章節 30: Chapter 30: A Moment of Clarity
**Chapter 30: A Moment of Clarity**
The early morning light filtered through the windows of the training hall, casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. The rhythmic clashing of metal and bursts of mana filled the space, echoing off the walls as students of Astarcus Academy trained with fervor. For most, today was just another day of sharpening their skills and refining their techniques. But for Arthur, it was different.
His mind was still replaying the events of the previous days—his conversations with Leora, Elara, Seraphine, and Claire. Each interaction had deepened his relationships with them in ways he hadn't expected. They had started as mere classmates, but now there was something more, something that tugged at him. Especially after what happened in the dungeon, where he had been forced to rely on his strength to protect them, they seemed even more determined to prove themselves, training harder and pushing their limits. Yet, Arthur couldn't stop thinking about the moment Seraphine had shown vulnerability, or how Claire's calm exterior had slowly melted into warmth.
But he had to push those thoughts aside. He couldn't let his emotions distract him from what was most important—growing stronger, becoming more adept at controlling his immense power, and understanding the complexities of this world.
Arthur approached a training dummy at the far end of the hall, its surface enchanted to simulate the toughness of high-level dungeon monsters. He clenched his fist, feeling the familiar hum of power pulsing through him, but he didn't unleash his full strength. Instead, he focused on control, landing a series of precise, measured strikes against the dummy. The energy within him crackled dangerously, always threatening to burst free, but he reined it in, mastering it with discipline. Every punch left faint scorch marks on the dummy, a testament to the restrained power he wielded.
As he struck the dummy over and over, Arthur's thoughts wandered. He hadn't mentioned the dungeon break to anyone after those first few days. It was as if talking about it would breathe life into the chaos all over again. Instead, he allowed his companions to heal, to grow stronger in their own ways. Leora, Elara, and Seraphine had each redoubled their efforts, and Claire had seemed more at ease, growing closer to him as they spent time together. He couldn't help but feel proud of them, even as a part of him feared for the battles that were yet to come.
"Arthur!" a voice called out, cutting through the noise of the training hall.
He turned to see Seraphine making her way toward him, her black hair tied back in a no-nonsense ponytail, her usual sharp, determined expression softened slightly by a smile. Even though they had sparred many times before, there was something different in her demeanor today. Maybe it was because of their conversation a few days ago—about her wanting to stand by his side as an equal, not as someone to be protected.
"Seraphine," Arthur greeted her, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Here for more training?"
She grinned, her eyes gleaming with that familiar competitive spark. "Always. But today, I'm not just here to spar. I've been thinking."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Oh? About what?"
Seraphine crossed her arms, her expression growing serious as she glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "You've been holding back. I've noticed it in our fights, especially after the dungeon incident. You're not using your full strength, are you?"
Arthur hesitated, his mind racing. He trusted Seraphine—trusted all of them, really—but his power was something he wasn't ready to reveal entirely, not yet. "I guess you could say that," he admitted carefully.
Seraphine's eyes narrowed. "Why? What are you afraid of? We're supposed to push ourselves, to get stronger so that we can protect each other. How are we going to do that if we're not fighting at our best?"
Arthur sighed, glancing at the dummy he'd been training on. "It's not that simple, Seraphine. If I use my full power, it could cause more harm than good. I can't risk hurting anyone."
Seraphine uncrossed her arms, her expression softening. "I understand that. But you don't have to carry this burden alone. We're a team, Arthur. We're supposed to trust each other."
Her words hit him harder than he expected. She was right, of course. They had been through enough together that trust should come naturally. But the weight of his true identity—the fact that he wasn't just a student at Astarcus but something far more powerful—was a secret he had to keep, for now at least.
"I know," Arthur replied, his voice quiet. "I just need some time."
Seraphine studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But when you're ready, I'll be here. And don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're holding back."
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at that. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
A brief moment of understanding passed between them, but it wasn't long before Seraphine's competitive nature resurfaced. She smirked, punching him lightly on the shoulder. "So, are we going to spar or what?"
Arthur grinned, already moving into a fighting stance. "Let's go."
They squared off, the familiar tension of competition crackling between them. Seraphine was fast—faster than almost anyone else at the academy—and her strikes were sharp, precise. Arthur met her attacks with practiced ease, parrying each blow, his movements fluid and controlled. Despite holding back, he still had the upper hand, his superior reflexes allowing him to predict her every move.
"You're still holding back," Seraphine said through gritted teeth as she launched a flurry of attacks.
Arthur dodged effortlessly, sidestepping her strikes. "Maybe just a little."
The sparring intensified, their movements becoming a blur of motion as they pushed each other to the limit. Seraphine's footwork was impeccable, her strikes relentless, but Arthur remained calm, his focus unwavering. With a swift counter, he caught her off balance, sweeping her leg and sending her stumbling back.
Seraphine caught herself before hitting the ground, breathing hard but smiling. "Not bad," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "But you're still not giving it your all."
Arthur shrugged, offering her a hand to help her up. "Maybe next time."
As they both caught their breath, Seraphine glanced over at him, her expression thoughtful once again. "You know," she said quietly, "after everything that happened in the dungeon, I realized something."
Arthur tilted his head, curious. "What's that?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice softer than usual. "I want to be better, Arthur. I don't want to be someone you have to protect. I want to stand by your side, as an equal."
Her words struck a chord deep within him. Seraphine had always been strong, always capable, but hearing her admit her desire to grow even stronger—to be someone he could rely on—made him realize just how much she cared. She wasn't just a warrior; she was someone who wanted to be there for him, to support him, just as much as he wanted to protect her.
"You already are," Arthur said, his voice steady. "We'll get there, together."
Seraphine smiled, a rare, genuine smile that softened her usual fiery demeanor. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the unspoken connection between them hanging in the air like a palpable thing.
Then, with a playful grin, she broke the silence. "Just don't think I'm going easy on you next time we spar."
Arthur laughed, grateful for the return to lightheartedness. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As they left the training hall, walking side by side in the early morning light, Arthur couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed since his arrival at Astarcus Academy. His relationships with Leora, Elara, Seraphine, and Claire had deepened in ways he hadn't anticipated, and though his power remained a secret, he knew that he wasn't facing the challenges ahead alone.
For the first time in a long while, Arthur felt a sense of peace. Whatever came next, he would be ready.
To be continued...
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