In the northern training ground, the dark stone wall flickered with the glow of flames, and the clash of magic reverberated across the battlefield. Two figures engaged in a fierce duel, light and fire wrestling for dominance.
Friederich Eir Regis, a black-haired boy with pale blue eyes that gleamed in the dim light, was an elven mage titled Stellius despite being only sixteen years old. His white arc cloth billowed in the wind as he moved nimbly across the field, scaling the dark wall and using the static blades as stepping ledges to manoeuvre.
A blast of flame shot toward him mid-air. Friederich lunged forward, pushing off the wall to redirect himself as the fire chased narrowly behind. He landed softly, bending his knees and shifting sideways to maintain balance.
"Lampos-spatha!" Friederich shouted, pointing his fingers towards his sparring partner.
Princess Aurelia Sol Solara stood in the centre of the training ground, dressed in a lavish white tunic and brown pants, flames erupting from her hands. She formed a triangular hand sign, aligning her index fingers and thumbs.
"Empyrion!" She bellowed, unleashing smouldering flames in the direction she dictated. Her red hair and dark eyes glowed with the intensity of her magic.
Above her, ten white glowing blades materialised. She noticed them in her peripheral vision and swiftly adjusted her tactics. Moving her hands in a circular motion above her head, she cracked her fingers like a whip. Aurelia focused, picturing a volcanic eruption — the sharp peak bursting and spewing balls of fire skyward. "Volcanic Empyrion!" She chanted, flicking both hands upwards.
Immediately, her mana transformed into a massive flame, blasting to the sky and deflecting the descending blades away.
Friederich clenched his jaw in frustration — her fire essence was growing stronger by the day. Sweat trickled down his arched brows, dampening his sleek dark hair. A new strategy formed in his mind; he knew he couldn't overpower her with arcane force alone.
"Lampos-spatha!" Friederich cast the blades to encircle Aurelia from all sides, their tips pointing downward. She scanned the field, puzzled by his failed attempt to enclose her.
"Whatever you're planning, it won't work, Fried!" Aurelia shouted, her tone laced with condescension.
The elven mage dashed forward, baiting her attack. Aurelia quickly switched stances, forming the triangular hand sign again before firing a long-range flame at him.
"Knew it!" Friederich thought, dodging sideways. At the same moment, he summoned two glowing blades, blunt edges like he imagined them to be — one in his left hand and another hidden in his right.
He bellowed and threw the blade in his left hand. "Catch!" The weapon cut through the air at full speed toward his opponent.
Aurelia easily read his move. She clapped her hands together. "Phoros!" She chanted, an arcane barrier engulfing her, distorting the light around it. The blade struck and bounced off harmlessly. With fluid motion, she spun around and prepared to counterattack.
"Huh?" She gasped as another blade hurtled towards her.
In a fraction of a second, she analysed its trajectory, it was completely off target. "Your aim is terrible, Fried!" She thought, amused.
Seizing the opportunity, she resumed casting Empyrion to finish him off while he stood static and exposed.
"Burn! Empy ~ ugh!" Aurelia's words cut off as the blade struck another suspended blade, ricocheting straight into her forehead. Her head snapped back, and she fell onto her backside. A loud thud followed by the dust kicking up in the air. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
Eyes shut from the sting, she groaned and rubbed the reddened impact area. Friederich rushed over, concern etched on his face.
"Aurelia, are you okay?" He asked, scrambling to her side. Fortunately, he had cast and thrown dull blades earlier, but the impact was harder than he had intended.
Suddenly, Aurelia shot him a piercing glare, her red eyes gleaming with fury.
"Au~Aurelia, time out!" Friederich stammered, motioning for a ceasefire. It was too late.
She formed another hand sign. "Empyrion!" Her tone hardened.
There wasn't enough time to dodge. He hadn't anticipated a counterattack.
"Phoros!" Friederich chanted, raising an arm in a half-cross gesture. An arcane barrier materialised around him.
Colossal flames surged towards him, their intensity growing. His barrier held, but his breathing turned ragged. His limbs numbed. "Aurelia! Stop! I'm out of mana!" He yelled over the roaring inferno.
"Holy Gaia!" Aurelia gasped, snapping out of her rage.
The flames abruptly ceased, but the air pressure shift sent a shockwave outward, blasting Friederich off his feet.
"Whoa!" He gasped as his thin frame flew across the battleground and slammed into the wall. He crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud. "Ahh!" He groaned, "Hades' hell..."
Smoke and dust thickened the air. Aurelia's eyes widened in horror as she realised what she had done. She sprinted to him, crouching and casting a healing spell. A warm green glow enveloped them, soothing his wounds. Friederich struggled to sit up, leaning against the wall, his face and clothes covered in soot and ash.
Avoiding his gaze, Aurelia muttered, "I'm so sorry, Fried..." She despised herself for letting her anger take control.
"I won..." Friederich murmured, his voice hoarse.
She puffed her cheeks in disapproval but conceded, "Yes, you did... You outsmarted me again."
Friederich let out a soft chuckle, and Aurelia joined in.
Then, she stood and extended her hand. "Come on, Fried. You need to wash up," She said with a gentle smile.
Suddenly, a silver Armatus flew past them, hovering ten metres above the ground. It circled the defence tower as if preparing to land.
Sensing a potential threat, Aurelia turned immediately.
"Aurelia, no! Don't go!" Friederich called out, attempting to rise, but his energy was drained. He could barely stand.
"Fried, don't worry. It's just a single Armatus," Aurelia reassured him softly before taking off toward its location.