The academy courtyard was filled with obstacles: ruins, fallen logs, clearings, and small hills. Today would be the first practical test, where the students would face opponents of different species, testing their control, strategy, and real combat.
Draven took a deep breath, feeling the Nocteerom pulse through his veins. Around him, the other students began to show their skills:
A Beastikim lion-man raced between the logs with impressive speed and strength, leaping and unleashing powerful attacks.
An agile elf used small bursts of energy to dodge and counterattack with almost surgical precision.
A robust dwarf focused his energy on resistance and brute strength, striking rocks and logs with devastating attacks.
Even amidst the diversity, Draven remained focused, aware that his Nocteerom was unique, and that today he could integrate everything he had been training: shadow hands, shadow blades, and strategic control.
Draven's Action
The first opponent was the tiger-man Beastikim. Draven reacted using shadow hands for defense and shadow blades for precise attacks, strategically redirecting his opponent's movements.
Meanwhile, other students also faced each other:
The elf faced the dwarf, combining speed and energy attacks with clever jumps and dodges.
Two monkey-man Beastikim dueled, using agility and strength in a dance of quick attacks and improvised defenses.
Observers began to notice clear differences: each energy was unique, each combat reflected the personality and skill of the individual, and Draven, with Nocteerom, stood out not only for his strength but for his unpredictability.
Integrating Strategy and Observation
Draven perceived small openings in each opponent's attacks and began to apply variations in his shadow hands and blades, without losing fluidity. At the same time, she observed the other students' styles for future adaptations:
How the dwarf concentrated energy to absorb impact, inspiring small, shadowy defenses.
How the elf controlled rapid impulses, suggesting more agile movements for combined attacks.
How the Beastikim used repetitive patterns of strength and speed, which could be strategically exploited.
Reaction and interaction of classmates
The other students finally realized Draven's unique power. Murmurs arose:
— He is… different from all of us.
— Look at his shadow… it looks alive!
— I've never seen anyone manipulate energy like that.
But it wasn't just Draven who caught their attention: some classmates began to show unique talent, revealing techniques that could be very useful in future team battles. Zayra watched from afar, focused, but intrigued by the way Draven integrated strategies into his own energy.
Conclusion
The test ended with Draven maintaining absolute control of his fight, but also with a clear vision of the diversity of talents around him. He realized that the strength of each individual came not only from energy, but from strategy and creativity in combat.
"Everyone has their own power," Draven thought, "but no one will ever be able to use Nocteerom like me. This gives me something that no one else will have: total exclusivity and infinite possibility of evolution."