“WHO ARE YOU? AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” Daniel screamed at the mysterious figure who stood in the middle of the empty, broken-down throne room. The figure wore a strange purple robe with intricate gold lining concealing his face. The only discernible detail was two eerie purple glowing orbs from where the eyes would be.
“Zar'gul, nefar'tak an'gulor expur'fel, baelor'zoth herex sol'gur shal'kor.” the stranger chanted.
The words echoed relentlessly in Daniel’s mind. He fixed his gaze on the mysterious figure and cried, “YES, YES, YES, I GET IT! BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY HAVE YOU BEEN PESTERING ME FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS?”
The stranger remained unfazed by Daniel's barrage, his gaze locked onto the ring that hung from Daniel's neck. He pointed at it with determination, still repeating the cryptic sentence.
Daniel clutched the ring tightly in his trembling fist and shouted at the figure, “The ring? Is that what you want? You can’t have it! It’s one of the only things my parents left me!” The stranger's eyes seemed to brighten as if he understood Daniel's words.
Despite Daniel’s protest, the entity persisted and kept repeating the sentence without interruption.
Suddenly, he felt enormous pressure coming from above. When he looked up, he saw a colossal pupil peering through a hole in the roof. As he made eye contact, the world began to spin, and his knees shook slightly.
The cloaked entity also turned his attention to the enormous eye and released a deafening screech, followed by an even more terrifying presence that made Daniel's knees buckle, dropping him to his hands and knees. The eye responded with a screech just as loud, then disappeared instantly.
As Daniel struggled to stand up, panting heavily, he noticed that the entity started to release a dense purple fog.
This was strange because these events had never happened before. In the past three months, the dreams mainly consisted of the entity repeating the same sentence repeatedly before he eventually woke up.
When the mist became so dense that it shrouded the stranger entirely, it vanished in a blink of an eye.
The figure reappeared instantaneously with a book. Daniel couldn't help but notice that the figure's hands, which had been as black as the night sky in previous dreams, now had strange purple lines running along their skin.
Daniel then glanced at the book the entity was presenting. It was bound in bright purple leather with golden trims running along its etches. In the middle was a symbol that matched the one engraved on his family's ring.
The stranger spoke up after staring at Daniel, “Kara'lim, durath'zel en'kalor feth'ral, valeth'gor tin'ral.”
Daniel heard a familiar voice drumming in his mind as the strange entity finished his sentence.
….
The classroom was anxiously silent as the Professor’s gaze bore into the sleeping brown-haired boy. The professor's voice echoed through the classroom. “And Daniel, what do we think we're doing in my lecture?” he asked irritatedly.
Daniel sat upright in a flash, hitting his knee on the desk. “I'm sorry, Professor,” he muttered, slightly groggy. I didn't mean to doze off. I stayed up too late worrying about the awakening ceremony.” While he rubbed his knee, the intense stare from the professor sent shivers down his spine.
The professor's expression softened slightly as the young man voiced his worries. “Daniel,” he replied, “your concerns are understandable, but there's no need to worry about the awakening. The Unseen will assign you a class that aligns with your essence and soul. It may not be the class you initially hoped for, but it's not the end of your journey. You'll have a choice when you reach the maximum level and awaken your second first-tier class at level twenty-five. The Unseen will provide a list of options, and this time, you can select a class that suits you better.”
The professor continued speaking as he rose from his seat. “Allow me to share a prime example with all of you: the head of this academy did not receive a magic-related class during his awakening. But through his trials and tribulations, he eventually became one of the strongest magicians in the Thaetan kingdom! Let his journey serve as inspiration to all of you.” The professor said while removing a few strands of his long black hair from the front of his glasses.
While Shadewood began writing a question on the board, Daniel grabbed his notebook and flipped to the right page.
“Oh, Daniel, I'd like a quick word with you after this class. Can you swing by my office?” The Professor asked.
Daniel nodded. “Yes, sir, I will be there.”
“Let us continue where we left off. Why is the magic you learn through your research and practice without them being bestowed upon you by the “system”, as some call it, almost always stronger than the magic you receive from completing feats, levelling up and class advancements at the same level?” Shadewood asked while pointing to the chalkboard.
While Daniel searched for his notes on the topic, he was elbowed by his best friend and roommate, Alex, who sat beside him. “Mate, why do you fall asleep in Shadewood’s class of all classes? You truly know no fear. Remember when he made me write 200 pages on why a student shouldn't be late for his class? I was only two minutes late!”
Daniel couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of the blood-drained face Alex had when he heard the punishment. “Shadewood’s class is just... incredibly sleep-inducing,” Daniel replied with a grin as he glanced back at the professor, who was listening to a student's answer. “The guy practically breathes magic and expects us to do the same. Plus, I had to finish all the homework I hadn't yet turned in, which kept me in the library half of the night.”
Alex's expression shifted from amusement to concern. “Homework? Mate, are you alright? We're graduating from this school in two days, and the academy you'll join after awakening doesn't even care about your late homework in the pre-awakening school anyway.”
