Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 103

Chapter 103: A Duel With the First Ascendant Chapter 103: A Duel With the First Ascendant Anwar stood before them, his presence unwavering, the glow of his woven light casting long shadows across the training hall.

He spread his hands slightly, and thin threads of golden light shimmered between his fingers like strands of silk.

“Attack me,” he instructed.

“Adjust based on your opponent.” Aiden didn’t hesitate.

Fire roared to life in his grip, and he lashed out with his whip of flames, aiming straight for Anwar’s chest.

At the same time, Sevan sent a sharpened spear of water hurtling forward, while Adrian melted into the shadows, circling to strike from behind.

Anwar barely moved.

With a flick of his wrist, light surged outward in a controlled arc.

Aiden’s flames wavered, disrupted by the force of the magic, while Sevan’s water spear was caught mid-air, suspended by shimmering strands.

Adrian, lunging from the darkness, found himself repelled before he could land a strike, his body thrown backward.

They recovered quickly, but the ease with which Anwar deflected them sent a clear message.

They weren’t on the same level.

“Tell me,” Anwar said, his voice calm even as he prepared for their next attack.

“Do you remember the four forms of a Magi?” Sevan exhaled sharply.

“Nadir, Core, Magi, and Zenith, professor.” Anwar nodded.

“Correct.

And which are you?” “Nadir, professor.” “The first ascendant,” Sevan added.

“Exactly.” Anwar took a step forward, the glow of his magic intensifying.

“And what will you do if your enemy is a third ascendant?” The realization struck them at once.

Aiden tightened his grip.

“You’re-” “Boys.” Anwar’s light flared, illuminating the entire training hall.

“If you fight alone, you will fail.” Sevan inhaled, assessing their options.

“Then we fight together.” Aiden nodded.

They couldn’t overwhelm Professor Anwar individually- but together, they might stand a chance.

Anwar smiled faintly.

“Let’s see if you can.” Aiden wiped the sweat from his brow, his fire whip flickering in his grasp.

Across from him, Sevan stood poised, his hands glowing with gathered water, while Adrian shifted restlessly at his side, his body half-immersed in shadow.

“Again,” he instructed.

This time, they didn’t hesitate.

Aiden launched his flames first, a sweeping arc meant to force Anwar to dodge.

Sevan followed up immediately, sending a spear of water toward where Anwar might evade.

Meanwhile, Adrian melted into the surrounding darkness, his presence flickering as he moved into position.

With a flick of his wrist, Anwar wove a barrier of light, splitting the attacks apart.

Aiden’s fire faltered, Sevan’s water scattered, and Adrian, lunging from the shadows, was repelled before he could land a blow.

“You’re improving,” Anwar remarked, his voice even.

“But you’re predictable.” They adjusted quickly, pressing forward.

At first, they relied on instinct, communicating in short commands and nods, moving as a unit rather than individuals.

Aiden swung his flames to cut off Anwar’s movements, Sevan used water to destabilize him, and Adrian struck from the shadows, forcing Professor Anwar to divide his attention.

But even as they started working together, it wasn’t enough.

Anwar deflected, redirected, and countered- wasn’t just blocking their attacks, he was controlling the fight.

Then Sevan narrowed his eyes, observing.

He watched the way Anwar moved, the way his light wove into defenses and misdirection.

And slowly, he pieced together something crucial.

“Wait,” he said suddenly.

“He’s weaving his light in patterns.” Aiden and Adrian barely had time to register his words before Sevan continued.”Aiden, force him to defend his left side.

Adrian, use the moment to get behind him.” Aiden lashed his flames toward Anwar’s left, and as expected, the professor shifted slightly, his light weaving outward to block it.

But the moment he did, Adrian flickered into existence behind him, striking with precision.

Anwar barely managed to deflect the attack- but this time, it wasn’t effortless.

Sevan smirked.

“Got you.” Anwar’s golden eyes flickered with something unreadable.

Then, a small, approving smile crossed his face.

“Much better.” They didn’t have time to feel victorious as Anwar retaliated immediately, his light weaving twisting into an offensive strike.

Professor Anwar didn’t slow down.

The moment they showed progress, he pushed them harder.

