A Surprising Gift

The next morning greets Kai with a sense of anticipation as he goes through his usual morning routine and enjoys a hearty breakfast, getting ready for another day at school.

The curious sparkle in his eyes hints at the excitement he feels, wondering what awaits him.

Upon arriving at the school gates, Kai instinctively makes his way toward the Training Grounds.

There, he sees some of his friends already gathered, huddled in small groups, a mix of curiosity and excitement dancing in their eyes.

Approaching the cluster, Kai inquires, "Hey, what's the deal? Why's everyone hanging around like this?"

Aoi, quick to respond, reminds him, "Don't you remember? There was some work being done here, so we couldn't get in yesterday."

Kai nods, recalling the restriction. "Ah, right, that slipped my mind. How long have you all been here?"

Aoi replies, "When I got here, Alex, Ethan, Rachel, and Emily were already waiting. It's been about 20 minutes since then."

As the group engages in small talk, passing the time, Leon and Michael arrive, completing the circle of friends.

While they converse, Alex goes to fetch a teacher, and soon he returns with a middle-aged man, whom Emily's keen eyes recognize even from a distance.

She whispers excitedly to her friends, "Look, that's Alex's Mentor, Sensei Magnus."

Emily describes his features with detail, emphasizing the stormy gray eyes, the streaked hair with chestnut and silver hues, and the scar on his left cheek—a mark of past battles.

Kai and the others squint, trying to make out the features as they approach. "You've got quite the eyesight, Emily," Kai remarks, clearly impressed by her ability to spot details.

Emily, pleased by the compliment, smiles and says, "Well, I do take pride in my observational skills."

Now that both Alex and Sensei Magnus have arrived, the group greets Sensei Magnus in unison with a respectful, "Good morning, Sir."

Sensei Magnus nods warmly, acknowledging their greeting with a gracious "Good morning, everyone."

Sensei Magnus addresses their curiosity about the locked doors, explaining that a surprise awaits them inside.

He holds the keys and, despite arriving a bit later than intended due to other responsibilities, he unlocks the doors with a sense of anticipation in the air.

The students, brushing off the tardiness, are eager to discover what awaits them within the Training Grounds.

At last, the lock turns with a click and the door slowly opens, unveiling the transformation that has occurred.

The student's eyes grow wider. A few can't help but let out gasps of amazement as they absorb the alterations.

"Wow this is absolutely amazing " Michael exclaims, his voice filled with a blend of wonder and enthusiasm.

The Training Grounds are adorned with new equipment, each room numbered to match the ten students in the Combat Department.

Rachel, closely examining the new additions, asks, "Sir, what are these rooms? They weren't here before."

Sensei Magnus smiles, appreciating their curiosity, and begins to explain, "These rooms were designed specifically for each one of you, as per the Principal's instructions."

"In each room," he continues, "there's a Yantra, meticulously crafted by a skilled Mark Acolyte. This Yantra acts as a conduit, drawing spiritual energy from the environment and focusing it, enabling you to absorb it more efficiently."

He adds, "The Principal has also generously allowed you to request one item to be added to your room for cultivation. But keep in mind, the request must not be too expensive. The renovation here cost a substantial sum, more than you can imagine."

The students, feeling grateful for this unexpected gesture, exchange glances filled with appreciation.

They realize the effort that Principal Ryu has put into this renovation, a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed. "We should definitely express our thanks to Principal Ryu," Rachel whispers to the group, receiving nods and smiles in agreement.

As Sensei Magnus finishes speaking, the students can't contain their eagerness any longer.

They quickly disperse, each headed to their individual rooms, excited to explore and discover the unique features in each space.

Laughter and whispers fill the air as they navigate their way through the rooms, grateful for the opportunity that lies before them.

Sensei Magnus observes their enthusiasm, and after ensuring they are all on their way, he quietly leaves, leaving them to their exploration and growth.