Melodies Of Power

Lance sat cross-legged on his bed, a frustrated frown etched across his face. He had been working on Tremor Disrupt for the better half an hour, and all he’d managed so far were a few weak vibrations through the floorboards. Nothing like what he was aiming for. The spell was supposed to destabilize opponents, sending a ripple through the ground that could knock someone off balance—but right now, it barely rattled a pebble.

“Come on,” Lance muttered, returning his hands to the spell’s starting position. “It’s just vibrations. I’ve already got the flow, I just need to—”

“It’s not just vibrations,” William interrupted, his voice echoing in Lance’s mind. “This isn’t like Galeburst. Vibration magic isn’t just about pushing air; it’s about disrupting the flow of energy. You’re too focused on the wind side of things—this is different.”

Lance sighed. That was exactly the problem. Tremor Disrupt wasn’t behaving like the wind spells he was used to. The wind was straightforward, an elemental force you could push or pull with the right flow of magic. But vibration? It was different. It wasn’t about moving something through the air but causing things to shift—to resonate.

He planted his palms on the floor, feeling the lifestream begin to stir inside him. “Alright, let’s try again.”

This time, he focused not on creating movement, but on the subtle shifts in energy, like William had suggested. He pictured the ground beneath him, the way the vibrations should spread out in ripples, touching everything in their path.

There was a faint tremor.

“Yes!” Lance grinned.

But the excitement was short-lived as the vibration sputtered and died just as quickly as it had started. His hands shook from the effort, and he slumped back against the wall, groaning.

“Better,” William commented dryly. “But still sloppy. You’re overthinking it, trying too hard to control every little movement. Let the magic breathe. Vibration magic is more about resonance than brute force.”

Lance massaged his temples. “Easier said than done.”

He pushed himself off the bed, deciding to practice standing up this time. Maybe changing his stance would help. He planted his feet firmly on the floor, hands at his sides, and took a deep breath.

“Alright, alright,” he muttered, closing his eyes to focus. “Resonance, not force. I’ve got this.”

This time, he allowed the flow of magic to spread out from his core more naturally, without trying to control every inch of it. He felt the hum of energy as it spread into the ground, the vibrations flowing outward in small, concentric waves.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him shifted ever so slightly. A few books on his desk rattled, and his lamp flickered.

It wasn’t perfect—far from it. But it was something.

“Not bad for a beginner,” William said. “Still rough, but you’ll get there. Wonky or not, that’s better than nothing.”

Lance exhaled slowly, a mix of relief and frustration washing over him. It wasn’t the polished version he was hoping for, but it was a start. He had something to work with for the class tomorrow.

The atmosphere in the combat field was thick with anticipation as Professor Korra surveyed the gathered students. The class had heard rumors about Korra being tough, but as the professor stood before them—tall, imposing, and with sharp, calculating eyes—it was clear this would be more than just a lesson. It was a test.

Korra began with a slow, deliberate pace. “Welcome to Combat Training. One of the most difficult classes Arcane University offers,” they announced. “If you’re here, it’s because you’ve chosen to challenge yourselves. Good. But let me be clear—this class will push you harder than any other. You will fight. You will struggle. And if you’re not careful, you will fail.”

There was a brief pause as Korra’s eyes swept across the group, lingering on certain faces. Lance stood tall, feeling a mix of nervous excitement. Kade, as usual, had a cocky grin plastered across his face, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead. But many others wore the same tense expressions as Lance.

Korra’s voice sharpened. “In the real world, you won’t just have your spells to rely on. You’ll need every resource at your disposal. That means your companions, your weapons, any tools you can gather. If you leave a resource untapped, you’re wasting potential—and in battle, wasting potential gets you killed.”

A few students shifted uneasily at the bluntness of Korra’s words.

“You are welcome to bring your familiars, companions, or any magical tools. Hell, if you have a family member or friend who can support you in combat, bring them too. In the real world, it’s not about pride or going at it alone. It's about survival.” Korra paused for a beat, letting that sink in. “Understand?”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the class.

“This will not be a controlled exercise,” Korra added. “Out there, the world is dangerous. Some of you will succeed because you’re prepared, others because you’re clever. But if you rely on luck, don’t expect to last long.”

Lance felt the weight of the situation settle in. This wasn’t a game.

Korra raised a hand, and as before, a glowing tattoo appeared on their shoulder. “Each of you will be given a teleportation sigil. It will activate if you’re about to take a critical hit, sending you straight to the infirmary. But don’t rely on this to save you from poor decisions. It’s a last resort.”

