The next day at Golden Crest Academy, Lucas found himself navigating through the bustling halls, the excitement of the previous day still lingering in the air. He and his friends had gained a reputation for their impressive performances in the challenges, and now everyone seemed to recognize them.
“Hey, Lucas! Great job yesterday!” a classmate called out, giving him a thumbs-up.
“Thanks! It was a team effort!” Lucas replied, smiling.
As he made his way to the classroom for his first lecture of the day, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something unusual was in the air. He entered the classroom and noticed a buzz among the students. Professor Kalia, known for her eccentric teaching style, was already there, her piercing green eyes scanning the room.
“Good morning, class!” she announced, her voice melodious yet commanding. “Today, we have a special lesson on advanced combat techniques!”
Lucas took a seat near the front, eager to soak in the knowledge. Professor Kalia had a reputation for being both brilliant and a bit unpredictable, and he was curious to see what she had planned.
“Before we start, I want to recognize a few students who impressed me during the recent trials,” she said, her gaze locking onto Lucas. “Especially you, Lucas. Your performance was particularly noteworthy.”
A murmur of surprise spread through the classroom. Lucas felt a flush of embarrassment as his classmates turned to look at him.
“Me? Thanks, Professor Kalia,” he stammered, scratching the back of his head.
“Yes, indeed! Your unique approach to combat, especially with your shadow magic, is fascinating. I’d love to see more of it,” she said, her eyes glinting with a mix of intrigue and something else that Lucas couldn’t quite place.
“Uh, I’d be happy to demonstrate more if you’d like,” Lucas replied, trying to keep his tone professional.
“Wonderful! Perhaps after class, we can have a little one-on-one session?” she suggested, leaning slightly forward as she spoke, her gaze intense.
The room went silent, and Lucas felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He exchanged glances with Aveline, Nephy, and Rael, who looked equally surprised.
“Um, yeah, that sounds good,” Lucas said, his heart racing.
“Excellent! Now, let’s begin our lesson,” Professor Kalia said, clapping her hands. “Today, I want to focus on enhancing your agility and reflexes. Everyone, follow my lead!”
As the lesson progressed, Lucas couldn’t shake off the feeling that Professor Kalia was watching him a bit too closely. During the agility drills, he noticed her lingering gaze, her focus unwavering as he moved. It made him both flattered and slightly uncomfortable.
“Alright, class, now let’s partner up for some sparring,” she instructed. “Lucas, you’ll partner with me.”
“Wait, what?” Lucas blinked, caught off guard.
“Don’t worry; I promise to be gentle,” she said, her smile enigmatic.
The other students watched with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as Lucas stepped into the makeshift sparring area with Professor Kalia. He could feel their eyes on him, and he tried to shake off the nervousness.
“Ready?” she asked, her stance fluid and ready for action.
“Yeah, I think so,” Lucas replied, determined to impress her.
With a swift motion, Professor Kalia lunged at him, her movements graceful and precise. Lucas dodged, using his shadows to enhance his agility. They exchanged blows, Lucas focusing on his footwork while trying to keep up with her speed.
“Good, good! But remember, you can’t just evade. You need to counterattack,” she called out, her voice encouraging yet firm.
He took her advice to heart and focused on finding openings in her attacks. As he countered with a shadow-infused strike, he saw a glimmer of approval in her eyes.
“Excellent! You’re learning quickly,” she praised, and Lucas felt a rush of pride.
After a few more rounds, Professor Kalia finally called a halt. “Alright, let’s take a break. Lucas, come here for a moment.”
Lucas approached her, curiosity piqued. “What’s up, Professor?”
“Your skills are impressive, but I believe there’s more potential in you. I’d like to discuss your training in greater detail,” she said, her tone turning serious.
“Really? I’d love to hear your suggestions,” he replied, intrigued.
“Meet me after class in the training hall. I have some advanced techniques I want to teach you, especially about harnessing your necromancer abilities,” she said, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Okay, I’ll be there,” Lucas said, feeling a mix of anticipation and unease.
As class ended, Lucas gathered his things and shared a look with Aveline, who raised an eyebrow. “What did she want?”
“She said she wants to discuss training,” Lucas replied, trying to keep his tone casual.
“I’ll bet she does,” Rael teased, smirking. “Just make sure you keep it professional!”
