Now it was time for training, and as usual, Instructor Joshua was putting Class 1B through hell.
"Faster," he said calmly, watching as his students struggled to maneuver around a massive boulder, its heavy metal chain wrapped tightly around their hands, legs, and hips.
For three grueling hours, they dragged the colossal weight across the training field. Their muscles burned, sweat poured down their faces, but Joshua? He sat comfortably in the shade, casually enjoying his lunch as if their suffering were mere entertainment.
Finally, he set his food aside and said, "Alright, that's enough."
The students collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. "Finally!" they groaned in unison.
"Take ten," Joshua added, leaning back against a nearby tree.
Xavier, still catching his breath, wiped the sweat from his brow. "Instructor, why do we have to go through this torture while wearing a 20kg weighted suit?"
Joshua smirked. "Because it accelerates your growth."
Jupiter, lying flat on his back, let out a sarcastic laugh. "And dragging a giant rock around is supposed to help with that?"
"Stop whining," Joshua shot back. "This training builds your bodies to withstand the expansion of your ethereal cores. You'll thank me later. Besides..."
He crossed his arms and looked at the exhausted class. "You guys can conduct your Auras now."
Xavier sat up straight. "Wait, seriously?"
Joshua nodded. "Try focusing. Imagine twisting the cap off a bottle of water. Feel the pressure inside, the energy ready to be released. Now, open it. Let your Aura flow."
The students followed his instructions. A few moments later, shimmering energy began to radiate from their bodies, flickering like flames, rippling like waves, each unique in its color and intensity.
Gasps of amazement filled the air.
"Look at that!" one student exclaimed, staring at their glowing hands.
Joshua chuckled. "Told you. And take a good look—no two Auras are exactly the same. Some flow smoothly, others surge like a raging storm. Some even have effects on their surroundings."
A curious student raised a hand. "Our Aura can change our environment?"
Joshua nodded. "That's right. It depends on your natural abilities."
To demonstrate, he closed his eyes and let his own Aura flare to life. A deep blue energy pulsed from his core, and instantly, the ground beneath him frosted over. The air grew colder, a thin sheet of ice spreading outward.
"My Aura freezes everything around me. It also makes it easier to predict my enemies' movements." He stomped lightly, and the ice cracked. "Most people don't move so well when the ground's slippery."
The students marveled. "That's incredible!"
Joshua grinned. "And that's not the only benefit. Aura isn't just for fighting or intimidation. When you release ethereal energy into the air, you can reabsorb it—along with the ambient energy around you—to strengthen yourself."
Xavier, now standing, furrowed his brows. "How does that even work?"
Joshua leaned against the tree. "Simple. Everything contains ethereal energy—whether it's the ground, the trees, even the air. By training, you can pull that energy into your body, enhancing your abilities."
Another student raised a hand hesitantly. "Wait, does that mean we can absorb energy from animals or even… people?"
Joshua shook his head. "Not by force. That's forbidden. Absorbing raw natural ethereal energy is one thing, but taking from another living being? That's crossing a line. Plus, that's impossible to do."
The class nodded, absorbing the lesson with a newfound respect for Aura's power.
Then Joshua clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough chatting. Back to work. You'll need every ounce of strength for the upcoming event."
Jupiter raised an eyebrow. "What event?"
Joshua blinked. "You guys don't know about the Forest Crown Hunt?"
The students exchanged confused looks before collectively responding, "No."
Joshua sighed, rubbing his temple. "Unbelievable. Well, let me explain."
He paced before them. "The Forest Crown Hunt is an annual event held by the school. Every student in your grade will participate. You'll be split into teams of six and dropped into a massive forest. There will be sixteen teams total, meaning ninety-six participants."
Xavier's expression sharpened. "And what's the goal?"
Joshua smirked. "Each team will have roles:
A King: The strategist and decision-maker.
Two Warriors: The main combatants, responsible for protecting the King.
A Scout: The navigator and eyes of the team.
A Healer: Provides medical support.
A Strategist: Assists in planning and battlefield awareness."
Jupiter leaned forward. "And what's the actual objective?"
Joshua's grin widened. "Simple. Steal the crown from the opposing teams' Kings. The last team standing wins."
The students murmured among themselves, excitement stirring in the air.
Joshua then dropped the real bombshell. "And the winning team? Well… they don't just get a school reward. The head principal personally selects a prize. And…" He paused for effect. "You'll also receive recognition from the High Council of the Noble Houses of the Kingdom of the United States."
Silence.
Then, the realization hit.
The students erupted in excitement, their exhaustion all but forgotten.
Joshua let them have their moment before his expression darkened. "But… your break ended five minutes ago."
The students froze.
Joshua cracked his knuckles. "Get back to moving those boulders. Now."
A collective groan echoed through the training grounds as they hurried to obey.
Joshua smirked, watching them struggle once more. "This year's Forest Crown Hunt should be interesting," he mused. His gaze landed on Xavier and Jupiter. "Especially with those two involved."
He let out a quiet chuckle, already anticipating the chaos to come.
-----
As school let out, Xavier walked alongside Aleksander and Violet, stretching his arms as he sighed in relief.
"So, how was school today, Xavier?" Violet asked, her tone light and curious.
Xavier groaned dramatically. "Oh, you know, just another day in paradise. A little more torturous than usual, though."
Violet giggled. "Sounds like you had a blast."
Xavier chuckled but then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, that's right! I almost forgot!"
"What is it?" Violet asked, tilting her head slightly, concern flickering in her eyes.
"We learned about the Great Race War today," Xavier said. "And about those weird monsters called Vermits."
Violet's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's actually pretty cool!"
Xavier nodded. "Yeah, and we also covered this insanely strong guy—King Julius von Audrius, the Grand Emperor of Lithuania."
Aleksander, who had been quietly listening, raised a brow. "Julius the Dreadlord, huh?"
"Yep!" Xavier confirmed. "The guy was an absolute monster. A Grand Herrscher with crazy power... but also a total villain."
Then, with a wide grin, Xavier turned to Aleksander. "But I don't think he's stronger than you, Big Bro."
Aleksander blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter. "That's a bold claim, Xavier."
Xavier tilted his head. "So, you're saying you're stronger?"
Aleksander shook his head. "Not exactly. In my current state, I wouldn't even leave a scratch on him."
Xavier frowned. "Really?"
"Standing in his presence alone would be enough to wipe me from existence," Aleksander admitted, a serious look crossing his face.
Xavier crossed his arms, deep in thought. "But... what if you reached your full potential?"
Aleksander's expression shifted. There was a spark of something—determination, maybe even certainty. "If I could unleash my true power, removing the restrictions my contractor placed on me…"
He paused before continuing, "And if Emperor Julius had full access to all his ethereal instruments and his Armor of Chaos..."
Aleksander's voice grew firmer, filled with conviction. "Then it would be the toughest battle of my life."
Xavier stared at him, captivated. "But... would you lose?"
Aleksander's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with absolute confidence. "Oh, I'd win. Without question. It wouldn't be easy, but I'd make sure of it. No matter what."
Xavier's eyes widened, completely in awe. "You're so cool, Brother!"
Aleksander chuckled, ruffling Xavier's hair. But before he could say anything, Violet pouted and crossed her arms. "Hey! What about me? I'm cool too, right?" She gave Xavier her best puppy-dog eyes.
Xavier laughed. "Of course, Big Sis! You're super cool!"
Pleased, Violet wrapped Xavier in a tight hug, her face warm with happiness. "I love you, Xavier."
Xavier hugged her back, grinning. "Love you too, Big Sis."
Aleksander simply shook his head, smiling at the heartwarming sight before him as they continued their walk home.