“Yeah, I get it," Daniel said, slightly frustrated. “But I want to end this chapter on the right foot, you know? Plus, Shadewood and some other professors primarily teach at the Astral Academy and do these classes voluntarily, so I don't want to leave any negative impressions for when I meet them there.”
“Mate, no worries; everything will be alright. What professor or instructor will care about some homework that wasn’t turned in in the pre-awakening school?” Alex replied with furrowed eyebrows.
“And you’re talented; they will love you! Maybe even one of the female professors will take you in as a disciple,” he followed up with a playful waggle of his eyebrows and a comical expression.
Daniel smiled and gave his friend a playful bump on his shoulder while he shook his head. “You’re weird, but I’m not talented. I don't know where you and Lucia got this idea from. If someone is talented, it's you! Most of our previous sword instructors had difficulty keeping up with you when they limited their stats through equipment and didn't use any skills.”
Alex raised his eyebrow. “That was only because I have been handling swords since the moment I could walk while our instructors were second-year cadets at the Astral knight academy; of course, those lazy noble dimwits won't be able to compare to me, a son of a knight.”
“Yeah, Yeah, some of them trained even longer than you have and even went to dungeons, and you still beat them. Anyway, let me focus on the lecture now, please,” Daniel said while copying the notes on the board he had missed while asleep.
After a few moments of silence, Alex whispered again, "No talent in magic? Mate, do you remember when Shadewood handed out that mock exam about runes a couple of weeks ago? You were the only one who passed—not just out of our class, but the entire year! That exam is meant for second-year runic mages at the academy!"
Daniel sighed and shook his head. “That was a fluke. I got lucky.”
“No, you weren’t. I heard Shadewood praise your results to his assistant when I walked past his office that day,” Alex said.
"Look, I'd love for us to have a cup of tea and chat right now, but we’re in a lecture. Unless you’d like to join me in visiting Shadewood later—I'll take that expression as a no," Daniel joked, observing Alex's face transform from serious to resembling someone who had just encountered a demon.
While Daniel chuckled at his friend's expression, Shadewood turned his head in his direction and spoke up. “Well, does anyone know the right answer? Ah, Daniel! Do you happen to know it since you seem engrossed in a discussion with Alexander?”
Daniel froze for a split second as Shadewood’s voice entered his ears. “S-s-skills a person receives through their effort, practice, and study will generally be stronger because they will have a deeper fundamental understanding of said magic.”
Shadewood's eyes briefly brightened but quickly changed to his usual stern look. “That's a respectable answer, Daniel. However, it’s not just about understanding,” he began, lifting his hand as a small firebolt hovered above his palm, flickering and dancing. “The way your mana pathways are familiar with the mana from skills of the Unseen, and the skills you achieve through hard work are different.”
“When you repeatedly channel magic, your mana pathways adapt. They become accustomed to the flow of mana, like a river carving its course through stone. Each spell, each incantation, etches its mark upon those pathways, shaping them to its will. This familiarity is not just about comprehension; it's about integration, about becoming one with the magic you wield.” As he spoke, the fire bolt transformed into a shimmering orb of light, casting a gentle glow.
The orb shifted again into a delicate butterfly of blue energy, fluttering gracefully above his hand. “The skills the Unseen grant you are a part of you from the moment you receive them. But your mana pathways are not accustomed to the mana flow from this new spell. This, in turn, will result in a longer casting time and a less effective spell in the beginning.”
The butterfly dissolved into a mist, which then coalesced into a small, intricate snowflake, spinning gently in the air. “But the skills achieved through hard work make your mana pathways more refined and strengthened. They will also do this with the skills granted by the Unseen, but that process will take longer since you’re relying on the system to channel your mana and not solely on your own.”
The snowflake melted into a drop of water, which hovered briefly before evaporating into nothingness. “So remember, everyone, it’s not just about the spells you know, but how intimately your mana pathways embrace them. Through practice and dedication, you shape your magic, which in turn shapes you. That is the essence of true mastery.”
Daniel noted Shadewood's explanation until he started feeling uncomfortable, like something was burrowing into his skin, causing him to break out into gooseflesh. On instinct, he looked behind him to find his "stepbrother," Mark, looking at him as if his gaze could burn him with pure hatred.
Mark had tormented and bullied Daniel for as long as he could remember. Back at the baron's estate, it was limited to the occasional remark and shove, but when they left the baron's supervision and arrived at the pre-awakening school, it got worse.
When they had just enrolled in school, Mark once made the mistake of bullying Daniel together with his friends. While Daniel sat outside with Alex. His taller and stronger friend quickly got up and knocked Mark out with a single punch. Mark’s friends tried to jump in, but Alex promptly disposed of the gang of punks thanks to his years of sword and hand-to-hand training. This put an end to the bullying whenever Alex was around. However, if Mark knew Alex wasn't nearby, he resumed the harassment as if nothing had happened.
When someone finally reported Mark’s behaviour—something Daniel had long refrained from doing—Mark's friends claimed Daniel had provoked them. They fabricated stories and twisted events, creating a narrative that painted Daniel as the instigator. This constant stream of misinformation confused the school administration and limited their ability to take effective action against the bullying. As a result, Mark and his friends continued their harassment with little fear of repercussions.
