In a secluded clearing within Veilwood Forest, the only sounds were the crackling arcs of electricity flickering around Eldric as he honed his Lightning of Tribulations on the advanced class ferocious beasts prowling the area. Each bolt he unleashed was fierce and precise, and the beasts fell one after another, barely able to counter the overwhelming power he commanded. When the last beast staggered and collapsed, Eldric finally took a step back, his breathing heavy as he surveyed the charred ground around him.
Deciding to take a breather, he leaned against a tree, closing his eyes as memories stirred. His mind drifted to that unforgettable moment not long ago, back in the ruins near the Regal Safari. He had fought his way through ancient traps and cryptic trials, each one testing not just his strength but the resilience of his very spirit. When he finally emerged victorious, he had been given a title that resonated with both mystery and power: the Son of Tribulations.
The memory was as clear as if it had just happened. Those ruins had felt alive with something ancient, and the voice he'd heard—the one that had named him—still echoed faintly in his mind. It was a declaration, a prophecy, and a warning all in one. From that moment, he had known his path would be marked by trials as fierce as the lightning he wielded, and that title...it wasn't just a moniker. It was a responsibility, a weight that demanded he push himself further than any other.
Eldric's eyes opened, the determination in them hardening. 'The Son of Tribulations,' he thought. 'If that's truly who I am, then I'll prove it by conquering every challenge that comes my way.'
He took a deep breath, letting the cool forest air fill his lungs, then straightened and called his lightning to his fingertips once more. Rest time was over; he would see this power through to its fullest, and when the battle convention arrived, he would show the academy—and anyone who doubted—that the Son of Tribulations was not just a title but a force to be reckoned with.
But high above the vast stretch of Veilwood Forest, Vlahiç and Bowen floated in the clouds, their keen gazes locked on Eldric's solitary training below. Lightning crackled around Eldric as he took down beast after beast with relentless precision, his skill and resolve evident with each strike. Both of the seasoned Pillars couldn't help but share a glance of mutual admiration, knowing how remarkable this new generation was becoming.
"This class of students," Vlahiç began, folding his arms as he observed, "they're something different, aren't they? The potential in each of them...they're going to make this battle convention unforgettable."
Bowen nodded, a rare glimmer of pride in his usually impassive gaze. "True, they're as spirited as any I've seen. Each one honing themselves for greatness."
Vlahiç smiled thoughtfully, then inadvertently let slip, "Especially Kelvin. That boy has... well, he's—"
Bowen's expression froze for just a heartbeat, the mention of Kelvin stirring something deep within. He felt the familiar ache, the reminder of a painful past he couldn't quite put aside. But, after a moment, Bowen's face softened. He'd made peace with his decision long ago, accepting that fate would handle the rest. He had his faith that Kelvin would find his own way, just as he had.
Seeing Bowen's reaction, Vlahiç placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of what lay unspoken between them. "The convention will be a turning point," he said, his voice low. "For all of them. And maybe even for us."
Bowen gave a slight nod, his voice firm and unwavering. "Yes. They will either rise to meet their potential or be broken by it. Either way, their destinies await."
They continued their silent watch, feeling the weight of the coming days. Both men knew that what awaited in the battle convention would shape not only the students but the academy itself, and they were ready to see which paths fate would carve for each of them.
..... Fresh chapters posted on novel[f]ire.net
In the dim, ethereal glow of what seems to be a throne room of a very deep history, Aron and Selene knelt, heads bowed low before the powerful figures on the ancient dais. The throne itself seemed to pulse with life, etched with symbols that shimmered like embers, hinting at the bloodline that ran as deep as the earth's core. The air was thick, saturated with an aura so intense it pressed down on them like a mountain. Even breathing felt like an exertion, their chests heaving with the effort to stay composed.
An elder who gives off an aura of an ancient dragon with eyes sharp as a storm stood to one side of the throne, his stern expression a silent command. But it was the indiscernible being seated in the center that commanded absolute reverence and fear—a figure cloaked in an ominous haze, radiating an ancient, boundless power that made the very ground beneath them tremble.
Summoning their courage, Aron and Selene forced out the words, "We will not fail this time."
A silence fell, deeper than any void, before the being on the throne shifted ever so slightly, the motion alone sending a chilling wave of energy across the room. Then, with a voice like shattering stone, layered with disdain and a barely contained fury, he spoke: "Pray that you don't," his voice rumbled, echoing off the cavernous walls. "You both should know by now how much I despise useless people."
Aron and Selene flinched, feeling the weight of his disdain pierce straight through their souls. They'd felt fear before—but this was different. This was an ancient terror, a primal understanding that they teetered on the edge of life or obliteration, depending solely on the whims of the one they served.
With trembling voices and unwavering resolve, they replied in unison, "We won't disappoint you again, Mi Lord."
The being's gaze bore down on them for a moment that felt like an eternity, assessing, calculating, before finally giving a dismissive wave. The pressure lifted slightly, just enough to allow them to breathe again. Silently, they rose, heads still bowed, and backed out of the room, their fate now bound to the command they'd just been given, with the knowledge that failure would bear an unimaginable price.
"Make sure they get the job done" But suddenly, the being muttered under it's breath as if it were talking to itself. But the man standing right next to it heared the instructions loud and clear as he replied before he faded out of existence in that vicinity.
"As you wish, Mi Lord"