Chapter 16:Whispers of Power

The tension in the air was palpable as Axton walked through the academy grounds the next morning. The crisp morning breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the faint hum of magical energy that always seemed to permeate the academy. Around him, groups of students were chatting animatedly about their training sessions and their progress in mastering their elements.

Axton kept his head low, his thoughts swirling with yesterday's events. The humiliation from Corbin's taunts, the unease during the lesson on elemental mastery, and the mysterious energy he had felt in the chamber—all of it weighed heavily on his mind.

"Axton!" Elias's voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see his best friend jogging up to him, a bright grin on his face. "You're up early. I thought yesterday's training would've knocked you out for good."

Axton managed a weak smile. "Couldn't sleep much," he admitted.

"Well, that's good, because today's schedule is packed. We've got morning gym, training, two lessons, and another session in the chamber," Elias said, holding up a neatly folded timetable.

The gymnasium was the first stop of the day. It was a massive, dome-shaped structure with enchanted equipment scattered across the floor. Weights hovered mid-air, glowing with a faint blue light, while treadmills moved on their own, forcing students to match their relentless pace.

Axton and Elias joined the other students as Professor Valen, a towering man with arms as thick as tree trunks, strode into the room. His booming voice echoed through the gym.

"Listen up, everyone! Physical fitness is just as important as mastering your powers. A strong body is the foundation for a strong connection with your element. Now, pair up and get started!"

Axton paired with Elias, and the two began their workout. Around them, students pushed their limits, grunting and groaning as they lifted enchanted weights or sprinted against magically enhanced resistance.

Across the room, Corbin and Gavin were lounging near a set of sparring mats, laughing and pointing at Axton.

"Still no powers, huh?" Corbin called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "What's the point of working out when you're just going to be useless in a real fight?"

Gavin smirked, adding, "Maybe he's just training to be someone's sidekick. What do you think, Corbin?"

Axton felt his face heat up, but Elias stepped in before he could respond. "At least he's trying, unlike you two clowns," Elias shot back.

Corbin's grin faded, replaced by a scowl. "Big words for someone who hasn't even leveled up past Novice yet. Keep talking, Thorn, and I'll show you who's a clown."

Before things could escalate, Professor Valen's voice rang out. "Corbin! Gavin! Quit slacking and get to work, or you'll be running laps until the sun sets!"

The two boys grumbled but moved to join the others. Axton shot Elias a grateful look, but his friend just shrugged. "Don't let them get to you," Elias said. "They're all talk."

After the gym session, they headed to the training grounds, where Professor Lyra was waiting. Unlike Professor Salazar, she had a calm and encouraging demeanor.

"Today, we'll focus on refining your elemental control," she said, gesturing to several targets set up across the field. "Accuracy is just as important as power. Find your center, and let your element flow naturally."

Axton stood off to the side, watching as the other students stepped up one by one. Fireballs, streams of water, gusts of wind, and bolts of lightning flew through the air, hitting the targets with varying degrees of success.

Elias nudged him. "Why don't you give it a try?"

Axton hesitated. He didn't have an element to control, but the idea of standing there and doing nothing felt even worse. Taking a deep breath, he stepped up to one of the targets.

He closed his eyes and raised his hand, trying to will something—anything—into existence. For a moment, he thought he felt a faint warmth in his chest, but it faded as quickly as it came.

When he opened his eyes, the target was untouched.

"Pathetic," Corbin sneered from a few feet away.

Axton's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to ignore the comment. He stepped back, letting another student take his place.

The rest of the training session passed in a blur, and before long, it was time for their first lesson of the day.

The classroom buzzed with energy as students filed in. Axton and Elias found seats near the middle, just as Professor Salazar entered the room.

"Today, we'll discuss the intricacies of elemental combinations," Salazar began, his sharp gaze scanning the room. "Combining elements is an advanced technique, one that requires absolute mastery of your primary element. It's not something most of you will ever achieve, but understanding the theory is crucial."

As Salazar explained the principles of combining elements, Axton found himself drawn to the idea. The thought of wielding multiple elements felt like something out of a dream, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it was somehow important—like a puzzle piece he hadn't yet found.

In the background, students whispered and passed notes, their attention waning. Salazar's eyes narrowed.

"You there!" he barked, pointing to a boy in the back who had been chatting with his neighbor. "Care to share your thoughts with the rest of the class?"

The boy stammered, his face turning red as he mumbled an apology.

"Focus," Salazar snapped. "If you can't even pay attention, how do you expect to master your power?"

The room fell silent, and Axton couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief that the professor's attention wasn't on him.

After lunch, their final session of the day was in the chamber. Unlike the last visit, Axton felt more prepared this time.

The chamber's walls glowed faintly as students entered, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty space. Professor Lyra explained that today's focus would be on finding their "connection point"—the moment when their energy aligned with the chamber's ambient magic.

"Spend a few minutes here," she said. "Close your eyes, breathe, and let the energy flow through you. Don't force it; let it come naturally."

Axton sat cross-legged on the chamber floor, closing his eyes as instructed. The hum of magic filled his ears, and he tried to relax.

For a brief moment, he thought he felt something—an almost imperceptible tug, deep within him. It was faint, but it was there.

But before he could focus on it, the session ended.

As they left the chamber, Axton couldn't help but feel both frustrated and intrigued. Whatever he had felt was fleeting, but it was enough to keep him going.

Something was there, waiting to be discovered. And Axton was determined to find it.