The Arkanis Hall was alive with the chatter and rustling of students. Sunlight filtered through the tall stained-glass windows, casting multicolored patterns on the polished floors. Today, the atmosphere was heavier than usual. Whispers of a new arrival—someone powerful—had spread throughout the academy like wildfire.
At the far end of the hall, atop the raised dais, Professors Ardent and Selvaris stood beside an empty pedestal. Their eyes scanned the crowd, ensuring all top students were present. Among the gathered were Rio, Huo, Yin, and, of course, Koha. The three older students shifted slightly, their gazes occasionally flicking toward Koha, whose expression was calm, almost unreadable. His hands rested lightly on the book of elemental chants he always carried. Even among the crowd, his presence seemed to pull the attention of everyone nearby.
Professor Ardent cleared his throat. “Students, today we welcome a new guest to Arkanis Academy. He comes from the prestigious Italian Academy of Caster Arts, and his reputation precedes him. Please, meet Sky.”
A low hum ran through the hall as a figure emerged from the main entrance. Sky walked with precise confidence. At 23 years old, his presence exuded both age and mastery, an aura that made the younger students stiffen. His hair was silvery-blue, catching the light with every step, and his eyes were sharp, almost piercing, scanning the hall like twin daggers. He held a sleek, elongated bow with intricate etchings glowing faintly along its limbs, the quiver at his back bristling with elemental arrows.
Sky’s gaze settled on Koha almost immediately. There was no warmth in it only a fierce curiosity, an intense analytical focus. He tilted his head slightly, as if measuring Koha’s power with mere observation. Huo noticed it first. “Why is he staring like that?” Huo muttered, nudging Rio. “It’s like he can see Koha’s aura through his skin.”
Rio followed Huo’s gaze. His own eyebrows furrowed. Koha, sitting quietly, did not flinch. Yet beneath the calm, a subtle shift in his aura radiated danger so faint that only those attuned could notice. Yin leaned forward, whispering, “He’s… different. The way Sky looks at him… there’s no fear, only intent.”
Professor Selvaris raised his voice, cutting through the tension. “Sky, please introduce yourself to the students.”
Sky’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His tone was measured but firm. “I am Sky, 23 years old, from Italy. I specialize in long-range elemental archery. I am here to learn, to observe, and to test myself. And… I heard Arkanis Academy possesses extraordinary talent.” His eyes flicked once more to Koha, scanning the subtle flow of his energy. The faint shimmer of diamond-like traces around Koha’s aura seemed to pulse in response to Sky’s scrutiny. Yet, Sky’s face betrayed no hint of intimidation. Only intrigue.
Professor Ardent gestured to the assembled students. “Sky, we have several top-tier students here. You may already be aware of them. Let me introduce the strongest among our ranks.”
The professors’ words carried weight. “Koha,” Selvaris said, voice low but commanding, “he is the student with the most volatile elemental control. Under extreme circumstances, he can unleash powers capable of devastation beyond comprehension. His cataclysmic abilities include Tenchi Mugen – Infinite Heaven and Earth, Mugen Kōki – Endless Radiance, and Shūen Mugen – Infinite Apocalypse. Even we, the professors, exercise extreme caution around him.”
Koha’s gaze remained soft, almost shy, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He shuffled slightly, clutching the book to his chest. Despite his calm demeanor, the air around him was charged a dangerous, simmering potential that made many students step back unconsciously.
Yet Sky did not flinch. His eyes followed Koha, unbroken, analyzing rather than fearing. “Interesting,” he murmured under his breath, almost inaudible to anyone but himself. “So, he’s the one they call Koha…” The faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips was not one of amusement, but of calculation—an acknowledgment of challenge.
Professor Ardent continued, “Next, we have Rio, Huo, and Yin. They are our seasoned students, each with elemental mastery, combat experience, and strategic acumen.”
Rio stepped forward slightly, the flames along his aura flickering as he inclined his head toward Sky, sizing him up. Huo adjusted his stance, broad-shouldered, his eyes narrowing slightly. Yin’s water aura shifted subtly, as if testing the rhythm of Sky’s breathing and movements.
