—Narrated by Eli Whitmore.
---
The Arcane Institute of Mystical Sciences buzzed with energy.
Posters flickered magically across the halls, showing glowing letters that spelled:
⚔️ First-Year Magical Exhibition Duels – Today at Noon in the Grand Arena!
It was all anyone could talk about. First-years being chosen to duel publicly in front of the entire school wasn't just rare—it was unheard of.
And of course, I had been picked.
Why? I had no clue. I barely understood my powers, let alone knew how to use them in combat. Maybe someone on the council thought it would be "fun" to watch the Gate Way Keeper fall flat on his face.
I stared at my name written in enchanted ink on the announcement scroll.
Duel 3: Eli Whitmore vs. Cassian Virelith
Felix let out a low whistle beside me. "Cassian? Yikes. That guy nearly lit a training dummy on fire yesterday—with his mind."
"I'm going to die," I mumbled, heart already pounding.
"You're not going to die," Luna said, slipping her arm around my shoulders. "You'll just sweat a lot and probably cry a little. Which, to be fair, you can do while looking fabulous."
Felix rolled his eyes. "Don't listen to her. We'll help you train. Right, Thorne?"
Thorne stood behind us, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He stepped forward.
"You need to stop panicking," he said, his voice low and steady. "Magic isn't just power. It's control. You're stronger than you think."
I looked at him, searching his face for even a shred of doubt.
There wasn't any.
---
🌒 Ravenwing Garden – Later That Morning
"Again," Thorne said, pacing slowly around me.
I stood in the middle of the stone circle, hands shaking, trying to summon energy without passing out. A soft blue light shimmered at my fingertips—then flickered out.
"Ugh," I groaned, falling to my knees. "It's not working."
Thorne crouched beside me. "You're focusing on fear. That blocks everything. Your power responds to your heart. Not your panic."
I looked down at my hands. "I'm scared I'll hurt someone. Or worse… let the spirits out."
"You won't," he said, his tone gentler now. "Because I'll be there."
I looked up at him, my voice barely a whisper. "You will?"
He nodded. "I'll be watching. And if anything happens… I'll stop it."
I didn't say anything. Just let that comfort wash over me like warmth after cold rain.
---
🌟 The Grand Arena
The whole school was there.
The Grand Arena was built like a coliseum, with floating platforms circling the center stage. Students, teachers, and magical creatures filled every seat. Some floated. Some growled. Some sparkled.
My boots felt too heavy as I stepped onto the arena floor.
The wind swirled around me, tugging at my coat.
Across from me stood Cassian Virelith.
He was taller, sharper, and looked like he'd just stepped out of a battle painting. His silver-blue robes glinted like metal, and his eyes glowed faintly with arcane fire.
"Well, well," he said with a cold smirk. "The famous Gate Way Keeper. Hope you brought more than spooky ghost tricks."
I swallowed hard. "Let's just see what happens."
Professor Emeria's voice echoed through the arena.
"Combatants, bow."
We bowed.
"Begin!"
---
🌪️ The Duel
Cassian didn't waste time.
A wave of crimson flame shot toward me—fast.
I barely dodged, rolling across the floor. My fingers scraped the stone. Instinct kicked in. I threw up my hand—and a barrier of ghostly blue energy rose just in time to block the second blast.
Gasps echoed around the arena.
Cassian narrowed his eyes. "Spirit magic..."
I stood, panting. "I'm not just a Gate Way Keeper," I said, surprising myself. "I'm Eli Whitmore."
My voice steadied. I could feel it—something unlocking inside me.
Cassian launched another spell, but this time I reached forward.
The shadows around us responded. Wisps of light and darkness swirled up from the ground, forming spectral chains that caught his magic mid-air—and shattered it.
I heard Felix scream from the stands, "YES, ELI!"
Luna clapped wildly, glowing stars dancing in her hair. "Get it, Gate Boy!"
Thorne was silent—but I saw the slight curve of his lips.
Then Cassian snarled and lifted both hands, summoning a giant serpent made of molten rock.
The crowd gasped.
I felt the heat hit me like a wave.
"Enough games," he hissed. "Let's see if your ghosts can bleed."
My eyes flared with light. My heartbeat slowed. The world faded.
And I called.
Not with my voice—but with something deeper.
A figure rose behind me—tall, cloaked in white and blue. A spirit. Old. Radiant. My grandfather.
He raised a staff.
The molten serpent froze.
Then shattered into a thousand glowing sparks.
Cassian stumbled backward, eyes wide. "W-What is that?"
I stood tall now, calm in a way I hadn't been before. "That's my bloodline."
The spirit laid a hand on my shoulder, then faded back into the ether.
Cassian dropped to one knee.
Professor Emeria's voice rang out again.
"Victory… Eli Whitmore."
---
🎉 After the Duel
Everyone surrounded me the moment I stepped off the arena floor.
Felix threw his arms around me. "You did it! You called a high ancestral spirit!"
"I… I did?" I asked, still stunned.
"You were incredible," Luna said, bumping her hip into mine. "And that look you gave Cassian? Iconic."
Ryker handed me a towel and a bottle of water. "Breathe, champ. You just made history."
Even Draven appeared from the shadows, nodding slowly. "Impressive. Very few first-years ever manifest a family guardian."
And then Thorne stepped up.
He didn't say anything at first.
Just looked at me.
Then quietly murmured, "Told you you'd survive."
I smiled. "You were right."
"Don't get used to it," he said, smirking.
But in his eyes—I saw pride.
Not just in me.
In us.
---
✨ That Night – On the Rooftop
I sat with Thorne under the stars, the hum of magic still thrumming in my chest.
"I felt something today," I said softly. "Something bigger."
He looked at me. "You were chosen for a reason. But you're not alone anymore."
I glanced over, touched by how real his voice sounded when he said that.
"Do you think… we're ready?" I asked.
"No," he said honestly. "But we will be."
And that was enough.
Because for the first time since I arrived… I didn't just believe in my power.
I believed in the people beside me.
In us.
To be continued…