“Shut up, Rael,” Lucas shot back, rolling his eyes.
“Good luck, Lucas! Don’t let her charm you too much,” Nephy added, her expression playful.
“Very funny,” Lucas replied, a bit flustered as he made his way to the training hall.
Once inside, he found Professor Kalia waiting for him, her expression a mix of excitement and determination. “I’m glad you came, Lucas. I have some techniques I believe will greatly enhance your necromancer abilities.”
“Sounds good! I’m eager to learn,” Lucas said, feeling motivated.
“Let’s begin,” she said, moving to a training dummy. “To harness the full potential of your necromancy, you need to understand how to manipulate shadows and the undead effectively.”
Lucas watched closely as she demonstrated a series of intricate movements, channeling energy into her staff. He felt a spark of inspiration as she explained the mechanics behind each technique.
“Now, you try,” she encouraged, stepping back to give him space.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas focused on the shadows around him, feeling the familiar energy coursing through him. He mimicked her movements, summoning a small shadow to flicker and dance before him.
“Good, but you need to be more assertive. Command your shadows!” she urged, her tone firm yet encouraging.
Lucas nodded, determination fueling his resolve. He concentrated harder, channeling more energy into his shadows. This time, he summoned a larger shadow, which moved fluidly in response to his commands.
“Excellent! That’s the spirit!” she praised, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “Now, let’s incorporate some combat.”
The two engaged in a mock battle, with Lucas using his shadow constructs to defend against her attacks. He felt exhilarated as he found his rhythm, matching her movements with increasing confidence.
As they sparred, Lucas couldn’t help but notice how close they were becoming. Professor Kalia was not only an incredible teacher but also someone who exuded a magnetic energy that drew him in.
After several rounds, they finally took a break, both slightly breathless from the exertion.
“You have a natural talent, Lucas,” she said, wiping her brow. “But don’t forget, necromancy comes with responsibilities. It’s not just about power.”
“I understand, Professor. I want to use my abilities to help others, not just for myself,” Lucas replied, sincerity evident in his voice.
“Good. That’s the mindset of a true hero,” she said, her gaze piercing yet warm. “With training, you could become a great asset to the academy—and to the world.”
“Thanks for believing in me,” Lucas said, feeling a surge of gratitude.
“Now, let’s discuss more advanced techniques, shall we?” she said, her expression shifting back to focus.
As the training session continued, Lucas couldn’t help but feel a deeper connection forming between them. Professor Kalia was not just a teacher; she was someone who inspired him to push his limits.
After a few hours, Lucas finally paused, sweat glistening on his forehead. “I think I’m starting to get the hang of this!”
“Indeed! You’ve made remarkable progress today,” she replied, her expression genuine. “But don’t let it go to your head.”
“Trust me, I won’t,” he said, laughing lightly.
As the session wrapped up, Professor Kalia placed a hand on his shoulder. “Remember, Lucas, I’m here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance.”
“Thanks, Professor! I really appreciate it,” he said, feeling a warmth in her presence.
“Now, go. I’m sure your friends are waiting for you,” she said, waving him off with a smile.
As Lucas left the training hall, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey. With each day at Golden Crest Academy, he was growing stronger—not just in skill but in character.
When he rejoined Aveline, Nephy, and Rael in the courtyard, they were eagerly chatting about their experiences.
“There you are! How was your training?” Aveline asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“It was intense! Professor Kalia really knows her stuff,” Lucas replied, still buzzing from the session.
“Did she try to charm you?” Rael teased, nudging him playfully.
“Come on, guys! It was just training!” Lucas protested, but he couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto his face.
“Well, if she did, you wouldn’t be the first,” Nephy chimed in, giggling. “I’ve heard rumors about her… unique teaching style.”
“Unique is one way to put it
,” Lucas said, shaking his head. “But I think she just wants to see us succeed.”
“Sure, whatever you say, Romeo,” Aveline laughed, and the group continued their banter as they headed toward their next class.
As they walked, Lucas felt a sense of camaraderie among them. No matter how challenging their journey became, he knew they would face it together—side by side, as friends and allies.
And as for Professor Kalia, Lucas couldn’t help but wonder what more he would learn from her in the days to come. Little did he know, his journey was just beginning, and the challenges ahead would test not only his skills but also the bonds he had forged at the academy.