Professor Selvaris added, “While Koha’s abilities can shift the balance of life and death, our other students are masters of complementary power. Rio’s mastery of fire and lightning allows swift, decisive strikes. Huo’s defensive prowess and seismic elemental control protect his allies while shattering enemies. Yin’s precise manipulation of water and support magic can heal, defend, and disrupt simultaneously. Together, they form a balance capable of handling most threats.”
Sky’s eyes briefly flickered to the three older students. He nodded once, almost imperceptibly, acknowledging their strength. Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, his gaze returned to Koha. The intensity of his scrutiny did not waver.
Koha’s pulse accelerated, though outwardly he remained composed. There was a faint blush at his cheeks shyness, coupled with the subtle awareness that someone had read the undercurrent of his aura. His body stiffened ever so slightly, but he made no move to retreat. He opened the book slightly, flipping through the pages to mask the sudden tension, but Sky’s presence pressed against him like gravity.
Huo whispered to Rio, barely audible over the murmurs of the gathered students, “Does he… sense Koha’s full power already? Or is he just… confident?”
Rio’s response was quiet, serious. “Neither. He’s curious. And I think he wants to see how dangerous Koha really is, without caring if Koha unleashes it.”
Yin, still poised, finally added, “That… is rare. Most would be cautious, even fearful. But not him.”
The professors observed this exchange quietly. They had trained for scenarios like this: the arrival of an exceptionally powerful outsider who could challenge the academy’s top students. But Sky’s demeanor was unusual. Calm, confident, and almost fearless he did not react to the warnings about Koha’s cataclysmic potential.
Professor Ardent raised his hand again. “Sky, please understand: Koha’s abilities are… unique. He does not wield them recklessly, but under extreme provocation or danger, the consequences are severe. Even a misstep could harm those around him. Treat this knowledge with respect.”
Sky’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in fear, but with a determined gleam. “I do not intend harm. But I will not shy away from understanding true power. If Koha is as formidable as you say, I would like the opportunity to witness it within reason, of course.”
Koha’s eyes, behind the book, flicked up briefly. The faint diamond-like glimmer in his aura pulsed, almost imperceptibly, in response to Sky’s words. There was no anger, no confrontation just a quiet recognition that this newcomer had neither fear nor reverence, only intent.
The professors nodded, sensing the tension and the potential. “Very well,” Selvaris said. “You will have the opportunity to observe each other during controlled training sessions. Koha, Rio, Huo, Yin, Sky you will be paired strategically to test limits, skills, and cooperation. Sky, remember, the arena will restrict your most dangerous powers, but you may use elemental techniques freely.”
Sky’s posture remained relaxed, but his fingers brushed over the arrows in his quiver. He tilted his head slightly toward Koha. “I look forward to seeing your control in action,” he said, his voice calm, almost cold. “It will be… enlightening.”
Koha’s lips twitched slightly, the barest hint of a smile brushing across his features. It was a shy, almost imperceptible acknowledgment, but it did not break his composure. The hall seemed to quiet in response to the unspoken tension between the two.
Rio, Huo, and Yin exchanged glances, subtle unease mixed with intrigue reflected in their eyes. They had seen Koha’s powers in the field, but Sky’s arrival introduced a new variable. A rival, potentially as strong—or stronger than any of them.
Professor Ardent concluded the session. “Prepare yourselves for the upcoming trials. Today marks the beginning of a new era at Arkanis Academy. Observe carefully, learn, and respect the power that walks among you.”
Sky lowered his gaze once more to Koha, then turned to glance at the other students. He did not speak again, but the fire in his eyes promised one thing clearly: he would not underestimate the young mage, and he was eager to push both himself and Koha to their limits.
Koha returned his gaze to his book, hands trembling faintly though outwardly composedalready feeling the subtle excitement that came with encountering someone who could challenge him without fear. A quiet tension settled over Arkanis Hall, the kind that promised trials, duels, and revelations yet to come.
The students remained in place, silently processing the arrival. Among them, Rio’s fire flickered nervously; Huo’s stance tightened like coiled steel; Yin’s aura pulsed cautiously. Only Koha seemed serene, reading his book, aware of the dangerous curiosity in Sky’s gaze and readying himself for the challenges ahead.
Outside, the sunlight over Arkanis Hall seemed to pause, casting long shadows across the floor as the academy’s newest chapter began.
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