Chapter 12: The Core's Call
**Dawnspire, Eldoria – Year 12**
The morning sun rose high over Dawnspire Academy, bathing the cobblestone yard in a golden glow as kids aged 11–12 gathered with a mix of anticipation and focus. Taren, now twelve, stood among them, the warm breeze brushing his face as he felt the weight of the age of coming deepening. The tall stone building stood firm, its Mana Stone lamps casting a soft light, and the yard hummed with the excited chatter of kids and the steady pulse of mana. Zane Ryde's old life—filled with fierce business battles and fight ring victories—felt like a faint memory, but his sharp mind burned with purpose. This year, in the heart of the age of coming at 11–13, his power was stirring, and he sensed a call within.
Master Veyn led them to a secluded valley, his gray beard catching the sunlight, his voice carrying a rare intensity. "Today, you'll test your mana core in combat," he said, pointing to a ring of jagged rocks. "Pair up and channel your energy." Taren paired with Ryn, his heart racing with excitement. The valley's air buzzed with mana, and he closed his eyes, feeling the warm pulse in his chest grow stronger. He channeled it into his hands, a faint blue glow sparking as he faced Ryn. They sparred lightly, staffs clashing, and Taren's mana enhanced his speed, landing a gentle tap that made Ryn grin.
A *ding* rang sharply in his mind.
*ding*
- New Objective.
- Objective: Core Combat – Channel mana in three successful spars.
- Reward: Mana Control Upgrade (C-rank).
- Penalty: +10 Profile Points (PP).
Kael watched from the side, his silk clothes gleaming, sneering, "Your glow's weak, peasant." Taren ignored him, focusing on the next match with Mina. She channeled a soft green light, and they moved in sync, Taren dodging and striking with mana-boosted precision, winning again. His past life's strategy guided him, turning each fight into a lesson. The valley's mana hum felt like a friend, lifting his spirits.
After the spars, Taren explored the academy's hidden nooks. The training yards echoed with older kids' spell duels, their lights flashing like lightning. The library drew him again, its shelves heavy with ancient scrolls, and he overheard a tale of a sacred grove tied to the cracked sky—a clue that fired his curiosity. Gavren's story of a birth-night light linked to his mana pulse flashed in his mind, weaving into his growth. The **Dusk Circle**'s dark rumors grew urgent, hinting at a looming danger, but other secrets stayed out of reach, tugging at his thoughts.
That night, Taren sat in his dorm, the candle flickering as he meditated, the mana stone and beast claw glowing softly nearby. He focused on the pulse in his chest, his body tiring but driven, the energy swirling like a rising tide. A *ding* broke his focus.
*ding*
- Progress Check.
- Host's effort noted. Mana core stabilizing. Keep pushing.
The next day, Veyn introduced a mana shield drill, asking them to deflect energy blasts. Taren held his hands up, channeling his blue glow into a shimmering barrier. Kael's blast hit, but Taren's shield held, earning a nod from Veyn. Mina's shield flickered, and Taren showed her how to steady her focus, their bond strengthening. The valley's mana hum wrapped around them, boosting his control.
During a break, Taren sat by a stream, watching older students craft mana swords, their blades gleaming with power. He wondered if those skills unlocked ancient strength, adding to his questions. A dark figure stood near the valley's edge, its outline clear for a moment, then faded, stirring that old unease. No one else seemed to notice, and he kept it quiet, feeling a tie to his past.
*ding*
- Event Detected.
- Unknown presence noted. Avoid attention to prevent PP spike.
Taren nodded mentally, returning to the group. The academy's walls felt like a fortress and a puzzle, urging him to uncover more. Lira visited with bread, her worried eyes soft. "Stay safe, Taren," she said, hugging him tight. Gavren's tales of market rifts, silent traders, and a chanting voice deepened his curiosity about Eldoria's hidden depths.
That evening, Taren meditated alone, the mana tools guiding him, the pulse in his chest growing steady. He imagined leading a team, building a legacy as the Obsidian Sovereign, the title rooting deeper in his heart. A vision flashed—towers falling, a shadowed figure speaking his name—then faded, leaving him determined.
The next morning, Veyn added a team combat drill, pairing Taren with Mina and Ryn. Their task was to fend off simulated mana beasts, conjured by Veyn's staff. Taren channeled his blue glow into a shield, Ryn struck with a staff, and Mina wove a net of green energy, trapping the last beast. Kael's group faltered, their lack of coordination clear, and Taren's team succeeded, their teamwork shining. The valley's mana hum felt like a heartbeat, lifting them.
Afterward, Taren sat with Mina and Ryn, sharing berries, their talk turning to the academy's secrets. Ryn mentioned a hidden chant in the scrolls, said to awaken lost power—a tale that lit his imagination. Mina spoke of dreams with glowing towers, echoing his vision, deepening their bond. The cracked sky above hinted at more, its rifts a silent call. The dark figure appeared again, standing near the valley, its gaze fixed before it vanished, intensifying his unease.
*ding*
- Quest Update.
- Quest Accepted: Core Combat.
- Time Limit: 16 days.
- Reward: Mana Control Upgrade (C-rank).
- Penalty: +10 PP.
As night fell, Taren looked out at the glowing Mana Stones, the cracked sky promising trials. *This is my path,* he thought, his resolve hardening. He pictured a future where he stood tall, guiding others, the Obsidian Sovereign name his to earn through grit and quiet growth. The academy's hum, the figure's shadow, and Eldoria's mysteries fueled his drive to uncover truths, step by steady step, his core's call a beacon in the dark.
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