As Korra spoke, Lance’s attention shifted slightly to Nico, who was standing a few feet away. Nico had an eagle perched confidently on his shoulder, its sharp eyes scanning the crowd with the same intensity as Korra. Lance had seen the eagle before, but this time it felt different—like a more integral part of Nico’s strategy.

“And speaking of resources,” Korra continued, “some of you already have Familiars, spirits, creatures bound to you other than your companions. Don’t leave them behind. Use them. If you’ve trained them well, they will give you a distinct advantage.”

Nico glanced over at Lance and grinned. He lifted a hand toward the eagle. “This is Astra,” he said, almost proudly. “She’s more than just a pair of eyes. I can cast spells through her, and she amplifies my wind magic.”

The eagle, as if understanding it was being praised, fluffed its feathers and gave a proud shriek. Lance smiled slightly, impressed. He knew familiars could enhance a mage’s abilities, but Astra seemed particularly well-trained and in tune with Nico.

“Everyone, listen up!” Korra interrupted the brief moment of chatter, her voice cutting through like a blade. “You’ll be divided into random teams and teleported to a large grassland with a clear goal: reach the tower,” Korra pointed to a distant, looming structure barely visible on the horizon, “in under four hours. You’ll encounter low-tier monsters, but don’t underestimate them. Your job is to survive and reach the tower together.”

Lance’s stomach knotted at the words “together.” That meant he wouldn’t know who his teammates were until they landed.

“You’ll also be teleported to different locations,” Korra said. “Find your teammates quickly. If anyone fails to reach the tower, they’ll be disqualified from this class and have to choose another path. Keep that in mind. You’re here because you want to push yourself, but failure has consequences.”

“The creatures you’ll encounter today are low-tier monsters—if you’re prepared. But be warned: underestimating them will get you injured, or worse.”

The first image sharpened, revealing a lithe, ferret-like creature with sleek black fur and sharp, intelligent eyes.

“These,” Korra gestured, “are Nightstalkers. They travel in packs, using coordinated attacks to overwhelm their prey. Fast, clever, and dangerous in groups. Alone, they’re weak, but together, they’ll tear you apart if you’re not careful. They rely on their speed, so keep them at a distance or slow them down. Direct attacks are rarely effective unless you’ve immobilized them first.”

Lance felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He knew keeping enemies like that at bay would require careful control over his vibration magic. He had Tremor Disrupt, but its effect was still inconsistent.

The diagram shifted, and a larger creature appeared—something resembling a cross between a bull and a rhino, with a thick, armored hide and two large, curved horns.

“This,” Korra said, “is a Stonehorn. Slow but incredibly durable. It charges at its enemies and uses its momentum to deliver devastating blows. Earth and wind magic can throw off its balance, but getting close is a risk. You’ll need coordination to bring one down.”

As Korra went on to describe the third and final creature—a large, insect-like beast known as a Tunnelback that could burrow and ambush from below—Lance glanced at Lyra. She was listening intently, her brow furrowed in thought.

When Korra finished, they turned to the class with a grim smile. “Remember: every spell, every decision, matters. You’ve got four hours to reach the tower. Work together, use what you’ve learned, Lance landed softly on the grass, the world around him coming into focus. He looked around quickly, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of rolling plains. In the distance, about five miles ahead, the tower stood, tall and imposing against the horizon.

“Alright,” he muttered to himself, “now to find the others.”

Within moments, three figures appeared from the direction of some tall grass—Felix, Lyra, and Nico. Nico had Astra perched on his shoulder, the eagle’s sharp eyes gleaming with awareness. Lyra immediately began scanning the area, her expression focused.

“We’re all here,” Lance said as they approached. “Good. Korra wasn’t kidding about this being tough.”

Felix shrugged. “Better get moving before those Nightstalkers find us.”

Lyra spoke up, her voice calm but authoritative. “We should expect them soon. Nightstalkers hunt in packs. They’ll be the first threat. We should plan our roles now.”

Lance nodded, taking the lead. “I’ll provide support with Tremor Disrupt to slow them down. Lyra, you handle defense with your barriers. Nico, you and Astra can attack from range. Felix, use your illusions to keep them off balance. Let’s keep them at a distance. Ready?”

They all nodded in agreement. With that, they set off toward the tower, moving at a steady pace.

It didn’t take long for the first challenge to present itself. As the group moved across the grassland, a faint rustling sound came from the tall grass surrounding them. Lyra stopped suddenly, holding up a hand.

“They’re here,” she whispered. “Stay sharp.”

