Shadow Being System

After William's intense match, other students stepped forward to face their own challenges. The battles continued, each showcasing the unique abilities of the academy's students. Flames roared, water surged, earth quaked, and winds howled as students pushed their powers to the limit. Some matches were over in seconds, with clear winners dominating their opponents, while others dragged on, both competitors evenly matched.

The audience grew louder with every fight, cheering for their favorites and wincing at near misses. The teachers stood on the outskirts, their sharp eyes scanning every battle for signs of trouble. Occasionally, one would step in, halting a match before anyone could get seriously hurt.

When the final match ended, the students gathered near the stage, their bodies weary from the exertion and their minds reeling with the excitement of the day. The arena was littered with scorch marks, cracked stones, and puddles of water, evidence of the intense battles fought.

The head combat instructor, a tall woman with piercing green eyes and a commanding presence, stepped onto the stage. Her name was Professor Kael, and she was known for her strict yet fair approach to teaching. The crowd immediately fell silent as she raised a hand.

"Well done, everyone," she began, her voice clear and firm. "Today's matches were not only a test of your abilities but also of your character. Each of you showed your strengths, your weaknesses, and your potential. And for that, you should be proud."

The students murmured among themselves, some smiling at the praise, others looking down, clearly disappointed with their performances.

"But," Professor Kael continued, her tone sharp, "let me make one thing clear. To those who lost today, do not feel ashamed. Losing is not the end—it's a lesson. It shows you where you need to improve, what you need to work on. Use this experience to grow stronger. Each defeat is an opportunity, not a failure."

Her gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on a few students who looked particularly dejected. Her words seemed to resonate with them, and a few straightened their backs, determination flickering in their eyes.

"And to those who won," she said, her voice growing even firmer, "do not let victory make you complacent. Success is a double-edged sword—it can inspire you to reach greater heights, or it can make you arrogant and stagnant. Do not settle for where you are now. You can do better. You must do better."

William, standing near the edge of the group, felt her words hit home. He had won his match, but it hadn't felt like a victory. The wind ability he had used was too wild, too dangerous, and he knew he couldn't rely on it in the future. Besides nothing guarantees that he'll be able to find someone with a strong ability he can copy, so he has to make his lightning ability stronger that he can depend on it in the future.

Professor Kael softened her tone slightly, her voice carrying a hint of encouragement. "The path of mastery is long and challenging, but every step you take, whether forward or backward, is part of the journey. Remember that. Now, rest and prepare yourselves. The combat test was only the beginning. Greater challenges await."

The students nodded, some with determination, others with apprehension. The day's battles had taken a toll on everyone, but it had also sparked a fire—a desire to grow stronger, to be better.

As the group began to disperse, Liam and Eleanor approached William.

"You were amazing out there," Eleanor said, her icy blue eyes filled with admiration.

"Yeah, but that wind was crazy," Liam added, his tone a mix of excitement and curiosity. "It was different from your usual. What's going on?"

William hesitated, unsure how to respond. "It's... complicated," he said finally. "I'm still figuring it out."

Liam and Eleanor exchanged glances but didn't press further. They could tell William was grappling with something, and they respected his need for space.

"Whatever it is," Liam said, clapping him on the shoulder, "you'll get it under control. You always do."

Eleanor nodded in agreement, her expression softening. "We're here if you need us."

William managed a small smile. "Thanks, guys."

As the three of them walked away from the arena, the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the training grounds. The day's battles were over, but the lessons they had learned would stay with them. For William, the path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he couldn't stop now. The challenges were only just beginning.

__________________________

William and Liam trudged back to their shared dorm, the day's battles still fresh in their minds. The corridors of the academy were quieter now, most students either in their rooms or grabbing a late meal. The golden light of the setting sun streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished floors.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

When they opened the door to their dorm, Gavin was already there, sitting on his bed with a satisfied smirk on his face. His uniform was a bit scuffed, and he was rubbing his knuckles, but the gleam in his eyes told them all they needed to know.

"Looks like someone had a good day," Liam said, tossing his bag onto his bed.

Gavin leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "You bet I did. Won my match in the martial arts class. Took down some guy who thought his size would save him." He grinned, flexing his arm playfully. "He didn't see my moves coming."

William chuckled, sitting on his bed and stretching out his tired legs. "Guess we all had a productive day. What was his ability?"

"Nothing flashy," Gavin said with a shrug. "Earth enhancement—he could harden his skin like rock. But he was slow. I used his weight against him and kept aiming for his weak spots. Took a while, though. My knuckles feel like I've been punching bricks."

Liam laughed, sitting cross-legged on his bed. "I bet that's exactly what you were doing. I'm surprised your fists didn't break."

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"I'm tougher than I look," Gavin replied with a wink. He turned his attention to Liam. "What about you? I heard you fought a pretty girl with water ability. How'd that go?"

Liam smirked, his usual confidence shining through. "They didn't stand a chance. It was over in under a minute."

The three of them continued talking, sharing stories from their matches and joking about some of the more awkward moments they'd witnessed. Gavin reenacted his opponent's slow punches, making them all laugh.

As the night wore on, their energy began to wane. The day had been long and exhausting, and sleep was calling. One by one, they climbed into their beds, the room falling into a comfortable silence.

Before drifting off, William stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. There were too many unanswered questions—about the ninja, about what lays behind the abyss door, and about what lay ahead.

With a sigh, he closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he needed to be ready.

(Pls check out my other book, Demon Being System)