Nightblade (Darkest night)

The academy's Nexus chamber was a large hall equipped with several Nexus tubes, allowing for the simultaneous recovery of several students at a time.

Morgan winced slightly, shifting his weight onto Lucian's shoulder.

" Man, you were amazing out there. The way you stood still at the end, you looked like an MC straight out of the movies.

Morgan chuckled lightly, then grimaced. A wave of pain flared through his side.

" Man, that hurt."

The assistants in the lab led the way to one of the free Nexus tubes and helped Morgan get into the tube.

Morgan sighed in relief. The dark Nexus fluid flowed up, enveloping his body completely.

His broken ribs snapped back into place and rapidly mended themselves.

Lucian sat down in front of the tube, looking at Morgan.

" You're awakened? Do you know how cool that is? When did it happen?"

" Lucian is my friend, but I don't want to reveal so much about myself. I can't trust anyone at this point, there's so much I don't know."

Morgan sighed.

" It's a long story. I'd rather not talk about it right now."

Lucian nodded in understanding.

" I honestly thought you were a goner when Draco used his family technique."

Morgan kept quiet, turning over everything that he had been through so far. He slowly replayed the fight with Lucian in his mind, noting the point at which the tables had turned on him.

" It seems family techniques are a closely guarded secret."

This was likely the truth, considering he hadn't heard about family techniques before.

The fight had been progressing smoothly until the point when Draco had used his family technique.

He had become noticeably faster than before, and his attacks had become faster.

For a moment, he had become even faster than Scott had been in their fight with Morgan. His movements had been so fast that Morgan hadn't been able to keep up with them with his sight.

At that point, he had given up on trying to match Draco's speed and strength, turning inward.

In that moment, he was slightly afraid and a bit shocked.

A rush of adrenaline coursed through his body.

The realization that Draco could actually win the fight was frightening. He'd felt helpless; he could die.

Inexplicably, as the feeling of death loomed over him, as Draco's fist flew towards his head, something stirred in his chest.

The elusive feeling he'd felt before in his fights with Scott and Frederick, a light fluttering in his chest, had appeared once more.

Against all logic and reason, he closed his eyes, focusing on it. He could hear his heart pumping faster; he could feel the blood flowing to every muscle, pulsating rhythmically throughout his body.

When he'd opened his eyes, Draco's fist was inches from his face. He'd moved away from the trajectory of the fist.

It seemed like the world had slowed; everything was moving in slow motion.

The pain in his side was forgotten, and he had used the chance to end the fight.

Lucian was still excitedly talking about the fight.

" Hey, Lucian, does every one of the Great Houses have a family technique?"

Lucian nodded.

" If every family has a technique, does that mean the Thane family also has a particular technique?" He thought.

During his training with Luke, Luke had not mentioned the existence of such a technique.

The Dark technique was quite powerful from what he had been able to observe. A technique that could enhance the power and speed of its user was nothing to scoff at.

Morgan had been faster than Draco, but because of the potency of the technique, he'd almost lost the duel.

" Have you learned the Ash family technique? Does every aspirant here have a family technique?"

Lucian slowly shook his head.

" Not everyone can have a technique.

"Techniques are passed down within the Great Houses to only the scions. This gives them an advantage over the rest," he paused for his words to sink in.

" In the Ash family, the technique is taught in bits and only completed when the scion comes of age. Furthermore, family techniques are not to be used on a whim like Draco did, but only when required, like in a matter of life and death."

Morgan paused, pondering the new information.

Most of the kids were aspirants, but not all of them had access to a family technique; this meant not all of them were scions of the Great houses.

" That is certainly interesting," He thought.

The Nexus tube control panel beeped, signifying that the healing process was done.

The fluid slowly dissipated, and the tube lowered into the ground.

" I'll wait out there as you get dressed," Lucian said, making for the door.

Morgan nodded, walking off to the changing room.

When he stepped out, a red-haired girl stood next to Lucian.

" Raven?"

She glanced at him, piercing him with a cold gaze.

" Thane, we need to talk," she said in a businesslike tone.

Morgan nonchalantly walked over, standing between her and Lucian. Lucian was visibly flushed.

" To what do I owe the pleasure of you seeking me out in person, Raven?"

" Can we move to somewhere private?"

Morgan's eyes narrowed. Then he shook his head.

" Can it wait? You see, our little scuffle with Draco took longer than expected, and my recovery took longer still. As a result, we're all running late for Professor Rundrik's demonstration."

" This won't take long." Raven began.

" Trust me, we'll talk later. We can't be late again. Come on, Lucian."

They sprinted away, dashing towards the weapon-smithing chamber at a frenetic speed.

" How do you keep doing that?" Lucian asked, panting heavily.

" What do you mean?"

" You keep nonchalantly turning down the other scions from the other houses, the female scions especially, when they approach. It's like you're not affected by their," Lucian struggled to find the right word. " Their charm."

Morgan rolled his eyes. " Please, nothing is charming about people who look at you like a prize specimen."

" Mr Thane, Mr Ash, you made it just in time."

Professor Rundrik's voice boomed.

Emily, Samantha, and Warren were already waiting.

" It appears Miss Snow won't be joining us then."

Raven arrived just then, shooting Morgan and Lucian a murderous glare.

" Miss Snow, I was just about to begin. Let's get started then."