Part 3: "First Spell, First Scar"
Setting: Arkalis Academy – Veyron's Private Mana Training Zone
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[Scene 1 – Morning, a White Mist-Filled Training Chamber]
In a wide circular hall, Arshan stood alone.
The walls were made of crystal — mana-sealed circles glowing as they rotated slowly.
On the floor, an ancient spell diagram was carved — layered with seven nested symbols folding into one another.
> Zyana (softly):
"This is Veyron's personal spell chamber.
With every level, the mana pressure increases."
Arshan (stretching):
"Feels like this place is alive…"
His breathing was sharp.
Veyron hadn't arrived yet… but his presence could be felt —
like the air was soaked in explosives.
Suddenly, a burst of mana surged from behind —
a wave of pressure without sound or warning.
Veyron was there.
> Veyron (cold tone):
"Today, you'll earn your first scar.
You have potential…
But no one becomes a master of magic without pain."
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[Scene 2 – Mana Focus Exercise]
> Veyron:
"Close your eyes.
Slow your breathing.
Feel the mana — in your veins, in your nerves.
Mana is not a liquid… it's a living entity."
Arshan closed his eyes.
A soft vibration… a chilling sensation…
Then slowly — a burning heat…
From his hands, a faint light emerged.
A thin purple flame. Weak… unstable… but real.
> Zyana (internally, excited):
"That's it… your first spell spark, Arshan!"
> Veyron (bluntly):
"Failure. Weak output. Zero concentration. Do it again."
Arshan clenched his jaw — tried again.
He focused his mana…
The flame returned — thicker, but still unstable.
Suddenly, a shockwave struck him.
Veyron had knocked him down.
> Veyron:
"In combat, the enemy gives no second chances.
Gain control — or that flame will consume you."
---
[Scene 3 – First Combat Simulation]
Veyron raised a hand — and summoned a humanoid mana dummy from the ground.
> Veyron:
"This is your target.
Your task — one spell, one strike.
Kill it in a single shot."
Arshan took a deep breath.
He summoned the purple flame into his palm.
The dummy remained still…
But within it — a glitching mana core pulsed.
> Zyana (supporting):
"Aim for the left shoulder…
that's where the mana crystal is embedded."
Arshan sprinted forward — launched a fireball —
The flame twisted into a spiral and hit the left side…
But just before impact — the flame vibrated violently —
BOOM.
A mana backlash hit.
Arshan was thrown backward —
his hand burned, his chest bruised, and his vision blurred.
---
[Scene 4 – The First Scar]
> Veyron (calm but sharp):
"Exactly what happens with every average spellcaster.
You forced mana — didn't understand it."
Arshan (on his knees):
"I… I'm trying…"
> Veyron:
"Trying and allowing — are not the same."
Veyron pulled out an old scroll — activated it —
and a complex ancient spell pattern lit up across the chamber.
> Veyron:
"You have one night.
Learn to cast this spell pattern.
If you fail by morning…
I will remove you from training."
Time itself seemed to freeze.
---
[Scene 5 – Night Solitude – Zyana's Support]
That night, Arshan sat in the corner of the training hall —
his hand bandaged, body bruised.
In front of him, the glowing scroll —
the spell pattern incredibly complex.
Ten interwoven lines.
Three anchor points.
A "mana burst funnel".
> Zyana (soft whisper):
"Arshan… you're tired.
But I'm with you."
Arshan:
"Zyana… am I even worthy of this?"
> Zyana:
"You've faced every challenge so far.
Maybe this world is starting to recognize you…
But first, you need to recognize yourself."
Arshan closed the scroll.
Took a deep breath.
Closed his eyes.
He began to feel his mana — as if guided through pain.
Then… a silent pulse.
The spell activated.
The scroll burned in a golden flash.
Zyana was stunned.
> Zyana:
"Arshan…
You just unlocked the foundation of a legendary-grade spell…"
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[Scene 6 – Morning Return & Recognition]
Next morning.
Veyron entered the hall.
Arshan was already standing there — calm, steady.
> Veyron:
"Show me."
Arshan raised his hand.
The same spell pattern formed — fully stable.
Mana flow: controlled.
Core: silent.
No fluctuations.
Veyron observed for a few seconds… then said:
> Veyron:
"You did it.
You're not just capable…
You are worthy."
And for the first time,
Veyron tapped his shoulder.
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[Scene 7 – Secret Meeting Elsewhere]
Elsewhere, in another wing of the academy —
three students sat in a locked room.
One said:
> "That outsider is growing too fast…
and Professor Veyron's backing him…"
The second one — cloaked — replied:
> "We can't wait any longer.
It's time to take the next step…"
A scroll was activated — and glowing text appeared:
"Phase 1 – Disrupt the Mana Core Test"
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End of Part 3
Next Part Title: "Mana Core Disruption"
Arshan's internal mana test
A brewing conspiracy inside the academy
Zyana's warning
Arshan's first duel
Real injury… and a real awakening