Chapter 19 : The Sword That Will Not Break
Elara perspective
The academy’s magic hall was filled with the faint hum of runes etched into the walls.
Rows of students sat cross-legged, their eyes fixed on the instructor. Elara sat among them, posture stiff and perfect, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
The teacher, a thin man with sharp spectacles, held a glowing crystal in his hand.
“Now, listen carefully. Mana is like water. To use magic, you must first sense it within you, then learn to circulate it. At your age, most of you will only be able to feel a trickle. That is normal.”
The students nodded eagerly.
“Only by years of training,” he continued, “will you learn to release it outward. For most, magic begins to manifest around the age of seven or eight. Earlier than that is exceedingly rare.”
At that, Elara’s chest tightened. Rooga could already do it at three.
The teacher moved on, scrawling a sigil of flame in the air.
“The simplest spell is called Flicker Light. A spark of illumination. It is harmless, weak, and often mocked. Yet…” His tone shifted, reverent. “In rare cases, this humble spell can evolve into something much greater.”
A boy raised his hand. “Greater? Like what, sir?”
The teacher smiled faintly.
“The spell known as Violent Spark. A destructive burst of mana, famous for its volatility and power. Many of you have heard the name before. It was the signature spell of Lady Selene Valemont—the woman who earned her title by leveling battlefields.”
The hall buzzed with whispers. Elara froze, heat rushing to her cheeks. Her mother’s spell… her brother’s spell.
The teacher chuckled softly. “Do not misunderstand. To wield Violent Spark requires the control of a high-level magician, someone who has honed their mana for years. Even seeing it once in a lifetime is considered a rare privilege. Consider yourselves lucky if you ever witness such a legendary skill.”
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Elara’s hand twitched. She remembered Rooga’s tiny palm, the spark that cracked louder than a whip, the frost that crept up his fingers. She had seen it. She had seen both.
Her lips parted—then closed again.
“Yes, teacher,” she said quietly, bowing her head to hide her expression.
The instructor moved on, praising her attentiveness. But Elara’s thoughts burned.
My little brother… at three years old, he holds the spell of legends. And no one knows but us.
She clenched her fists under the desk, torn between pride and fear. How amazing will he become? And what will happen if the world ever finds out?
Her promise to her mother echoed in her mind. Keep it secret. For Rooga’s sake.
So she smiled tightly, said nothing, and carried the weight of the truth alone.
The training grounds of the academy echoed with the clash of wooden blades. Dozens of students moved in stiff formations, copying their instructor’s drills with uneven steps and clumsy grips.
But Elara Valemont stood apart.
Her blade swung again and again, shoulders burning, palms raw. She ignored the pain, ignored the sweat running into her eyes. Each strike was for her family. For Rooga, still so small but already carrying too much. For her mother, smiling through exhaustion. For her father, who stood tall even while shadows ate away at him.
“Enough, Valemont,” the instructor snapped. “You’ll injure yourself at this rate.”
Elara tightened her grip. “One more.”
The students around her smirked, whispering. Obsessed. Arrogant. She thinks she’s better than us.
But Elara didn’t hear them. She swung, again and again, each cut sharper than the last.
Her blade whistled through the air—clean, precise, alive.
The instructor’s eyes widened for a heartbeat. “That form…”
Elara steadied her stance, panting, chest burning. She felt it—something in her body had shifted. The sword no longer fought against her movements. It flowed with her, as though it had become an extension of her will.
And yet she didn’t notice what appeared before her eyes :
[New Skill Acquired: Heart of the Sword]Another shimmer followed, unseen by her.[Effect: Sword mastery increased by 50%.]
[New Skill Acquired: Unbreakable]Elara exhaled slowly, gripping her sword tighter. Her hands trembled, but her resolve did not.[Effect: Immune to mind control. Skill evolution requirements reduced by 20%.]
If Rooga is different, then I’ll be the one who guards him. I’ll be the blade that stands before him. I’ll protect this family, no matter what.
She raised her weapon once more, sweat dripping from her chin. Her classmates snickered, the instructor scolded her again, but she barely noticed.
Her sword cut the air in a perfect arc, ringing with clarity.
To her, it was practice.
To the world, it was promise.