It had been a month since Bais had first arrived at the Argus Academy. It had been a strange and unfamiliar month for him. Everything was new and familiar at the same time. Every day Bais tried to get up to speed with the learning process, but his mind was constantly filled with questions about what the world had in store for him, and how he could use his knowledge to unravel all the secrets the Academy hid. Time passed, and though Bais tried to accept that what was happening around him was part of his own history, the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty never left him. Each new day became like a new chapter he had to write, but he didn't know what the end of it would be. This morning was as ordinary as all the previous mornings. Bais sat in his classroom listening to a lecture on magic, trying to focus on the material. He knew that the study of magic was necessary here - it wasn't just part of the program, it was something that could be crucial in the future. Suddenly, the classroom door opened abruptly and a teacher named Edgar entered the room - a tall man with blue eyes and a strong build. He was known for his strict teaching style and discipline. The students immediately fell silent, and Bais felt his heart quicken its rhythm a little. This wasn't just another class, and Bais felt that this day was going to be special. Edgar looked at the class with a cold stare, and then spoke: - In a week's time, Argus Academy will be hosting a festival," his voice was low and confident, immediately attracting attention. - But it won't just be a festive event. It will be a test for all the students. At the festival, there will be fights between students. It's a chance to show your strength, your skills, and see who is worthy of the title of a true protector of the world. The students were whispering, some looking excited, others wary. Bais felt his heart clench. Fighting? He wasn't prepared for this. Everything he knew about martial arts was limited to theoretical knowledge. He could write about it, but fighting was a completely different story. - These fights will be staged," Edgar continued, "and only the fittest will emerge victorious. Participation will be voluntary, but keep in mind that the results will be taken into account in the allocation of academic places and to assess your potential as mages and warriors. Bais looked around at his classmates again, feeling the pressure building on his shoulders. He wasn't sure he wanted to take part in the battles, but it wouldn't be wise to refuse either. He knew that being an outsider could jeopardize his future at the academy. Teacher Edgar was silent for a few seconds, then added: - For those who choose to participate, training will begin from today. Make sure you are fully prepared. A week to prepare is all you have. He then left the classroom as quickly as he had appeared. The students sat in silence for a while longer, digesting what they had heard. Bais took a deep breath and walked over to the window. He needed time to realize what he had just heard. After class, Bais went to his room, thinking about what to do next. The question that had plagued him since the beginning came in his way: how to use his knowledge to survive and win if he were to participate in this festival. He wasn't sure if he was capable of fighting an actual battle, but he knew that if he didn't participate, it could greatly affect his status in the academy. He began to look around his room. His gaze fell on a book, the very book he had written before he died, and now it was part of his new world. He opened it, and immediately the words on the pages began to change, as if it was telling him what to do on its own. "To win in battle, one must understand one's opponent. One must use not only physical strength, but also the ability to see hidden weaknesses. This is the way to not just win, but to become a defender." Those words made him think. Bais realized that every fight, even the most brutal, was part of a story, part of the journey he must take to complete his chapter. Meanwhile, at the other end of the academy, Ariel was walking through the corridors, her face calm and determined. She already knew what she had to do. Throughout the month, she had been observing Bais and his behavior. The strange thing was that he didn't seem to have realized yet that he was part of his own history. But she knew that his path would intertwine with hers. And the festival was just the beginning. Ariel could prepare for the fight, but she knew it wouldn't be a challenge for her. The question was another: how exactly would she help Bais? And why was her fate inextricably linked to his? Her eyes filled with determination. She couldn't let him go alone this time.