Instead of going to the professors for help, Daniel stubbornly fought back, even though he was often outnumbered. Mark, being taller and stronger, made for a thought opponent. Despite this, Daniel refused to back down, continually standing up for himself even when it meant he often lost and got beaten up.
Daniel tried to ignore the stare and continued taking notes.
….
As the class neared its end, Professor Shadewood concluded his lecture. “Since this will be our last lecture together in this school, I have a small gift for each of you.” As he spoke, he lifted his right arm in front of his body, and small containers adorned with a red gift tie flew from a portal that opened in front of the professor's hand and flew to every desk.
Daniel glanced at the desks around him, seeing his classmates opening the gifts the moment they landed on their desks. The gifts the students received were perfectly suited to their interests and aspirations. Sarah, a girl with whom he had spoken a few times, sat a few seats to his left. She opened the gift and lifted a magical pen that never ran out of ink out of the box. She was a passionate writer in her free time and even got a book submitted to the academy's library. Another boy from a family of renowned beast tamers received a book about advanced techniques in taming.
He heard Alex burst into laughter as he opened his gift. Inside the gift box lay a pair of gloves. The enclosed note explained, “These gloves are made from the hide of a shadow panther. They will aid in reducing impacts while still being flexible.”
However, to Daniel's surprise, there was no gift on his desk. He looked around, bewildered, as his classmates excitedly examined their presents.
Professor Shadewood noticed Daniel's confusion and walked over to him. “Daniel, you will receive your gift when you come to my office after this lecture, so be sure to stop by,” Shadewood said with a wink. The Professor then walked down to each desk, answering students' questions about their gifts.
Once everyone had finished unpacking their presents, Shadewood instructed the students to clean the classroom and left for his office.
….
Before Daniel could knock on the door, he heard Shadewood's voice. “Come in, Daniel.”
The professor sat on the couch in the middle of his office and looked up from his papers to greet Daniel. “Please take a seat, Daniel,” he said, pointing to the couch on the opposite side.
After Daniel sat down, the professor began to speak, “I hold you to high standards, Daniel. Your comprehension of magic theory is truly exceptional. However, your repeated instances of falling asleep in my class are cause for concern. But first, let me offer you a drink” While he spoke, the papers he held magically flew to his desk. With a flick of his finger, a tea set appeared on the table between the two couches.
“Would you like a cup?” The professor asked while gesturing towards the table where a tea set had magically appeared.
Daniel nodded, and the professor quickly poured the steaming liquid into two cups, the aroma of herbs and spices filling the office air.
After pouring the tea, the professor leaned back into the couch with a slight smile. “I must say, Daniel, you've surprised a few professors and me with your quick uptake of the material we teach. Especially since you don't come from a family of mages like some of your peers here.”
Daniel's cheeks flushed with a mixture of pride and embarrassment at the unexpected praise. “Thank you, Professor. I, I do try my best.”
The professor nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I can see that. But,” The professor said, “your recent habit of dozing off in class... it's concerning me and a few other staff members here.” He continued with a more serious tone.
Daniel's expression turned uncomfortable. “I know, Professor. I've just been... stressed about the awakening.”
After sipping his tea, the professor started smiling. “The awakening is a stressful event. I remember how stressed I was when mine was about to take place,” he chuckled. “Ahh, the memories. Don’t worry too much about it, Daniel. Ultimately, the person forges his destiny, not the gods or even the Unseen.”
“But are you sure that the Awakening is the only thing bothering you, Daniel? You know you can talk to me if something else is on your mind.
Daniel's heart skipped a beat, and he took a deep breath to gather the courage to tell the professor about his situation. “ Well, to be honest, professor… I've been having these strange dreams with a figure in them.” Daniel started describing the dreams to his professor.
“Daniel, weird dreams can also be caused by stress, but I don't see you as the person to suffer from this. Some people believe that dreams can predict the future, while others think they connect us to different planes of existence. Then some in the east of the continent suggest that dreams are tied to our past lives and the spirits of our ancestors.” The professor said.
“You mentioned a ring that the figure is fixated on. Do you have it with you?” Shadewood asked, finishing his sentence. He stood up and walked over to the bookcase next to the window.
“Yes, I do,” Daniel said while Shadewood made his way over to the bookcase. He reached under his white school shirt and pulled out the ring, which he wore on a necklace.
Shadewood ran his finger along the back of a few books until he stopped on a particular one and retrieved it before returning to the couch.
“The field of dreams and magic is not something I am too familiar with, but some mages and powerful entities manipulate people's dreams for various purposes. One of these entities may be invading your dreams concerning the ring,” Shadewood said after settling back into his seat.
With a flick of Shadewood’s fingers, a piece of paper appeared on the table, and a quill flew from his desk and landed next to the paper. “Daniel, has this entity ever threatened you or induced fear in your dreams? And how frequently have these occurrences taken place?”
As Daniel began explaining the events of his latest dream, he noticed Shadewood's quill writing on the paper without assistance while the professor read from the book.
