he slid, he extended his leg in a sweeping kick, knocking the feet out from under another opponent charging from his blind spot.

Regaining his footing, Lorian spotted a narrow archway leading into the remnants of a covered walkway. He dashed toward it, but a massive figure barred his way—a burly student clad in heavy armor, wielding a warhammer capable of shattering stone.

"End of the line," the armored student growled.

Lorian's eyes flickered to the environment. Above, the crumbling remains of the walkway's roof hung precariously. Without hesitation, he sprang upward, using a fallen block as a stepping stone. The armored student swung his hammer in a wide arc, but Lorian was already airborne, flipping over his head. Mid-flip, he slammed the relic against a weakened pillar supporting the roof.

The structure groaned, ancient mortar giving way. As Lorian landed behind his opponent, the roof collapsed in a cascade of stone and dust. The armored student raised his arms in a futile attempt to shield himself as he was buried under the debris.

"Sorry about that!" Lorian called out, already moving again.

Exiting the courtyard, he sprinted toward the dense forest bordering the tower grounds. The canopy promised cover but also housed unknown threats. Behind him, the chaotic sounds of pursuit intensified as more teams joined the fray.

Zephyr and his team emerged from the tower, their expressions etched with determination. Spotting Lorian heading for the woods, Zephyr barked orders to his companions. "Flank him! Drive him toward the clearing!"

As Lorian entered the forest, shadows enveloped him. He navigated the underbrush with the grace of a predator, drawing upon his training and the instincts he'd honed in his mindscape battles. The scents of earth and foliage filled his senses, grounding him.

A sudden rustling to his left prompted Lorian to duck just as a whip-like vine snapped overhead, tipped with a venomous barb. Glancing sideways, he saw a student manipulating the flora, her eyes glowing green with magical energy.

"You're not getting away!" she shouted, sending more animated vines lashing toward him.

Lorian dodged and weaved, the relic still clutched firmly in his hand. Spotting an opening, he leaped onto a fallen log and kicked off it, launching himself toward his assailant. Twisting midair to avoid another vine, he landed beside her. Before she could react, he tapped a pressure point on her wrist, causing her to drop her focus and severing her control over the plants.

"Better luck next time," he said softly, sprinting deeper into the forest.

The trees began to thin as he approached a small stream winding through the woods. He heard the rush of water over stones—a potential obstacle or an opportunity. Behind him, the cacophony of his pursuers drew closer.

Reaching the stream, Lorian didn't slow. He bounded across the slick rocks, his balance impeccable. On the opposite bank, a trio of second-year students awaited, spells at the ready.

"Hand over the relic, and we'll make this easy," one of them called out—a tall boy with a confident smirk, sparks dancing between his fingertips.

"Tempting," Lorian replied, "but I'll have to pass."

The boy hurled a bolt of lightning toward him. Reacting instantly, Lorian thrust the relic forward. The bolt struck the orb, dispersing harmlessly around it. Seizing the students' momentary surprise, he closed the distance.

He feinted a strike at the lightning caster, causing him to flinch. Shifting his weight, Lorian delivered a sweeping kick to the legs of the student on the right—a girl preparing a fire spell. She toppled sideways, her spell fizzling out as she hit the ground.

The remaining student, a stout boy wielding a mace, swung at Lorian's midsection. He twisted, feeling the rush of air as the mace passed mere inches from his ribs. Countering, Lorian delivered a quick jab to the student's forearm, numbing his grip and causing the mace to drop.

Seizing the opportunity, Lorian continued his escape, leaving the trio behind. The forest began to ascend into rocky terrain, the ground uneven beneath his feet. His breath came steadily, but he knew he couldn't keep this pace indefinitely.

Reaching a ridge overlooking a wide clearing, he paused to survey his surroundings. Below, several teams were converging—dozens of students scouring the area, their eyes searching hungrily for the relic. Word had spread quickly.

"Time to keep moving," he muttered.

Skirting the edge of the ridge, he aimed for a narrow path winding through a cluster of boulders. The path would provide cover and limit the angles from which he could be attacked. As he approached the rocks, a familiar gust of wind swept past him.

"You're persistent," Lorian said aloud, not needing to look to know Zephyr was behind him.

"You have something that belongs to me," Zephyr's voice echoed, filled with cold determination.

"I don't recall your name on it."

Zephyr unleashed a barrage of wind blades—sharp crescents slicing through the air. Lorian ducked behind a boulder, the stone splintering as the blades struck. He moved quickly, staying low as he navigated the maze of rocks.

From above, Rhyssa and two other teammates appeared, cutting off his exit. They advanced cautiously, magic shimmering at their fingertips.

"End of the line," Rhyssa declared.

Lorian's mind raced. Surrounded, but not defeated. He noticed loose gravel underfoot and a precariously balanced boulder perched atop the ridge. An idea formed.

"Maybe for you," he retorted.

He slammed his heel into the ground, channeling his energy into a focused shockwave. The vibration traveled through the earth, destabilizing the boulder. With a rumbling crack, it began to roll downhill—directly toward Zephyr and his team.

Shouts of alarm filled the air as they scrambled to avoid the massive stone barreling toward them. Seizing the distraction, Lorian sprinted toward a gap between the rocks.

Bursting through the other side, he found himself in the clearing he'd seen earlier. Dozens of eyes turned toward him, the relic's glow betraying his position.

"There he is!"

"Get him!"

The chorus of voices melded into a singular roar as the mass of students surged forward. Lorian took a deep breath, centering himself. He was outnumbered but not outmatched.

He dashed toward a fallen tree bridging a shallow ravine. As he crossed, a blast of ice coated the log in a slick sheen. His foot slipped, but he caught himself, dropping into a controlled slide down the side of the ravine. Reaching the bottom, he rolled to absorb the impact and continued running.

Several students pursued him into the ravine, spells flying. Fire scorched the air; bolts of arcane energy crackled around him. Lorian zigzagged, making himself a difficult target. He spotted a narrow tunnel carved into the ravine wall—too tight for most but accessible to him.

Darting inside, he moved through the confined space, the sounds of pursuit muffled. The tunnel emerged behind a waterfall cascading into a small pool. The curtain of water concealed him as he paused to catch his breath.

Outside, he could hear the frustration of the other students.

"Where did he go?"

"He couldn't have just vanished!"

Lorian allowed himself a slight smile. The constant movement was working. But he knew it was only a matter of time before they closed in again.