Gala Games and Elemental Showdowns

  Lucian's POV:

  After a long day of training and classes, we finally head toward the canteen to grab something to eat. The halls are crowded, students chatting and laughing, their voices filling the air with a buzz of excitement. I’m looking forward to a quiet meal, maybe even a few moments of peace without any distractions. But before we can make it halfway, a flurry of movement catches my eye.

  A girl with long, flowing hair and an air of arrogance comes striding toward us, her chin held high. She's practically gliding over the grass, a look of pure confidence on her face. I can feel Zane and Ryker's exasperation before I even look at them; we all know who's heading our way.

  "Lucian!" she calls out, her voice dripping with sweetness mixed with just enough authority to make a statement. I exchange glances with Zane, who rolls his eyes, and Ryker, who's barely holding back a smirk. Here comes Celeste, a fire elemental and my 'girlfriend'—though that's just a title to keep the other girls from vying for my attention.

  Celeste arrives, her hands smoothing her already-perfect hair before giving me a bright smile. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you," she says, linking her arm with mine. I force myself not to pull away, trying to maintain my composure.

  "Hey, Celeste," I reply, nodding politely, my heart sinking a little. "Just another day on the field."

  Zane leans toward me, muttering under his breath, "Isn't she just delightful?" His tone drips with sarcasm, and I can't help but suppress a grin.

  I fight to keep my face neutral as Celeste beams up at me, clearly oblivious to our exchange. "You really showed Charles who's boss today. But you know, you need to work on being a bit more social. You can't keep pushing everyone away like this." She pouts, her brow furrowing slightly, and I feel a twinge of guilt.

  "Right," I respond coolly, keeping my gaze fixed on her. "I'm just focused on training, that's all."

  She tosses her hair over one shoulder dramatically, her voice laced with feigned concern. "Oh, Lucian, I'm just trying to help. You know everyone's envious of our perfect relationship." She bats her lashes and gives me a playful nudge, her fingers brushing against my arm.

  I feel Zane and Ryker stifling laughter behind me, and I shoot them a quick, deadly glare. "Of course, Celeste. Perfect relationship," I manage, forcing a polite smile while internally groaning.

  Satisfied, Celeste leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "So... are you coming to the gala with me? You know all the nobles will be there, and I'd hate for you to get distracted by any... prettier faces."

  The urge to roll my eyes is strong, but I keep my expression unreadable. "I'll think about it," I say, noncommittally, trying to mask my growing irritation.

  Her eyes narrow, her tone teasing. "You better make the right choice, or I might have to find someone else to keep me company." She gives me a playful smile, but I can sense the seriousness beneath it.

  "Noted," I respond with a faint smirk. Celeste takes her leave with a dramatic wave, strutting away with an exaggerated sway to her hips. I can't shake the feeling of relief washing over me as she goes.

  As soon as she's out of earshot, Ryker lets out a low chuckle. "So, the gala's two months away, and she's already prepping. You're a saint for putting up with her, Lucian."

  "It's a necessary evil," I mutter, feeling the tension ease now that she's gone. "But I'd much rather focus on training than playing boyfriend."

  Zane pats me on the shoulder. "We've got bigger things to worry about than pretending to be the perfect prince," he agrees. "Come on, let's hit the food first."

  As we walk into the canteen, the usual chatter fills the air, but today, it’s different. Zane and Ryker are in a heated discussion about the upcoming combat trials, and for once, I’m not interested in the topic. Instead, my mind keeps circling back to the gala and Celeste’s insistence on taking the lead.

  We’re sitting at one of the long tables in the canteen, the usual chatter buzzing around us. Ryker, Zane, and I are eating, but there’s some drama unfolding at the table across from us. A couple of students are arguing—one of them is an earth elemental, and the other... an air elemental. Zane and Ryker have noticed it too, and we exchange looks as we overhear.

  The air elemental—Blake, I think his name is—stands up, glaring at Lyle, one of the earth elementals.

  Blake crosses his arms, trying to look tough. "Just because you can make rocks move doesn’t mean you’re all that. You’re not the only one with power."

  Lyle smirks, his hands casually resting on the edge of the table. "I don’t need to prove anything to you, Blake. You air elementals are all talk. You can control the wind, sure, but when it comes to real strength, you’ve got nothing."

  Blake’s eyes narrow. "You think you can just bury me with rocks, Lyle? You’re pathetic."

  Lyle laughs loudly, almost mocking. "You can’t even touch me, wind boy. The moment I throw a boulder at you, you’re done. Try dodging that with your precious breeze."

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  Blake clenches his fists, visibly frustrated. "I could blow you away with a single gust of wind if I wanted to."

  Ryker leans in, whispering to Zane. "Is he really that deluded? He’s not a match for an earth elemental."

  Zane nods, his tone a little amused. "He’s always trying to act tough. But the earth elementals? They’re solid. They’ve got raw power—literally. Air doesn’t stand a chance in a fight."

  I watch the exchange with interest, then looks at my friends. "Air elementals just can’t compare in a physical sense. They’re fast, sure, but they don’t have the brute strength or the control that earth elementals have."

  Blake grits his teeth, looking like he’s about to say something, but Lyle cuts him off with a bored gesture.

  "Go ahead," Lyle says, leaning back in his chair. "Try me. But remember, when the fight comes down to it, no amount of wind can protect you from the ground beneath you."

  Blake doesn’t respond right away, his gaze shifting between Lyle and the rest of the table. He knows Lyle’s right, but he’s not going to admit it.