“The dreams have occurred more often lately than when they started three months ago. It started as once a week, and now I have these dreams every other day,” Daniel finished.
Daniel waited in silence while the professor read the book.
After a few moments, Shadewood closed the book, and the quill stopped writing and flew to its holder on the desk. Then suddenly, the paper started glowing brightly and disappeared from sight.
“There’s not much I can do for you regarding the dreams,” Shadewood admitted, “but I'll ask a friend of mine who's a skilled soul mage with expertise in spirit magic who might know more about these situations. If I can get ahold of her, which might be tricky due to her nature to disappear into a dungeon for weeks to study her field.”
As Shadewood spoke, a blue letter suddenly materialised with a bright flash from the ceiling, gently falling as snowflakes followed its descent. Until it landed in the open palm of the Professor
“But what I can do for you right now is study the inscriptions on the ring and check your body to see if there are any signs that someone has been using spells on you.” Shadewood put the letter away in his coat pocket and instructed Daniel to sit on the ground in a lotus position. After Daniel sat down, Shadewood put his hand on his back and began guiding his mana through Daniel's body.
After a short moment, Shadewood began mumbling, “Hmm, strange. I don’t detect any foreign mana from your body, but that doesn't mean there are no outside influences that affect your dreams. Some other energies are difficult to detect, such as the mystic energy that shamans in the East use. But I couldn't detect any traces of foreign energy besides my own entering your body.”
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Shadewood instructed Daniel to stand up. “Let's continue by copying the symbols on the ring so I can study them. They might provide a clue.”
After they sat back down on the couches, Shadewood flicked his finger, and a stack of paper and a pencil appeared on the table between the two couches. Shadewood grabbed the ring and began copying the symbols. “These symbols remind me of ancient runes I once studied years ago, but the symbols are slightly different.”
As Shadewood delved into the topic of ancient runes, Daniel recalled the lectures from their first year at the pre-awakening academy. The lectures were mainly about the most commonly used runes and their applications, and they even practised inscribing the runes using mana-filled ink onto a copper plate.
Daniel's gaze drifted to the wall on the left side of the desk, adorned with numerous awards from the Theathen Magic Society. These awards celebrated Shadewood's pioneering studies in ancient languages and runes and their applications throughout the Theathen kingdom.
One of Daniel's classmates had once shared stories about Shadewood's renowned expertise. According to this classmate, Shadewood was widely regarded as one of the Veridian continent's foremost authorities on runes, symbols, and ancient languages. His reputation was so esteemed that the Qerith Empire invited him to teach at their prestigious royal academy. However, the classmate claimed Shadewood turned down the offer, allegedly due to a debt owed to the academy's head.
….
Daniel had just finished his second cup of tea when the Professor put the pencil down with a sigh.
“I have finished copying the symbols. Come back in a few days after your awakening to see if I have found anything. If I require any additional information or if something else comes up, I won't hesitate to reach out via a letter that will arrive at your dorm room.” Shadewood said.
Shadewood carefully folded his sketches of the symbols as he spoke. “If I recall correctly, you're staying in the Blue Moon Dorm? Could you please write down your room number on this paper?” he asked while pointing to the paper and pen on the table.
Daniel nodded and took a moment to jot down his dorm room number on the piece of paper provided by Professor Shadewood.
“In the meantime, if you experience any further developments in your dreams or anything else comes to your attention, do not hesitate to inform me. If you can't find me in this office, approach one of the teaching assistants, and they will inform me.” Professor Shadewood said with a glint in his eyes.
Daniel nodded and made an effort to stand up and say his goodbyes. As he began to rise, he could hear the bell ringing, indicating that his next class was about to start.
However, before he could take more than a step towards the door, Shadewood's voice stopped him. Daniel turned around and saw Shadewood holding two decorated gift boxes similar to the ones his classmates had received earlier.
“I almost forgot,” Shadewood said, a warm smile playing on his lips. “Here is your gift.” With a graceful motion, he handed Daniel one of the gift boxes. “And this one is for Lucia since she didn't attend today's lecture. Could you hand it over to her?”
“Thank you, professor. I will give it to her,” Daniel said, followed by him taking a short bow before he left for sword handling class.
….
Daniel noticed that Instructor Braier had yet to arrive as he entered the exercise field.
He looked for where his friends were and found them relaxing in the shade by a tree. As Daniel walked over and waved to his blonde-haired friend, he interrupted the conversation with Alex. “Hey Lucia, where were you during Shadewood's lecture? he asked me to deliver your gift.”
Lucia looked at Daniel with a puzzled expression.“Oh, you know, here and there,” replied Lucia in a dismissive tone. “But thank you for bringing my gift, Daniel. What did Professor Shadewood give me?”
Daniel handed Lucia the black gift box. “I don't know. I haven't even opened mine yet. But here.”
Lucia eagerly took the box, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “Thanks, Daniel!”
Daniel grinned, waiting as Lucia started untying the red ribbon. Once she opened the box and revealed the dark red book titled “Basics of Runic Accessories Crafting,” its golden letters gleaming inside, Alex leaned back with a playful smirk.
