Brother

A diverse mix of students exited the tower, some clutching newly inscribed technique scrolls, their eyes gleaming with ambition and hope.

Others brandished Aqua Arts manuals, speaking animatedly about the techniques they had just acquired. In the center of the lively crowd, Nereus turned to Jonny and Triton, his eyes reflecting a fierce determination.

"Make sure you practice your Aqua Arts diligently," Nereus advised, his tone firm yet encouraging. "The Inner Core Disciple Selections are approaching fast. We need to be at our peak, or we'll be left behind."

Jonny's broad grin stretched across his chubby face, his eyes alight with excitement. "You can count on me. By the time the selections come around, I'll be able to summon a whole pack of Sea Shark Constructs"

Triton nodded enthusiastically. "Same here, I'm working hard on mastering Pressure Pulse. It's tough, but I can feel it getting smoother each time I practice. I think we should schedule some joint training sessions though. It'll help us sync up and learn each other's strengths and weaknesses."

"Good idea," Nereus agreed, his lips curving into a smile. "Let's start tomorrow at the training grounds."

Their conversation flowed freely, buoyed by shared enthusiasm and the promise of growth. But as their voices mingled with the surrounding chatter, a sudden, unsettling shift in the atmosphere caught their attention.

The lively buzz of conversation around them stilled, replaced by an undercurrent of tension.

A figure moved through the crowd, parting the students like a predator weaving through a school of fish.

Dante Caerule, his typically arrogant demeanor replaced by something more subdued and wary, approached hesitantly. His eyes, usually so full of disdain, flickered nervously as he glanced behind him.

A taller, much more imposing presence loomed over Dante—a presence that made even the bravest of the gathered students shrink back in fear.

Declan Caerule.

He was a mean figure, his body exuding a mild aura of power and menace.

Standing at least a head taller than his younger brother, Declan's physique was also much more toned, his muscles rippling under a thin layer of dull blue scales that glistened ominously under the ambient light.

His face was sharp and angular, with high cheekbones that lent him a regal yet predatory look. His eyes, a shade of dull blue, seemed cold and unfeeling, like those of a deep-sea remorseless predator that had sensed its prey and against the short dark curls on his head they only seemed to stand out more .

"Well, well, if it isn't the rising star of the Vorteesi sect," Declan sneered, his voice carrying effortlessly through the water, silencing all other noise. His gaze fixed on Nereus, the contempt in his expression as tangible as the oppressive sea pressure. "I hear you've been making quite a name for yourself, Argent."

A ripple of unease spread through the assembled students. They all knew Declan's reputation for getting into fights with younger disciples that led to many being crippled as such he was now a feared figure within the sect.

It was said that he was expected to become an Inner Core Disciple in one previous cycle's selections, when his cultivation progress unexpectedly stalled leading to him losing his spot.

Despite his fall from grace, his reputation and experience were undeniable, and as such few dared to cross him.

Nereus met Declan's gaze evenly, his own eyes unflinching. "Just doing what I need to do."

"Doing what you need to do?" Declan repeated softly, his voice a sinister purr. "You should be careful, Nereus. The path of a Sealocke is fraught with dangers. Sometimes, accidents happen... especially to those who overswim their bounds."

There was a dark, foreboding edge to Declan's words, and the thinly veiled threat sent a chill through the water around them. Meanwhile Jonny and Triton tensed beside Nereus, their muscles coiled and ready for action.

But surprisingly Nereus remained calm, his expression impassive.

"I appreciate your concern," Nereus replied coolly. "But I can handle myself."

Declan's sneer deepened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "We'll see about that."

With a flick of his powerful tail, Declan turned sharply, his long, sinuous tail trailing behind him like the wake of a mighty predator. Dante scrambled to follow, casting one last, fearful glance at Nereus before disappearing into the crowd after his elder brother.

The tension in the water dissipated slightly as Declan's menacing presence receded, but the encounter left an indelible impression on everyone present.

"Gods, that guy gives me the creeps," Jonny muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper. "You could feel the killing intent coming off him in waves."

"Yeah," Triton agreed, his face pale. "But… do you think he's serious? He for sure looked like he'd tear us apart without a second thought."

Nereus shrugged, his expression composed but his eyes thoughtful. "It's probably just a pompous bluff. Mer like him thrive on fear and intimidation. But let's not waste any more time worrying about it—our focus should be on getting stronger."

The conversation soon shifted back to their training plans, and time flew by as the students finished their business at the Aqua Arts Tower and began to make their way home.

Soon enough Nereus found himself alone, as Jonny had to run an errand for his father and Triton had to help his mother cook.

Appreciating his solitude he decided to head home on a different path that took him through a discreet area a distance away from the sect.

It was a place where the late Argent had liked to go to clear his mind, near some wilderness and a sprawling coral field.

The coral field itself was a breathtaking sight, teeming with vibrant colors and diverse marine life. Schools of fish darted through the coral, and the gentle sway of sea plants created a serene, almost hypnotic atmosphere.

Swimming leisurely through it for a moment, he enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty of his surroundings.

'Hmm I must admit' he thought to himself relaxed during his swim , 'this tranquility is a welcome respite from the constant pressures of this remedial sect life I've been reborn into.'

However, his moment of peace was short-lived.

As he swam closer to home, he sensed a disturbance in the sea essence around him.

His instincts sharpened, he quickly became aware of three powerful sea essence signatures closing in on him from all sides with palpable killing intent radiating from them that was unmistakable.

Nereus's heart raced as he realized the danger he was in.

Three opponents at the peak of the Reef Master level were a serious threat. And while he had made significant progress in his cultivation, facing three such powerful adversaries simultaneously would push him to his limits and it still might not be enough.

'No time to waste' he thought quickly

Summoning all his focus, Nereus called forth his sea wraiths.

The spectral entities appeared by his side, their forms flickering like shadows in the water.

With a mental command, he then ordered them to turn invisible and prepare for the battle.

The tension in the water grew as the sea wraiths vanished from sight, their presence now a hidden advantage.

Nereus's mind raced, calculating his next move.

He couldn't afford to underestimate his opponents or let his guard down for even a moment.

As the three sea essence signatures drew closer, the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive. With his senses locked on high alert, every muscle in his body coiled and was ready to react.

He knew that the upcoming battle would be a test of his strength, skill, and resourcefulness.

'Who could this be though...Declan? Brutus? Sea monsters?' he quickly thought to himself, his mind was already working to figure out the culprits of this orchestration.

The coral field, once a place of tranquility, now felt like a battleground. The vibrant colors and gentle sway of the sea plants overshadowed by the impending danger.

Be that as it may, Nereus could only steel himself for whatever was to come.

He knew that the moment of confrontation was imminent.

Almost as if it knew the same, the water around him seemed to hold its breath, the tension within it palpable.