The team made their way back to the academy without incident, their spirits lifted by the successful expedition.
“Thank you once again team, I’m proud of you all.” Corin addressed his team proudly.
"You especially, Lifu," Corin added, clapping him on the shoulder. "You kept your cool and defeated the sorcerer. I’m glad to have you on the team."
Lifu smiled, feeling a swell of pride at Corin’s words.
As the team dispersed, Lifu made his way back to the dormitory, eager to share the details of the expedition with his friends.
When he reached the common room, he found them waiting for him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
"How did it go?" Tia asked excitedly. "Did you find anything?"
Lifu grinned, dropping his pack onto the floor as he took a seat. "We found the ancient ruin deep in the Vale, and there was this enchanted box inside.”
Tumo’s eyes widened. "Seriously? That’s incredible! What was in the box?"
Lifu shook his head. "No idea. It was given to Professor Marlow for further analysis. But whatever it is, it’s important. The whole ruin was built around it, and there was even a crazy powerful sorcerer protecting it."
Leila’s brow furrowed in thought. "Oh wow, that sounds incredible Lifu. I’m glad you made it back safely."
Lifu nodded, appreciating her words. "Yeah, it was a close call, but I think we handled it well. Corin was pleased with how the team worked together. It feels good to have been a part of something like this."
Tia punched him lightly on the arm, her grin wide. "You’re on your way to becoming a legendary explorer, Lifu. Just don’t forget about us when you’re off discovering ancient civilizations."
Lifu laughed, shaking his head. "You’re coming with me. We’re in this together, remember?"
Tia couldn’t help but blush at his response.
The group settled into a comfortable conversation, sharing stories of their own experiences over the past few days. The comradeship they had built over their time at the academy was stronger than ever, a bond forged through shared challenges and victories.
***
The morning after the expedition, Lifu was still riding the high of their success. He and his friends had spent the previous night celebrating in the dormitory, sharing stories and laughter late into the evening. Now, as he made his way across the academy grounds, his mind was filled with thoughts of the strange box they had discovered and what secrets it might hold.
But his thoughts were interrupted when he saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall near the central courtyard. Thabo. The second-year student who had taunted Lifu and his friends during their first week at the academy, was back, his usual smug expression firmly in place.
Lifu felt a surge of annoyance as he approached, but he kept his expression neutral. He knew Thabo was trouble, but he wasn’t about to let him get under his skin.
“Lifu Stormborne,” Thabo drawled, pushing off the wall and sauntering over. “The rising star of the academy—or so I’ve heard.”
Lifu met Thabo’s gaze evenly. “What do you want, Thabo?”
Thabo smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “I heard about your little adventure in the Vale. Joining the Explorers Club, huh? A curious choice for someone who claims to be aiming for greatness. What’s next? Digging up old bones and cataloguing rocks?”
Lifu felt his jaw tighten but forced himself to stay calm. “The Explorers Club is about more than that, Thabo. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s known, discovering things that could change the world. It’s not just about fighting.”
Thabo laughed, the sound sharp and condescending. “Ah, yes. Because fighting is clearly beneath you. How noble.” His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. “Or maybe it’s because you know you can’t cut it where it really counts—in the arena. Beating weaklings like Garen might impress the other first-years, but it doesn’t mean anything to the real fighters here.”
Lifu’s temper flared, but he kept his voice steady. “Garen was a tough opponent, and I gave him the respect he deserved. I’m not interested in picking fights just to prove something.”
Thabo’s smirk returned, more mocking this time. “Of course you’re not. It’s easy to avoid the arena when you know you’d get crushed by anyone with real skill.” He leaned in closer, his tone dripping with disdain. “Tell you what, Stormborne—if you ever manage to claw your way into the top 500 of the Battle Chart, I’ll give you the honour of facing me in a duel. But until then, keep hiding behind your girlfriend’s skirt.”
Lifu’s eyes narrowed as he met Thabo’s gaze. The challenge hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken tension. Thabo was goading him, trying to push him into a reckless decision. But Lifu wasn’t about to rise to the bait.
“I’ll see you when I get there, then,” Lifu said calmly, refusing to let Thabo’s words get the better of him. “And when I do, you’d better be ready.”
Thabo’s smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “We’ll see,” he said, turning on his heel and walking away. “But I won’t hold my breath.”
As Thabo disappeared into the crowd, Lifu let out a slow breath, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Thabo’s taunts had struck a nerve, but Lifu knew better than to let them cloud his judgment. He had more important things to focus on—like his training, his friends, and the mysteries they were uncovering.
As he turned to leave, he was surprised to see Leila standing nearby, her expression a mix of concern and resolve. She had clearly overheard the exchange, and she approached him with a determined look in her eyes.
“Lifu,” she said quietly, glancing in the direction Thabo had gone. “Don’t let him get to you. Thabo thrives on making people doubt themselves.”
Lifu nodded, grateful for her support. “I know. He’s just trying to get under my skin. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.”
Leila smiled faintly, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small, carefully wrapped scroll. “I actually came to find you because I have something for you. I discovered this during one of my club activities, and I thought it might be useful for you.”
Lifu took the scroll, curiosity piqued. “What is it?”
“It’s a healing spell,” Leila explained, her tone thoughtful. “But it’s specifically designed for those with a water affinity. It’s not the most powerful spell, but it’s versatile and doesn’t require a lot of mana to use. I figured it could come in handy, especially with all the exploring you’re doing.”
Lifu unrolled the scroll, scanning the intricate runes and diagrams that outlined the spell. It was a simple yet elegant incantation, designed to quickly heal minor wounds and alleviate fatigue. The fact that it was tailored to his water affinity made it even more valuable.