Alex glanced at the book and then chuckled, leaning forward with a hint of sarcasm. "Crafting's cool and all, but can it beat mastering a sword?"
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "You and your swords, Alex. Sometimes, it's about more than just combat."
Lucia's eyes widened with excitement as she traced her fingers over the elegant script on the cover. “Daniel, look at this! I've always wanted to learn more about crafting magical artefacts.”
Daniel's amazement matched Lucia's enthusiasm. “That's incredible, Lucia. Professor Shadewood knows how to pick gifts. All the others also received gifts that matched their interests.”
As they continued to wait for the instructor to show up, they ended up discussing the upcoming awakening ceremony and their plans for the future.
“Anyway, since the awakening ceremony is in two days, have you guys thought about what classes you hope to receive at the ceremony?” Lucia asked while leaning against a tree.
Alex was the first to speak up. “I'm confident I'll land either a sword-fighter-related class or a squire-related one, but I wouldn't mind Shieldbearer,” Alex said with a smile. “Considering how much time I have dedicated to the sword makes me hopeful that I won't get a magic-related class. I've even received four levels in sword handling already.”
Receiving proficiency levels before awakening was something rare and only seen if the person was from a knight lineage and genuinely dedicated. Even then, receiving just one level was a rare feat.
“What about you, Daniel?” Alex asked while giving Daniel's shoulder a friendly pat.
“I'm not sure. I would love a magic-related class, like Mana Scribe or Enchantment Apprentice, or a crafting-related class since I like woodcarving in my free time. But since my innate mana isn't that big, I'm unsure if I’ll receive one,” Daniel said. “And even if I do, my mana might limit me initially. But as long as it isn’t something as lame as farmer or baker, I'm happy,”
“What about you, Lucia? Are you hoping for a merchant-related class to follow in your family's footsteps?” Daniel followed up while he looked into Lucia’s deep green eyes
Lucia looked at both of her friends. “As you guys know, I've always had this strong interest in crafting items, particularly enchanted and runic ones. However, I haven't discussed it with my dad, especially after the loss of my older brother. He has high hopes for me to succeed him as the family head.”
Lucia's words hung in the air momentarily as Daniel and Alex exchanged understanding glances. They both knew how significant her family's expectations were since it was one of the top five merchant companies in the kingdom.
Daniel was the first to speak up. “Lucia, no matter the path you take, you shall always have the support of Alex and me. I'm sure your family will eventually understand, even though I haven't grown up in a family like yours. They'll be proud of you, no matter what.” While speaking, he put a hand on her shoulder. “Besides, don't you have a younger brother whose awakening is just a few years away? From what you’ve told me, he seems very interested in following your family's tradition, so wouldn't he be a better candidate?”
“You guys are right,” she admitted with a grateful smile. “I should follow my path. I'll talk to my dad about it if I awaken a crafting or magic class and see what he thinks. As for my younger brother, you're correct. He is interested in our family's business, but sadly, he isn't as talented as my dad would like him to be. His lax personality also causes concern among our family elders. But with the right mentor, he might turn out just right.”
As the conversation continued, Daniel recalled how they often had talked about their shared passion for crafting. He'd even acquired the “Nimble Fingers” trait, a detail that had made Lucia slightly jealous at the time, but it didn't take long before she also received the trait.
….
Heavy boots echoed across the exercise field as Instructor Braier arrived. He was a seasoned warrior whose short silver hair and pointed ears indicated his half-elf lineage.
The instructor was known for his no-nonsense teaching style. As he stepped onto the field and addressed the group loudly, “Good afternoon, students! This will be the last training session while in the pre-awakening academy. If you enrol in the Astral Knight Academy, I will be your head instructor; now, let’s get moving, people!”
The class began with basic warm-up exercises, stretching, and body and light-weight exercises to prepare their bodies for the training.
Once they were warmed up, they started practising sword strikes, parries, and defensive manoeuvres under the watchful eye of Instructor Braier.
While practising his sword strikes, Daniel listened carefully to Instructor Brauer's instructions. Once he applied the tips, he noticed his strikes landing more accurately and quickly without his arms tiring as much.
As the training session progressed, Instructor Braier approached the trio. His gaze settled on Alex. “You,” he said while staring intensely at Alex. “You've never mentioned that your dad is Samuel the Mountain Knight.”
Alex's face turned slightly pale at the question, and he took a moment before clearing his throat. “Yes, my father is Samuel Thornbury.”
Instructor Braier raised an eyebrow, nodding in recognition with a slight smile. “Ah, Samuel, a formidable knight and teacher,” he remarked. “Your dad took me under his wing when I started as a squire for Duke Silverleaf.”
Braier pointed while smiling to the distinctive scar across his face that narrowly missed his eye. “He even gave me this during a training session.”
“Your dad was a good commander. I still regret that I wasn't by his side when he had an unfortunate accident during the tournament. Please send him my regards. It's good to have the blood of such a formidable knight in our midst. Now, continue with the training,” he said as he observed other students.
