Veylen's Pride

Darius Vex walked to school, his hands clenched into fists. I need to work harder to can't awaken my Luminara as the Luminara has been vanished I'm soo unlucky I need to defeat that dumbass Lucian, he thought. If I don't, he'll just keep getting stronger day by day…

As he walked, a hand suddenly gripped his shoulder. He spun around, scowling.

"Hands off!" he barked.

But when he saw who it was, his anger quickly faded.

"Oh... Veylen," he said, relaxing. "The strongest Luminara user in the third year. What do you want with a first-year like me?"

Veylen, a tall and imposing figure with a deep voice, looked down at Darius.

"I don't want you," he said. "I need to know where I can find Lucian Solis. It's important."

On the other side of the academy, Lucian Solis stood in the courtyard, deep in thought.

Yesterday, Caelum looked so cool using Astral Mirage against Ruinshade...

Inspired, he took a stance and shouted, "Astral Mirage!"

He dashed forward, attempting to replicate the movement. But it lacked the finesse and fluidity Caelum had displayed.

Lucian turned to Elias, who had been watching from the side.

"Rate it," he said confidently.

Elias hesitated before responding, "...2 out of 10."

Lucian deflated instantly.

Soon, martial arts period began, and Lucian was the one leading the class. His movements were sharp, disciplined, and commanding.

"Stop goofing off and do it properly!" he snapped, glaring at Zayn Vireo, who was dancing and joking around instead of practicing techniques.

Elias turned to a nearby student, curious. "Why is Lucian teaching martial arts?"

The student smirked. "Lucian has been training since childhood. He's won three consecutive national martial arts championships."

Elias' eyes widened. "He fights against adults?"

Before the conversation could continue, Darius interrupted.

"Hey, Lucian. My friend from third year wants to talk to you."

Lucian turned to see Veylen stepping forward.

"Lucian Solis."

Before Lucian could respond, Zayn Vireo jumped in.

"Lucian's not in a good mood right now," Zayn said, crossing his arms.

Veylen frowned and shoved Zayn aside. The first-year stumbled and fell to the ground.

A murmur rippled through the class.

"We're in the middle of training," someone pointed out.

Lucian walked over and extended a hand to Zayn.

"You okay?"

Zayn laughed as he got up. "Don't worry, I'm cool."

One of the students whispered, "Who is that guy?"

Another answered, "That's Veylen, the strongest Luminara user in the third year."

Veylen crossed his arms and looked Lucian up and down. "You're Caelum's rival? You don't seem all that impressive."

Lucian remained unfazed. "What do you want?"

Veylen's gaze hardened. "I challenge you to a duel at Lunch break. Right here."

Lucian sighed. "Why should I accept a challenge from someone like you?"

Veylen smirked. "You claim you don't care about winning or losing, right? Then I'll make you taste defeat."

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "And why does that matter to you?"

Veylen's expression darkened.

Flashback – The Park

"Winning is everything," Veylen had said. "If you lose, no one will respect you."

Back in the present, Lucian shook his head.

"I disagreed with you then. And I disagree with you now."

Before the tension could escalate further, Veylen suddenly slipped and crashed to the ground.

The entire class turned to see Zayn grinning.

"Haha! You fell for the banana peel I left there!"

Veylen's face turned red with rage.

"You... YOU HUMILIATED ME?! I won't let this slide! I'll DESTROY YOU!"

Zayn smirked and cracked his knuckles.

"Yeah? Challenge accepted. I'll be the one fighting you at lunch break."

Meanwhile, at the Solmara Military Headquarters, Commander Aldric and Caelum Astralis stood over a map, discussing a recent threat.

"Ruinshade was using some dark aura," the commander said. "It wasn't similar to Luminara. And considering he was trying to destroy the Luminara energy source, I'd say he's not working alone. He likely has an army."

Caelum crossed his arms. "If that's the case… then Ruinshade might target Solmara Academy next."

Lunch Break – Veylen vs. Zayn Vireo

The courtyard was filled with students as the duel between Veylen and Zayn Vireo began.

Veylen raised his hand. "Luminara Art: Solar Spear!"

A beam of golden energy formed in his grasp, crackling with power. He lunged at Zayn, striking with incredible speed.

Zayn grinned and twisted his body, barely dodging the attack.

"Luminara Art: Dancing Flare!"

His body moved in an unpredictable rhythm, flames trailing behind his movements as he weaved around Veylen's strikes. He retaliated with a spinning kick, sending a fiery wave toward his opponent.

Veylen raised a glowing barrier. "Luminara Shield!"

The flames dissipated upon contact. With a swift counterattack, he launched a series of rapid jabs, each strike infused with radiant energy.

Lucian watching this thinks about his past

A younger Lucian Solis stood in a dojo, fists clenched, breath heavy. He throwed his opponent to the ground with brute force the kid started crying.

A man in Black robe came and checked and said that kids rib are broken bring the first aid.

Lucian looked down at his trembling hands. What have i done. Everyone started talking bad about Lucian everyone started avoiding him

Lucian gets scolded by his sensei Lucian gets sad thinking "Winning mattered to me the most whoever my opponent was i didn't care".

He fought, trained, and crushed every opponent. But It didn't bring friends.

Only loneliness.

Zayn staggered backward, breathing heavily.

"You're fast… but I'm faster!"

He suddenly burst forward, his movements becoming erratic.

"Flame Waltz!"

He spun through the air, fire spiraling around him as he aimed a devastating kick at Veylen's chest.

But Veylen remained unfazed.

"Radiant Pulse!"

A powerful shockwave erupted from his body, blasting Zayn backward and sending him crashing to the ground.

The fight was over.

Veylen had won.

Lucian clenched his fists as he watched.

He fights like I used to… only caring about victory.

He took a step forward.

"I'll fight you."

Lucian Solis vs. Veylen

The moment the duel began, Lucian vanished from sight.

Veylen's eyes widened. He's fast!

Before he could react, a crushing force slammed into his gut, sending him flying backward.

Lucian appeared above him, his fists glowing.

"Zenith Strike!"

A devastating punch connected, cracking the ground beneath them.

Veylen gasped for air. He summoned his power.

"Solar Judgment!"

A massive golden blade formed in his hands, shining brilliantly. He swung at Lucian.

Lucian dodged effortlessly, his eyes cold. He moved like a machine, driven by instinct alone.

Veylen swung again, but Lucian was already behind him.

"Celestial Flare!"

A beam of concentrated light shot forward, consuming Veylen in its brilliance.

The duel was over.

Lucian had won.

Zayn grinned. "Thanks for avenging me!"

Lucian barely heard him. He stared at his own hands.

That wasn't how I wanted to fight…

When he turned back, Veylen was gone.

Lucian ran searching for Veylen

As he left, Caelum watched from the shadows.

"That fighting style… it doesn't fit you at all, Lucian."

Lucian came to 3rd years classroom searching for Veylen with a sad face and he Professor Aldric seeing him approached him and asked anything wrong

Lucian asked do you know where Veylen went

The professor said "Unfortunately Veylen resigned from the academy, He has too much pride to accept defeat."

Lucian's heart sank.

"I… I didn't want this," he whispered.

Professor Aldric placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not too late. If you truly want to be his friend, go and tell him what's right and wrong."

Lucian wiped his eyes and nodded.

Caelum Astralis listeng from behind the doors left with a smile and said to himself "Next time I will not let you get away Ruinshade".