After the exhausting yet satisfying competition, Aria felt his stomach rumble. Despite the lingering sting of his defeat against Xarther, hunger could not be ignored. Together with Sylvia and Sirius, he walked towards the Nytharia Academy's dining hall, which was always bustling during dinner hours.
The aroma of various dishes immediately greeted them as they entered the large room. Long tables were filled with students of all levels, chatting and enjoying their meals. Torches hanging on the walls cast a warm and familiar glow.
"I'm really hungry!" Sylvana exclaimed, rubbing his flat stomach. "That fight really drained my energy."
Sylvia nodded in agreement. "Me too. I'd love to try that mushroom soup, it looks delicious."
Aria only smiled faintly. His mind was still lingering in the arena, thinking about Xarther's suddenly increased speed and power. The dark energy surrounding him also intrigued him. That obsidian bracelet... it seems to hide something bigger, he thought to himself.
They took trays and started queuing in front of the long serving table. A variety of dishes were available, from roast meat, steamed vegetables, warm bread, to various sweets and fresh fruits.
As Aria took a plate of rice and some pieces of roast meat, his eyes accidentally met Xarther, who was sitting alone in one corner of the room. He looked as calm as usual, eating his meal quietly. The black obsidian bracelet he always wore was clearly visible on his wrist.
Aria felt a strong urge to approach him and ask about the dark power he had used earlier. However, he hesitated. Xarther always seemed to keep his distance and didn't talk much.
"Hey, Arthur! You're daydreaming?" Sylvia nudged his arm gently. "Look, they have your favorite apple pie!"
Aria snapped out of his thoughts and turned his gaze to the apple pie Sylvia pointed out. He gave a small smile and took a slice. "Thanks, Sylvia."
The three of them then found an empty table and began to enjoy their dinner. Sirius enthusiastically recounted the events of the matches, occasionally mimicking Faun's funny movements when fighting Xarther. Sylvia listened while occasionally adding wise comments.
Aria glanced at Xarther from time to time. He saw Lyra approach Xarther's table and sit across from him. The two of them seemed to be talking quietly, and Lyra occasionally gave Xarther a small smile. There was a warmth emanating from their interaction that wasn't visible when Xarther interacted with others.
He has a close friend after all, Aria thought. His curiosity about Xarther grew stronger, but he decided to hold back for now. Maybe there would be a better opportunity to ask later.
After finishing their meal, the three of them walked out of the dining hall. The night sky was studded with stars, and the night air felt cool.
"I'm so tired," Sylvana said, yawning widely. "We should probably head straight back to the dorms."
Sylvia nodded in agreement. She still glanced slightly towards the dining hall window, where she had last seen Xarther and Lyra. There was something intriguing and mysterious about that boy, and Aria felt he had to find out more.
The next day, after the Starfall Colosseum arena was cleaned and prepared again, the students gathered with enthusiasm. In the center of the arena, a simple yet elegant podium had been erected. Behind it, the academy teachers stood with proud expressions. On the podium, master Sanith, with his gentle and calming smile, was ready to present awards to the students who had successfully reached the top ten in the recently concluded competition.
The morning light piercing through the Colosseum's roof illuminated master Sanith's silver hair, making him appear even more radiant. An aura of wisdom and tranquility emanated from him as he gazed at the students lined up neatly before him.
"Esteemed students," Master Sanith's soft yet resonant voice filled the entire arena. "You have demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit, perseverance, and talent in this competition. Nytharia Academy is proud to have such outstanding aspiring heroes."
Sanith paused for a moment, allowing the small cheers from the students to subside.
"As a reward for your efforts, we, the teachers, have prepared gifts that will hopefully aid you on your journey to becoming true heroes."
Master Sanith then gestured to several fairy attendants carrying large trays filled with various prizes.
"For the top ten positions," Sanith continued, "each will receive a number of Hero Points as recognition of your achievements. These points can be used for various purposes within the academy, as you have learned."
