Fight Among Friends
The air crackled with energy.
A golden glow surrounded Keiran, his light mana surging to life. His golden robe shimmered, his sword of light pulsing with radiant energy.
Across from him, Vikas stepped forward, his body glowing with icy blue mana. Frost formed beneath his feet, and the air turned bitterly cold.
Varek's Bronze Mana flared around him, an aura of raw, dense power surging through his body. The ground beneath him trembled slightly as he clenched his fists.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
Keiran struck first.
Keiran vanished in a flash of light, reappearing instantly behind Varek. His light sword swung down in a brilliant arc.
Varek barely had time to react. He lifted his arms, blocking the blade. The impact sent a shockwave through the area, kicking up dust.
Vikas took advantage of the opening. He thrust his hand forward—
A spike of ice shot toward Keiran.
But Keiran was fast. Too fast.
He disappeared in another burst of light, avoiding the ice completely.
Reappearing above them—
Then diving down, sword aimed at Vikas.
Vikas countered instantly, summoning a wall of ice between them.
Keiran's sword smashed through the ice, but Vikas was already moving. He slid back, his frost-covered fists glowing.
Varek, regaining his footing, rushed forward.
His Bronze Mana pulsed, amplifying his speed and strength.
He swung a powerful punch toward Keiran's side.
Keiran twisted at the last second, avoiding a direct hit, but the sheer force of the punch sent a gust of wind blasting outward.
A Fight Among Friends
Keiran's golden eyes locked onto them.
"You two don't understand," he said, voice sharp.
Vikas smirked, his breath visible in the freezing air. "Then make us understand."
Keiran's grip on his sword tightened.
Varek's Bronze Mana surged higher, his aura crackling with power.
Vikas' ice mana sharpened, the cold intensifying.
Keiran's light mana flared, his golden glow nearly blinding.
The battle came to a sudden halt.
A deep, booming voice cut through the air.
"Enough."
The ground shook slightly as a massive figure stepped forward.
He wasn't a giant—just a man whose body had been forged through intense training, his sheer presence demanding attention.
His arms were thicker than tree trunks, his chest like a fortress, and with every step he took, the ground seemed to respond to his weight.
His name was Niozi—the Principal of the Gold Rank Academy.
But more than that—
He was a Muscle Mana User.
His ability?
To increase his strength by expanding his muscles.
He folded his arms, looking directly at Varek and Vikas.
"You two. The one with Bronze Mana. And the one with Ice Mana."
His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"I want you to join my academy."
"What?!"
Keiran's voice exploded with anger.
He stepped forward, eyes burning with frustration.
"You're joking, right?" His Light Mana flared around him, his disbelief clear.
"Why them?!"
Niozi simply grinned, his massive arms flexing.
"Because I see potential. And I don't waste potential."
His voice was calm, but there was no room for argument.
Keiran gritted his teeth, fists clenched so tight they trembled.
He had worked endlessly to infiltrate the Gold Rank Academy.
And now, out of nowhere, Varek and Vikas were being invited directly into it?!
He couldn't accept this.
But Niozi?
He was dead serious.
He pointed at Varek and Vikas.
"Come to the academy. Or don't. But if you do—"
His muscles pulsed, his aura of power expanding, sending a crushing pressure around them.
"You'll train under me. And you will become stronger than you ever imagined."
The air grew thick with tension.
Varek and Vikas exchanged a glance,
And Keiran He Stood There Shocked, and Angry.