Novels2Search
The Last Disciple of Elyndra
Chapter 23.5 (Part 1) / Interlude / The Training of the Solar Blades

Chapter 23.5 (Part 1) / Interlude / The Training of the Solar Blades

The sun of Lunaris shone high in the sky, bathing the palace's training arena in golden light. The air vibrated with a familiar energy, a mix of excitement and apprehension for the challenges ahead. Caelum, his silver hair tousled by the morning breeze, stood at the center of the arena, surrounded by his companions and members of the Solar Blades.

Cadian, the charismatic bard of the Solar Blades, stepped forward, a mischievous smile on his lips. "Well, my young prodigies," he began, his voice easily carrying to the stands where the other group members had settled. "Today, we're going to push your limits a bit further. It's time to truly master the art of verbal incantations."

A murmur of excitement ran through the group. Dorian, always eager for new knowledge, leaned forward, his eyes shining with interest.

"As you know," Cadian continued, "magic is a powerful but capricious force. Verbal incantations are a way to channel and focus this power with more precision. Think of it as the key that unlocks all your potential."

Soju, the stoic warrior, added in her deep voice: "Words have power, children. They can hurt, heal... and in our case, shape reality itself. The precision of your incantations can make the difference between life and death on a battlefield."

Caelum exchanged a glance with his friends. They had already experienced the power of incantations, but the idea of perfecting them was both exciting and intimidating.

"Who wants to start?" asked Cadian, a playful smile on his lips.

An awkward silence settled. Finally, Kaela stepped forward, her amber eyes shining with determination. "I'll go," she said with a defiant air.

Cadian nodded approvingly. "Very well, Kaela. Show us what you can do with your 'Radiant Dash: Ember Trail!'"

Kaela took a deep breath, concentrating intensely. "Radiant Dash: Ember Trail!" she proclaimed in a clear and assured voice.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, Kaela was enveloped in a flaming aura. She dashed across the arena at a stunning speed, leaving behind a trail of golden sparks. However, as she tried to stop, she stumbled, rolling over herself before coming to a halt in a cloud of dust.

A stunned silence was followed by a general burst of laughter. Raven, a rare smile on his lips, was the first by her side, offering a hand to help her up.

"Well," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "one could say you really set the track on fire, Kaela."

Kaela, dusting off her outfit, gave him a mock outraged look. "Oh, shut up. As if you could do better, Mr. Shadow Man."

Cadian, suppressing a laugh, intervened: "That was an excellent demonstration of power, Kaela. Now, we just need to work on control. Who wants to try next?"

Caelum, feeling the gazes turn to him, sighed inwardly. "Alright," he said, stepping forward, "I'll give it a shot."

He positioned himself at the center of the arena, aware of the eyes fixed on him. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the flow of magic coursing through him.

"Sacred Light: Radiant Blade!" he invoked, his voice resonating in the air.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

A blinding light burst from his hand, taking the form of a gleaming sword. For a moment, Caelum felt the pure power of the light blade vibrating between his fingers. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the blade dissipated, leaving Caelum with a tingling sensation in his hand.

"Not bad, not bad at all," commented Cadian. "You managed to form the blade, that's already a big step. Now, we need to work on duration."

Picaia, one of the Solar Blades, couldn't help adding with a wink: "Don't worry, Caelum. I'm sure Velyria will appreciate your efforts to maintain your blade longer."

Caelum's cheeks instantly flushed, provoking a new wave of laughter in the group. Even Soju sketched a rare smile.

"Alright, alright," Cadian intervened, restoring calm. "Who wants to be the next to dazzle us? Raven, perhaps?"

Raven, usually so discreet, stepped forward with feline grace. Without a word, he closed his eyes, concentrating intensely.

"Shadow Cloak: Veil of Darkness!" he murmured, his voice barely audible.

The effect was immediate and spectacular. The shadows seemed to thicken around Raven, enveloping him like a living cloak. In the blink of an eye, he had almost completely disappeared from view, only a blurry silhouette betraying his presence.

An impressed murmur ran through the assembly. Even Cadian seemed stunned.

"Incredible, Raven," he said. "You have a natural affinity with shadows. Now, let's see if you can maintain this veil while moving."

The training continued like this for hours, each member of the group working on mastering their unique spells. Dorian perfected his "Wind's Whisper: Tactical Insight!", managing to share strategic information with his companions through gentle breezes.

As the day progressed, the young heroes began to grasp the importance and power of verbal incantations. Each successful spell was met with enthusiastic encouragement, each mistake with benevolent advice and sometimes friendly jokes.

As the sun began to decline, Cadian gathered the group for a final exercise.

"Now," he said, "we're going to see how you fare in a combat situation. Form teams of two and face each other, but only using your spells. No physical contact."

Caelum found himself facing Kaela, while Raven teamed up with Dorian.

"Ready to bite the dust, oh great hero of Myralis?" Kaela teased him, a provocative smile on her lips.

Caelum returned her smile. "In your dreams, walking fireball."

At Cadian's signal, the battle began. Kaela was the first to act, invoking her "Radiant Dash: Ember Trail!" to charge towards Caelum at lightning speed. But this time, she perfectly controlled her stop, coming to a halt right in front of him in a whirlwind of sparks.

Caelum, caught off guard, hastily retreated. "Sacred Light: Radiant Blade!" he shouted, making his light sword appear. He whirled it in front of him, creating a shimmering barrier.

On the other side of the arena, Raven and Dorian were engaged in a more subtle duel. Raven was using his "Shadow Cloak: Veil of Darkness!" to blend into the shadows, while Dorian was trying to locate him using his "Wind's Whisper: Tactical Insight!".

The fight continued for several intense minutes, each pushing their limits and discovering new ways to use their powers. Finally, Cadian whistled, signaling the end of the exercise.

"Impressive, truly impressive," he said, his face beaming with pride. "You've all made huge progress today. Remember, practice is the key. The more you use these incantations, the more natural they will become."

As the group dispersed, exhausted but satisfied, Caelum felt a hand gently rest on his shoulder. It was Kaela, a big smile on her lips.

"Hey, Mr. Hero!" she called out. "What do you say we go cool off in the baths? I feel like even Raven's shadows are starting to flee from his smell."

"Hey!" Raven protested, feigning indignation. "My shadows love my manly scent, I'll have you know."

The group burst into laughter, the tension of the day dissipating in good humor. As they headed towards the baths, Caelum couldn't help but smile. Despite the challenges that awaited them, he knew that with such friends by his side - and with their new powers - they could face anything.

Later, as Caelum was preparing to return to his room for the night, Cadian stopped him for a moment.

"You have a gift, Caelum," he said seriously. "A gift that could change the course of events to come. Keep working hard, and never forget: true strength comes as much from the heart as from the words you speak."

With these enigmatic words, Cadian left him, leaving Caelum deep in thought. As he fell asleep that night, his dreams were filled with dancing blades of light and an uncertain but promising future. And somewhere, in a corner of his mind, a thought persisted: he wondered how Velyria's training with Lady Aria was going.