One by one, the students' names were called forward. Starting from tenth place to first, they received Hero Points. Each student received enthusiastic applause from their peers. Those who participated in the top ten, Lira, a girl with considerable illusion abilities, and Bram, a boy skilled in using a magic bow, stepped forward to receive their rewards with proud smiles, followed by Valerius, Sylvia, Rush, and Lyra.
"And now, for the top three," Sanith's voice grew more enthusiastic, "in addition to a larger amount of Hero Points, you will also receive special gifts that we have tailored to your potential and magical elements."
Aria was called first. As he stepped forward, Sanith gave him a warm smile. "Arthur, with your promising mastery of wind and lightning elements, we present you with a pair of twin swords crafted from wind crystals that can be imbued with lightning. May these weapons further hone your speed and striking power." Aria received the twin swords with sparkling eyes, feeling the gentle pulse of wind and lightning energy on their surfaces.
Next was Sylvana. "Sylvana, with your strong bond with magical creatures, we bestow upon you an ancient book containing various research and spells to enhance your beast control abilities. May the knowledge within further strengthen your connection with them." Sylvana carefully accepted the book, feeling the calm magical aura emanating from its aged pages.
Finally, Xarther was called forward. The mysterious aura that always surrounded him did not escape Sanith's notice, yet his smile remained friendly. "Xarther, with your extraordinary power potential and your composure in battle, we present you with a night cloak made from shadow fibers reinforced with protection magic. May this cloak not only shield you but also help you channel your power." Xarther accepted the cloak with a flat expression but a gaze that showed a hint of interest. The cloak's fabric seemed to absorb the surrounding light, giving off a subtle, cold aura.
"In addition," Sanith continued, taking another tray covered with cloth, "we also have a special reward for all of you who managed to reach the top ten. This is meat from monsters that have been tamed and specially processed. Consuming it in moderate amounts can provide a small but significant increase in your physical quality and mana."
The cloth covering the tray was lifted, revealing pieces of purplish meat that seemed to radiate energy. A faint but potent aroma filled the air. The students looked surprised and amazed by this unusual reward.
"Remember," Sanith advised wisely, "these gifts are merely tools. Your true strength lies within yourselves, in hard training, and in the burning determination to protect this world. Continue to train, continue to learn, and continue to be heroes."
The award ceremony concluded with enthusiastic applause from all the students. The recipients looked proud and motivated, ready to face the next challenges at Nytharia Academy with renewed spirit and better equipment. Xarther touched his shadow cloak, feeling the faint warmth and protection that enveloped him. Aria admired his twin swords, imagining the speed of attacks he could unleash. And Sylvana hugged her ancient book, feeling a thirst for the knowledge hidden within its pages. A new chapter in their heroic journeys had just begun.
[... ]
Three days passed quickly, filled with much-needed rest after the intensity of the competition. Some students chose to recover in the dorms, enjoying deep sleep and delicious food from the dining hall without the pressure of training schedules. Others, with undying enthusiasm, continued light training, trying to adapt to their new rewards. Aria occasionally swung his twin swords, feeling the agility and lightning that flowed through the wind crystals. Sylvana immersed herself in the pages of her ancient book, her eyes sparkling as she read ancient spells to communicate with stronger creatures. Xarther, though seemingly unchanged, was often seen wearing his night cloak, feeling the faint protection it offered, and occasionally touching its surface as if it absorbed light.
Faun, with his new gauntlets, tirelessly practiced his punching speed on a straw dummy in the training grounds, often accompanied by Rush who patiently acted as a makeshift moving target after consuming a lot of monster meat during the break. Sylvia spent her time in the academy gardens, observing the plants more closely, as if looking for ways to apply her new knowledge. Lyra, though quiet, was seen several times practicing her ice magic in a secluded training area, creating various intricate crystal shapes.
Now, the hustle and bustle of learning activities once again filled the Nytharia Academy. Students hurried to their respective classes, carrying their books and magical equipment. Today, it was Guru Sanith's class. The students who had participated in the competition, including Aria, Xarther, Sylvana, Faun, Sylvia, Lyra, and Rush, gathered in the potion-making room located in one of the academy's ancient towers.
