Arden and I kept at that routine for two years under the tutelage of Blake. We made great strides in our training and managed to incorporate elemental magic to further develop our unique fighting styles. The hours of meditation, manifestation, imbuing, and sparring paid off as we both became skilled mages with considerable control over our elements.

Over the 2 years, Arden's fire magic had become a blazing inferno, he became able to control his flames to engulf an opponent or incinerate an object with ease. His swordsmanship improved tenfold, and he began to imbue his sword with fire for added damage.

The two years were also very beneficial for me, I honed my wind magic to a fearsome level. My ability to unleash powerful gusts of wind became a formidable weapon, able to knock opponents off balance. I also developed a wind wall technique, allowing me to block off my opponents and control the battle. My swordsmanship developed to a highly advanced level, and I became able to imbue my sword, Mistral, with the wind element to enhance its speed and sharpness.

Blake has been proud of our progress and has been a great mentor to us. He's taught us not only how to control our elements but also how to use them as an extension of ourselves in combat. We've honed our skills and become formidable mages in our own right.

I was training with Arden, as usual, when Blake approached us with a serious look on his face. "Kai, Arden," he began, "I have some news to share with you both."

I felt a sense of unease wash over me, wondering what could be so important that it would bring Blake to us with such a solemn expression.

"I've been called away on a long deployment with the Guardians starting next week, and I won't be able to continue our training sessions together," Blake continued.

Arden and I were both stunned. We had been training under Blake's guidance for five years now, since we were 8 years old, and he had become like an older brother to us. The sudden news of his imminent departure was incredibly surprising.

"But before I go, I want you both to have one final sparring session. I want to see how far you have come in your training and what you have learned." Blake said with a proud smile.

Arden and I stood opposite each other on the grounds where we had trained for the last 5 years. The other nobles who had been training in this place alongside us for all those years had paused to observe our match, able to sense the importance of this fight at a glance. 

Each of us stood with a serious expression on our faces, basic leather armor for protection, and a training sword in our right hands. Though the sparring match was against one another, Arden and I were both extremely aware that the winner didn’t matter, only that we each had to display skills worthy of a 3-Star Guardian’s student. Despite the winner not truly mattering, I knew that neither of us would hold anything back, we had developed a sort of brotherly rivalry over the years.

I could sense Arden drawing mana into his body, I was doing the same I’m sure he knew it. I made the first move, focusing mana into my legs and feet, I expelled mana from the bottom of my feet in the form of a concentrated wind blast, dashing towards Arden. I was aiming to close the distance as a ranged fight would only work better for Arden, I had to take control of this fight early on if I wanted to win.

Arden countered my dash with a wall of fire, forcing me to stop my attack. The wall blocked my field of vision, I couldn’t see where he was, nor could I sense his mana. A bad feeling washed over me, I used a wind-enhanced jump to see above the flame wall and get a better vantage point, albeit a temporary one. 

Just as my jump carried me above the wall, a flame-covered sword slashed through it, cleaving through the air where my torso was seconds earlier. I noticed Arden, tucked right behind the flame wall, and launched a scythe of wind toward him. Arden countered with an arc of fire of his own but it worked as enough of a distraction for me to land back on the ground and close the distance between us. 

I thrust the point of my practice sword at Arden’s sternum, trying to end it quickly. Arden’s flame-covered sword came up with incredible speed provided by a mana-enhanced body. While he managed to parry the blow away from any vital points, Arden was not as fast as me in close-quarters combat, I managed to hit his left shoulder with the blade of my blunted practice sword.

The blow to his shoulder was enough to throw off his balance and allowed me to attack his unguarded leg with a mana-enhanced strike from the sword in my right hand to the top of his left thigh.

Arden grunted in pain and rolled backwards before regaining his footing, creating space between us. He aimed the point of his sword at me, and using it as a conduit, launched a concentrated beam of fire right at me. The blaze was so intense that the air around it became visible, rippled by the scorching heat. 

I just about managed to dodge, but I couldn’t move in close, I had to keep moving or take the full force of his attack, and Instructor Blake would likely have to step in if it got too close. 

