Bonds and Bravado
Chapter 7: Bonds and Bravado
The academy's halls buzzed with energy as Talon made his way to the cafeteria. The aftermath of the sparring matches had left its mark; students whispered as he passed, some in admiration, others in envy. He'd secured his place at the top, but it was clear that not everyone was ready to accept him as the best.
Sliding his tray onto the table where Edrik and a few others had gathered, Talon noted the shifting dynamics. Eyes darted to him more often, and the conversations occasionally trailed off when he joined.
"You're officially famous now," Edrik teased, gesturing to the room. "You know they're all trying to figure out how you beat Jarek so cleanly, right?"
Talon shrugged, tearing into a piece of bread. "Let 'em wonder. I'm not here to impress them."
"That's what makes it worse," Lira chimed in, her sharp eyes narrowing with amusement. She had joined them after watching the matches, though her rank kept her below the radar. "You're the mystery boy with a big win and no obvious weakness. They'll want to find out what makes you tick."
"Let them try," Talon replied, his voice tinged with challenge. He'd spent enough time underestimating himself in the past; now, he was done playing small.
---
After breakfast, the first-year students were herded into the auditorium for a special lecture on academy ethics and field protocol. The towering screens displayed images of Rift Zones, swirling with energy and teeming with monsters of various ranks. An older professor with a heavy gait and a thick beard strode onto the stage. His presence commanded immediate silence.
"I am Professor Drenik, head of Monster Ecology," he began, his voice a low rumble. "And if you hope to survive beyond these walls, you'll pay attention."
Talon leaned forward, intrigued. The professor gestured to the images behind him.
"Monsters are categorized not just by rank, but by origin and behavior. Understanding what drives them can mean the difference between victory and annihilation. For instance, take the C-rank Hypogriff—vicious and territorial, but predictable when cornered." The screen shifted to show the beast in mid-roar. "Contrast that with the A-rank Hydra. Intelligent, calculating, and capable of coordinating with others. Do not assume that higher ranks simply mean bigger claws. It's the cunning ones that will outthink you."
Edrik nudged Talon. "Maybe that explains why you did so well. You've got the cunning part down."
"Or maybe Jarek was all claws and no brains," Talon quipped, earning a quiet chuckle.
The lecture continued, delving into Rift anomalies and survival tactics. Professor Drenik's blunt warnings struck a chord with many students, the gravity of their future sinking in. By the time they were dismissed, even the chatterboxes in the group seemed subdued.
---
The afternoon brought a rare period of free time, and Talon decided to explore the campus. The academy sprawled across a vast estate, its architecture a seamless blend of modern functionality and ancient design. Runes adorned every building, pulsing faintly with energy as they powered everything from lighting to security systems.
Talon's wandering brought him to the outdoor training grounds, where students from higher years were practicing. He watched as a third-year wielded what appeared to be an Ability shard from a thunderbird, launching arcs of electricity toward moving targets. The precision and power were mesmerizing.
"Impressive, isn't it?" a voice behind him said. Turning, Talon saw a tall, lanky boy with sandy hair and an easy smile. He had an air of confidence, but it wasn't overbearing.
"Yeah. Makes me wonder how long it'll take to get to that level," Talon replied.
The boy offered his hand. "Callan Hart. Second-year, B-rank. You're the new guy everyone's talking about, right?"
Talon shook his hand. "Talon Leonhardt. And yeah, I guess that's me."
Callan's grin widened. "You've made quite an impression. Jarek's tough, even if he's a bit full of himself. If you're ever looking for sparring partners, let me know. Iron sharpens iron, right?"
"I'll keep that in mind," Talon said, his competitive edge surfacing again.
---
By the time evening rolled around, Talon found himself in his dorm, reviewing the academy's rules and protocols on his holo-desk. Despite his bravado, he couldn't deny the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. Being ranked first came with expectations, and he had no intention of letting himself—or his shard—fall short.
As he lay back on his bed, the faint hum of the Nemean Lion shard pulsed within him. It wasn't a roar this time, but a low, steady growl—a reminder that the hunt was only just beginning.