The first rays of dawn spilled over Celestial Ascendancy Academy, casting long shadows across the worn stone of the training courtyard. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-soaked grass and old stone, but Evolis barely noticed it.
He had one goal today.
Convince that shameless old man to actually train him.
After all, Gaius had technically offered.
It had been an offhand comment, barely more than a throwaway remark—but Evolis wasn't about to let the opportunity slip through his fingers. The Awakening Trial was coming, and he needed every advantage he could get.
He found Master Gaius in a secluded part of the courtyard, seated on a worn-out bench under the academy's Great Oak. The old man was hunched over something, completely absorbed—until he noticed Evolis approaching.
Too late.
Gaius snapped the book shut and shoved it into his robe. The movement was fast. Suspiciously fast.
Evolis caught a glimpse of the title before it disappeared.
'The Easiest Way to Seduce a Loli.'
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, Evolis' golden eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Oh?" He crossed his arms, lips twitching. "Now, I wonder… what could my noble and wise instructor be reading so early in the morning?"
Gaius' face remained perfectly neutral. "A scripture of great historical significance."
Evolis snorted. "Right, right. A scripture."
The old man adjusted his robes, the picture of casual indifference. "Indeed. Very profound, very enlightening. The kind of literature an uncultured brat like you wouldn't understand."
Evolis hummed. "Mmm. That's funny, though. Because I swear I saw something about… seducing a loli?"
Gaius' expression darkened.
"Hahaha."
Evolis blinked, 'had the man finally gone senile? Why's he laughing?'
Then Gaius approached him with a calm smile on his face and patted him on the shoulder, "You know, you're really talented."
"Hmm, thank you i've been—"
"At pissing people off."
Evolis looked at him with a confused expression, "Hm? What do you me—"
He quickly tried to cross his arms to block the punch which was approaching his face, but was too slow as he was blasted across the Training Floor.
Luckily Gaius limited his strength to the mortal realm or else Evolis would've turned into a stain on the walls.
"You better prepare yourself Brat, you're not leaving here until I teach you to respect your seniors," Gaius said with a deathly look in his eyes.
Groaning, Evolis peeled himself off the cracked surface. "Tch… worth it." He unsheathed the sword on his waist.
A spear shot forward—a gleaming streak of silver. Evolis twisted to dodge, barely avoiding the strike aimed at his ribs. He pivoted, using the momentum to counter—his sword flashing in a downward arc.
But Gaius was already gone.
A shadow in the wind.
Evolis saw him move in the corner of his eye as Master Gaius launched into a barrage of strikes designed to test not only Evolis's speed but his reflexes as well. At first, Evolis blocked and dodged with fluid ease, his eyes sparkling with youthful determination.
But then came the moment that caught him off guard. In one particularly swift combination, Gaius swung his spear with a twist that was as elegant as it was sudden. Evolis reacted instinctively, moving to counter—but the blow caught him squarely on his ribs. He staggered back, rubbing his side.
"Tch, I understand you're trying to prep me for the trial," Evolis grumbled, massaging his bruised side, "but did you really have to hit me that hard?"
Gaius' face darkened. "You shameless brat! Since you want to stick your head into other people's business so badly I might as well teach you a lesson."
"In the trial you'll face challenges far beyond your understanding. Your limits will be tested, how quick you can adapt to any situation, how many beatings that annoying face of yours can take. All of these things will be put in place in the trial to ensure you can become an excellent Aetherborn. A person who can find a place in this unforgiving world."
Gaius' voice took on a rare tone of solemnity, but Evolis appreciated the knowledge he was imparting even if he was annoying.
He side-stepped a thrust, but he was surprised to find that Gaius had feinted it into a sweep. He felt the impact in his ribs, as he got sent backwards.
Despite the sting, Evolis couldn't help but chuckle. "So when I'm finally enlightened in the ways of the Aetherborn, will I too become so depraved to start reading such silly books as yours?"
"A scripture!! A scripture of great historical significance! Tch, it looks like I've been going too easy on you since you have the strength to keep saying such stupid things."
As the training progressed, Gaius increased the complexity of his techniques. With every unpredictable strike, Evolis found himself absorbing the movements. His body began to slowly respond faster, instinctively adapting to each new challenge.
After the duel with Karam, Evolis had noticed that his body was strange. It was strangely able to adapt, to not only pain, but he was getting stronger. Faster. He could feel his stamina refilling unnaturally.
He could feel his blood getting slightly agitated as if his body was telling him, this was where it was meant to be. In battle.
During a brief rest in the sparring, Gaius lowered his spear and looked at Evolis suspiciously. "Hey."
Evolis looked at him and tilted his head.
"Why are you not tired?"
Evolis' eyes widened as he realized that he had been battling for quite a while. 'Hmm, looks like something really did change after that duel.' He thought but he didn't voice this out loud.