Without warning, a dozen sleek, black shapes darted from the grass—the Nightstalkers. Moving with incredible speed, they circled the group, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

Lance felt his pulse quicken. “Now!” he shouted.

Felix moved first, summoning an illusionary wall of flickering flames between them and the nearest pack. The Nightstalkers hesitated, momentarily fooled by the display. Taking advantage of the pause, Lyra raised her hands, summoning roots from the ground to form a barrier around the group.“They’ll try to flank us,” Lyra warned. Lance stepped forward, focusing on the ground beneath one of the Nightstalker packs. He gathered his lifestream energy, feeling the familiar hum of vibration magic. “Tremor Disrupt!” he called out, sending a wave of vibrations through the earth. The ground shook beneath the creatures, disrupting their balance.

The Nightwalkers stumbled, momentarily thrown off, and Nico seized the opportunity. “Astra, go!” he shouted. The eagle soared into the sky, letting out a piercing screech before diving toward the pack. As she did, Nico cast a spell through her, unleashing a gust of wind that sent the Nightstalkers tumbling backward.“They’re regrouping!” Felix shouted as the other half of the pack circled.Lyra quickly reinforced her root barriers, but the Nightstalkers were relentless. One of them leaped over the barrier, landing just feet away from Nico.

Before the creature could pounce, Nico cast a quick spell through Astra again. The eagle screeched, releasing a burst of energy that sent the creature flying back.

“Lance, we need to stop them from jumping the barrier!” Lyra called out, her voice tense.

Lance focused his energy again, this time spreading the vibrations more evenly across the area around them. He wasn’t aiming for precision, just disruption. “Hold on,” he muttered as he cast Tremor Disrupt once more. The ground quaked, and the Nightstalkers, mid-leap, lost their footing and crashed to the ground.

“Nice!” Nico grinned. “That’ll slow them down.”

Lyra nodded. “We can’t stay here forever. Let’s move while they’re off balance.”

They broke through the barrier, sprinting across the field. Behind them, the Nightstalkers scrambled to their feet, but by the time they’d recovered, the group had gained a significant lead. They hadn’t been running for more than fifteen minutes when the ground began to shake—not from Lance’s spell, but from something much larger. Ahead, a massive Stonehorn lumbered into view, its thick, armored hide gleaming in the sunlight. It let out a low, rumbling bellow as it scraped the ground with its hoof.

“Great,” Felix muttered. “As if Nightstalkers weren’t enough.”

Lance’s mind raced. The Stonehorn was slow, but its size and durability would make it difficult to take down. And with their spells already draining their lifestream, they couldn’t afford to waste energy on a drawn-out fight.

“We’ll need to throw it off balance,” Lance said. “I can try to disrupt the ground beneath it, but we’ll need something stronger to stop it.”

Lyra stepped forward. “I’ll use my earth magic to create a trench. If we can get it to stumble, it’ll buy us time.”

Nico, already casting a spell through Astra, nodded. “I’ll use the wind to push it once it’s off balance.”

Felix gave a quick smirk. “And I’ll make sure it doesn’t see it coming.”

The plan was set. As the Stonehorn began its slow, rumbling charge toward them, Felix waved his hand, conjuring an illusion that made the ground appear smooth and even. In reality, Lyra was shaping the earth into a wide trench just in front of the beast.

Lance waited until the Stonehorn was just steps away from the illusion. “Now!” he shouted, casting Tremor Disrupt with everything he had. The vibrations hit the ground beneath the Stonehorn and combined with Lyra’s trench, it lost its footing and stumbled forward, its massive bulk crashing into the earth.

Nico didn’t waste a second. “Astra!” he called, and the eagle swooped in, releasing a powerful gust of wind that pushed the Stonehorn onto its side. The beast roared in frustration, flailing as it tried to regain its balance.

“Move! Now!” Lyra shouted.

They sprinted past the fallen Stonehorn, making their way toward the tower once again.

As Lance's group neared the tower, their spirits were high, but the sight of a massive Tunnelback creature emerging from the ground stopped them dead in their tracks. The beast was colossal, with thick, armor-like skin and a maw large enough to swallow a person whole. Its appearance sent shockwaves through the clearing, and before Lance could react, he saw another group struggling to fend off the creature.

“Let’s help them!” Lance shouted, his instincts kicking in. His team, though hesitant, followed his lead.

Lyra began weaving a quick spell, sending bolts of magical energy toward the Tunnelback, hoping to distract it. Nico cast his lightning-enhanced strikes through his familiar, the cocky eagle soaring above and aiming precise attacks. Felix conjured his light illusions, trying to confuse the creature. Lance, meanwhile, used a combination of his wind magic and the shaky Tremor Disrupt spell, aiming to unsteady the Tunnelback’s footing.

