New Bonds

Each student received temporary accommodations until then.

With over 7 dormitories on campus, each boasting more than 700 rooms, there was plenty of space for everyone.

However, the top 10 students would receive individual dormitories, complete with state-of-the-art facilities and private training rooms.

Lucian glanced at his temporary dorm room—a modest but comfortable space. He placed his luggage inside and stepped back into the hallway.

With nothing pressing to do, he decided to head to the training center. After all, there was no better way to clear his thoughts than honing his skills.

The academy had several training facilities, and Lucian decided to visit the largest one.

It was vast, outfitted with everything from sparring arenas to mana manipulation zones.

Unsurprisingly, the place was nearly empty—most students were either recovering from the day's earlier events or were simply too intimidated to return to training.

As he walked through the center, his attention was caught by the familiar, graceful movements of a figure in one of the arenas. Elena Sylphar.

She was sparring against a series of mana constructs, each one darting toward her with precision and speed.

Her rapier moved like an extension of her body, elegant and lethal. Around her, faint currents of wind swirled with each strike, guiding her blade with unnatural accuracy.

Lucian leaned against the railing, observing her technique. Her movements were sharp, controlled—a clear reflection of her Sylphar heritage.

The Sylphar family was renowned for their mastery of wind and lightning magic, a legacy passed down through generations of prodigious awakeners.

"You're just going to watch, or are you planning to join me?" Elena's voice broke through his thoughts, calm but tinged with a playful challenge.

Lucian smirked. "Watching's safer. But I'm not one to shy away from a challenge."

He stepped into the arena, his eyes locked onto hers. Elena raised her rapier, the faint glow of mana intensifying along its edge.

"You're unarmed," she noted, raising an eyebrow.

Lucian shrugged. "I don't need a weapon to match you."

Her smirk widened. "Confident, aren't you?"

The match began in an instant. Elena's movements were swift, her rapier darting toward him with the speed of a lightning strike.

Lucian relied on his Phantom Step Art, weaving through her attacks like a shadow.

Her wind magic added a layer of unpredictability, but his Mana Sensory Field allowed him to anticipate each strike before it landed.

As the spar continued, Lucian closed the gap, his movements calculated and precise. He didn't strike back—there was no need to.

His ability to evade every attack was enough to frustrate her.

Finally, Elena stepped back, lowering her weapon with a sigh. "You're good. I'll give you that."

Lucian chuckled. "You're not bad yourself. That wind magic of yours is impressive."

Before she could respond, footsteps echoed through the training center.

Two figures entered—a boy and a girl, their presence immediately commanding attention.

The boy had fiery red hair that seemed almost alight in the dim glow of the training center. His amber eyes sparkled with mischief as he approached, his steps light and confident.

The girl beside him was a stark contrast—shorter, with sleek black hair tied into a ponytail. Her violet eyes were sharp, scanning the room with an intensity that felt almost invasive.

Elena turned to face them, her expression shifting to one of mild annoyance. "What are you two doing here?"

The boy grinned. "Relax, Elena. We're just here to stretch our legs. The training center's not your personal arena, you know." He glanced at Lucian, his grin widening. "And who's this? A new face?"

Lucian returned his gaze, calm but curious.

The boy's features and demeanor immediately reminded him of the Vexari family—a lineage known for their expertise in alchemy and elemental enhancements.

Their mastery of enhancing physical and magical capabilities made them invaluable allies on the battlefield.

"I'm Lucian Eryndral," he said, offering a nod.

The boy's grin didn't falter. "Ah, an Eryndral. Now this is interesting. Kael Vexari, at your service." He extended a hand, and Lucian shook it, feeling the faint hum of mana radiating from Kael's skin.

The girl stepped forward next, her violet eyes narrowing as she studied Lucian.

Her composed demeanor and piercing gaze were unmistakable hallmarks of the Zenthara family.

Specialists in illusions and mental manipulation, the Zenthara were feared not for their brute strength but for their ability to control the battlefield through deception and subtlety.

"Zara Zenthara," she said simply, her tone cool.

Lucian nodded. "A pleasure."

Kael clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Well, now that we're all introduced, how about a little group training? I've been dying to see what the academy's top students are capable of."

Elena rolled her eyes. "You just want to show off, don't you?"

Kael shrugged, his grin unrelenting. "Can you blame me?"

Zara sighed, already walking toward one of the sparring arenas. "Let's just get this over with."

Lucian glanced at Elena, who gave him a small shrug before following the others.

The impromptu session began with Kael and Zara demonstrating their unique styles.

Kael's movements were aggressive, each strike enhanced with bursts of fiery mana.

His control over elemental enhancement was impressive, amplifying both his physical strength and speed.

Zara, on the other hand, relied on deception. Illusions danced around the arena, each one a near-perfect replica of her true self.

Lucian watched them closely, his mind working to adapt to their styles.

When it was his turn to spar, he faced off against Kael first. The Vexari heir's strikes were powerful, but Lucian's agility and spatial awareness kept him ahead.

His Phantom Step Art allowed him to maneuver around Kael's attacks, while his Resonance Sword Art can be used without a weapon—created shockwaves of mana that forced Kael to retreat.

Next, he sparred with Zara.

Her illusions were tricky, but his Mana Sensory Field allowed him to pinpoint her true location.

The match was brief—her subtle tricks couldn't keep up with his precise movements.

By the end of the session, the group sat in the corner of the training center, catching their breath.

Kael laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're something else, Lucian. Looks like the Eryndral family still has some talent hidden away."

Zara said nothing, but the faint nod she gave Lucian was enough to convey her respect.

Elena leaned back against the wall, a small smile on her lips. "Well, this is turning into quite the interesting group."

Lucian couldn't help but agree.

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*The next chapter will be a slice of life*

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