"I see you're finally beginning to realize how much of a genius I am." With a smug smile on his face he continued, "I only do autographs for beauties though, not lecherous, old geezers so you're out of—"
Before Evolis could react he found himself flying through the sky as he landed back on the training ground.
"See a normal student would've flown out of the arena if I hit them with that punch"
Evolis' lips twitched as he forced his body to stand up as it protested.
"Weird." Gaius mused, rubbing his chin as he gave Evolis a once-over. "It's not just talent—you've got something else going on in that thick skull of yours."
Evolis smirked. "Flattery? From you? I must be dreaming."
Gaius scoffed. "Tch. Don't let it get to your head, brat. You might be quick on your feet, but don't start thinking you're some kind of chosen warrior. Talent is worthless without discipline, and right now, you're still just an overconfident kid with a good reaction time."
Evolis rolled his shoulders, stretching out his aching muscles. "Yeah, yeah. But let's be honest—I handled myself pretty well."
Gaius raised an eyebrow. Then, before Evolis could react, the old man moved—a flicker of motion, barely a blur.
A fist slammed into Evolis' gut.
'Wha—?!'
The world flipped. Evolis barely registered the sensation before he was airborne again, crashing into the dirt with an undignified grunt.
"You handled yourself decently," Gaius corrected, dusting off his knuckles. "But you've got a long way to go before you can even think about keeping up with the real monsters out there."
Evolis groaned, peeling himself off the ground. "I think you just enjoy throwing me around."
Gaius grinned. "Perks of being an instructor."
Their banter was light, playful, and warm—a relationship forged through years of training and mutual respect. As the session drew to a close, Evolis wiped the sweat from his brow and eyed the bruises forming along his arms and torso with a rueful smile.
"I guess I'll have to keep my head a bit more on guard next time, huh?"
Gaius chuckled, retrieving his discarded spear and resting it against his shoulder. "Now you're learning. Every scar is a lesson, and every lesson is another step toward strength. Just make sure the next time you get knocked down, you get back up faster."
Evolis exhaled through his nose, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Noted."
"Good. Now, get out of here and get some rest." Gaius waved him off. "Tomorrow, we're doing endurance training."
Evolis groaned. "Oh, come on."
Gaius just smirked. "Complain all you want, kid. The more you whine, the worse it's gonna be."
Evolis muttered something under his breath as he trudged off, already bracing for whatever fresh hell the old man had planned next.
Evolis staggered toward the academy gardens, bruised but somewhat satisfied with his progress. He was getting stronger.
And he wasn't the only one who noticed.
Lyris sat by the academy lake, waiting for him.
The moment she saw him, she sighed. "Gaius?"
Evolis collapsed onto the bench beside her. "That old man is not human."
Lyris laughed, reaching out to brush some of the dust on his face away. Her fingers barely grazed the fresh bruise on his cheek before he flinched.
"Oh?" she said sweetly. "Does it hurt?"
Evolis swallowed. "Uh—"
She pressed harder.
"—Ow! Woman, have some mercy!"
Lyris smirked. "Thought so."
Evolis groaned, rubbing his face. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"A little," she admitted. "So? Was it worth it?"
"Yeah," he said, remembering how he was improving through the battle. "It was."
Lyris studied him for a bit, her amethyst eyes softening with warmth. "You don't have to push yourself so hard Evolis. I'm sure you'll do well in the awakening trial."
"Thanks Lyris, means a lot coming from you", Evolis said as his gaze softened.
"But it's going to get a lot more difficult from here on out." Lyris gazed at him, as she saw the forlorn look on his face. He didn't seem to only be talking about the Ascension Trial.
But before she could think about it further he shifted closer to her and said dramatically, "You know I could really use a massage after such an intense training session."
A blush quickly appeared on the tips Lyris' ears, "Go take a bath first then I'll consider giving you a massage", she said as she scrunched up her nose.
"Oh, how they say women's love shifts like the tides.", Evolis said as he sighed dramatically.
"Tch, you're really looking for another beating after coming from one so soon, eh?", Lyris said as she rubbed her fist.
Evolis quickly stood up, "Ah would you look at the time I have to go finish some homework or I won't be able to get dinner before the cafeteria closes."
"Shameless scoundrel."
"You forgot handsome as well," Evolis said with a righteous look on his face.
Their laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves and the distant hum of academy life, a quiet reminder of the bond they shared—one that was growing deeper with every challenge they faced together.
As the day faded into twilight, Evolis couldn't help but glance at the mysterious slip of paper he'd discovered earlier in the archives. Tucked safely in his pocket, its glowing script pulsed with a quiet intensity. Though he hadn't deciphered its meaning yet, it was a constant, tantalizing reminder that his journey was far from ordinary.
"One day," he murmured to himself as he joined Lyris for a light-hearted stroll through the market, "I'll figure you out." And with that, a determined smile broke over his face—ready to face whatever trials lay ahead, both on the training field and in the secrets of his destiny.