Rise of Lihas RAYZADA

Chapter 9: The First Lesson

The morning air in the Celestial Origin Academy's training grounds crackled with mana, its energy swirling like an invisible storm. Lihas Rayzada stood among the Bronze Rank students, his silver eyes sharp with focus, the Soul Rune Pendant pulsing steadily against his chest. The sixteen-year-old's tattered clothes had been replaced with a simple academy tunic, its bronze trim marking his new status. His iron dagger hung at his belt, a reminder of Elderoot Village, while the Starveil Rune Fragment in his sack whispered of secrets yet to be unraveled. Yesterday's spar with Vorian Thalor had left his body bruised, but his spirit burned brighter than ever.The Starforge System's screen flickered in his vision, its voice cold and unwavering:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 3 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune Strike, Rune SparkProgress to Level 4: 30/200 EXPQuest: [Daily Training – Run 5 miles, swing dagger 100 times]Reward: 10 EXP, 1 Attribute PointLihas shifted his weight, scanning the training grounds—a vast field ringed by rune-etched pillars, each humming with mana that made his Enhanced Mana Sense tingle. Sylvara Elthorne stood beside him, her silver hair tied back, her Moonshadow Wolf pup, Lunex, alert at her feet. Across the field, Vorian Thalor smirked with his noble clique, his Thundercoil Blade glinting menacingly. The memory of the cloaked figure's void-like mana gnawed at Lihas, the pendant's warmth urging caution.Master Toren Valthorne strode into the center of the grounds, his Starbreaker Gauntlets glowing faintly, his scarred face stern. "Bronze Ranks!" he barked, silencing the murmurs. "Today, you learn mana control—the foundation of cultivation. Mana is your lifeblood, your weapon, your shield. Master it, or it masters you."He gestured to a row of Mana Conduits—stone pillars topped with glowing orbs. "Your task: channel mana into the conduit until it stabilizes. Too little, and it won't activate. Too much, and it explodes. Begin!"The students scattered, each claiming a conduit. Lihas approached his, its orb pulsing erratically. He closed his eyes, focusing his Enhanced Mana Sense, feeling the mana in his body—a faint, silver thread tied to the pendant. He channeled it toward the orb, his hand trembling as the energy flowed. The orb flared, then dimmed, wobbling like a heartbeat."Steady, village boy," Sylvara called from her conduit, her own orb glowing smoothly. Lunex yipped encouragement, and Lihas gritted his teeth, adjusting the flow. The orb stabilized, glowing a soft silver, and Master Toren nodded approvingly."Not bad, Rayzada," he said, his voice gruff but tinged with respect. "You've got instinct."Vorian's orb flared too brightly, sparking wildly. He cursed, slamming his fist against the pillar, his lightning mana crackling. "This is child's play," he snapped, glaring at Lihas. "Enjoy your luck while it lasts, peasant."Lihas ignored him, but his Mana Sense flared—a void-like signature, faint but unmistakable, lurking at the edge of the grounds. The cloaked figure was back, hidden among the academy's outer walls. The pendant burned, and Lihas's grip tightened on his dagger. Whoever they were, they were watching him too closely.The system's voice cut through his thoughts:[Training Quest: Master Mana Control. Stabilize 3 Mana Conduits perfectly. Reward: 20 EXP, Enhanced Rune Spark. Deadline: End of lesson.]Lihas moved to the next conduit, channeling mana with growing precision. The second orb stabilized faster, its glow steady. Sylvara finished her third, grinning. "You're catching up, Lihas."The third conduit was trickier, its mana resisting like a wild beast. Lihas poured his focus into it, the pendant guiding his flow. The orb glowed brightly, then settled into a perfect hum. The system chimed:[Training Quest Complete: Master Mana Control. Reward: 20 EXP, Enhanced Rune Spark. Progress to Level 4: 50/200 EXP.]Enhanced Rune Spark: His new skill now allowed bursts of mana to disorient and damage, a step above its previous form. Lihas felt the knowledge settle, his confidence growing.But the lesson wasn't over. Master Toren clapped his hands, the sound like thunder. "Now, apply your control in combat. Pair up and spar—mana only, no weapons. Show me discipline."Lihas paired with Sylvara again, but Vorian's voice rang out. "Master Toren, I demand another chance against the peasant!" His eyes burned with malice, his noble friends snickering.Toren's scarred face was unreadable. "Very well, Thalor. Lihas, show me what you've learned."The system flashed:[Challenge Quest: Defeat Vorian Thalor in a mana-only spar. Reward: 30 EXP, 1 Attribute Point. Failure: Loss of reputation.]The students formed a circle, Sylvara whispering, "Stay sharp, Lihas. He's tricky."Vorian struck first, unleashing a bolt of lightning mana that crackled toward Lihas. Using Enhanced Mana Sense, Lihas sidestepped, channeling his own mana into a Rune Spark. The silver burst exploded in Vorian's face, making him stagger. Lihas pressed forward, sending a focused mana pulse—a trick learned from the conduits—that struck Vorian's chest, knocking him back.The noble roared, his mana surging into a Thundercoil Burst, a wave of lightning that scorched the ground. Lihas dove, pain searing his arm as the edge of the attack grazed him. He countered with Enhanced Rune Spark, the brighter burst disorienting Vorian long enough for Lihas to close the gap. He channeled mana into a final pulse, slamming it into Vorian's shoulder, sending him to his knees."Enough!" Master Toren barked, stepping between them. "Lihas wins."The system chimed:[Challenge Quest Complete: Defeat Vorian Thalor. Reward: 30 EXP, 1 Attribute Point. Progress to Level 4: 80/200 EXP.]Lihas allocated the point to Mana, feeling his connection to the pendant deepen. Vorian staggered to his feet, his face twisted with rage. "This isn't over, peasant," he hissed, storming off with his clique.Sylvara clapped Lihas's back, Lunex yipping. "You're making enemies fast, village boy."Lihas grinned, but his Enhanced Mana Sense flared again. The cloaked figure was gone, but their void-like mana lingered, colder now, as if closer. The pendant burned, warning of danger. The academy was his new battlefield, and with Vorian's schemes and the shadow's presence, Lihas knew the Starforge System would be his greatest ally—or his only defense.Upcoming Chapter Following Grandmaster Wolf: