After Draven's second victory, the atmosphere in the academy changed. It wasn't just respect or admiration—there was something more: curiosity, doubt, and even concern.
Attentive gazes
As Draven walked back to the stands, several students watched him more closely, whispering amongst themselves:
"That energy… it's not like the others'."
"Did you see how his shadows move on their own?"
"He can become intangible with them…"
Even Zayra frowned, analyzing Draven more closely than before.
"He's evolving too fast," she murmured to herself.
The Great Sage remained silent, but his eyes registered every detail. He already knew Nocteerom, but the way Draven was evolving was impressive:
His manipulation of Nocteerom had evolved considerably.
His combinations of Nocteerom, physical movements, and combat strategies had also increased considerably.
The integration with shadows and direct attacks shows an advanced level of mastery.
The nearby instructors exchanged serious glances, recognizing that this student was standing out in a unique way, even among the strongest in the academy.
Kaedor observes
On the other side of the arena, Kaedor watched the scene attentively. His golden eyes analyzed Draven's every movement. He recognized not only the physical skill but also the unique fluidity of the Nocteerom in action.
For a moment, his gaze met Draven's. There was no hostility, only silent recognition. Kaedor murmured to himself:
— So it's you… the only one capable of manipulating something like this.
The tension was almost palpable. Kaedor knew that the future encounter with Draven would be more than a simple fight—it would be a real test of control, strength, and intelligence.
Comments among students
Some students began to discuss among themselves, in a more serious tone:
— That energy of his… could he be some kind of unknown prodigy? — Prodigy? I've never seen anything like it. Even the instructors don't seem to fully understand.
— He's reaching the same level as Kaedor, maybe even close.
Concern spread. Many who had previously felt confident now realized that Draven could be the rival who would completely change the tournament.
Zayra, observing the situation, sighed lightly.
— He has no idea how much attention he's attracting.
Draven, for his part, remained calm, maintaining his usual posture. But inside, he felt the weight of Kaedor's gaze and everyone's expectations. He knew that the next confrontation with Kaedor would not be ordinary, and would require complete control of his body, the Nocteerom, and his shadows.
Silent Preparation
While the tournament continued, instructors noted every detail of Draven's techniques. Some planned to observe him more closely, studying the manifestation of the Nocteerom in different combat situations.
Kaedor remained attentive, each of Draven's victories increasing the respect and silent rivalry between them.
Draven noticed Kaedor's glances more than once, but remained focused. He knew that each fight in that tournament wasn't just about victory—it was preparation for the confrontation that was inevitably approaching.