I knew that both Arden and I have an unusually high number of mana channels, but I also knew that I outclassed him in stamina nonetheless. His beam was already weakening, the air no longer rippled in response. 

That’s it! The air! 

I realized that his flame was no longer hot enough to influence the air, but I could use the air to influence his flame. Focusing on manipulating the wind mana so far from me was an incredibly arduous task while running, but I managed to push his attack off course, giving myself an opening to release a barrage of wind blasts. Arden was forced to end his ceaseless attack to defend himself, allowing me an opportunity to get in close. 

I enhanced every muscle in my body with mana and used wind magic beneath my feet to further propel myself. I closed the distance extremely quickly, ending up moving past my barrage of wind and behind Arden. I brought up my wind-coated sword and struck down towards his head with all my might. Just before it connected, Instructor Blake stepped in and caught the training blade with a mana-enhanced hand, confirming my victory.

After checking that we were both alright, Blake gave a proud smile as he looked between Arden and me, “I am truly proud of both of you,” he said, “That was a truly impressive display of skill.”

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at Blake's words, Arden and I had both put in a lot of effort over the last five years, and it was finally paying off.

“Thank you, Instructor Blake,” I replied, feeling a bit bashful.

Blake's expression became more serious, “Unfortunately, due to my deployment, your training with me is officially over.”

“We will continue to train and strive to become the best warriors we can be,” Arden said, speaking up for the first time since the fight, “just as you taught us.”

Blake gave a nod, “That's what I like to hear. Remember, the skills and knowledge I have taught you will only take you so far, the rest is up to you. I have faith that both of you will continue to grow and join me in the Guardians eventually. Keep in mind that while your skills are progressing well, you are far from meeting all of the requirements to apply.”

It was a good point by Blake, there were more requirements to becoming a Guardian than just a physical test. While both Arden and I had received education in general knowledge, arithmetic, reading, and etiquette within our families, all Guardians required formal schooling at an official academy, as well as time served in the Sylvan Guard.

“But,” Blake continued, “We do have one final matter to discuss before our training is over. What is the purpose of the Guardians?”

Arden spoke up first, “The Guardians are an elite military group, they protect Arboreus from both external and internal threats.”

“Good, that’s the basic idea behind it, yes.” Blake continued speaking, his voice more serious this time, “Now, I won’t ask for your specific reasons regarding your desires to join the Guardians. But what I will say is that you both face a lot of pressure due to your lineage. Don’t join the Guardians as a result of this pressure. You must remember that the Guardians protect all of Arboreus, not just your home domains. Being a member of the Guardians will sometimes involve putting other people and places throughout Arboreus before your own home. Just keep that in mind as you contemplate your future paths.”

With those words, our training with Blake Arward officially came to an end. Although it was a bittersweet moment, I felt proud of our growth over the past 5 years, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held.

Those words didn’t change anything for me. I knew I would have to protect all of Arboreus, and I couldn’t truly do that if it was all just for the selfish reason of attempting to impress my family.

I took a deep breath and looked at Arden, who was still taking in the words that Blake left us with. "Arden," I began, "there's something I need to tell you."

He turned to face me, his expression was curious. "What is it?"

"Now that our training with Blake is over, I expect that my father and I will return to the Vale Domain," I explained. "All of my siblings did the same once their training in Luminia ended."

"I see," Arden said, looking crestfallen. "I’d hoped we could continue to train together on our own."

“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling a twinge of sadness myself, “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

“No need to apologize,” Arden replied. “At least let me throw you a going away party, perhaps you can see that elf, Eira Luthien again?” A goofy grin grew on his face.

“Shut up,” I chuckled, “You’re acting like you weren’t ogling every girl at that party.”

“I was 11!” Arden rebutted.

"So was I!" We both erupted into a fit of laughter. “But, do you remember that time you cried when Instructor Blake gave us a new training routine?”

“You saw that?!” Arden exclaimed, still chuckling.

We spent the next hour or so reminiscing about the past 5 years. Our bond had formed into that of brothers, and I felt a tinge of sadness knowing that I wouldn't be seeing Blake or Arden for a while.

Despite the sadness, we agreed that we should make the most of my going away party. 

“But seriously though,” I added to Arden, grinning. “Make sure that Eira is invited.”