The morning sun rose slowly over Arkanis Academy, painting the sprawling campus in gold and silver hues. After the intense battles against Doojin and the dark mages, a fragile calm had returned. Students moved with cautious optimism, their conversations filled with whispered excitement and lingering awe at the feats displayed by Koha, Huo, Rio, and Yin.
In the central training hall, a vast chamber with high ceilings and floating platforms, Professor Liora stood before a gathered crowd of students. Today marked a special challenge: the Academy Challenge, designed to test mastery over elemental control, combat strategy, and adaptability under pressure. While it was a test for all students, the professors kept their eyes on Koha, Sky, and the trio of elite mages.
Koha stood quietly near the center of the hall, a book clutched loosely in his hands. Despite the recent recovery and training, there was a faint tension in his posture. The recent battles had left his energy fragile, though his resolve was unshaken. Huo remained by his side, broad and protective, a silent anchor. Rio paced slightly behind, flames flickering faintly along his arms, while Yin observed the gathering students with calm, calculating eyes. Sky, the Italian caster, leaned casually against a platform, bow in hand, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing, occasionally flicking toward Koha with an unreadable expression.
Professor Liora’s voice echoed clearly through the hall. “Welcome, students. Today’s Academy Challenge will test not only your skill but your ability to adapt, strategize, and survive under unexpected conditions. The challenge is simple in concept but complex in execution: face an opponent of equal skill in a controlled duel. Each of you will demonstrate mastery over your abilities while adhering to strict safety protocols.”
Koha glanced at the other students, noting their apprehensive expressions. Though he preferred quiet and study, the challenge was inevitable. He straightened his posture and let a faint, shimmering sphere of water hover above his palms—an instinctive gesture of readiness.
Professor Liora continued, her gaze sweeping across the hall. “We have a special demonstration for today. Koha will face a visiting student, Sky, a highly skilled elemental and weapon caster from Italy. His abilities are exceptional, and this duel will test Koha’s growth and adaptability.”
Sky stepped forward deliberately, bow in hand, eyes locking onto Koha. His expression was fierce, a sharp intensity that unsettled even the normally calm Koha. Huo noticed immediately. The way Sky’s eyes lingered on Koha—focused, predatory—sent a subtle warning through the protective mage’s instincts.
“Do not underestimate your opponent,” Rio whispered quietly, almost to himself. “Sky is no ordinary student. He’s precise, intelligent, and extremely dangerous.”
Koha’s hands tightened slightly around the water sphere. He nodded, though his usual shyness made him retreat inwardly as he mentally prepared.
Professor Liora raised her hand, signaling the start of the duel. “Engage!”
Immediately, Sky moved. His weapon was not just a bow—it was a conduit for elemental power. He released a volley of arrows, each infused with a different element: fire, ice, lightning, and shadow.
“Fuoco dell’Inferno – Fire of the Inferno!” the Italian caster shouted, and a streak of flame-arrow shot toward Koha, trailing sparks and molten heat.
Koha reacted instinctively, summoning a protective shield. “氷結の壁 (Hyōketsu no Kabe) – Wall of Ice!” he muttered, icy barriers rising from the ground to block the fire. Steam hissed as the elements collided.
Another arrow streaked toward him, “Freddo Fulmine – Lightning Chill!”, crackling with electrical energy and frost. Koha twisted, water swirling around him to absorb and diffuse the lightning. “流水の刃 (Ryūsui no Ya) – Blade of Flowing Water!” he called, spinning a sharp, fluid blade that deflected the arrow harmlessly into the hall’s far wall.
Sky’s movements were fluid, precise, and almost surgical. “Vento Tagliente – Cutting Wind!” a razor-sharp wind arrow shot from his bow, slicing through the air with a shriek. Koha responded with “疾風の突 (Shippū no Totsu) – Gale Thrust!”, summoning a twisting wind to counter the incoming projectile. The two forces clashed, sending ripples through the air that nearly knocked over spectators.
Huo clenched his fists, standing close to Koha, ready to intervene if necessary. “Keep your focus, Koha. Control the energy… integrate it.”
Koha nodded slightly, taking a deep breath, his hands moving rapidly to combine elements. “火焔の矢, 流水の刃, 疾風の突, 大地の拳, 雷鳴の槍 – Katen no Ya, Ryūsui no Ya, Shippū no Totsu, Daichi no Ken, Raimei no Yari!” The room erupted in a dazzling display of elemental chaos as Koha launched a series of controlled attacks—fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning—all simultaneously targeting Sky’s trajectory.
Sky barely managed to evade. “Ombra Infinita – Infinite Shadow!” A dark arrow sliced through the air, aiming to flank Koha, but the boy anticipated it, spinning gracefully. “闇影の刃 (An’ei no Ya) – Shadow Blade!” Koha’s counter not only neutralized the attack but created a swirling vortex that lifted Sky slightly off balance.
