Miradjinn

When training was mentioned in my childhood, I imagined physical or spiritual sessions, similar to those described in the stories my parents told me. I could never have conceived that my training would resemble that of a medical student completing their military service, juggling between exhausting physical exercises and intensive theoretical courses.

For eight long years, I immersed myself in an ocean of knowledge: languages, mathematics, sciences, history... My goal was not only to catch up with the world but to surpass it. Although only two years had passed in my original plane - thus dictating my physical growth - eight years had actually elapsed in the Aether Haven.

My schedule, timed to the second, was a clever mix of intellectual learning and physical torture. Jalik had called upon the elite of the invisible world: exceptional teachers provided me with an education worthy of a doctorate, despite my young age, while masters of various disciplines constantly pushed the limits of my endurance, strength, and agility.

Sahara, my faithful companion, often shared these trials, dozing off when exhaustion overwhelmed me. At each new session, I thought I had reached my limits, convinced that going further would mean my end. And each time, I was wrong.

The challenges seemed endless: running in arid deserts wearing heavy and suffocating outfits, swimming in raging waters with weights on my legs, climbing merciless mountains with bare hands, facing fierce creatures without respite. And all this didn't even constitute half of my day.

The breaks, if we can call them that, lasted thirty minutes. These brief moments of respite mainly served to dress my wounds and prepare meals for Sahara and me, often with the beasts I had just defeated.

Then came the training with Jalik himself. It was during these sessions that I had to master his mystical trinities, far more complex than I had initially imagined. I discovered my elemental affinity, a variant of earth, as well as the nature of Sahara's ruh.

My learning encompassed various martial arts, blade mastery, ruh development, and elemental mastery. All of this led me to this crucial day: my final exam.

Aware that my future actions will be scrutinized by the entire world, Jalik has orchestrated a fight pitting me against his three royal guards, whose reputation precedes them. This test will take place under the eyes of all the djinns of the Aether Haven. One thing is certain: after going through such trials, stage fright should never affect me again. At least, I hope so.

I have gained in Lv and rank. Today, I will face elite rank opponents to prove that I am worthy of concluding my training. During this fight, I will demonstrate one of the forms of the mystical trinity: the Mystical Arsenal.

Following the announcement of the start of the combat, a brief silence fell over the arena. I conjured a sword larger than myself, its double-edged blade gleaming under the light of the Aether Haven. I felt the stunned gazes of the crowd, probably amazed to see a ten-year-old child wielding such a weapon with ease.

"Blink!" I whispered, activating my teleportation ability.

In an instant, I materialized behind Sulfior, the incandescent Ifrit. My blade sliced through the air, aiming for his back. But Corynnor, the Marid, reacted with a speed I didn't know he possessed. A wall of water surged up, parrying my blow. The impact produced a deafening sound, like the thunder of a wave crashing against rocks.

Taking advantage of his parry, Corynnor tried to push me back. His strength was colossal, propelling me towards the stadium walls. I felt the collective fear of the crowd, some spectators holding their breath, fearing the impact.

"Blink!" I repeated.

I disappeared again, using the momentum of my propulsion to launch myself towards Lichenor, the Jann. My blade traced a deadly arc in the air, but Sulfior was not to be outdone. A blue-white flame deflagration burst from his hands, turning the air into a furnace.

"Blink!"

This time, I appeared high up, my silhouette outlined against the sky of the Aether Haven. I dove towards Corynnor, my sword ready to strike. But Lichenor, true to his Jann nature, raised an earthen dome around the Marid. Sharp spikes erupted from the dome, rushing towards me.

"Blink!"

I teleported to the ground, narrowly avoiding the aerial attacks. My eyes, reflections of Mireye, scrutinized the scene. I understood that restraint was no longer an option.

"Sahara," I called, "use your prescience!"

My faithful companion, perched on my head, closed her eyes in concentration. "Yes, papa! R2, L5, D8, LR7," she responded in my mind.

Two seconds later, as Sahara had predicted, Sulfior charged, surrounded by a whirlwind of sulfurous flames.

I dodged gracefully, moving as if dancing between the flames. I could feel the fascinated gazes of the spectators, following this deadly ballet.

Three seconds later, Corynnor launched his attack. A deluge of water droplets, each as sharp as a blade, rushed towards me. I leaped, causing a spectacular collision between fire and water. A thick vapor engulfed the arena, obscuring everyone's view... except mine, thanks to MirEye.

