Shadow_Rein

The haunting silence left by Ray's vanishing act echoes through Aquacriddle Rein's life, forcing him to shoulder the weight of their family's legacy. Driven by a desperate hope and an unwavering resolve, Aqua enters a renowned academy, a crucible where he must forge his own strength. Here, amidst relentless trials and the forging of deep friendships, Aqua's journey becomes a testament to resilience. He must not only master his skills but also confront the haunting absence of his brother, proving that even in the face of loss, the human spirit can endure, and that even silence cannot extinguish the hope of reunion.

Shadow of Rein

After finishing their turns, Aqua and Casial returned to their spot near the edge of the training field, letting the other students step up. The air hummed with tension as the students glanced at Aqua and Casial, their confidence faltering after witnessing the pair's stellar performance. The murmurs were faint but unmistakable—a mix of awe and intimidation.

Lucas, who had initially designed the training to challenge but not overwhelm the first-years, found himself readjusting his expectations. When preparing for the class, he hadn't anticipated needing the highest intensity of the magic circles, something even some second-years struggled with. Yet Aqua and Casial had proven capable, surpassing what Lucas thought possible.

Noticing the unease rippling through the remaining students, Lucas spoke in a reassuring tone. "You don't need to worry. This is just the beginning—you're not expected to pass the highest intensity right away. Not even some second-years can handle it."

His words seemed to relax the students, though they still stole glances at Aqua and Casial with a mixture of awe and curiosity. Slowly, the remaining students began taking their turns, stepping into the glowing circles one by one. Aqua leaned back against a wooden rack of practice swords, arms crossed, and watched silently. Beside him, Casial seemed more animated, his grin wide as he observed the attempts.

"They're not bad for third-circle mana hearts," Aqua remarked quietly, his tone neutral yet analytical. "But the instructor seems a little disappointed."

Casial nodded, noticing the faint trace of disappointment in Lucas's expression. Lucas, however, recognized the reality of the situation. These students weren't performing poorly; his heightened excitement was simply a byproduct of witnessing Aqua, Casial, and even Jonathan—a trio whose abilities marked them as extraordinary within their class. Jonathan might have been considered the best in another batch, but next to Aqua and Casial, even his talent seemed overshadowed. Lucas silently acknowledged that his disappointment stemmed from his own overzealous expectations.

As the task progressed, lasers shot relentlessly, testing each student's skill and resolve. By the end, out of 53 students, only a handful passed. Jonathan, though struck by a laser earlier, was considered to have passed for successfully dodging the required intensity before his slip.

Lucas addressed the class, his tone measured but encouraging. "You may have believed you were good enough already. Don't let that block your vision. Practice your footwork in your spare time—refine it. The same magic circles are set up in the dormitory training hall with adjustable intensity." His gaze swept across the students, lingering on Aqua and Casial for a fraction longer, before he added, "That's it for today's class. See you all tomorrow."

With a gentle expression, Lucas left the training field, his figure disappearing into the stone corridors of the academy. Aqua and Casial lingered briefly before leaving for their next class. As they walked, Aqua glanced at Casial and thought quietly to himself, Maybe it isn't so bad having a friend after all.

Rising Expectations