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Zariel focused intently on his training, as he always did. Afterward, he even visited his sister Lyra to check on her progress.
“Velgrim, what are you doing here?” Lyra questioned, raising an eyebrow at her little brother.
“Sister, you’ve reached the peak of the 3rd Aura Circle. That’s amazing!” Zariel responded with genuine admiration.
“Don’t mock me. You’re the one growing the fastest. You’re a complete monster,” Lyra replied, her tone a mix of pride and exasperation. Zariel smiled, confused but pleased nonetheless.
Days turned into weeks, and Zariel continued his rigorous regimen: physical training, storing shadow mana, and absorbing knowledge about necromancy. Two months flew by, and the exams were now upon them.
The morning of the exam, set in the Forest of Dawn to the west, arrived swiftly. Zariel had successfully broken through to the 3rd Aura Circle and had ample shadow mana stored. He felt ready, his preparations complete, while Lyra remained at the peak of the 3rd Aura Circle.
On the day of the exam, everyone gathered in the center of the academy. The Headmaster appeared, flanked by the twelve instructors.
All first-year students greeted the Headmaster and the instructors:
Draven Nightshade, Headmaster, 7th Mana Circle Archmage
Lysandra Thorsinger, 5th Mana Circle Mage
Seraphena Moonshadow, 7th Aura Circle Sword Saint
Kaelith Morgrave, 5th Mana Circle Mage
Althea Vesperlight, 6th Mana Circle Mage
Arion Dreadmist, 5th Mana Circle Mage
Caelum Bloodrose, 4th Aura Circle Sword Expert
Nyssa Vesperlight, 4th Mana Circle Mage
Alarion Swiftblade, 5th Aura Circle Sword Master
Keiran Ironclaw, 4th Aura Circle Sword Expert
Elysia Frostheart, 5th Mana Circle Mage
Valeria Darkwing, 5th Aura Circle Sword Master
Aric Thornevale, 4th Mana Circle Mage
To their left stood the Student Council, led by Thalor Drakewood.
Before speaking, the Headmaster observed the gathered students. To the right stood the mage students, all in their 1st Mana Circle. To the left stood the warrior students. The Headmaster’s eyes widened in surprise; two students had reached the 3rd Aura Circle—Zariel and his older sister Lyra. The rest were barely in the 1st Aura Circle, and their auras were far from perfect.
Interesting, Ashborne, the Headmaster mused. Even other Ashborne members never achieved that level at their age. The Ashborne family is growing stronger. Most of the students couldn’t sense this difference due to their lower levels, even Thalor, the President of the Student Council, who had entered the 3rd Aura Circle, was oblivious.
The Headmaster’s gaze lingered on Velgrim Ashborne. He’s using both mana and aura… Wait, what kind of aura is that? Suddenly, he realized Zariel was wielding shadow mana. So, he’s the child the old blacksmith reported to our association—the chosen one destined to grow stronger and fight against the gods beside us, as the prophecy foretold.
The Headmaster recalled his master, who had reached the 8th Mana Circle before disappearing without a trace after seeing the prophecy. He looked at Zariel with a mixture of hope and expectation, and Zariel met his gaze, perplexed by the intensity.
“What is that creepy look?” Zariel murmured under his breath.
YOU ARE READING
Twilights of the Gods
Fantasy"Centuries ago, the battle mage who dared to challenge the gods was sealed away in eternal darkness, his name erased from history. But prophecies whispered of his return, and now, after ages of imprisonment, he has been reborn in a world dominated b...