Taking advantage of the smoke screen, I touched the ground. It was at this moment that Lichenor acted. The ground beneath my feet suddenly became soft and viscous. I felt my ankles sink, prisoners of the earth manipulated by the Jann hidden underground.

"I can't see anything!" I heard a frustrated spectator cry out.

"Wait," replied another, "look!"

Through the mist, I continued my assault. It was time to step it up a notch.

"Mystical Arsenal Nasnas Style - Lv 1: Shifting Claw!" I announced.

My left arm transformed into a sharp and resistant claw. I parried Corynnor's blow with my new weapon, while my blade blocked Sulfior's fiery assault. I saw the surprise in their eyes, astonished that I could see through the vapor.

"Mystical Arsenal Jann Style - Lv 1: Earthshaker!" I chained.

The ground shook violently beneath my feet, forcing Lichenor to release his grip. With a powerful push, I repelled my two other opponents.

The crowd roared with excitement. "Incredible!" "Did you see that?" "How can a child possess such power?" The shouts merged into a cacophony of wonder.

Sulfior and Corynnor attempted to retaliate with their elemental energies, but I was prepared.

"Mystical Arsenal Hinn Style - Lv 1: Astral Mantle!" I proclaimed.

An ethereal aura enveloped me, protecting me from their spiritual and elemental assaults. Taking advantage of this protection, I launched my extensible claw towards Lichenor, piercing his thigh with surgical precision. Thanks to Mireye, I had been able to target a precise point, limiting his movements without causing permanent damage.

"Oh no!" cried out a spectator. "The Lichenor is wounded!"

But I wasn't finished. "Mystical Arsenal Ifrit Style - Lv 1: Ember Burst!" I shouted.

A burst of small flames shot from my hands towards Corynnor, but Sulfior absorbed them like a magnet. I immediately followed up with a water technique, but the Marid intercepted, protecting his ally.

"Very well," I murmured, a slight smile on my lips, "you leave me no choice..."

I concentrated, calling upon my elemental predilection. Suddenly, the arena floor came to life. A gigantic and implacable wave of sand rose up, engulfing Sulfior and pinning him to the ground. The Ifrit, trapped, ceased to move.

I saw Jalik's eyes gleaming with pride from his royal seat.

The sand mixed with Corynnor's water, considerably slowing his movements. I teleported above Lichenor, ready to end it.

"R2!" Sahara warned in my mind.

Corynnor, in a last effort, launched a powerful jet of water towards me, like a liquid cannon.

"Mystical Arsenal Sylph Style - Lv 1: Airflow Redirect!" I cried out instantly.

The air currents around me began to swirl violently, deflecting Corynnor's water jet. The attack passed within inches of my head, crashing against the arena wall with a deafening roar.

I quickly analyzed the situation. Sulfior was out of combat, Corynnor slowed, and Lichenor wounded. I only had two Mystical Arsenal techniques left, but it was enough.

"Mystical Arsenal Marid Style - Lv 2: Submersive Sphere!" I shouted.

A high-pressure water sphere imprisoned Lichenor, completely immobilizing him. The Jann struggled for a few moments before losing consciousness.

Corynnor attempted to come to his companion's aid, but the sand hindered his movements. I seized this opportunity to deliver the final blow.

"Mystical Arsenal Ifrit Style - Lv 2: Flame Strike!"

My blade ignited with intense fire. With a powerful strike, I hit Corynnor, creating a burning shock wave that enveloped the arena in opaque vapor.

Silence fell over the stadium. Slowly, the vapor dissipated, revealing the result of our confrontation. Lichenor lay unconscious, Sulfior was immobilized under a mountain of sand, and Corynnor, barely visible, seemed almost evaporated. I stood at the center of the arena, my blade pointed towards the sky, triumphant.

The crowd exploded in thunderous acclaim. Cries of joy, surprise, and admiration filled the air. Jalik stood up, a proud smile illuminating his face.

"Zayn, my brother," he proclaimed in a powerful voice that resonated throughout the Aether Haven, "you have proven your worth beyond all expectations. Your training ends today, for you have demonstrated mastery worthy of the greatest heroes in our history!"

The djinns roared their approval, their voices rising in a chorus of admiration. At that moment, I realized that I had just crossed a crucial milestone in my journey, paving the way for even greater adventures.