The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 95: Training Day

Chapter 88 – Sparks and Shadows

The courtyard training grounds were alive with energy. The newly formed elite seven—Zen, Sylvia, Kleez, Elvern, Arisha, Elsan, and Aelric—stood in a wide semi-circle. Their task: spar, learn, and prepare for the inter-academy tournament against Vaelstrom.

[System Nex: Ah, nothing bonds people like hitting each other with elemental fury. This is how real friendships are forged—through fireballs and bruised egos.]

Sylvia and Zen were the first to step into the ring. Frost coated the ground beneath her as she summoned her ice blade, pale blue light glinting across the surface.

"You ready, prince of silence?" she teased, eyes narrowing with mischief.

Zen gave no response, only raised his blade.

The duel began with a flurry—Sylvia dashed in, ice blooming beneath her steps for momentum. Zen met her with a swift parry, his movements precise. No wasted energy. No flair. Just cold steel and sharper instincts.

Sylvia pressed, her ice sword slashing in controlled arcs, trying to force an opening. Zen responded by shifting into Skystep, flickering past her strike, blade grazing her shoulder guard.

She stumbled slightly. "You're faster."

Zen didn't answer.

[System Nex: Skystep only? Hah, holding back the juicy stuff, are we? I see how it is. Tactical mystery—classic Zen.]

Sylvia lunged again, but Zen was already behind her, his sword pointed at her back.

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"Yield."

She sighed and lowered her weapon. "Fine. I yield."

The others clapped. Even Elsan gave an impressed nod. Then came Kleez.

"Oh ho ho, let me bring the chicken of destruction!" Kleez pulled out a small magical egg from his pouch and whispered to it. With a soft poof, a small feathered creature materialized—fluffy, wide-eyed... and ticking.

"Boom-chicken. Timer: 10 seconds," Kleez announced dramatically.

"Is that legal?" Elvren raised an eyebrow, fire dancing in his palm.

"Nope!" Kleez grinned. "That's what makes it art!"

The others watched in a mix of horror and amusement as the chicken darted around, squawking like a lunatic before exploding into harmless confetti and glitter.

*[System Nex: I love him. I hate him. I don't know anymore.]

"Alright, joke duel's over," Aelric said, stepping forward. His electric blade crackled. "Zen. Me and you."

A silent nod. The air shifted.

Aelric moved first—pure precision, his electric strikes blinding fast. Zen countered calmly, steel meeting current with calculated grace. The match was intense but measured. No one overextended. No one wasted breath.

In the end, it was a draw.

Aelric scoffed. "You're not bad for someone so dead inside."

Zen met his gaze. "You talk too much."

A few chuckles followed—even Arisella, watching from the edge, smirked.

[System Nex: Ooh, tension. I detect a rivalry arc brewing. I shall prepare popcorn... digitally.]

As the session ended, Professor Cindrel arrived, robes fluttering.

"The Archmage has made the final call. These seven shall represent Eboncrest against Vaelstrom Academy in two weeks."

Cheers. And nerves.

[System Nex: Let the countdown... begin.]