Rio’s voice rang out, coaching through the chaos. “Koha, use the environment! Don’t just react—create openings!”
Koha’s eyes scanned the room, spotting the floating platforms, the arcane glyphs on the floor, and even the beams of sunlight piercing through the windows. He extended his hands, combining water, earth, and wind, forming a twisting barrier of flowing debris and swirling currents. The mixture of elements moved fluidly, bending around incoming attacks, forming both shield and offensive potential.
Sky smirked. “Bravissimo, ragazzo. But can you handle this?” He infused his next arrow with a forbidden combination: fire and shadow, glowing with an ominous black flame. “Fiamma Oscura – Dark Flame!”
The arrow struck the barrier. Sparks erupted, and part of Koha’s shield cracked. He responded immediately, eyes narrowing. “無限光輝 (Mugen Kōki) – Endless Radiance!” A radiant aura exploded from Koha, dissipating the dark flame and restoring the integrity of his elemental defenses.
The hall shook from the force of the clash. Students gasped, stepping back, some stumbling as residual elemental energy surged through the chamber. Yin’s hands moved rapidly, weaving protective barriers around the spectators, “Vague Éthérée – Ethereal Wave!” streams of magical energy gently pushing the hall’s occupants to safety without interfering with the duel.
Huo’s voice was firm, close to Koha’s ear. “Your instincts are sharp. Keep it flowing, Koha. Don’t let him corner you.”
Koha’s breathing was steady, his movements precise. He felt the weight of responsibility—not just to defend himself but to showcase mastery and growth. His hands formed another elemental combination, this time “光の抱擁, 雷鳴の槍, 大地の拳 – Hikari no Hōyō, Raimei no Yari, Daichi no Ken!” The glowing strikes launched in perfect arcs, forcing Sky to retreat slightly while maintaining his focus and countering every movement.
Sky’s smirk faded, replaced by a focused, intense glare. “Perfetto… you have grown, Koha. But can you maintain this under pressure?” He released a rapid volley of seven arrows, each imbued with different elements: ice, fire, lightning, wind, shadow, light, and earth.
Koha’s eyes widened slightly, recognizing the magnitude of the challenge. He centered himself, gathering elemental energy into a swirling sphere around him. “天地無限, 流水の刃, 火焔の矢, 疾風の突, 大地の拳, 雷鳴の槍 – Tenchi Mugen, Ryūsui no Ya, Katen no Ya, Shippū no Totsu, Daichi no Ken, Raimei no Yari!”
The sphere expanded rapidly, absorbing the seven elemental arrows mid-air. Sparks, steam, and arcs of energy flew outward, but the sphere held strong, demonstrating Koha’s growing control and adaptability.
Sky’s expression shifted, admiration flickering in his eyes. “Impressive… truly impressive. But let’s see how you handle this next challenge.” He nocked another arrow, infusing it with “Oscurità Pervasiva – Pervasive Darkness!”, a black energy that attempted to distort the environment around Koha, warping gravity and air currents.
Koha’s eyes narrowed. For the first time, the shy mage felt the thrill of challenge push him beyond hesitation. “虚空裂破, 氷結の矢, 闇影の刃 – Kokū Reppa, Hyōketsu no Ya, An’ei no Ya!” A synchronized strike of void, ice, and shadow erupted from Koha, countering the distortion and stabilizing the environment.
The hall shook violently, dust falling from the ceiling, glyphs pulsating with residual mana. Students behind the barriers held their breath, eyes wide with awe and fear. Yin, Rio, and Huo stood silently, observing and silently cheering the quiet determination of their friend.
Sky lowered his bow slightly, a rare smile breaking his fierce composure. “You… are unlike anyone I’ve met, Koha. Your control, your instinct, your adaptability… remarkable.”
Koha’s face flushed faintly, eyes downcast but determined. He let the swirling elements dissipate, energy settling around him in a controlled, quiet aura. He breathed steadily, finally allowing a small, tentative smile to form.
Professor Liora’s voice echoed across the hall. “Excellent work, both of you. This is the essence of the Academy Challenge: adaptation, control, and mastery under pressure. Koha, Sky—you have both shown immense skill today. Well done.”
The students erupted into muted applause, tempered by awe and respect. Huo stepped closer to Koha, resting a firm hand on his shoulder, grounding him. Rio flickered a small flame in amusement and encouragement, while Yin smiled softly, admiration clear in his eyes.
Sky’s gaze lingered on Koha, a silent acknowledgment of both rivalry and respect. “Next time… I will push you even further.”
Koha’s lips twitched faintly. “I’ll… be ready.”
The hall settled into quiet as the students absorbed the lessons and awe-inspiring display. Today had not only tested skill but had reminded everyone that mastery was a constant pursuit. And for Koha, it was a step further along the path of control, growth, and discovery.
ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.