When Lifu arrived at the training grounds, he found Tia, Tumo, and Leila already there, discussing their findings with animated expressions.
“So, how did it go?” Lifu asked as he joined them.
Tia was the first to speak, her eyes bright with excitement. “The Fighters Club is amazing! They’ve got some of the best instructors in the academy, and they focus on all types of combat training. Plus, they have regular sparring sessions where you can challenge other members. I’m definitely interested.”
Leila nodded, her calm demeanour contrasting with Tia’s enthusiasm. “The Sorcery Club is everything I hoped it would be. They have access to rare tomes, specialised training in advanced magic, and even a few mentors who are experts in their fields. It’s the perfect place to deepen my studies in wind magic.”
Tumo grinned as he shared his findings. “I checked out the Tamer Club. They work with all kinds of mythical creatures and beasts, and they have some incredible resources for training and bonding with them. It’s not just about combat, either—they focus on understanding the creatures’ behaviour and abilities, which could be really useful.”
Lifu nodded as he listened to his friends, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the diversity of their interests. Each of them had found something that resonated with their strengths and goals.
“I found a few clubs that caught my interest,” Lifu said, sharing what he had learned about the Explorers Club and the others. “The Explorers Club seems like a good fit for me—there’s a lot of emphasis on survival, strategy, and discovery. It’s a bit different from the others, but I think it could offer some unique opportunities.”
Tia nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds like we’ve all got some good options.”
“So, are we ready to commit?” Lifu asked the group.
Tia nodded firmly. “I’m in for the Fighters Club.”
Leila was next, “I’ve decided to join the Sorcery Club.”
Tumo grinned, his tail flicking with anticipation. “I’m all set to join the Tamer Club.”
Lifu smiled, pleased with their decisions. “Sounds like we’ve all found the right fit. I’m going to join the Explorers Club.”
The group exchanged nods of approval, each of them feeling confident in their choices. They had all found clubs that resonated with their individual strengths and interests, and they were ready to dive in and make the most of these opportunities.
“Looks like we’re all set, then,” Tia said with a grin. “Let’s go make it official.”
With that, they set off for the central courtyard. The courtyard was lively as students moved about, signing up for the clubs that had caught their interest.
One by one, they approached their respective clubs to make their membership official. Tia joined the Fighters Club, exchanging a firm handshake with the club leader, a tall, muscular girl who looked every bit the seasoned warrior. Leila signed up with the Sorcery Club, where an older student with a quiet but powerful presence welcomed her with a knowing nod. Tumo enthusiastically joined the Tamer Club, where he was greeted by a jovial student with a rare griffon perched on his shoulder.
Finally, Lifu approached the Explorers Club booth. The lanky student with the wide grin—who introduced himself as Corin—welcomed him warmly.
“Glad to see you decided to join us,” Corin said, handing Lifu a small badge with the Explorers Club emblem on it.
Lifu took the badge and pinned it to his uniform, feeling a sense of satisfaction. “I’m looking forward to it. I think this is going to be a great fit.”
***
With their club memberships secured, the next few days passed in a blur of activity. Each of them threw themselves into their new clubs, eager to learn and grow.
But even as they immersed themselves in their clubs, the Battle Chart loomed large in their minds. It was a constant reminder of the competition and ambition that drove so many students at the academy. And it wasn’t long before the first challenge was issued.
It happened one afternoon while the group was training together. They had met up at the training grounds after their club activities to work on some combination techniques they had started developing weeks earlier. They were focused and determined, each of them pushing themselves to refine their abilities.
As they took a short break, a group of students approached them. Lifu recognised one of them as Garen, a fellow first-year student who was known for his combat skills and confidence. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a cocky smile that suggested he was used to getting his way.
“Lifu Stormborne,” Garen said, addressing Lifu directly. “I’m challenging you to a duel, right here, right now. Unless, of course, you’re not ready to step up to the big leagues.”
Tia, ever the fiery spirit, was about to say something, but Lifu held up a hand to stop her. He knew what Garen was trying to do—he wanted to test Lifu, to see if he was as strong as the rumours suggested. And he was doing it in front of an audience, hoping to make a name for himself by taking down a rising star.
Lifu considered his options for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I accept your challenge. Since we’re both unranked, it should be a fair fight.”
Garen’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he stepped forward, drawing his weapon—a long, curved, steel blade “Oh, you say that now. But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”
Lifu smiled faintly, drawing his own weapon—a short, steel sword. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The other students quickly formed a circle around them, eager to watch the duel. Tia, Tumo, and Leila took their places at the edge of the circle, their expressions a mix of concern and confidence.
The air crackled with anticipation as Lifu and Garen faced off, both of them ready to prove their worth.
“Ready?” Garen taunted, his stance loose but prepared.
“Always,” Lifu replied calmly, his focus sharpening as he channelled his magic into his blade.
For a moment, there was only silence as they sized each other up. Then, in a blur of motion, Garen struck first, his blade arcing through the air as he lunged at Lifu.
Lifu reacted instinctively, parrying the blow with his own sword. The clash of lightning against metal sent a shockwave of energy through the air, crackling loudly and causing a few onlookers to step back. Lifu followed up with a quick counterstrike, his blade moving with precision and speed.
Garen was quick to block, but Lifu could see the surprise in his eyes. It was clear that Garen hadn’t expected Lifu to match him so evenly right from the start. The duel continued, each combatant moving with skill and determination, their blades sparking with each clash.
As they fought, Lifu’s mind was clear and focused. He had trained for this—every movement, every strike, was a testament to the hard work he had put in. Garen was strong and skilled, but Lifu could feel the rhythm of the battle shifting in his favour.
