The morning light spilled through the tall windows of Aethercrest's training grounds, illuminating the vast courtyard surrounded by towering stone walls. Rows of weapons—swords, daggers, staves, and more—were neatly arranged on racks, glinting in the sun. The air smelled faintly of polished metal and fresh earth.
Noctis and Ava stood among their classmates, each holding a wooden practice sword. Their fingers itched for real steel, but they'd been warned: mastery began with patience and control.
Master Caelum, their instructor from the previous day, stepped forward. His robe fluttered as a crisp breeze swept the courtyard. "Today, we begin the foundation of your journey—weapon training."
He paused, scanning the group. "Before you can wield any weapon, you must first learn its rhythm. Feel its weight, respect its balance."
Noctis shifted his stance, gripping the practice sword awkwardly. His shadow Aether whispered at his fingertips, eager but restrained.
Ava adjusted her hold, her silver hair catching the light. Her golden Aether shimmered faintly around her palms as she took a deep breath.
"Step one," Master Caelum announced. "Basic strikes. Precision over power."
The group mirrored his movements—swift jabs, measured swings, controlled blocks. Noctis stumbled at first, his strikes wild and uncoordinated. Ava moved with surprising grace, her sword slicing through the air cleanly.
"Focus, Vale," Master Caelum called out. "Aether isn't just raw energy—it's an extension of your will. Channel it through your weapon."
Noctis clenched his jaw, letting his shadow Aether flow. Dark tendrils wrapped around the wooden blade, strengthening his grip. His next strike cut through the air with more force, and a faint black shimmer followed the blade's path.
"Better," the instructor nodded. "Aether-infused strikes amplify impact. But control is paramount."
Ava's golden light flickered as she summoned a gentle glow around her practice sword, imbuing it with a warmth that seemed to pulse with life. Her swings were smooth, precise, each movement purposeful.
"Remember, Lyra," Master Caelum said, using her in-game name, "your Aether is your ally. It can heal, protect, or strike. Today, we focus on strike."
She nodded, determination lighting her deep blue eyes.
The training shifted gears. Next came footwork—moving with balance and speed. Noctis's boots scraped against the stone as he practiced advancing and retreating stances. His shadow Aether flickered around his ankles, urging faster, sharper movements.
"You move like a boulder," Ava teased lightly, sidestepping with ease. "Try to be less… heavy."
Noctis shot her a grin. "You just like watching me struggle."
"Maybe," she admitted with a smirk.
Master Caelum clapped his hands. "Now, pair off for sparring drills."
Noctis found himself opposite Ava. Both lowered their practice swords, eyes locked.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Born ready," he replied, his voice low.
They began cautiously. Ava's golden-tinged strikes were quick and flowing; Noctis countered with bursts of shadow-infused power, the wood blade humming with dark energy.
Ava blocked a sudden slash and retaliated with a quick jab to Noctis's ribs. He staggered back, laughing. "Okay, you win that round."
"Don't get cocky," she warned.
The sparring continued, each trading strikes and blocks, weaving their Aether through the motions. Noctis felt his confidence grow as his shadow Aether became more responsive, wrapping and retracting with his will.
Later, Master Caelum introduced weapon switching—a skill critical in battle. "Aether responds to your intent, not just the weapon's form. Practice adapting."
Noctis picked up a dagger, feeling the lightness compared to the sword. Shadow Aether coiled like smoke around his fingers, enhancing speed.
Ava grabbed a pair of short blades, golden light dancing along their edges.
They practiced combinations, moving fluidly between weapons. Noctis's strikes became faster but less powerful; Ava's graceful agility complemented her dual blades perfectly.
As the sun climbed high, fatigue began to creep in. Master Caelum called for a break, and the students gathered around a fountain at the courtyard's center.
Noctis wiped sweat from his brow, watching Ava's silver hair glint in the sunlight.
"You're really getting the hang of this," he admitted.
She smiled, eyes sparkling. "You're not so bad yourself. I can see your Aether flowing better."
Noctis flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering pulse of shadow energy. "Feels like it's part of me now."
"That's the goal," Ava said softly.
The afternoon session focused on Aether integration—learning to fuse elemental power with physical combat.
Master Caelum demonstrated first, his hands glowing with shifting hues of violet and gold. "Strike, then flow. Your Aether enhances each blow. But if you lose focus, it can turn against you."
Noctis and Ava practiced cautiously, weaving their respective shadow and light Aether into strikes.
Noctis felt the familiar dark tendrils coil tightly around his blade, increasing its weight and cutting power.
Ava's golden light brightened with each swing, leaving shimmering afterimages.
Suddenly, Noctis's foot slipped during a complex move, and his Aether surged uncontrollably, sending a jagged shadow slash into the air—missing Ava by inches.
"Careful!" she warned, stepping back.
Noctis exhaled, calming himself. "Guess I'm still learning."
Ava gave him a reassuring smile. "We all are."
As training wound down, Master Caelum gathered the students again.
"You've taken your first steps toward mastery," he said. "But remember, weapon skill and Aether control must grow together. Neglect one, and you risk everything."
He looked directly at Noctis and Ava. "You two show promise. Keep pushing—your challenges are just beginning."
That night, as Noctis and Ava sat side by side in the academy's quiet garden, their wooden practice swords resting beside them, the weight of the day pressed on their shoulders.
"Think we'll get real weapons soon?" Ava asked, breaking the silence.
Noctis chuckled softly. "Hopefully. But I don't mind starting from scratch if it means I can keep learning—keep getting stronger."
Ava nodded, her golden eyes reflecting the stars. "We'll need every bit of strength we can get."
He glanced at her, a quiet determination burning in his chest.
"Together," he said.
"Together