Chapter 37: Beast Will-I
ARTHUR LEYWIN'S POV: The day after my meeting with Director Goodsky and the unexpected conversation with Lance Alea, I found myself heading toward the Disciplinary Committee (DC) office. It was evening, and after a long day of classes, I was eager to get some training in. I had arranged for a practice sparring session with Claire this morning, and now it was time to see how much she had progressed.As I entered the training room, I spotted Claire already there, practicing her rapier skills. She moved with precision, her movements sharp and controlled as she struck at an imaginary opponent. Ignatius, her bond, was perched nearby in his eagle form, watching over her like a vigilant guardian.I approached her quietly, observing the intensity of her training. There was a certain focus in her eyes, a determination that suggested she was close to unlocking something significant. From what I could sense, Claire was on the verge of unlocking the first phase of her beast will—something she had been working toward for a while now with Ignatius."You're really pushing yourself," I remarked as I stepped closer, catching her attention.Claire paused, lowering her rapier as she turned to face me. "I have to," she replied, a faint smile on her lips. "Ignatius has been pushing me harder lately. I can feel it... I'm so close."I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. Unlocking a beast will was a monumental step in any mage's journey, and I could see how much it meant to her. "That's why we're here, right? To push ourselves and get stronger."She chuckled softly, "Exactly. So, are you ready for our sparring session?""Always," I replied, drawing Dawn's Ballad and taking a stance.THIRD PERSON'S POV:Arthur stood ready, his grip firm on Dawn's Ballad as he took his stance. Claire mirrored his movements, raising her rapier with a focused intensity. They stared at each other, each one carefully analyzing the other's posture, waiting for the slightest hint of an opening.Claire was the first to move, launching herself at Arthur with calculated precision. Her movements were swift and controlled, reminiscent of Kaspian's style. Though she still had a ways to go to reach his level, her skill was undeniable. The clash of rapier against blade echoed through the training room as they engaged in close combat.Arthur effortlessly parried her strikes, his movements fluid and almost casual. Despite Claire's best efforts, her rapier couldn't find its mark. Each time she thought she had an opening, Arthur would counter or evade with ease. It was as if he could predict her every move before she made it.Claire finally stepped back, frustration flickering in her eyes. "You're still the same as ever, Arthur—impossible to land a hit on."Arthur gave her a small, encouraging smile. "You're holding back, Claire. Why don't you use your fire and lightning magic?"She hesitated, the pride of a sixth-year student evident in her expression. "It stings my pride, you know, being overpowered by a first-year like this. But..." She let out a small sigh, accepting the reality of the situation. "I don't have any other choice, do I?""Not if you want to push yourself," Arthur replied, lowering his sword slightly but still maintaining his stance. "Don't hold back. Show me what you've got."Claire nodded, determination returning to her gaze. Taking a deep breath, she channeled her mana, and the air around her crackled with energy as flames began to dance along her rapier, mingling with arcs of lightning. The atmosphere in the room shifted, the temperature rising as her elemental magic came to life.Claire's intensity surged as she fully unleashed her magic, her rapier becoming a blazing extension of her will. Fire bullets, reminiscent of the wind bullets her uncle—Kaspian used, shot out in rapid succession. Each one was precise and deadly, aiming to catch Arthur off guard. Simultaneously, she used her internal lightning to enhance her speed, just as Arthur had instructed her in their previous sparring sessions.But despite her best efforts, Arthur effortlessly dodged each attack, his movements swift and fluid. He seemed to be in two places at once, evading her strikes with almost supernatural precision. Claire's frustration mounted as she pushed herself harder, her attacks growing more relentless. Yet, no matter how fast she moved or how accurately she aimed, Arthur was always a step ahead, evading her assaults in the nick of time.Minutes passed, and Claire's breath began to quicken from the exertion. But she wasn't ready to give up. She knew she had more within her, something that had been bubbling under the surface for a while now. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, gathering an immense amount of fire mana in her hand. The air around her seemed to shimmer with heat as she concentrated, pulling every ounce of her strength into this final move.Suddenly, runes began to appear on Claire's body, glowing with an intense, fiery light. They were strikingly similar to the ones Arthur had seen on Ignatius in his original wolf form, though less complex and less prominent. The runes pulsed with raw power, and the fire in Claire's hand grew into a raging inferno, ready to be unleashed.Arthur's eyes narrowed as he observed the transformation. He could feel the surge of power radiating from Claire, and he knew that this was no ordinary attack. She had tapped into something deeper—the first phase of her Beast Will awakening. This was a defining moment for her, and Arthur realized he needed to evade whatever was coming next.Claire opened her eyes, now glowing with the intensity of her gathered mana. With a determined shout, she thrust her hand forward, releasing the concentrated fire mana in a massive, all-encompassing blast aimed directly at Arthur. The runes on her body flared with energy as the attack hurtled toward him, filling the training room with a searing heat.The moment Claire unleashed her powerful attack, Arthur's instincts kicked in. The sheer speed and intensity of the blast left him no time to react conventionally, so he instantly activated [Static Void], separating himself from the flow of time. With a precise [Blink Step], he darted out of the attack's path, narrowly avoiding the searing wave of fire.As Arthur regained his footing, his eyes widened with a sudden realization: the fire blast wasn't just any attack. It was powerful enough to cause significant damage to the training room and potentially harm others nearby. Just as he was about to consider his next move, Ignatius, Claire's bond, appeared in front of the oncoming firestorm.For a brief moment, Arthur's heart raced, fearing what might happen next. But in a display of incredible control and understanding, Ignatius absorbed the fire blast effortlessly, nullifying its destructive force as if it were nothing. The flames disappeared, leaving the room unscathed.As the last remnants of the flames dissipated, Arthur turned around, his gaze immediately landing on Claire. She was lying on the floor, unconscious, her body drained from the immense effort of using the first phase of her Beast Will. The runes that had once glowed with fiery intensity were now dim, and her mana reserves depleted.Arthur quickly approached her, concern evident in his eyes, but before he could reach her, Ignatius, in his eagle form, landed gracefully beside Claire.[She pushed herself too far,] Ignatius said, his voice a deep rumble that resonated in the quiet room. [It's not uncommon for someone on the verge of unlocking their first phase to overexert themselves. But she'll recover with some rest.]Arthur nodded, grateful for the reassurance. Picking her up in his arms, Arthur went to the nearby bench laying her on it. Once she lay there, Arthur asked, "How did you nullify her attack so easily?" he was still amazed by how smoothly Ignatius had neutralized the blast.Ignatius turned his gaze back to Claire, his expression softening slightly. [That's because the fire mana she used was an extension of my own power. I know its structure, and its flow, better than anyone. Nullifying it wasn't difficult.]"In any case, thank you," Arthur said sincerely. "For protecting her, and for preventing any damage."Ignatius inclined his head slightly. [She is my bond; it's my duty to protect her. But she also needs to learn her limits and grow stronger from experiences like this.]Arthur understood the weight of those words. Growth often came through challenges, and Claire had just taken a significant step in her journey. He glanced at her peaceful, albeit exhausted, form, feeling a sense of respect for her determination.~~A/N: Well, sorry for such a short chapter, but this was all there was to it. Couldn't think of anything new to add after this, anyway, things are going to get interesting from moving forward, so be ready and vote for the chapter if you like it. Also, I am half drunk, so tell me if there is any mistake.Reminder: Just in case you don't know, there is another fanfic, that is a sub-part of this story, so check it out too. The name is TBATE: CAERA.