Garen, sensing that he was losing control of the duel, decided to go all out. He channelled his own energy into his blade, causing the air to vibrate as he launched a powerful overhead strike.
But Lifu was ready. He sidestepped the attack with lightning-fast reflexes, then sent a quick wave of water towards his opponent.
Garen staggered back, his expression a mix of surprise and frustration. He tried to regain his footing, but Lifu was already moving in for the final blow. With a swift, decisive strike, Lifu disarmed Garen, sending his weapon clattering to the ground.
For a moment, the courtyard was silent, the onlookers frozen in surprise. The sound of Garen’s weapon hitting the ground seemed to echo through the training grounds. Lifu stood over his opponent, his sword still crackling with residual energy, the tension thick in the air.
Garen, breathing heavily and clearly shaken by the outcome, looked at Lifu with a mixture of frustration and begrudging respect. Lifu could see that Garen hadn’t expected to lose, certainly not in front of so many witnesses. But the outcome was undeniable.
Lifu extended a hand towards Garen, his expression calm and respectful. “Good fight,” he said, his voice steady but not without a hint of empathy. “You’re strong, Garen. I’m sure we’ll have more chances to spar in the future.”
For a moment, Garen hesitated, his pride clearly wounded. But then, with a resigned sigh, he shook Lifu’s hand. The tension in the air began to dissipate as the crowd of onlookers started murmuring among themselves, some nodding in approval of the sportsmanship on display.
“Yeah... good fight,” Garen said, though his tone was less enthusiastic than Lifu’s. He retrieved his fallen weapon and gave Lifu a stiff nod before turning to leave, his entourage following closely behind. It was clear that Garen wasn’t pleased with the outcome, but he wasn’t about to make a scene either.
As the crowd began to disperse, Tia, Tumo, and Leila quickly made their way to Lifu’s side, their expressions a mix of pride and relief.
“You were amazing, Lifu!” Tia said, clapping him on the back. “You handled him like a pro!”
Tumo grinned, his tail flicking with excitement. “I knew you’d win, but that was still something to see! You didn’t just beat him—you outclassed him.”
Leila nodded, her calm demeanour softening with a rare smile. “You kept your cool under pressure, and it paid off. I think you’ve made quite an impression.”
Lifu smiled, grateful for his friends’ support. “Thanks, everyone. I have to admit; I was a bit nervous going into it. Garen’s no slouch, but I just focused on what we’ve been training for.”
“And it shows,” Tia said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “You’re going to climb the Battle Chart fast at this rate.”
Lifu nodded, his mind already turning to the future. The Battle Chart was a long road, and this victory, while satisfying, was only the beginning. There would be more challenges ahead, tougher opponents, and higher stakes. But for now, he could take pride in having proven himself in his first real duel.
***
The next day, Lifu arrived at the Explorers Club headquarters, located in a small but well-equipped building on the outskirts of the academy grounds. The atmosphere was lively as club members gathered for the meeting, some of them chatting excitedly about upcoming expeditions and discoveries.
Corin, the club leader who had welcomed Lifu to the club, greeted him with a wide grin. “Glad you could make it, Lifu. We’ve got a lot to cover today. I hope you’re ready for some adventure.”
Lifu nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. “I’m ready. What’s on the agenda?”
Corin unrolled a large map on the table, revealing a detailed depiction of the surrounding area, including the uncharted territory that the club planned to explore.
“We’re heading out to the Vale,” Corin announced, his tone serious. “It’s a dangerous place, known for its thick forests, treacherous ravines, and the creatures that call it home. But it’s also rumoured to be the site of an ancient ruin—a place that hasn’t been explored in centuries. If we can find it, there’s no telling what we might uncover.”
The other club members murmured excitedly at the prospect of the expedition, but there was also a sense of trepidation. The Vale was notorious for its dangers, and the mention of ancient ruins hinted at even greater challenges.
Lifu felt a thrill of anticipation. This was exactly the kind of adventure he had been hoping for—a chance to explore the unknown, to test his skills in a real-world setting.
Corin continued, outlining the details of the expedition. “We’ll need to be fully prepared—food, water, weapons, survival gear, and anything else we might need. This is going to be a tough one, and we can’t afford to be caught off guard. We’ll split into teams, each with a specific role—scouting, resource gathering, defence, and so on. I’ll be leading the expedition, but I’ll need each of you to step up and take responsibility for your part.”
Lifu nodded along with the others, already thinking about what he would need to bring. The expedition would be a test of everything he had learned so far, and he was determined to prove himself.
After the meeting, as the club members began to disperse, Corin pulled Lifu aside. “I’ve got a good feeling about you, Lifu,” Corin said, his tone more serious now. “You handled yourself well in that duel yesterday, and I think you’re going to be a real asset to this club. I want you to be part of the scouting team for the expedition—one of the first to go in and assess the area. What do you say?”
Lifu felt a surge of pride at the offer. Being part of the scouting team meant being on the front lines of the expedition, taking on the most dangerous and crucial role. It was a chance to prove himself not just as a fighter, but as a strategist and a leader.
“I’m in,” Lifu said without hesitation. “I won’t let you down.”
Corin nodded, satisfied with the response. “Good. We’ll meet tomorrow to go over the details and start preparing. Get some rest—you’re going to need it.”
As Lifu left the Explorers Club headquarters, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead. The expedition to the Vale would be his first real test as a member of the Explorers Club, and he was ready to prove that he had what it took to succeed.
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