Chapter 28: Unveiling Strengths
The dining hall buzzed with energy, students clustered at long tables beneath chandeliers that cast a warm glow. The aroma of roasted meat and spiced broth mingled in the air as servers weaved between groups, setting down platters piled high with food.
Elyreina, Lyrian, Reynard, Selene, and Dorian settled at a table near the corner, away from most of the chatter. The awkwardness was palpable at first, silence stretching between bites and the occasional clink of cutlery.
Reynard, never one for silence, leaned back with a smirk, swirling the drink in his goblet lazily. "Well, seeing as we're stuck together for this outing, might as well figure out what everyone can do. No use charging in blind tomorrow."
Elyreina nodded, glancing at the others with a faint smile. "He's right. Knowing each other's strengths could make a difference."
Reynard grinned, tilting his head. "Ladies first, then. Elyreina?"
She hesitated, fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ah, right. I use Spectral Mirage. It's… an ability that lets me create illusions and cloak myself. I can also solidify them briefly for attacks." Her voice grew softer. "It's not perfect yet, but…"
Lyrian smirked faintly. "Handy for sneaking around," he remarked, causing her cheeks to tint pink.
Reynard snorted. "Subtle, as always." He took another sip before continuing, eyes glinting with a mix of pride and challenge. "Me? I use Zephyr Dance. Enhanced speed and wind-based attacks. Quick strikes, faster movements—basically, don't blink."
Dorian arched a brow, unimpressed. "So you're flashy," he drawled.
Reynard shot him a glare. "Says the guy who's been vague as hell since he got here."
Dorian chuckled, setting down his fork with a shrug. "Fine, fine. I use Spatial Control—manipulating space for defense and movement. Short-distance teleportation, spatial barriers, that sort of thing." He leaned back, eyes glinting with amusement. "Unlike some, I prefer efficiency over theatrics."
Reynard rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the intrigue flickering beneath his irritation. "Great. A show-off."
Selene cleared her throat softly, drawing their attention. Her amethyst eyes were calm, though a faint unease flickered there. "I… use Telekinesis," she said quietly. "Mostly long-range attacks and control. I'm also… decent with a bow."
Lyrian arched a brow, lips curling faintly. "Decent?" he echoed. "You took down that Sentinel Beast from three rooftops away during the trial."
Selene's cheeks tinted the faintest pink, and she looked away with a soft huff. "That was—coincidence," she muttered.
Dorian snorted, exchanging a glance with Reynard, who smirked.
Elyreina smiled warmly. "That's incredible, Selene. We'll definitely need that kind of support tomorrow."
Selene's gaze softened slightly, though she masked it with a dismissive shrug.
Finally, all eyes turned to Lyrian, who had been absently twirling a fork between his fingers. He leaned back, eyes half-lidded but glinting faintly with amusement "Evernight Ember," he said simply. "Blue flame, hard to control sometimes."
Reynard snorted. "That's one way to put it. More like 'burn everything in sight.'"
Lyrian's smirk widened, though his eyes darkened for a fraction of a second.
"Worked, didn't it?"
He kept the rest to himself—the shadows coiling beneath the flames, the whispers that came with them. The others didn't need to know, not yet. Not when he didn't fully understand it himself—or the reason why it felt so… forbidden.
Elyreina chuckled softly, the tension easing bit by bit. The conversation drifted from abilities to past encounters, battles, and barely avoided disasters during the trials. Even Selene, usually composed and reserved, found herself smiling faintly at Dorian's dry humor and Reynard's exaggerated retellings of his victories.