“This is amazing, Leila,” Lifu said, genuine appreciation in his voice. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to learn it before my next expedition. It could make a real difference.”
Leila nodded, her expression softening. “I thought so too. You’re pushing yourself hard, Lifu, and I just want to make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. We all do.”
Lifu smiled, touched by her concern. “I appreciate it, Leila. I really do. We’re all in this together, and knowing I’ve got friends like you watching my back makes all the difference.”
***
Later that afternoon, the atmosphere in the training grounds was electric with anticipation. Word had spread that Tia was about to face her first real opponent in the Battle Chart, and a crowd had gathered to watch the duel.
Her friends stood together near the edge of the arena, their eyes fixed on her as she prepared for the fight. Her opponent, a burly first-year student named Orin, was already waiting, his expression confident and perhaps a little condescending. He towered over Tia, his muscles rippling beneath his training gear, but Tia showed no sign of intimidation.
The referee, an older student with a stern expression, stepped forward to address the fighters. “This is an official Battle Chart duel. The duel ends when one fighter is unable to continue or yields. Begin!”
Orin wasted no time, charging forward with surprising speed for someone his size. His fists were coated in thick earth magic, turning them into stone-like weapons as he swung at Tia with brutal force. The ground shook with the impact of his attacks, but Tia was quick on her feet, darting out of range with agile movements.
Tia’s fire magic flared to life as she countered, her hands igniting with intense flames. She sent a burst of fire toward Orin, forcing him to leap back and raise a shield of earth to block the attack. The flames collided with the shield, sending sparks flying in all directions, but Orin’s defences held strong.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Orin taunted, a smirk spreading across his face as he advanced again, this time with even more aggression. He lunged at Tia, attempting to overwhelm her with sheer power.
She sidestepped his attack with a graceful spin, her flames trailing behind her in a fiery arc. Before Orin could recover, she struck with a swift, precise kick, the force of her fire-enhanced strike sending him stumbling back.
Orin’s smirk faltered as he regained his footing, realising that Tia was faster and more skilled than he had anticipated. He adjusted his stance, his expression growing more serious as he summoned a wall of earth behind him, intending to trap Tia between it and his next attack.
But Tia was already thinking several steps ahead. As Orin charged once more, she channelled her fire magic into the ground, sending a wave of heat surging through the earth beneath her. The ground cracked and splintered, weakening the structure of Orin’s wall just as he reached her.
With a powerful leap, Tia vaulted over Orin’s head, using the momentum to deliver a blazing punch directly to the weakened wall. The flames erupted with explosive force, shattering the wall into a cloud of dust and debris. Orin was caught off guard, the impact sending him sprawling to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps of amazement as Tia landed gracefully, her eyes locked on Orin as he struggled to get back up.
Orin’s expression was a mix of frustration and grudging respect as he wiped the dust from his face.
“You’re good,” Orin admitted, “but I’m not done yet.”
Tia nodded, her expression serious but calm. “Neither am I.”
Orin’s stance shifted, and he channelled more earth magic into his fists, which now glowed with a deep, intense energy. With a roar, he slammed his hands into the ground, causing the earth beneath them to ripple and surge like a wave. Large spikes of stone shot up from the ground, racing toward Tia with deadly precision.
The crowd held its breath as Tia reacted instantly, summoning a massive pillar of flame to meet the stone spikes head-on. The fire collided with the earth, and the resulting explosion sent a shockwave through the arena.
As the dust and debris settled, Tia was already on the move. Using the cover of the smoke, she sprinted toward him. Orin barely had time to react as Tia unleashed a rapid series of fiery strikes.
Orin blocked as best as he could, his stone fists absorbing most of the blows, but Tia’s relentless assault was taking its toll. With every strike, she chipped away at Orin’s defences.
Orin decided to gamble everything on one final attack. He plunged his fists into the ground and pulled out a massive boulder. With a grunt, he hurled the boulder at Tia, intending to crush her under its weight.
Tia rolled under it and drew in a deep breath, focusing all her energy into a single, powerful burst of fire. The flames erupted from her mouth like a blazing comet, shooting toward Orin with explosive force.
Orin tried to block the incoming flame, but his energy was spent and he was blasted off his feet.
“I yield,” he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
The referee immediately stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the end of the duel. “The winner is Tia Drakenhart!”
The crowd erupted into applause, the intensity of the battle having left everyone on the edge of their seats.
Tia walked over to Orin and offered him a hand, much like Lifu had done with Garen.
“You fought well,” Tia said sincerely. “Thanks for the match.”
Orin nodded, allowing Tia to help him to his feet. “You too. I won’t underestimate you again.”
With the duel over, the crowd began to disperse, and Tia ran towards her friends, a triumphant grin on her face.
In a fit of excitement, she jumped onto Lifu while shouting “I did it!”
Lifu caught her in mid-air, and with a warm smile on his face he replied, “You earned it, Tia. Keep fighting like that, and you’ll be ruling the charts in no time.”
Without missing a beat, Tumo exclaimed, “You were amazing!”
Leila nodded, her smile reflecting the pride they all felt. “You’ve really honed your skills, Tia. That was an impressive victory.”
Tia shrugged, though she couldn’t hide the glow of satisfaction in her eyes. “It was tough, but now I’ve got my first win on the Battle Chart.”
After a while, Tia finally realised what she had done, with cheeks rapidly turning red, she quickly jumped out of Lifu’s arms. “L-let’s go celebrate.” She stuttered nervously.
Leila pretended not to notice her adorable reaction, while the two boys seemed to be completely oblivious.
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