The sharp clang of the academy bell pierced the stillness of early morning, its relentless echo bouncing off the cold stone walls of the dormitory. Jin stirred reluctantly from his thin mattress, groaning as soreness spread through his muscles from the previous day’s training. He rubbed his eyes and stared at the ceiling, mentally preparing for another day of trials.

Ryen, as always, was less enthused. He turned away from the sound, dragging his blanket over his head. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled.

“Not unless you want to run laps as punishment,” Jin said, tugging at the blanket.

Ryen groaned loudly but sat up, his hair sticking up in wild angles. “This place doesn’t believe in mercy, does it?”

“Not for recruits,” Jin replied, grinning. “Now get moving.”

They dressed quickly, falling into the rhythm of their morning routine. Jin’s thoughts, however, were elsewhere—on the announcement from last night: Midterm Evaluations. It was all anyone could talk about at dinner, and the anxiety in the dorm had been palpable even after lights-out.

“You’re overthinking again,” Ryen said, catching Jin staring blankly at his boots.

“I can’t help it,” Jin admitted. “These evaluations could decide everything. What if—”

Ryen clapped him on the shoulder, cutting him off. “What if you crush it? Which you will. Now let’s go before Arla hunts us down.”

The recruits assembled in the sparring arena, a circular space lined with enchanted runes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Instructor Arla stood in the center, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. She wore her signature scowl, her arms crossed in a way that promised no leniency.

“Today’s evaluation,” she began, her voice commanding silence, “focuses on combat proficiency. Your task is to neutralize your opponent using any means necessary—magic, strategy, or physical skill. Remember, this isn’t about brute strength but execution.”

A ripple of unease moved through the recruits. Jin clenched his fists, determined not to let his nerves show.

Names were called one by one, and each duel brought cheers, groans, or tense silence from the sidelines. When Jin’s name was announced alongside Maric’s, a collective murmur swept through the crowd. Maric was a top-tier recruit, known for his speed and precision with lightning magic.

As Jin stepped into the ring, he focused on steadying his breathing. Across from him, Maric gave a cocky smirk, twirling his staff with practiced ease.

“Ready to lose, farm boy?” Maric taunted.

Jin ignored him, gripping his staff tightly. When the signal to begin was given, Maric struck immediately, a bolt of lightning arcing toward Jin. He barely dodged, the heat crackling past his ear.

Maric pressed the attack, his strikes relentless and precise. Jin struggled to keep up, dodging and blocking as best he could. But then he noticed something—Maric’s rhythm. Each strike was preceded by a subtle shift in his stance.

Jin decided to gamble. When the next strike came, he sidestepped and swept his staff upward, disarming Maric with a sharp motion. The other boy stumbled, and Jin didn’t hesitate. He pointed his staff directly at Maric’s chest, signaling the end of the match.

The crowd erupted into cheers and surprised murmurs. Maric scowled but said nothing as he retrieved his staff.

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Instructor Arla gave Jin a rare nod of approval. “Strategy wins battles. Well done.”

Jin returned to the sidelines, his heart still racing. Ryen clapped him on the back. “You’re full of surprises, Jin. Who knew you had it in you?”

After a brief break, the recruits were escorted to the Rift Simulation Chamber—a cavernous hall enchanted to recreate real-world scenarios. The room was dimly lit, its high ceilings disappearing into shadow. Today’s test was a simulated Feralis incursion, designed to evaluate teamwork and resourcefulness.

The recruits were divided into teams of six. Jin found himself with Lira, Ryen, Corin, Elric, and Tessa. Their assignment: defend a fortified outpost against waves of Feralis.

As the simulation began, the environment transformed into a dense forest surrounding a crumbling stone fort. The illusion was so vivid that Jin could feel the damp earth beneath his boots and hear the distant rustle of leaves.

“Defensive positions!” Jin called, taking charge instinctively.

Ryen and Corin held the front lines, their brute strength keeping the Feralis at bay. Lira conjured barriers of swirling water, while Elric fortified the defenses with walls of stone. Tessa moved among them, her hands glowing with healing magic as she tended to injuries.

Jin used his wind magic to disrupt the Feralis’ formations, scattering smaller creatures and buying his team precious seconds. The simulated Feralis were relentless, their claws raking against the barriers as they tried to break through.

“Left flank is collapsing!” Lira shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Jin and Corin responded immediately. Corin slammed his hands into the ground, creating a jagged barricade of stone, while Jin unleashed a powerful gust of wind to drive the creatures back.

After what felt like hours, the final wave subsided. The recruits were battered and exhausted but victorious. Instructor Arla appeared, her stern expression betraying a hint of approval.

“This team demonstrated excellent coordination,” she said. “You’ve earned high marks. Dismissed.”

As they left the chamber, Jin felt a surge of pride. For the first time, he truly believed he was capable of making a difference.

After lunch, the recruits regrouped for their specialization classes. Jin joined the elemental magic course, where Instructor Zayla awaited them with her usual enthusiasm.

“Today,” she began, “we will explore the concept of elemental synergy. Combining elements is an advanced skill, but even novices can grasp the basics with practice. Pair up and experiment.”

Jin was paired with Lira, whose calm demeanor balanced his own nervous energy. Their task was to create a cyclone by merging water and wind magic.

“Start with a steady flow,” Lira instructed, shaping a sphere of water between her hands. “I’ll maintain the structure while you add the wind.”

Their first attempt ended in disaster, the water sphere bursting and soaking them both. Lira laughed, shaking droplets from her hair.

“Let’s try again,” she said. “This time, don’t force it. Think of it as a dance—one leads, the other follows.”

On their second attempt, they found harmony. The water spiraled into a shimmering vortex, its movements guided by Jin’s controlled gusts. The cyclone whirled above their heads, a dazzling display of teamwork and focus.

“Impressive,” Zayla said, watching closely. “Elemental synergy requires trust and balance, and you’ve demonstrated both. Keep practicing.”

The academy’s sprawling grounds became a familiar maze as the recruits moved between classes. Pathways lined with glowing crystals connected lecture halls, training areas, and dormitories. The air buzzed with energy, both magical and nervous.

As Jin and Ryen crossed a stone bridge overlooking a tranquil pond, Jin glanced at the shimmering barrier that protected the academy.

“Do you ever wonder what’s out there?” he asked.

“Beyond the barrier?” Ryen shrugged. “Probably more Feralis. Why, you thinking of taking a stroll?”

Jin laughed. “Not exactly. Just curious.”

They passed the library, its towering doors carved with runes. Jin felt a pang of curiosity but pushed it aside. There would be time for exploration later—after the evaluations.

Back in the dormitory, Jin sat by the window, holding his Feralis Core. Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, as if alive.

“What do you think it’s trying to tell you?” Lira’s voice startled him.

Jin turned to see her standing in the doorway, her violet eyes reflecting the Core’s light.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But it feels… important. Like it’s waiting for something.”

Lira stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. “Cores are fragments of something greater. Maybe it’s waiting for you to figure out what that means.”

Before Jin could respond, Ryen and Corin burst into the room, carrying a box of bread and fruit.

“Snack time!” Corin declared.

The four recruits gathered, sharing stories and laughter. For the first time, Jin felt like he truly belonged.