The Lazy Prodigy: Swords and Magic

Months had passed since the incident in the courtyard, and time, like a persistent breeze, began to erase the remnants of that day. The Academy, always brimming with the energy of young apprentices, returned to its routine.

"Lana," "Ren," "Marla," "Thorne," "Elynn," and "Taron"—Cael's group—slowly began to realize that he wasn't just a hot-headed and difficult boy. He was an enigma worth unraveling. And for Cael, every interaction, though exhausting for his calm and lazy nature, was a step toward something he never knew he needed: friendship.

---

Life at the Academy started early. Cael's group usually gathered for breakfast in the cafeteria, and on that particular morning, the table was livelier than usual.

"Seriously, Lana, how do you manage to cast three spells at once without looking like a lunatic?" Marla asked, tossing a piece of bread at her friend.

"Practice and talent, dear," Lana replied with a pretentious smile, dodging the bread with a slight wave of her hand.

Ren laughed and looked at Cael, who was calmly biting into an apple. "And you, Cael? Are you going to keep pretending you're not listening to us?"

Cael shrugged. "You're already talking enough for me."

The response drew laughter from the others. It was a significant improvement. In the days following the incident, Cael had kept his distance from everyone, but now he participated in conversations, even if only briefly.

---

That afternoon, the group had a joint training session on the combat field. Professor "Edron" was particularly enthusiastic.

"You need to learn to fight as a unit," he said, crossing his arms. "No mage or swordsman survives alone. Now pair up and show me what you've learned."

Cael was paired with "Thorne," the strongest physically in the group and someone who had initially been a little wary of him. Thorne was tall and muscular but had a laid-back personality and an easy laugh.

"Let's see if you're as scary as they say," Thorne joked, taking a combat stance.

The duel began, and the two exchanged intense blows. Thorne relied on brute strength, while Cael focused on speed and precision. Despite Thorne's efforts, Cael managed to take him down with a swift move of his aura, disarming him.

Thorne laughed as he hit the ground. "Okay, you win. But I almost had you there."

"Sure," Cael replied, offering his hand to help him up.

The interaction seemed simple, but in that moment, a bond was formed. Thorne, who once feared Cael, began to respect him as an equal.

"Lana," the group's informal leader, was intelligent and charismatic. She had exceptional talent for elemental magic, particularly ice, and was often the voice of reason.

"Cael, you need to stop hanging in the back during classes," Lana said as they walked to the library together. "You're too good to stay hidden."

"I don't like drawing attention," he replied with a sigh.

"Well, too late for that," she retorted with a smile.

"Ren," on the other hand, was the most easygoing. Always ready with a joke or sarcastic comment, he helped lighten the group's mood.

"If I were as powerful as you, Cael, I'd spend the whole day smashing things," Ren said one day during lunch.

Cael raised an eyebrow. "That's why you'll never be as powerful as me."

The group burst into laughter, and even Ren had to admit Cael had gotten the better of him.

"Marla," the group's strategist, was more serious and meticulous. She liked to plan every move in battles and always insisted that everyone train together.

"You two are impossible," she said, looking at Ren and Cael. "If only you used that energy to train more..."

"Maybe if you smiled more, Marla," Ren teased.

She rolled her eyes, but Cael noticed that despite her serious demeanor, Marla cared deeply for the group.

"Elynn" was the healer, always kind and attentive. She had a special affinity for healing magic and often helped others after training sessions.

"Cael, you need to take better care of yourself," she said as she healed a cut on his arm.

"It's just a scratch," he replied but allowed her to finish the healing spell.

"Taron," the youngest in the group, was ambitious and full of energy. He admired Cael and often asked for advice.

"How do you manage to be so strong?" Taron asked during training.

"It's not about strength," Cael replied. "It's about control."

---

One night, the group gathered in the dormitory to study. While reviewing spells and combat techniques, Ren asked a question that caught everyone off guard.

"Cael, why are you so... reserved?"

Silence fell over the room. Everyone looked at Cael, waiting for his answer.

"I don't know," he said after a moment. "I guess it's just who I am."

"I think you care about us more than you let on," Lana said with a smile.

"Maybe," Cael replied with a faint smile.

________________________________________

The corridors of the 'Althera Dungeon' were narrow, claustrophobic, and steeped in a nearly tangible darkness. Few dared to enter without preparation, but for **Lyria**, the seasoned elemental archmage, and **Rylor**, an elite swordsman, this was just another day in their perilous lives.

They were on a mission directly from the Academy: explore and neutralize the threats within the dungeon. The presence of powerful monsters had been detected, and the possibility of lost artifacts stirred both curiosity and concern.

---

"This place is worse than I imagined," murmured Rylor, running his hand along the hilt of the sword on his back.

Lyria, ever calm and methodical, cast a light spell. A small blue orb floated above them, illuminating the grotesque details of the walls, covered in ancient runes and slime.

