Creation Of All Things

A charged silence filled the arena. The golden-eyed student took a step forward, the air around him crackling with energy. His grin never wavered, confidence radiating off him like heat.

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "First opponent?" He wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or amused. "We just got here, man."

The student chuckled, lifting a hand as golden sparks flickered between his fingers. "That's how things work here. No introductions, no warm-ups. You fight, or you don't belong."

Adam crossed his arms, watching with mild amusement. "Well, that's one way to say hello."

Aurora sighed, already bored. "These guys always have a 'prove yourself' phase, don't they?"

The golden-eyed student ignored them, his focus locked onto Joshua. "You. Step in the ring."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"

The student smirked. "Then you walk out of here a nobody."

A low murmur spread through the crowd. The students watching leaned forward, eager for a fight. This was their entertainment.

Joshua exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You guys take this battle stuff real seriously, huh?"

Mael patted his shoulder. "You might as well, bro. They're not letting you sit this one out."

Joshua glanced at Adam, who just grinned. "Do what you want, but I wouldn't mind a little show."

"I would mind. Sit down."

The room went dead silent.

All eyes turned to the woman who had just entered. She moved with the kind of effortless grace that made it clear she wasn't just any instructor—she was someone you didn't want to mess with.

Long silver hair cascaded down her back, faintly shimmering under the classroom's lights. Her emerald-green eyes had a sharp, piercing quality, like they could see right through every person in the room. Pointed ears peeked through her hair, a clear sign of her elven heritage.

Dressed in a sleek black and gold uniform, the same style as the other instructors but with a high-collared cape draped over one shoulder, she radiated authority. Her expression was calm, but there was something about the way she carried herself that made even the cockiest students hesitate.

Joshua, still adjusting to everything, glanced at Adam. "Who's that?" he whispered.

Adam's smirk didn't fade. "Talia Windshade. Combat instructor. She's an elf, obviously, and one of the top fighters in the academy."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't look that strong."

Aurora sighed. "That's because you don't know how to look."

Talia's gaze swept across the room before settling on the golden-eyed student. "Leon, if you're so eager to fight, I can arrange a spar for you… with me."

Leon tensed, the arrogance in his eyes flickering for just a second. He forced a chuckle. "I'll pass."

"Good choice." Talia's expression didn't change as she walked to the front of the classroom. "Now, take your seats. This is a class, not a battleground."

The students, even the ones floating in midair or surrounded by elemental auras, finally sat down. Joshua followed, still feeling that strange energy inside him. Whatever had changed in him wasn't settling. It was like his body was still trying to figure itself out.

Talia tapped a small device on her desk, and the lights dimmed slightly. A massive screen lit up behind her, showing a holographic display of combat scenarios, energy readings, and diagrams of different fighting techniques.

"This is Advanced Combat Theory," she said. "Most of you already think you know how to fight. You don't." Her eyes flicked toward Joshua, Aurora, and Mael. "And some of you are new, which means you'll have to catch up fast."

Joshua felt Aurora's eyes on him again, like she was still sizing him up after whatever had just happened. He ignored it and focused on Talia.

She turned to the class, her tone sharp. "So let's begin. First lesson—surviving a real fight."

The screen flickered, and a new display appeared—two figures clashing in battle at inhuman speeds. Their movements were so fast they blurred, shockwaves erupting with every strike.

Talia folded her arms. "Someone tell me—what's the mistake here?"

The class was silent for a second before someone raised a hand.

"They're just throwing attacks," a student said. "No strategy, no precision."

Talia nodded. "Correct. Raw power means nothing if you don't know how to use it." She turned back to the class. "Which is why, for today's lesson…"

She snapped her fingers.

The entire floor shifted beneath them, glowing with faint, pulsing lines of energy.

"We're going to see how well you actually fight."

The floor beneath them glowed brighter, then—

BOOM.

The entire classroom shifted. The seats, the desks, everything disappeared in a flash of light, replaced by an open battlefield. It wasn't just a training room—it felt like they had been transported somewhere else entirely. Towering stone pillars stretched into the sky, the ground cracked like an ancient arena, and the air thrummed with energy.

Joshua staggered slightly, blinking in surprise. "What the—"

Aurora sighed, already used to this. "Illusion field. It's still the classroom, but it feels real."

Talia smirked. "Good. You're not completely clueless."

Joshua looked around. The other students were already standing, their expressions shifting from boredom to focus. This was normal for them.

"Now then," Talia said, stepping forward. "Since Leon wanted to fight so badly, let's give him what he wants."

Leon smirked, stepping into the center of the arena. His golden eyes burned with excitement. "Thought you'd never ask."

Talia's gaze shifted to Joshua. "You."

Joshua blinked. "Me?"

"You're new. You're fighting him."

The class murmured in interest.

Leon laughed. "Oh, this is perfect." He stretched his arms, golden energy crackling around his fingers. "Let's see if the newbie can keep up."

Joshua hesitated. He still wasn't sure what was going on with his body, but… he wasn't about to back down.

He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. Let's do this."

Talia's eyes gleamed. "Good answer."

She raised a hand, and the ground between them glowed.

"Begin."

WHOOM.

Leon moved first. A golden blur, faster than Joshua expected. In an instant, he was right in front of him, fist glowing like molten metal.

BANG.

Joshua barely managed to block, the impact sending him skidding backward. The force rattled his bones.

Leon grinned. "Not bad."

Joshua exhaled. His body was reacting differently—faster, stronger. His awakened bloodline was kicking in, even if he didn't fully understand it yet.

Alright then.

He smirked. "My turn."

And then—he moved.