The Ravenwood order loomed like a fortress inside the kingdom, its imposing structure standing as a testament to the power it commanded. Within its walls, warriors trained, honed their skills, and prepared to defend the realm from the dark forces that threatened to rise. The strongest individuals were elevated to the highest ranks, becoming elite knights tasked with protecting the kingdom. But not all who entered Ravenwood's ranks found glory.

  Ren Armstrong stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the others spar. His aether, a force that reinforced his physical strength, was nothing compared to the destructive abilities of others. It didn’t make him powerful or impressive. His power was quiet, subtle, yet potent in its own way. But it wasn’t enough. The higher ranks required more than just strength—it demanded the ability to wield destructive power, to control the magic aether that could burn down entire cities.

  “Still sulking?” Celis Veyne’s voice broke through his thoughts. He looked up to see her approaching with her usual playful grin, though her eyes always betrayed her sharp intellect. “You know, brooding doesn’t make you any stronger.”

  Ren gave a half-hearted smile, adjusting the practice sword slung across his back. “It’s hard not to sulk when everyone else is out there training and showing off their incredible abilities.”

  Celis raised an eyebrow. “You know, strength isn’t always about having flashy powers. You’ve got more in you than you think, Ren. You just need to figure out how to use it.”

  Ren didn’t respond immediately, lost in thought.

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  Celis continued, unfazed by his silence. “Besides, if you really want to be top-ranked, you’ll have to earn it the old-fashioned way—through skill and grit.”

  “Skill and grit you say…”. He glanced over at Dain, who stood off to the side, cleaning his sword. The former soldier was a fixture in Ravenwood, someone who had long since given up on the idea of rising through the ranks. Stripped of his family’s honor after a failure, Dain had been at the orders bottom for a year. Yet he still remained steadfast, determined to find redemption.

  Dain looked up and offered a slight nod in Ren’s direction. “You’re overthinking it,” he said. If you keep pushing yourself, things might change. They always do.”

  Ren glanced back at him, meeting his gaze. “And if they don’t?”

  Dain’s expression hardened. “Then you make your own change.”

  Before Ren could respond, his attention was drawn to Nyx, who sat quietly off to the side, his bow resting beside him. The archer was perhaps the quietest member of their group, yet when he spoke, it was always with purpose. And when he drew his bow, he's aim was deadly accurate. No one in the team could match his precision.

  Celis chuckled softly when she noticed Ren’s gaze. “He’s quiet, but don’t let that fool you. Nyx is dangerous. You wouldn’t see the arrow coming until it’s too late.”

  “I’ve seen it firsthand,” Dain muttered, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I wouldn’t dare challenge him to a shooting contest.

  Ren laughed softly, feeling a flicker of camaraderie despite the weight of his frustration. It was moments like this that reminded him he wasn’t entirely alone in this fight.

  Then sudden blast of a horn interrupted their conversation, signaling the start of the day’s briefing. Celis gave Ren a sharp look. “Time to get to work, soldier. Let’s see what trouble we get ourselves into today.”

  Ren straightened, a flicker of determination in his eyes. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them. Not as an individual, but alongside the only people who understood him. He wasn’t going to give up, not when he had something worth fighting for.