Alex watched the instructor move to a different group with a slight smile before he noticed Daniel staring at him. “Taking a break, are we?” he quipped, a playful glint in his eye. “Back to practice, Dan. If you ever want to beat me in a duel, you can't improve by just staring.”
….
As the training session neared its end, the students gathered in the centre of the training field at the instructor's command.
They listened attentively as the instructor delivered the final instructions for the day. “Since it's our last lesson together, let's finish it with a sparring session,” the instructor announced. “Everyone find a partner and get ready. Make sure you leave enough room for the others.”
Before the instructor finished his sentence, Daniel and Alex stood facing each other, awaiting the command to begin.
Daniel and Alex sparred often during their stay at the academy. While Daniel had never won a duel, he frequently landed solid hits on Alex.
However, as they squared off for what they knew would be their final spar before awakening, the usual banter and friendly jabs were replaced by an intense silence.
Once the instructor signalled for the duals to start, their wooden practice swords clashed with a resounding thud. Sweat dripped from their brows, and their breaths came in ragged bursts as they pushed their limits, each striving to gain the upper hand.
After a series of intense exchanges, Alex’s disciplined training and sturdy build began to show. He deftly parried Daniel’s strikes, countering with precision and forcing Daniel to retreat. With a swift and calculated move, Alex executed a quick slash that sent Daniel’s practice sword clattering to the ground. Simultaneously, he hooked his leg behind Daniel’s, effortlessly bringing his friend to the floor in a controlled manoeuvre.
“Good match,” Alex said, extending a hand to help Daniel back to his feet.
Daniel accepted the hand with a nod and a smile, though he couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes. “You're improving a lot these days, Alex,”
“As have you. That underhand slash nearly got me,” Alex replied with a reassuring grin.
Alex gave Daniel an encouraging pat on the back and a warm smile. “Hey, you've been pushing me to get better, and I've had a head start with all the years of training. Don't let this get you down. Keep working hard, and if you ever want to spar or need some tips, just let me know. Might be able to teach you a thing or two in the future.”
“Yeah, sure”
With their training concluded, the students began to disperse. Some headed to the bathhouse to wash off the sweat and dirt, while others gathered in groups.
“I'll head back to our room. See you there, yeah?” Alex said while he was already starting to walk off the field.
Daniel waved his friend goodbye and turned around. His eyes scanned the field until he noticed Lucia sitting against a tree, clearly tired from the training.
He approached her with a friendly smile. “Hey, Luci,” he said as he sat down on the ground beside her. “How did your sparring session go today?”
Lucia started sharing how her sparring session with a classmate had been going fine until her wooden training sword suddenly broke during the fight.
Unfortunately, there weren't any spare swords available, so the instructor had her do push-ups for the rest of the session as a punishment for not properly caring for her equipment.
“Hey, you know, I've been Alex's roommate for two years now, and he's never mentioned his family besides the occasional mention that his brother is a dick. Did you notice how awkward he got when Braier mentioned it?” Daniel asked.
“Well, I don't know all the details,” Lucia replied. She mentioned how she returned to her family's estate in the capital during the last winter break. There, she met a new guard regiment who had previously served Duke Silverleaf as mercenaries during a territory dispute.
She recounted the story they told her about Alex’s dad, who was a renowned knight in the kingdom a decade ago until he lost his arm during the royal tournament ten years ago.
“And ever since then, his dad became a bitter man and focused all his attention on training Alex’s older brother,” Lucia continued. “When I told the guards about Alex being my friend, they were shocked since none of them knew that he had two sons.”
“Strange. Maybe I'll ask him about it later if he's willing to talk about it,” Daniel said while staring at the blue sky.
They finished their conversation and decided to meet at the dining hall later.
Daniel returned to his dorm room to scrub off the dirt and sweat he'd accumulated during the class.
….
Upon entering his dorm room, he saw that Alex had already occupied the bathroom.
Daniel sat on the edge of his bed, reaching into his bag for the sheathed training sword. As he unsheathed it, he noticed the polished wood had new dents from today's training, adding to the already dented and cracked surface.
He ran his fingers over the imperfections while his thoughts drifted to the strange dreams and the mysterious figure that haunted them. He wondered if bringing them up to Shadewood was the right decision. What if the professor thought he had lost his mind and kicked him out of the academy?
After a few moments, he laid the sword on his lap and reached for the ring hanging around his neck. The metal felt cool against his fingertips. The ring's presence calmed him, slowing his racing thoughts and steadying his breathing.
Lost in his thoughts, Daniel hadn't noticed Alex entering the room, wearing only a towel around his waist. "Hey, Daniel, are you okay?" Alex asked quietly, not to scare his absentminded friend.
Daniel looked up, meeting Alex's eyes. He offered a small smile. “Yeah, just thinking about everything, you know? The ceremony and what lies ahead.” he said with a playful grin, “And please, wear something other than a towel. Not everyone is pleased with a half-naked roommate all the time. Maybe when you enrol in the knight academy, you can sword fight with your roommate as much as you want, but sadly, I'm not into that.” Daniel continued jokingly.
He hadn't told his friend about the dreams, fearing he would see him as a lunatic.
