NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: The Academy’s Heart
Chapter 8: The Academy's Heart
The grand halls of the Celestial Origin Academy loomed like a cathedral of power, their marble walls etched with constellations that pulsed with mana, casting a soft glow across the polished floors. Lihas Rayzada, sixteen and still clad in his tattered village clothes, walked with a mix of awe and defiance, his silver eyes drinking in the sight. The Soul Rune Pendant thrummed against his chest, its warmth a quiet anchor as he clutched the Mana Core earned from the entrance exam. Beside him, Sylvara Elthorne strode confidently, her silver hair catching the light, her Moonshadow Wolf pup, Lunex, padding at her heels. They were Bronze Rank students now, but the weight of the academy—and the shadow from the exam—lingered in Lihas's mind.The Starforge System's screen flickered in his vision, its voice cold and steady:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 3 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune Strike, Rune SparkProgress to Level 4: 0/200 EXPQuest: [Daily Training – Run 5 miles, swing dagger 100 times]Reward: 10 EXP, 1 Attribute PointLihas adjusted the sack on his shoulder, the Starveil Rune Fragment and recommendation scroll tucked safely inside. The academy's air buzzed with mana, sharper and denser than Valenfort's streets, making his Enhanced Mana Sense tingle. "This place is unreal," he muttered, glancing at Sylvara.She grinned, nudging him. "Wait till you see the training grounds, village boy. They'll make your head spin."The new students gathered in a vast courtyard, where Master Elyra, the stern instructor from the exam, stood on a rune-etched platform. Her gray-streaked hair was pulled tight, her eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. "Welcome, Bronze Ranks," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "The Celestial Origin Academy is no place for the weak. You'll train in combat, mana control, and theory, climbing the ranks from Bronze to Mythical. Prove yourselves, or leave in shame."Lihas's heart raced. The path to greatness was here, but so were the eyes of rivals. Across the courtyard, Vorian Thalor stood with his noble entourage, his cold blue eyes locking onto Lihas with a venomous glare. The Thalor Clan heir's silver robes shimmered with lightning runes, his mana crackling like a storm. "Enjoy your moment, peasant," Vorian sneered, loud enough for all to hear. "You'll be gone by week's end."Lihas clenched his fists, the pendant pulsing. "Keep talking, noble. I'll outlast you."Sylvara's wolf pup growled, but before Lihas could retort, a new voice interrupted—a deep, gravelly tone that commanded attention. "Enough bickering." A grizzled man in a tattered cloak stepped forward, his scarred face and white beard marking him as a veteran. His Starbreaker Gauntlets glowed faintly, radiating power. "I'm Master Toren Valthorne, your combat instructor. Save your energy for training, not squabbles."The students fell silent, even Vorian holding his tongue. Toren's gaze swept over them, lingering on Lihas for a moment, as if sensing something more. "Today's lesson: mana channeling. Pair up and spar. Show me what you're worth."Lihas teamed with Sylvara, while Vorian paired with a burly noble named Drenvar Kade, whose hammer radiated earth mana. The courtyard became a battlefield, students clashing in bursts of light and sound. Lihas faced Sylvara, his iron dagger glowing with mana as he tested Rune Spark. A flick of his wrist sent a burst of silver light, disorienting her for a split second. She countered with a Beast Tamer's Lash, her mana whip cracking toward him. Lunex darted in, nipping at Lihas's heels, but his Enhanced Mana Sense let him dodge, rolling aside with newfound agility."Not bad," Sylvara said, grinning as they paused, both breathing hard. "You're quick for a village boy.""You're not so bad yourself," Lihas replied, wiping sweat from his brow. But his Mana Sense flared, catching a familiar void-like signature—the same shadow from the forest and exam. He scanned the courtyard, spotting a cloaked figure lurking near the academy's walls, their mana masked but unmistakable. The pendant burned, urging caution.Before he could warn Sylvara, Vorian's voice cut through the chaos. "Master Toren, I challenge the peasant!" He pointed at Lihas, his Thundercoil Blade crackling with lightning. "Let's see if he's more than dumb luck."The courtyard stilled, students whispering. Master Toren raised an eyebrow. "A challenge on day one? Bold. Lihas Rayzada, do you accept?"The system's voice echoed:[Challenge Quest: Defeat Vorian Thalor in a spar. Reward: 30 EXP, 1 Attribute Point. Failure: Loss of reputation.]Lihas's silver eyes met Vorian's, the pendant pulsing with defiance. "I accept."The students formed a circle, Sylvara giving Lihas a nod of encouragement. Vorian struck first, his blade a blur of lightning, forcing Lihas to dodge with Mana Sense. The noble's speed was overwhelming, each strike grazing Lihas's skin, leaving stinging burns. Lihas countered with Iron Rune Strike, his dagger clashing against Vorian's blade, but the noble's mana was stronger, pushing him back."You're nothing," Vorian sneered, unleashing a Thundercoil Slash that sent Lihas skidding across the ground. Pain flared, but Lihas gritted his teeth, focusing his Rune Spark. A burst of silver light erupted, blinding Vorian for a moment. Lihas lunged, his dagger grazing Vorian's arm, drawing a thin line of blood.The noble roared, his lightning intensifying, but Master Toren stepped in, his gauntlets flaring. "Enough! The match is a draw."Vorian glared, clutching his arm, while Lihas panted, his body aching but his spirit unbroken. The system chimed:[Challenge Quest Complete: Draw with Vorian Thalor. Reward: 30 EXP. Progress to Level 4: 30/200 EXP.]Master Toren approached Lihas, his scarred face unreadable. "You've got grit, boy. But you're raw. Train hard, or you'll break."Sylvara helped Lihas to his feet, her wolf pup nuzzling him. "You held your own against a Thalor. That's something."Lihas nodded, but his Enhanced Mana Sense flared again. The cloaked figure was gone, but their void-like mana lingered in the air. The pendant burned hotter, as if warning of dangers deeper than Vorian's schemes. The Celestial Origin Academy was his new home, but it was also a battlefield—one where Lihas Rayzada would have to fight to prove his worth.Upcoming Chapter Following Grandmaster Wolf: