THE TRAINING BEGINS

The morning air was Crisp, laced with the faint scent of damp stone and old magic. The Academy, usually alive with chatter and energy, was eerily quiet at this hour, The East Tower, where Seraphina had told Elias to meet her, loomed in the distance.

Elias's thoughts were still tangled from yesterday's events. He had awakened his power , defeated Lucius Vorn, and drawn the attention of Vladis Arcanis-the most powerful figure in the Academy .

And now, Seraphina wanted to train him.

I have to control this power. I can't let it control me .

With a deep breath, he stepped forward.

THE FIRST LESSON...

Seraphina stood at the top of the east tower, her eyes fixed on the rising Sun. The wind caught jer silver-streaked hair, making her look almost ethereal.

When Elias arrived, she tuned, arms crossed. "You're late."

Elias frowned. "It's barely past dawn."

Seraphina gave a smirk. "A king should never be late."

He sighed, already regretting this decision. "So, what now?? You're going to teach me how to use this power?"

Seraphina stepped closer, looking him over as if assessing him. "No".

Elias blinked. "What?"

"I'm going to teach you how to survive."

Before Elias could react, Seraphina moved.

Fast.

In the blink of an eye, she was in front of him, her palm striking his chest with a force that sent him skidding backward. He barely caught himself before falling.

"What the hell?!" Elias gasped.

Seraphina didn't wait for him to recover. She advanced again, this time sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the stone groung hard.

"Lesson one," she said, standing over him,"power means nothing if you can't use it in a real fight."

Elias groaned, rolling onto his side, "you could've just said that instead of throwing me around like a ragdoll."

Seraphina smiled. "Where's the fun in that?"

LUCIUS'S VENGEANCE...

Far across the academy, Lucius Vorn stood in silence, staring at the training arena where he had lost.

The memory burned in his mind. Elias Nightshade had humiliated him.

Flames flickering around his fingers. But it wasn't enough. Elias had stopped his fire- extinguished it like it was nothing.

Lucius's nails dug into his palm. This wasn't over.

"My lord," a voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lucius turned to see a figure cloaked in black standing in the shadow. His personal informant, someone who operated in the Academy's underground circles.

"Speak," Lucius's voice was cold.

"It seems Seraphina Vale had taken an interest in Nightshade. She's training him in the east tower."

Lucius's eyes darkened. Seraphina...why her?

For years, he had tried to earn her attention, to make her acknowledge his strength. But she hadmever cared. She had always seen him as just another warrior.

And now, she was training Elias?

A slow smirk crept onto Lucius's face. Fine. If Elias was growing stronger, then he would have to break him before it was too late.

And if Seraphina got in the way?

He'd deal with her too.

AWAKENING THE ARCANE POWER...

Elias was on the ground again.

His body ached. His breath came in sharp gasps, and Seraphina hadn't even used magic yet.

She leaned against the tower wall, arms crossed. "I expected more."

Elias pushed himself up, glaring. "I expected training not being beaten to death."

Seraphina sighed. "You don't get it, do you?" She stepped closer, pressuring a finger to his forehead. "You, think your power makes you strong? It doesn't. Strength is knowing how to use it."

She turned away. " Try to summon it. "

Elias hesitated. He had never willingly called on his magic before. It had always burst forth on its own- wild, uncontrollable. But he had to try.

Closing his eyes, he focused. He reached inside himself, searching fot the energy that had awakened in the duel with Lucius.

At first, there was nothing.

Then- a spark.

It started. In his chest, a flicker of sark energy pulsing within him. His fingertips tingled as shadows coiled around them, swirling like a living storm.

His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with an eerie blue hue.

Seraphina's expression changed- just for a moment. Recognition. Curiosity.

But then the power slipped.

The energy surged too fast, too wildly, and suddenly- the ground beneath him cracked. A blast of black energy erupted from his body, sending shockwaves through the air.

Seraphina barely dodged the explosion, flipping backward as the entire tower shook.

Elias collapsed to his knees, gasping. The power was too much. He couldn't control it. Not yet.

Seraphina dusted off her cloak. "Not bad. Nut not good enough."

Elias looked up, his chest still rising and falling. "I lost control."

Seraphina nodded. "And if you lose control in a real fight, you die."

Her words hit hard, but she was right.

Elias clenched his fists. I have to master this.

Seraphina studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. Let's try again."

Elias nodded. Pushing himself up.

This time, he wouldn't fail.