Alex chuckled and grabbed a pair of shorts from his drawer, putting them on with a grin. “Fair enough, my prude friend. Now, for your information, I have a date planned after dinner with, if I say so myself, a beautiful girl from our school.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “A date, huh? What crazy would want to go on a date with you?”
Alex winked playfully. “Well, a true gentleman doesn't kiss and tell. And what lady wouldn't want to date someone like me?”
Daniel couldn't help but smile at his friend's enthusiasm. “Alright, alright, I won't pry. Just remember, you've got to tell me all about it later.”
"Sure but don't tell Lucia yet, I don't want to be interrogated while we're eating" Alex said
After they finished their conversation, Daniel headed to the bathroom.
….
Daniel stepped into the hallway alone. Alex had gone ahead, complaining that Daniel had taken too long in the shower and worried that his favourite dish might be gone by the time he arrived.
While walking down the hallway, he ran into Mark, his Stepbrother and his friends.
Not in the mood to deal with them, Daniel tried to walk past, but Mark quickly blocked his path.
“You leech!” Mark spat, his voice filled with venom. “You think an unwanted orphan who his parents dumped at our estate can just suck up my family's resources and get away with it?”
Mark threw the water bottle he held in his hand, the cold water splashing on Daniel's face.
For a moment, Daniel's mind raced with anger and frustration. Deciding not to wait for the first punch, he retaliated with a swift jab that hit Mark squarely on the jaw. Daniel winced as his fist connected with the hard bone. The impact sent a sharp pain through Daniel's knuckles.
While clutching his painful hand, one of Mark’s friends stepped forward and kicked Daniel in the knee, hyperextending it and sending him to the ground in pain. At the same time, Mark was being held up by a different friend due to being dazed by Daniel's punch.
After Mark recovered from his daze, he threw himself at Daniel, who was still on the ground, holding his knee. He kicked Daniel while hurling insults at him.
“You should’ve died on our doorstep when your worthless parents left you behind,” Mark said while he kneeled and grabbed Daniel by his hair.
Seeing a chance, Daniel bit through the pain and gathered his strength and punched Mark once more; this time, he hit him on the nose. The impact made Mark’s nose bend strangely.
Mark’s nose released a stream of blood that landed on Daniel's white shirt while he fell on his arse.
Seeing their friend injured, Mark’s four friends jumped in, and they all began trampling him until Mark gave the signal for them to stop.
Gasping for breath, Daniel managed to speak through the pain. “Your dad decided to put me and you in this school. If you have a problem with his decision, you should take it up with him, not me.”
Daniels words were met with a kick from Mark, who had risen to his feet.
“You're a stain on my family's honour. An orphan should never have been allowed in an academy like this! When I take my father's position, I will ensure that you’ll be paying us back all the money wasted on a dirty mutt like you.” Mark spat while trying to stop the bleeding from his nose.
“Let's go, Mark, before a professor turns up”, one of Mark's henchmen said.
Mark nodded and spat on Daniel before leaving the scene with his friends.
After a few moments, Daniel slowly pushed himself up, his body aching from the assault. His knee throbbed with pain, and a metallic taste filled his mouth, followed by a small stream of blood running from his nose.
He glanced down and noticed his white shirt was stained red from Mark's and his blood. “Tsk, I have to wash these again because of Mark. Last week, I spent half an hour washing the blood out of my shirt,” he mumbled to himself. I'll let it soak for now and wash it later."
Daniel winced as he moved toward his dorm, his injured knee sending jolts of pain with each movement. Once inside, he carefully washed the blood from his face, wincing again as he applied a healing scroll to his knee to reduce the swelling and pain. He sighed in relief as the scroll's magic worked, and his knee stopped hurting shortly after.
The academy provided two minor healing scrolls after sword handling every week, so students didn't have to attend classes all beat up from the sword handling class.
Fortunately, he had some spare scrolls since Alex had never used them, preferring to endure bruises from training. He claimed it helped him stay sharp and avoid making the same mistake twice.
After freshening up and applying the healing spell, Daniel left with a determined look and went to the dining hall, hoping the rest of the day would be less eventful.
….
Daniel returned to the dorm room after dinner with his friends. During the meal, they gathered at their usual spot in the bustling dining hall, discussing plans for the upcoming break after the awakening ceremony. Lucia mentioned her trip to her family's merchant alliance branch in the city to gather materials for a project, and Alex talked about a potential visit to his family's estate.
After dinner, Lucia asked if Daniel wanted to join her in the library to research a specific alloy for her project. Feeling tired, Daniel declined but promised to join her another time. Meanwhile, Alex left the dining hall promptly after finishing his food for the date that he had planned.
Settling at his desk in the quiet dorm room, Daniel picked up the knight piece he had carved from silverwood. It was part of a custom chess set he had made when he first arrived at the academy two years ago. The soft glow of the desk lamp cast gentle light as he rolled the piece between his fingers, lost in contemplation while the faint sounds of students going about their way drifted in through the partially open window.
After a few moments of contemplation, he grabbed a small mana stone and the dagger his family had left behind—the only possession he had related to his biological parents besides the ring.
