NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: A PRINCE'S RESOLVE
CHAPTER 8: "A PRINCE'S RESOLVE"
Thrain made his way to the esteemed Training Grounds, a sprawling complex dedicated to honing the abilities of the awakened. The incident in his room had ignited a fire within him, and he was determined to master his powers.
As he entered the Training Grounds, Thrain observed the tiered training areas. The youngest awakened, mere children, practiced basic control in the novice rings. Their instructors, seasoned mentors, guided them through exercises that helped harness their fledgling abilities.
In the intermediate circles, adolescents and young adults trained with greater intensity. Their skills were refined, and they began to specialize in specific aspects of their powers. Some focused on precision, while others developed raw strength.
The elite training arenas were reserved for the most gifted and dedicated. These individuals, Thrain's peers, pushed the boundaries of their abilities. Their sessions were a dance of intricate movements, explosive energy releases, and strategic battles.
He stood at the back, blending into the shadows, observing the training sessions unfolding before him. His eyes scanned the various rings, watching instructors guide the awakened in harnessing their abilities.
As he watched, Thrain noticed a stark difference between the techniques being taught and those he had discovered on his own. The instructors' guidance was counterintuitive, yet intriguing.
"Fuel your anger," one mentor urged. "Let rage ignite your core."
"Unleash your fury," another instructor emphasized. "Feel the flames coursing through your muscles, driven by your emotions."
Thrain's brow furrowed as he watched the training sessions. Everything he'd learned emphasized control – calm focus, precision, breath regulation, and emotional restraint. Yet, the instructors advocated for the opposite: embracing anger, surrendering to passion, and abandoning restraint.
He continued to observe, fascinated by the dichotomy.
With a quiet confidence, Thrain turned his back on the training sessions, the conflicting methods swirling in his mind. His connection to the Phoenix, the primal source of his flames, set him apart. Unbound by conventional teachings, he walked away, his unique path beckoning.
*****
Thrain turned to leave, but his departure was halted abruptly as he bumped into one of the instructors. However, it seemed the instructor had intentionally misstepped, orchestrating the collision.
"Prince Thrain," the man said, his voice dripping with sycophancy, as he regained his balance. "What an unexpected pleasure. I heard rumors of your awakening. Allow us to share some... refined techniques. It could greatly enhance your abilities."
Thrain recognized the instructor's motives – seeking to attach himself to the former outcast now transformed by the Phoenix's power.
Before his awakening, Thrain was an overlooked, insignificant figure. Now, this instructor sought to bask in his newfound glory.
With a calculated indifference, Thrain nodded his acceptance.
"Very well," he said, his tone neutral. "Show me these tricks."
Thrain followed the instructor to the intermediate training grounds, where the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Trainees halted their exercises, saluting and bowing in respect – a stark contrast to the disdain they once showed him.
Whispers circulated, audible despite attempted discretion: "The outcast prince awakened...," "Is it true?" and "Unbelievable, after all he'd been through."
Thrain's keen ear picked up the murmurs, his expression unreadable. He understood the instructor's ploy – bringing him to the intermediate level to humiliate him, test his abilities, or perhaps both.
The instructor's smile seemed to confirm Thrain's suspicions.
"Let's see how you fare among these peers, Prince Thrain," the instructor said, his tone laced with subtle skepticism. "But first, observe how true warriors clash. Lynx, Ryan, step forward!"
The two trainees sprang into action, their movements fluid and synchronized. The instructor's gaze shifted to Thrain, a hint of condescension in his voice.
"Watch closely, Prince Thrain. This is how a real duel is conducted. Lynx, Ryan, begin!"
Lynx and Ryan assumed their stances, their eyes locking in a fierce stare. The air seemed to charged with anticipation as they awaited the instructor's signal.
"Commence!" he barked.
With a burst of speed, Lynx and Ryan engaged, their movements a blur of clashing steel and explosive energy. The instructor watched Thrain, expecting him to be intimidated or awe-struck by the display.
Thrain's expression remained impassive, his eyes absorbing every detail of the duel.
The fight commenced with Lynx and Ryan exchanging swift punches and kicks, their hand-to-hand combat skills on full display. The instructor turned to Thrain, leveraging the demonstration to drive home key points.
"Note, Prince Thrain, how they're already warmed up. In a real fight, you rarely start at full intensity. It's crucial to gradually build up your flames, maximizing their potency. Your mana serves as the fuel; the more you utilize your abilities, the faster it depletes."
He paused, observing the duel unfolding before them.
"When mana is exhausted, you must wait for it to replenish. During the Day, the regeneration rate is relatively swift, but at night... the process slows, leaving you vulnerable. A wise warrior always monitors their mana reserves."
Lynx landed a solid kick, sending Ryan stumbling back. The instructor continued, his voice steady and instructive.
"Observe how Lynx is conserving his energy, pacing himself for the long haul. A duel is not just about brute force, but strategy and resource management."
Ryan countered with a swift combination, and the instructor nodded.
"Now, watch how Ryan adapts, adjusting his tactics to compensate for Lynx's defense."
As the instructor spoke, Lynx and Ryan clashed fiercely, their exchange ending with both stumbling backward. Ryan's lip split, blood trickling down his chin. The instructor's smile broadened.
"Prince Thrain, this is precisely the moment where flames become indispensable – when emotions ignite. Anger, in particular, can unleash unparalleled power."
Ryan's eyes blazed with fury, his face reddening. Unfolding his flames, a colossal inferno erupted around him. The blast sent Lynx crashing to the ground, knocked out cold.
Thrain observed the display, his expression thoughtful. Amidst the intensity, he noticed Ryan's labored breathing, the strain etched on his face.
"Impressive," the instructor said, "but..."
Thrain completed the unspoken thought: Anger might fuel fleeting potency, but at what cost? Ryan's exhaustion and stress were palpable, his energy depleted.
The instructor seemed oblivious to Ryan's state, focused on the spectacle. "You see, Prince Thrain, tapping into emotions—"
Thrain tuned him out, his mind already racing with the implications. Anger might spark extraordinary strength, but it wasn't a sustainable strategy. He sought a more controlled, efficient approach – one that wouldn't leave him vulnerable afterward.
The instructor's words hung in the air, "Now, with that display and all that I've said, go, Prince Thrain, and fight Ryan."
Thrain's gaze locked onto the instructor's, a piercing stare that conveyed his unspoken message: "You expect me to fight someone who's already exhausted?"
Without a word, Thrain turned and walked toward the battleground, his strides purposeful.
The instructor's smile faltered, his eyes widening in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words stuttered and died.
Suddenly, a new figure emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding attention.
"Meet Stephan," the instructor announced, his voice regained composure, "the strongest of the intermediate level. His skills rival those of the elite, though he... fell short in certain tests."
Stephan's piercing gaze settled on Thrain, his eyes burning with intensity. His rugged features and chiseled physique exuded confidence.
"Stephan, don't fail me," the instructor added, his tone laced with anticipation.
Stephan nodded curtly, his focus never wavering from Thrain. The air thickened with tension as the two opponents faced off, the stage set for a clash of strength and strategy.