His light wove into thin, blinding threads, snapping toward them with speed that barely gave them time to react.

Aiden twisted away, heat rolling off him as he countered with a burst of fire.

Sevan ducked low, water forming a sharp barrier to intercept the strike aimed at him.

Adrian flickered in and out of shadows, dodging with sharp movements, but the light still grazed his shoulder.

“He’s testing us now,” Sevan said between breaths.

His gaze flicked to Anwar, analyzing.

“He’s trying to see if we can break our own patterns.” Adrian scoffed.

“Great.

Love a challenge.” But Sevan had a point.

Even though they had managed to force Anwar into defense earlier, they were still relying on the same tactics- Aiden attacking with range, Adrian closing in, and Sevan directing them from a distance.

Anwar had already started adapting.

If they didn’t adjust, they’d lose their momentum.

“Switch it up,” Sevan called.

“Aiden, stop focusing on distance- get in close!

Adrian, take his right this time!” Aiden hesitated.

Close combat wasn’t his strength, but he didn’t argue.

With a burst of fire, he propelled himself forward, swinging his flames like a blade rather than a whip.

Anwar lifted his hand to weave another barrier, but Adrian moved at the same time, attacking his right instead of his left this time.

The sudden switch in positioning forced Anwar to react differently, his light bending awkwardly to split between the two of them.

Sevan took his chance.

While Anwar’s defenses were divided, he directed his water low, twisting it along the floor before freezing it in place.

Professor Anwar stepped back and his foot skidded.

For a split second, he lost balance.

Adrian didn’t waste the opportunity.

He lunged, shadows curling around his hand as he struck toward Anwar’s exposed side.

And then….

Light flared.

Adrian’s body was thrown back before he could land a hit, his own shadow betraying him as Anwar twisted it apart with a precise weave of light.

He skidded across the floor, cursing under his breath.

Anwar stood tall, the glow of his power dimming slightly.

He exhaled, lowering his hands.

“That,” he said, “was much better.” Aiden panted, sweat dripping down his temple.

“But not enough.” “No,” Anwar agreed.

“But you’ve learned how to break your own patterns.

That’s more important than winning against me right now.” He gave them a small, approving nod.

“You’re improving.” Sevan rubbed his wrist, glancing at Adrian, who was still scowling.

“So, what now?” Anwar smirked.

“Now?

You keep training.

Because the next time we do this, I won’t go easy on you.” As their breathing steadied and the glow of combat faded from the training room, Professor Anwar crossed his arms, studying them.

“You did well,” he said finally.

“For a first practice, this was a good start.” Adrian, still rubbing his shoulder where Anwar’s light had struck, smirked.

“Good start?

So you’re saying we were awful, just not as awful as you expected?” “I’m saying you have potential.

Whether you reach it is up to you.” Aiden stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders.

“So when’s the next session?” “In two days,” Anwar answered.

“Rest.

Reflect.

Come back ready to improve.” There was a brief pause before he added, “Let me ask you something.

The reason you came to me- was it for the Solstice Trials?” Sevan answered first, his tone calm and sure.

“Yes.” Anwar let out a quiet hum, nodding as if he’d expected that answer.

Then his expression darkened slightly.

“Then you’d better be ready.” Adrian tilted his head.

“Why?

It’s just a test, right?” Anwar gave him a sharp look.

“Defending your spot will be the least of your concerns.” “The Solstice Trials are not just about strength.

They break down egos.

They humiliate you.” His voice was steady, but there was weight behind his words.

“It is a test that forces you to confront your weaknesses in ways you might not be prepared for.” The room fell silent.

As the session ended, Anwar gestured for them to follow.

Without hesitation, Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan fell into step behind him, still processing everything he had told them.

The weight of his warning about the Solstice Trials lingered in their minds.

Anwar led them through the dimly lit corridors, his footsteps echoing lightly against the stone.

They retraced their path in silence, eventually reaching the hidden passageway they had used to sneak out.

Without a word, Anwar stepped aside, allowing them to exit first.

“Two days,” he reminded them as they stepped into the tunnel.

“Don’t waste it.” With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving them to find their way back to the dormitories.