The room was filled with the aroma of various dried herbs, colorful liquids simmering slowly in cauldrons of various sizes, and tall shelves filled with bottles containing strange and exotic potion ingredients. The morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows illuminated fine dust motes dancing in the air, creating a distinctive magical atmosphere. Sanith was already standing at the front of the class, behind a long table filled with various potion-making equipment: agate mortars and pestles, silver carving knives, precision scales, and various types of cauldrons made of copper, iron, and even crystal. His gentle smile greeted the arrival of the students.
"Good morning, children," Sanith greeted in his calm voice. "I hope you have all rested well and are ready to return to learning. Today, we will learn one of the important aspects of a hero's life: brewing basic healing potions."
Sanith picked up a thick book with a dark brown leather cover. "Healing potions are an invaluable skill. In battle or while exploring dangerous territories, the ability to treat one's own wounds or those of a friend is the difference between life and death. Today, we will focus on a basic potion that can heal minor wounds and accelerate stamina recovery."
He then pointed to the ingredients laid out on his table. "We will use several simple yet effective ingredients: healing leaves, which have regenerative properties; stamina roots, which help restore energy; phoenix tears (synthetic imitation), which, although not as potent as the real thing, have a considerable healing effect; and a bit of morning dew from moon blossoms as a catalyst."
Sanith began demonstrating the potion-making steps with careful and precise movements. "First, we grind the healing leaves into a fine powder. Make sure there are no coarse parts left, as they will affect the quality of the potion." He showed how to grind the leaves with a mortar and pestle, producing a soft green powder.
"Then," he continued, "we thinly slice the stamina roots. Thin slices will help the root extract dissolve faster in the liquid." A fresh and slightly sweet aroma wafted from the sliced roots.
"After that," Sanith took a small bottle containing a shimmering, tear-like liquid, "we add the phoenix tears to a cauldron containing distilled water at the correct temperature. Temperature is crucial in potion making; too hot or too cold can damage the properties of the ingredients."
He carefully poured the liquid into a cauldron placed over a small stove burning with a soft blue flame. Thin steam began to rise from the surface of the water.
"Finally," Sanith said, taking a small bottle containing glistening morning dew, "we add a few drops of moon blossom dew as a catalyst. This will help all the ingredients interact harmoniously and enhance the healing potential of the potion." A few clear drops fell into the cauldron, producing a small hiss and changing the color of the liquid to a soft light green.
"This basic healing potion needs about fifteen minutes to simmer over low heat while being stirred clockwise to maintain the magical energy balance," Sanith explained, starting to stir the potion with a long wooden spoon. "Observe the changes in color and aroma. A successful potion will emit a fresh scent like a forest after rain and have a clear, light green color."
After the demonstration, Sanith divided the students into several groups and gave each group a set of equipment and the necessary ingredients.
"Now it's your turn," he said with an encouraging smile. "Follow the steps I have shown you carefully. Pay attention to every detail, and don't hesitate to ask if you encounter any difficulties. Remember, precision is key in brewing an effective potion."
Aria, along with Sylvia and Sylvana, worked together at their table. Aria carefully ground the healing leaves, while Sylvia diligently sliced the stamina roots. Sylvana, with curiosity, observed the shimmering phoenix tears liquid.
At another table, Xarther worked alone with calm and efficient movements. Although his expression remained flat, he seemed focused on every step of the potion making. Faun, next to Rush who looked a bit sleepy but still tried to follow instructions, enthusiastically ground the healing leaves with quick but careless movements, causing green powder to scatter everywhere. Lyra worked quietly and methodically, following every instruction of Guru Sanith meticulously.
The aroma of herbs mixed with the steam of the potions filled the room, creating a unique and interesting learning atmosphere. That day, the aspiring heroes not only learned about how to fight or use offensive magic, but also about the importance of caring and healing, a skill that would be very useful in their future adventures. Under the patient guidance of Guru Sanith, they began to understand that being a true hero was not just about strength, but also about compassion and the ability to help others.