Despite their efforts, the Tunnelback was relentless. It swiped its massive claws, tearing through the illusions and knocking back their attacks like they were nothing. The other group, battered and struggling, couldn’t hold up any longer.

With a sickening crack, the magic tattoos on their shoulders activated, and one by one, the members of the other group vanished and teleported to the infirmary. Lance’s heart sank as he watched them disappear.

"Run!" Lance called out, realizing they were outmatched. His group turned and ran, the Tunnelback roaring in frustration as it pursued them. Every step sent tremors through the ground as the beast bulldozed through the terrain, gaining on them.

Just as the situation seemed hopeless, a flash of lightning crackled through the sky, striking the ground in front of the Tunnelback. The beast halted, momentarily stunned. Lance turned to see Kade and his team sprinting toward them, Kade's companion—a hulking Thunder Bear—charging with him. Kade's expression was Crazed, he looked like he was having the time of his life, and his eyes gleamed with battle-hungry determination.

“Get back!” Kade shouted, throwing his hand forward. Another bolt of lightning surged from his palm, striking the Tunnelback again.

Lance’s team regrouped, using the brief reprieve to catch their breath. Lyra moved quickly, analyzing the Tunnelback’s weak points, while Nico supported with precision strikes from his familiar. Lance took a deep breath, pulling together what magic he had left, ready to step in if necessary.

Together, both teams managed to drive the Tunnelback back. With Kade’s powerful lightning magic disorienting it, and Lyra’smagic burning its vulnerable spots, the beast finally retreated, burrowing back into the ground with a furious roar.

The two groups exchanged exhausted but relieved glances before making their way to the tower.

By the time they reached the tower, the sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon. They had less than thirty minutes left on the clock, and their bodies were sore and tired from the constant fighting and running.

But they weren’t the only ones there. Several other teams were already gathered at the base of the tower, some of them looking worse for wear. It was clear that not everyone had made it through the trial unscathed.

Korra waited at the entrance, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the students.

“You’ve survived,” she said. “But survival is just the first step. We’ll debrief inside.”Professor Korra stood at the front of the clearing, her arms crossed, surveying the tired but determined faces of the students. Behind her, the tower they had all struggled to reach loomed tall, a silent testament to the grueling trial they had just endured.

"Well done," she began, her voice firm and unwavering. "Today was a true test of your abilities, and for most of you, I saw the beginnings of what could be great mages. However, I’m not going to sugarcoat this: some of you performed admirably, while others struggled to even stay together."

Her gaze briefly flickered toward the absent members of the first team, who were not standing among the rest of the class. "As you may have noticed, Liam, Tara, and Joel are not with us. They were disqualified after being overwhelmed by a pack of Ferretfiends. They’re in the infirmary now, and while none of you were disqualified, their failure is a learning opportunity for all of you."Korra paused, letting her words sink in. "Those of you who think you can act alone, or ignore your teammates, will learn the hard way. In the real world, you don’t get to learn from failure when it costs you your life."Korra turned to the second group, Ray, Alice, and Kade, all humans who had reached the tower but had faced issues due to poor coordination.

"Ray," Korra started, eyes locking onto him. "Your flight magic allowed you to scout ahead, but in doing so, you abandoned your teammates. You left Alice and Sophie to fend for themselves. In the real world, separation like that would leave you vulnerable. You didn’t think about the risks of being alone in unfamiliar territory."

Ray winced, clearly feeling the weight of her words.

"Alice, your matter spells were effective in holding off the Stonehorn, and I was impressed by how you used such a complicated school of magic in your first year, and Kade, your lightning was solid. But you need yo control yourself, going crazy with bloodlust could endanger your teammates. You held it together well enough to reach the tower, but that was luck as much as skill."

Korra’s tone softened just slightly. "Use that lesson. Stay together next time. You’ll only be as strong as your weakest link."

During the reflections, Lance couldn't shake a nagging thought as the group.

Usually, the cocky wisp from the Plane of Fury couldn’t resist making his presence known, offering his biting commentary during challenges. But today, he had been completely absent, not even whispering his usual snide remarks or giving any tactical advice. It was unnerving.

Lance glanced around, tuning out of the conversation as he fell into his thoughts. Why hadn't William shown himself? Was something wrong?

His unease grew with every second. Normally, William would at least be there, mocking Lance's moves or gloating about how they could have done things better with his help.

