Vivien’s Magic

While the covert efforts surrounding the secret project quietly unfolded behind the scenes, elsewhere within the grand halls of the academy, the specialized training session for the Child of Light was officially underway, a session unlike any before, for it marked Vivien's very first class since ascending to the prestigious position of President of the Child of Light. Her appointment, though celebrated by many, stirred a silent storm in the heart of Lucas, whose resentment burned ever hotter with each passing day. In his mind, the limelight that now illuminated Vivien's path was one that should rightfully have shone on him, a bitter conviction that gnawed at his pride like a slow, unrelenting flame. Yet Vivien, ever poised and composed, carried herself with quiet dignity; she neither acknowledged his bitterness nor allowed his silent hostility to tarnish her focus. To her, Lucas was but a fleeting shadow in the corner of a much grander stage she was now determined to claim with unwavering grace.

"You must be the new president."

The words floated through the room almost like a wisp of breeze, drawing the attention of every student gathered under the modest banner of the Child of Lights. The voice belonged to none other than Sai, the instructor whose mere presence seemed to command both silence and scrutiny. He stepped into the hall with an air of quiet authority, his gaze sweeping over the group until it landed with deliberate calm on the young faces before him.

Among those faces, one twisted into a barely concealed expression of disdain. Lucas, ever unable to mask his simmering displeasure, let out a nearly inaudible scoff, a sharp "Tch," that never quite made it past his throat, though the slight curl of his lips betrayed the grin he wore like a weapon. Sai, catching this subtle act of defiance, responded only with a small, knowing smile , a smile that seemed to say he understood far more than Lucas wished. Without a word, he continued his slow, deliberate walk toward the heart of the assembly.

At last, from the neat line of students, stepped a girl whose composure seemed almost carved from marble. Her posture was straight, her chin lifted just so, eyes unwavering as they met Sai's. Vivien Reyes, newly appointed president of the First Year Child of Lights, lowered herself into a graceful, respectful bow. Her voice was clear, neither timid nor overly bold, striking that rare chord of balance.

"Greetings, Teacher. I am Vivien, Vivien Reyes. It is my honor to serve as the new president of the First Year division of Child of Lights."

For a moment, Sai studied her in silence. His sharp eyes roamed over the girl standing with a poise that belied her youth, a girl who, unlike many before her, did not shrink beneath the weight of his scrutiny. When he finally spoke, his tone was edged with an almost playful warning.

"Do not for a moment expect me to grant you any favors simply because you happen to be the dean's granddaughter," he said, his voice even, but carrying just enough gravity to make clear it was no idle remark.

Yet beneath that carefully controlled exterior, something warm and quietly hopeful stirred within him. For all his sternness, Sai found himself inwardly relieved, even glad, that at last someone worthy of the position had come forth, someone who might not only uphold the dignity of her title but perhaps keep that ever rebellious Lucas in check.

Vivien offered only a silent nod in reply, but it was a nod that spoke volumes: of acceptance, of resolve, and of an unspoken promise that she would rise to whatever expectations were set before her. In that brief exchange, something unspoken passed between teacher and student, a tacit understanding that this was but the beginning of a new chapter, fraught with challenges yet also ripe with promise.

"Well then, shall we begin today's lesson?"

Sai's words cut cleanly through the gentle hum of murmured conversations that had sprung up among the gathered students. A spark of eager anticipation flickered across many faces. His sharp gaze, which had already swept over them more times than they could count, now settled with deliberate precision on the girl who stood with unflinching calm at the front of the group.

"I've already taken ample measure of each of your abilities in previous sessions," Sai continued, his voice laced with the slightest edge of challenge. "All except for one of you, that is. So, why don't we start today with a little sparring? It will give us the perfect opportunity to properly assess Vivien's capabilities. Let us see if she truly stands above the rest of you, as her title would suggest."

At once, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowds. Whispers rose and fell, curiosity shining bright in the eyes of every student present. After all, Vivien Reyes was not just any studnet, she was the newly appointed president of the First Year Child of Lights, a position reserved for the strongest among them. Titles, however, were easy enough to bestow, it was witnessing raw, undeniable power with their own eyes that each student craved.

