Jace the Elemental

"Oh? What are you scouting for?" Jace asked, cocking his head. She seemed to have more information than the average student, and if he could get her to reveal something, it could only help.

"It's not like the Academy is hiding it or anything," Aurora said, shrugging. "While we are judged by our solo capabilities, most of our scoring is going to be tied to the team battles" .

"And therefore, you're trying to find teammates who are skilled for those contests," Jace concluded, nodding. It made sense. If teamwork was the key to success, he'd need to start strategizing sooner rather than later.

Selene hesitated, her gaze flickering between Jace and Aurora. "But I lost," she said quietly, her voice tinged with doubt. She clenched her fists at her sides, as if bracing for rejection. "You still want me on your team?"

Aurora looked at Selene, her brow furrowing slightly as if the question itself was baffling. "Of course," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It was one match. And from what I've seen, Jace is one of the more capable people here. In a straight fight, I'm not sure if I would beat him."

Jace raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Uhhh. Thanks," he said, scratching the back of his neck. Her monotone voice made it sound like a simple fact, but he wasn't sure how to feel about it. Was she complimenting him, or just stating the obvious?

Aurora tilted her head slightly, her expression one of mild confusion, as if she couldn't understand why Jace was thanking her. "Anyway," she continued, brushing past the moment, "why did you guys think that Lord Severian was getting us to duel like this?" She gestured toward the ongoing duel. "It's for us to figure out each other's capabilities."

"Ethan Hayes. Cassian Rhoane." Lord Severian's voice called out. "You're next." The current duel finished with a burst of light, and the crowd murmured in anticipation.

"Well, if you're looking for good teammates, look no further," a tall man interjected, his deep black hair and muscular frame drawing immediate attention. His golden-brown eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence. "I'm definitely the strongest one here, so no need to waste your time looking elsewhere."

"I'm guessing that you're Cassian, then," Jace said, raising an eyebrow at the arrogance. Confidence was one thing, but thinking you were the best in an Academy of this level was foolish.

"The one and only," Cassian said, flexing his arms with a grin that bordered on smug. Selene and Jace exchanged a glance, both rolling their eyes in unison. "Now, I just have to go beat this idiot silly, and then I'll be right back so we can discuss being a team." He gave an exaggerated wink before striding toward the arena, his confidence radiating like a second aura.

Selene crossed her arms, her lips curling into a faint smirk as she watched Cassian go. "If confidence could win matches, he'd already be champion," she muttered under her breath. "Too bad it doesn't work that way."

Aurora's voice broke its usual monotone cadence, a rare flicker of annoyance creeping into her tone. "Jace, you're friends with Ethan, right?"

"Yup," Jace said, shaking his head at Cassian's retreating figure. Confidence was one thing, but Cassian's over-the-top bravado was something else entirely. In an Academy filled with prodigies, thinking you were the best was a surefire way to get humbled.

"Is he good?" Aurora asked, her tone shifting back to its usual calm but with a hint of curiosity. She was already calculating, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of potential teammates.

"I'd consider his speed and firepower at A+," Jace explained. "So if he can land a good hit, it's over." They all shifted their attention to the dueling field as Ethan and Cassian got to their sides.

"Sup loser," Cassian said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Since we all know you have no chance here, I'll give you a shot to at least show what you can do." Giving him a very disingenuous thumbs up.

"Uh oh." Jace's eyes went wide. "Ethan's going to kill him." Jace knew that Ethan hated being underestimated, and could see his anger getting the better of him.

Ethan's eyes shifted to a blazing yellow, his jaw tightening as sparks danced across his skin. "You wanna take a shot?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Alright, let's see if you can." A diamond of eight lightning orbs formed in front of him, the orbs chaining together in the center as a large, crackling orb of energy grew between them.

The lightning cracked like a cannon as it launched toward Cassian. His grin faltered, his golden-brown eyes widening as the bolt surged toward him. He barely had time to raise his arms in a feeble attempt to block before the lightning struck him square in the chest. The force of the impact sent him flying backward, his body skidding across the ground as the acrid smell of burnt flesh filled the air.