Just as Lance was about to voice his concern out loud, a familiar, smug voice echoed in his mind.

"I'm here, don't worry," William's voice suddenly said, casual and self-assured as ever. "I just thought that if you did this without my help, it would be a learning opportunity for you."

Lance nearly stumbled, catching himself before anyone noticed. A learning opportunity? He thought back. You’ve been quiet this whole time just to see what would happen?

"Exactly," William replied, his tone dripping with amusement. "Look, kid, you need to learn how to rely on yourself sometimes. Not everything can be handed to you. It was good for you to struggle a bit, and figure things out on your own. Besides," the wisp added, "I wanted to see if you’d drown without me."

Lance sighed internally, half-relieved, half-annoyed. You could've at least warned me.

"And spoil the surprise? Nah. Besides, you did fine, didn't you?" William’s voice took on a more teasing edge. "But next time, I might just step in if things get too... entertaining."

Lance rolled his eyes but couldn’t help a small smile from creeping onto his face. Despite William’s cockiness, there was an odd sort of comfort in knowing his companion had watched the entire trial—ready to intervene if necessary.

You’re such a pain, Lance thought, shaking his head.

"You’re welcome."

Next, she turned to the third group, consisting of Goruk, a large Beasten Minotaur with a massive mace and body enhancement magic, along with two human students. They had made it to the tower without too much difficulty, but Korra knew they were second-year students, taking a first-year combat course to refine their skills.

"You three have more experience than most here," Korra said, her gaze narrowing slightly. "As a second-years, I expect a higher level of discipline and maturity from you. You reached the tower, but that doesn’t mean you were perfect."

She crossed her arms, studying them carefully. "I won’t tell you what went wrong. I want each of you to reflect and tell me what your weaknesses were during the trial."

Goruk, the Minotaur, shifted his weight, his horns gleaming in the sun. "I relied too much on my physical strength," he admitted, his voice low and rumbling. "I was too focused on brute force and left myself open in the middle of my swings."

Korra nodded, satisfied with his self-awareness. "Correct. Your strength is an asset, but leaving yourself vulnerable to counterattacks isn’t something a second-year should be doing."

Zara spoke next, her icy blue eyes reflecting the calm she had shown in battle. "I hesitated when coordinating with Leo. My ice magic conflicted with his fire, and we didn’t plan well enough for that."

"Good," Korra said, giving her a nod. "At your level, you should know better than to let conflicting elements clash. Think about how to use your magic in harmony, not opposition."

Leo followed, his fiery hair matching the magic he wielded. "I didn’t control my fire spells well enough. Almost burned Goruk twice. I need to focus more on precision."

"Exactly," Korra said. "Fire is one of the most destructive forces in magic, but if you can’t control it, it’s as much a danger to your allies as it is to your enemies. Tighten your focus."

Korra’s eyes softened for a moment as she addressed the group as a whole. "You three did well overall, but remember, as second-years, I expect more from you. Next time, show me that you’ve learned from your flaws."

Finally, Korra turned to the last group: Lance, Lyra, Nico, and Felix. Their trial had been marked by strong teamwork, though there were still areas they could improve.

"Lance," she began, focusing on the young mage. "You took leadership, and I respect that. Your use of Tremor Disrupt was clever, disorienting the Ferretfiends and keeping your team moving. But when the Rockboars attacked, you hesitated. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative when the situation demands it."

Lance nodded, absorbing the feedback.

"Lyra," Korra continued, turning to the top student. "Your knowledge of the creatures you faced was invaluable. You identified their weaknesses quickly, and that helped your team make smart decisions. But next time, trust yourself to use that knowledge earlier. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—sometimes, you need to act first."

Lyra offered a small nod, her confidence growing.

Korra turned to Nico next. "Your use of Astra, your eagle familiar, was impressive. Channeling your spells through her gave you both a combat and scouting advantage. But you’re holding back. You’re capable of more than you’re showing."

Nico smirked but took the advice to heart.

Finally, Felix received her scrutiny. "Your illusions were sharp, Better than last time. But illusions aren’t enough on their own. You need to learn how to integrate them with other forms of magic."

Felix simply nodded, always the quiet one.

Korra turned back to the whole class, her expression a mix of pride and stern expectation.

"No one here was disqualified, and that’s a victory in itself. But this is just the start. You all need to keep pushing yourselves. Use every resource—magic, weapons, companions. Don’t leave anything off the table. This trial was a test, and you passed. But the real world is much harsher."

She gave the class one last hard look, her eyes lingering on each group. "You’ve survived the first trial. Now prove to me that you deserve to stay in this class."