The Grand Zenith

Episode 6: Attempts Until Sunset

A new day dawned at Nova Academy—but this was no ordinary day. After the intense announcement of the "Voice of Nova" competition, all focus shifted toward preparation and training.

A brief recap of the previous episode flashes before our eyes: strict rules, selected teams, and the thunderous voices of students shouting, "I'm in!"

Now, the real challenge begins.

In the eastern training field, Inazuma stood alongside several seasoned students under the stern guidance of Instructor Siadro, who was known for pushing his students to their limits. Their focus: mastering precision and developing unique techniques for the upcoming battles.

Elsewhere on campus, Fairon and Magnet trained under the sharp eyes of Instructor Alzis, whose ability to analyze elements and energy made her a perfect mentor for the more technical aspects of power control. A few new students joined them, many of whom had rare and promising elemental abilities.

Alzis approached Fairon with a serious tone and said:

"I'm going to teach you a technique called Solid Element. It allows you to compress your elemental power into solid, shapeable forms while retaining its full strength."

Fairon's eyes lit up—but it wasn't just excitement. It was something deeper. A memory.

He remembered his father's promise before the war:

"After the war ends, I'll teach you this technique myself."

But the war ended… and his father never returned.

With a bittersweet mix of sorrow and determination, Fairon clenched his fists and said:

"Alright… Please. Show me how."

Meanwhile, Inazuma was working on the same technique—only with his rare element: lightning. He managed to form a small glowing sphere in his palm, but it fizzled out after a few seconds.

Back on Fairon's side, he too tried again and again: a small flame… gone. A red ember… vanished in a breath of wind.

As the sun began to lower and fatigue set in, Instructor Kujie gathered the trainees around and gestured toward a figure waiting in the shadows.

"Let me introduce someone who might help… This is Borazma, a senior student who wields the laser element—similar in principle to both of yours."

Borazma stepped forward with calm confidence and, without a word, summoned a gleaming laser sword into his hand. The room went quiet in awe.

"It's not about shaping the element," he said, twirling the sword skillfully. "It's about compressing your power—letting it resonate from within."

His words struck deep.

With renewed focus, Fairon and Inazuma spent the next few hours pushing beyond their limits. Again and again, they failed. The sun dipped lower, shadows lengthened. The sky turned to gold.

And then… it happened.

Fairon formed a blazing spear, small but solid—radiating heat and pride.Inazuma followed with a lightning star, spinning effortlessly between his fingers.

In a nearby zone, Magnet had been training solo. His mastery of localized gravity grew sharper—he could now increase the gravitational pull in a specific spot to pin an opponent, and weaken it in another to increase his mobility.

Inazuma wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a breath:

"It was hard… but I'm not backing down now."

Fairon looked at the flame still dancing on his crafted spear, then slowly raised his eyes to the sky, the sunset casting warm light over his face.

"Can you see me now, Father? I've learned the technique you promised to teach me..."

And in that quiet, glowing moment, he imagined the faint outline of his father's smile forming in the clouds.

End of Episode 6.