Vivien herself met Sai's announcement with nothing more than a calm nod. Her expression remained serene, almost detached, as though the idea of proving herself before so many eager onlookers was as routine as breathing. Without hesitation, she stepped forward to the center of the training ground, every movement measured and deliberate, her posture betraying neither arrogance nor fear.

There, under the watchful eyes of her fellow team and her instructor alike, Vivien lowered into a ready stance, her focus narrowing like a blade honed to a fine edge. The gentle breeze stirred the edges of her uniform, carrying with it a palpable tension that seemed to bind the entire group together in a single shared breath.

Sai stood 10 meters infront of her and mounted "Make the first move, Vivien," Vivien without a second thought nodded and the air in the grounds changed, he eyes were glowing as she mounted "Waters, rise and heed my call,"

With a sharp breath, the Vivien extended her hand, fingers splayed as if grasping for something just beyond reach. The air around their palm shimmered, droplets condensing out of nowhere, swirling in tight, eager spirals.

A moment later, with a whispered incantation, those droplets surged forward, twisting together into a sinuous, spear-like jet of water. It shot through the air with a serpentine hiss, carving a clear path as it raced across the ten meter gap.

The force of the spell was such that the water seemed almost solid, a glittering lance that threatened to pierce through armor or knock the breath from the lungs of any who dared stand in its way. When it struck, it hit with a heavy, concussive splash, enough to stagger the target backward, drench them to the bone, and leave bruises blooming beneath their skin.

Tiny shards of cold spray fanned out from the impact point, pattering the ground like rain, and for a heartbeat, silence reigned before the water pooled and soaked into the earth, leaving only trembling bodies and the memory of raw elemental power.

"Her water magic…" Olivia breathed out the words as if they were torn from her lungs, eyes wide with awe. "It's far more powerful than anything I've ever witnessed. If the instructor had taken that blast head-on, he'd be nursing more than just a bruise, he'd surely have suffered serious damage."

Her astonishment only seemed to deepen the scowl darkening Lucas's face. His jaw tightened, and he curled his hands into tight, trembling fists at his sides, knuckles whitening with strain.

"Tch… damn you…" he muttered under his breath, voice thick with frustration and envy that burned hotter than ever.

All around them, the gathered students held their breath, eyes fixed on the lingering mist where the instructor had vanished. A tense hush settled over the training ground, every heart drumming in sync as they waited for Sai to reappear. Then, just as the vapor began to fade, a dark silhouette slipped from the haze, but not where anyone expected.

"Good," came Sai's voice, rich with amusement and something dangerously close to pride. "I'm impressed."

The words drifted out from behind Vivien, whose posture stiffened at once.

Olivia's hand flew to her mouth. "T-this… this is exactly what he did when he sparred with Lucas…" she whispered, horror and wonder twining together in her tone.

Sai's presence was suddenly at Vivien's back, close enough that his breath might have stirred her hair. "You performed well," he said quietly, his hand descending almost lazily to rest on her slender shoulder. "But it seems your sense still needs honing, doesn't it?"

Or so he thought.

Because the instant his hand made contact, the girl before him fractured, her entire form cracking into a brilliant lattice of ice. Sai's eyes widened a fraction, and before he could recoil, the ice snapped shut around his wrist, imprisoning it in a glittering, crystalline vice.

A collective gasp swept through the spectators.

Vivien was no longer where Sai had thought; instead, she stood several paces behind him, her gaze calm and sharp as a drawn blade. The instructor twisted slightly, stunned into rare silence, then let out a short, astonished laugh.

"She managed to cast a secondary spell, merge it with the first, and set a trap, all at once…" Sai murmured, his tone now laced with unmistakable admiration. "To think a first-year could pull off something like this. Truly, as expected of the dean's granddaughter. I doubt there's anyone among you who could best her in a duel."

With that, Sai conceded the match, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, the sort of smile that admitted defeat but also hinted at genuine delight in seeing such promise.

The crowd erupted into murmurs and stunned exclamations. Many were wide eyed, their understanding of what was possible shattered in that moment. And Lucas, standing rigid among them, felt the embers of his resentment roar into an even hotter blaze, his fury now sharpened by the raw sting of humilation.