  Zane turns to me, shaking his head. "It’s frustrating to watch. They’re always trying to prove themselves, but they can’t even keep up with the big players like fire or earth."

  I smirk. "Fire and earth are on another level. You can see that in how the students treat them. Air elementals might be quick and tricky, but they’re not going to break through a wall of earth or flame."

  Ryker leans in, a little more contemplative. "I get that, but it’s kind of unfair. Air elementals have their own strengths—they can move through the air, be invisible, control wind currents. But they’re always the last ones to be picked for anything important."

  Zane sighs, glancing over at the air elemental, Blake, who is now sitting back down, visibly stewing in silence. "They get overlooked. People think air is just... well, air. But it’s more about perception. Wind can change the direction of a battle if used right, but no one gives it the credit it deserves."

  I cross my arms, looking around the room. "Maybe. But until they can prove they’re more than just a distraction, air elementals will always be treated like second-class citizens. They’re just not built for the kind of fights we face. It’s not their fault. They’re just... outmatched."

  Ryker nods slowly. "That’s true. I just wish they didn’t feel the need to prove themselves so much. They’ve got their place. They just need to find it."

  I smirk, leaning back in his seat. "Blake can keep trying to act tough. But until they learn how to use their powers to their full potential, they’re not going to win any big battles. That’s just how it is."

  After finishing our meal, we head to our elemental control class, where we're expected to excel at everything. Each class is a reminder of our duties and obligations as future leaders, a never-ending demand for excellence. It's exhausting—but it's the only life I've ever known.

  Arvanya's POV:

  After a full day of classes, I finally gather my things and slip my phone out, shooting my brothers a quick message: Heading home with my friends. I'll drive with them today. Don't worry.

  It's easier than calling, and besides, we're all exhausted from training. Once I send the message, we pile into our cars, laughing and teasing each other as we head back to my family's estate.

  When we arrive, my friends park their cars near the entrance and follow me toward the arena. As we step through the gates, I see the place my father created just for me.

  It's tucked behind the gardens, surrounded by trees to give me privacy. Here, I can train beyond just the water element without worrying about prying eyes.

  I wave my friends toward the benches along the arena's edge. "Give me a minute; I need to change."

  A few minutes later, I jog out to the arena, dressed in comfortable black training clothes. I find my friends already warming up, each in their own unique way, embodying their respective elements.

  "Ready to see what you've got, Arvi?" Nico grins as he stretches out on a bench, his fiery energy radiating from him. "But try not to singe me this time, alright?"

  I chuckle, feeling the fire dragon's power stir within me, igniting my own excitement. "I'll try, but I can't make any promises."

  Sofia stands by the edge, rolling her eyes playfully. "Nico, if you didn't make so many jokes, maybe you wouldn't get burned so often."

  Kai, who's usually calm, grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or maybe he just needs to learn to dodge better."

  Nico puts a hand to his heart in mock offense. "You're all so supportive. Well, bring it on then; I can take the heat." His bravado makes me laugh, easing any lingering stress from the day.

  I focus on the fire dragon's energy, letting the flames build up, then release a controlled burst at one of the training dummies. The fire roars but stops just short of impact, extinguished with a wave of my hand. I can feel my control getting better every day.

  "Nice," Dante calls, clapping his hands with genuine admiration. "But can you handle two elements at once?"

  With a smirk, I reach for the power of the water dragon, channeling it alongside the fire. A jet of water spirals up, merging with the fading flames and creating a misty haze around us.

  Nico's voice calls through the mist, his tone teasing. "Alright, Arvi, if you keep showing off like this, we're all going to look bad!"

  Sofia chuckles, nudging him. "You already do, Nico."

  We share a laugh, and for a moment, I let the warmth of their company fill me with strength. While I may be different—able to control more elements than anyone else I know—I have my friends beside me. They ground me, reminding me that I'm not as alone as I sometimes feel.

  "Alright, focus, everyone," Kai says, bringing us back. "Arvi, why not try using earth this time? Combine it with water, like we practiced."

  I take a deep breath, tapping into the strength of my earth dragon. Beneath me, the ground rumbles slightly as I raise a wall of stone, weaving it together with a water barrier. Balancing both elements takes all my concentration, but I keep them steady. The result is a solid yet fluid barrier, part rock and part liquid.

  "Not bad," Nico says with genuine admiration. "At this rate, you're going to win the next academy tournament, no question."

  "Not might—definitely will," I say with a grin, my confidence swelling. Controlling my powers is getting easier, but without my friends, I wouldn't have come this far.

  Sofia gives me a thumbs-up, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You're getting stronger every day, Arvi. Just don't forget us little people when you're famous."

  I shake my head, laughing. "Not a chance. Besides, I need all of you to keep Nico from bragging too much about how he 'trained' me."

  Nico gasps in mock horror. "Me? Brag? Never!"

  We're still laughing when Kai tries to take a sip from his water bottle and accidentally spills it on himself. The sight is enough to send us into another fit of laughter, and he blushes despite himself, trying to play it off.

  "Next time, practice holding the bottle the right way," I tease, playfully nudging him.

  He smirks, wiping his face with a laugh. "Very funny, Arvi. Just remember, my training doesn't involve flamethrowers. Unless, of course, you feel like getting fancy again."

  Our laughter fills the arena as we return to our practice. With every move and every element I control, I feel more in tune with my powers and with my friends. These moments of laughter and strength remind me of how far I've come—and how much further I'll go with them by my side.