"Stay focused, Rylor. If the reports are accurate, this dungeon is filled with traps and creatures we haven't seen in centuries."

"It's not like I'm about to relax, Lyria," he replied with a grin. "I'm just waiting for things to get interesting."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a guttural sound echoed through the corridor. Something large was moving in the shadows.

---

The darkness ahead shifted, revealing **two massive reptilian beasts**, known as **Krazurs**. Their scales shimmered with a greenish hue, and their sharp jaws dripped a corrosive liquid that hissed upon contact with the ground.

"Krazurs," Lyria said, narrowing her eyes. "Don't underestimate these monsters. They're fast and venomous."

Without hesitation, Rylor charged forward, unsheathing his longsword in a fluid arc. The metallic sound echoed through the cavern as he struck at the first Krazur. The creature dodged with impressive speed, sliding to the side and spitting a jet of venom.

Rylor rolled to the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack, but the second Krazur was already in motion, leaping toward him with claws poised to tear.

"Dammit!" he yelled, raising his sword just in time to block. The impact was so strong that he was thrown backward, crashing into the cavern wall.

Lyria stepped back a few paces and began chanting a spell. A glowing blue magic circle appeared around her, runes spinning rapidly.

"Just hold them off! I'm preparing something big."

The nearest Krazur lunged at Rylor again, attempting to crush him with its weight. He dodged to the side, delivering a lateral slash to the monster's leg. The attack cut through the scales but wasn't enough to bring it down.

Meanwhile, the other Krazur turned its attention to Lyria and charged straight at her, ignoring Rylor.

"Lyria, behind you!" Rylor shouted, trying to close the distance.

The archmage raised a hand, summoning a translucent magical barrier. The Krazur collided with the barrier, but the impact made the energy dome vibrate dangerously.

"Almost there..." Lyria muttered, finishing her spell.

Ice spikes began emerging from the ground, shooting at the Krazurs in a deadly sequence. One of the creatures was impaled in its flank, letting out a high-pitched screech before collapsing, motionless.

The other, still wounded, turned to attack Lyria again, but Rylor took advantage of its distraction and severed its head with a precise strike.

He panted, sweat mixing with the monsters' blood on his sword.

"These things are tough," he said, wiping his face with his arm.

"And that was just the beginning," Lyria replied, examining the corpses. "Stay alert."

---

Farther ahead, the path opened into a large chamber illuminated by luminescent crystals. At the center, a portal pulsed with a sinister red energy. Before they could approach, a deafening sound echoed.

Dozens of 'Nocturnis', winged creatures resembling gargoyles, emerged from the shadows, their wings filling the air with chaotic noise.

"An entire horde!" Rylor shouted, unsheathing his sword again.

"Don't underestimate their numbers," Lyria warned. "They might seem weak, but together..."

The Nocturnis attacked in waves. Rylor spun his sword in wide arcs, cutting down several at once. But for every fallen creature, two more seemed to take its place.

Lyria focused on casting area spells, summoning flames that exploded upon contact with the creatures. An entire group was engulfed in a wave of fire, but the survivors kept coming.

"They're too fast!" Rylor shouted, narrowly dodging an attack.

One of the Nocturnis broke through Rylor's defenses and lunged at Lyria. Before it could reach her, she activated a second magical barrier, reflecting the attack and sending the creature crashing into the wall.

The battle lasted for minutes that felt like hours. Rylor was covered in shallow cuts, and Lyria began showing signs of magical fatigue.

Finally, with a last spell, Lyria summoned a lightning storm that obliterated the remaining Nocturnis. The silence that followed was almost deafening.

"That was... intense," Rylor said, panting.

"It's not over yet," Lyria replied, pointing at the red portal still pulsing at the center of the chamber.

---

As they crossed the portal chamber, they arrived at the dungeon's heart. At the center stood an imposing creature: a **Rune Golem**, over three meters tall. Its body was covered in glowing inscriptions pulsing with magical energy.

"A Rune Golem," Lyria said, narrowing her eyes. "That explains the portal."

The Golem roared, its body emitting a red glow. It charged with surprising speed, throwing a punch at Rylor.

The swordsman managed to dodge, but the impact left a crater in the ground.

"Got any brilliant ideas?" he asked, preparing to counterattack.

"We need to destroy the runes powering it," Lyria replied. "I'll try to identify its weak points."

While Lyria analyzed the runes, Rylor attempted to strike the Golem. His sword ricocheted off the creature's body, and a shockwave sent him flying backward.

"This isn't good," he muttered, struggling to his feet.

Lyria finally found a pattern in the runes.

"The rune on the left shoulder! That's the main energy source."

Rylor dashed forward, dodging massive attacks, and aimed for the Golem's left shoulder. With a powerful strike, he shattered the rune, causing the creature to tremble.

"Keep going!" Lyria shouted, preparing a final spell.

Combining their strength, they disabled the runes one by one. The Golem collapsed with a deafening roar, scattering fragments across the ground.

---

To Be Continued...