Next month Faith and Elias practiced a new defensive barrier spell together. As their hands touched mid-chant, Faith pulled back slightly, cheeks reddening. Elias glanced at her, eyes soft but quickly looked away.

One afternoon, Logan snuck up behind Elias mid-training and smacked the back of his head. Logan: "That’s for looking too serious all the time." Elias (smirking): "Says the guy who nearly set his own pants on fire last week." Faith (laughing in the background): "You both act like kids."

They collapsed in laughter under the shade of the training tree.

By now, they trained as a trio — coordinating attacks, building reflexes, covering one another. Dorian stood back, arms folded, watching the cohesion form. Elias had begun anticipating Logan’s fiery bursts and Faith’s supportive shields without needing words.

In the evenings, Elias helped Dante improve agility and strength. Elias: "Come on, you're getting stronger. I can tell." Dante (panting): "At this rate, I’ll be shredded like you."
That same week, Faith watched Elias train alone from a distance — the way he moved, the determination in his eyes. She smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

By the end of the 6 months in training as a team their teamwork reached a peak. They managed to disarm a conjured magical beast Dorian summoned, coordinating without a single misstep.

: Main courtyard of the training grounds, early morning. The skies are gold-drenched with sunrise light, and a soft breeze rustles through the leaves. Everyone is gathered — Faith, Dante, Dorian — watching with focused eyes.

Dorian (arms folded, tone firm): "It’s time we see how far you’ve come. Logan, Elias... sparring session. Full strength. No holding back."

Logan (stretching his neck, smirking): "Hope you’re ready to lose, golden boy."

Elias (calmly tightening his gloves): "Hope you’re ready to learn something new."

They step into the center. A quiet tension builds. Faith watches Elias closely, sensing the shift in his demeanor — more composed, more controlled, but still intense beneath the surface.

Dorian: "Begin."

Logan bursts forward, igniting his fists in blazing fire, lunging straight at Elias with speed and aggression. Elias sidesteps effortlessly, almost as if he knew Logan’s first move.

Logan (grinning): "Don’t just dodge! Fight me!"

He spins midair and releases a wave of fire — a curved arc of flame meant to cut Elias off.

Elias flicks his hand, a swirling gust of wind intercepts the flame, extinguishing it instantly. Without a word, he lunges forward, faster than Logan anticipated.

Logan (eyes widening): "What the—?!"

Elias strikes — a palm to the chest, knocking Logan back, then disappears behind him in a flash-step. Before Logan can turn, Elias delivers a precise leg sweep, sending him crashing to the ground.

Logan groans, rolling back to his feet, aura flaring. Logan: "You’re good. But not good enough!"

He lets out a blast — flames spiraling like a dragon’s breath. The ground scorches toward Elias.

Elias, expression unchanged, calmly channels his mana and summons a barrier of crystallized air, forming a swirling prism that deflects the flames harmlessly.

Logan charges again — but Elias meets him head-on. Fists collide — Elias catches Logan’s punch mid-air and twists his arm behind him, spinning Logan around and pinning him with his elbow to the ground in a single swift motion.

Elias (firmly): "You’ve gotten better. But you still lead with emotion."

Logan, out of breath, blinks — stunned. Then he chuckles from the ground.

Logan (panting): "Okay... okay... yeah. You win."


Elias offers him a hand, pulling him up. The others start clapping softly, Faith included, smiling.

Dorian (watching and thinking with a proud smirk): "Hmph... the boy’s come a long way."

He looks at Elias for a moment longer — the fire, the focus, the control — and quietly thinks to himself: "He’s almost ready."