Daniel took a long look at the dagger. Its blade was as dark as the night sky, adorned with intricate lines that glowed with a deep amethyst hue under the light of the desk lamp. The hilt, only bearing the same symbol on the ring, felt cold against his skin as he held it.
Yet, amidst the chill, he sensed an odd familiarity, as if the weapon was an extension of his body. The weight of it in his hands felt strangely natural. He carefully ran his fingers along the blade, tracing the intricate patterns.
After a while, Daniel decided it was time to perform the status ritual, realising it had been a while since his last one. Due to his limited mana, he needed to use a small mana stone to substitute the mana he lacked for the ritual.
Carefully pricking his index finger to draw blood, he held the mana stone in his other hand. As the crimson liquid met the mana stone, he recited the incantation for the status ritual, the words filling the room with a quiet intensity. The mana stone gradually dissolved, its energy flowing into Daniel's body.
Once the ritual was complete, a status screen appeared before him:
Name: Daniel von Mios
Class: None
Level: 0
Stats:
Strength: 18 [+2!]
Dexterity: 24 [+3!]
Intelligence: 26 [+1!]
Charisma: 16
Constitution: 14 [+1!]
Mana: 5 [+1!]
Skills:
[Sword Handeling]: Level 2
[Basic Reading Comprehension] Level 5 [+1!]
[Writing] Level 5 [+1!]
[Wood Carving] Level 2
[Basic Woodworking] Level 4
Traits:
Low-Light Adaptation: (Level 1) NEW!
Nimble Fingers: (Level 3)
Lesser Calm Mind: (Level 2)
?????: ?????
Daniel studied his status page, noticing the newly acquired trait: Low-Light Adaptation. This trait, typically found in individuals accustomed to dimly lit environments, enhances visibility in low-light conditions, as the name implies.
Daniel spent countless nights studying and carving because he could not sleep due to his dreams. He realised these experiences had likely contributed to his earning this trait.
Traits like Low-Light Adaptation were passive attributes that gradually improved through exposure and environmental factors, unlike skills requiring deliberate effort and practice to enhance, such as swordsmanship or mastering magical spells, while traits developed naturally.
Daniel contemplated the potential of further honing his newfound trait, perhaps evolving it into a form of night vision akin to the innate abilities of elves.
Shifting his attention to the slight increase in his mana, Daniel recalled his early lessons where instructors emphasised the difficulty of expanding mana reserves without the aid of rare bloodlines or expensive potions.
Increasing mana for individuals like Daniel, who lacks such privileges, was a rare and fortunate occurrence.
After closing the status screen, he tidied his desk and dimmed the lamp before he dove into his bed.
….
Daniel's gaze drifted around the chamber before settling on the book and dark, almost black-purple egg resting on the broken throne. “This is new,” he mumbled to himself.
After looking around for the strange entity but finding no sign of it, he tried to open the book, but it remained stubbornly shut. Frustrated, he looked around for something that could help him open the book and spotted a piece of what might have been a chandelier.
A noise behind him startled him as he tried to pry open the book. Turning around, he saw the hooded entity in the middle of the chamber, whispering incomprehensible words.
Daniel could swear he saw a bright smile beneath the hood despite his fear. The entity suddenly appeared standing beside him, pointing at the book. Daniel turned back to look at the book, only to be met by a blinding flash.
….
“WHAT IN THORNAX’S NAME WAS THAT?” Alex screamed the name of the god of warfare and combat as he stood in the dorm room, covering his eyes.
Startled, Daniel shot upright in his bed with a racing heart. He wondered if a powerful beast had broken through the magical barrier that surrounded the academy.
"What was that?” Alex's voice cracked with fear and confusion.
Daniel, equally bewildered, hurried to Alex's side, scanning the room for any sign of danger. “What happened?”
“I just got back from my date, and as I was changing into my pyjamas, a bright flash came from your side of the room,” Alex explained hurriedly, eyes wide with disbelief.
Daniel's eyes darted around until they settled on his bed. “What the?” he muttered in disbelief. There, resting on his bed, were the exact items from his dream: the purple book and the mysterious purple egg.
Alex, looking pale and visibly exhausted, shook his head. "What are those things, Daniel?"
Daniel hesitated, his mind racing for an explanation. “It's a long story, Alex,” he began cautiously, glancing at the strange items. “I... I think they’re from a dream I just had.”
Alex blinked, clearly struggling to comprehend. "From a dream? Are you sure?"
Daniel nodded slowly. “I don’t know how else to explain it. I saw these exact objects in my dream.”
Alex sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Alright, man. I'm too tired for this right now. Can we talk about it in the morning?"
“Yeah,” Daniel agreed, feeling relief and unease. “Let's get some rest. We'll figure it out in the morning.”
As Alex quickly settled back into bed, Daniel carefully moved the items to his desk, keeping them within sight. Dimming the lamp once more, he lay back down, his thoughts swirling with the inexplicable events of the night. Despite the strangeness of it all, exhaustion eventually pulled him into sleep, leaving the mysteries to linger until morning.