Lennox arrived at class and opened the door. As he entered, all the Nexarcs students in the room stopped talking, and the class fell silent. Everyone turned to look at him with intense stares, creating an eerie atmosphere in the room.
After a few moments, Professor Taddeus arrived, and Lennox sensed that something was off but couldn't quite figure out what was happening.
"Good morning, class. Today, we will be discussing the methods Nexus Arc uses to enhance their bloodline abilities," Professor Taddeusr announced.
All the students shifted their attention away from Lennox, focusing on Professor Taddeus with keen interest. Professor Taddeus then opened his black suitcase and revealed a deep red crystal with swirling patterns resembling flames.
"Wow, what's that?" someone whispered.
"That crystal is emitting heat," another student remarked.
The Nexus students watched in awe as a warm sensation filled the room.
Professor Taddeus continued, taking out more items from his suitcase a sparkling blue gem with a frozen core, giving it an icy, crystalline appearance, a transparent gem with a faint, swirling mist trapped inside, and various other gems in shades of blue, green, and orange.
Professor Taddeus paused, surveying the gems he had displayed, and then picked up the deep red crystal again. "This is an Emberite Blaze Crystal," he said, holding it up for everyone to see.
"It is effective in enhancing fire-based abilities, enabling Nexarcs to create hotter and more intense flames gaining more control of their flames," Professor Taddeus explained to the intrigued students."These are perfect for you all as you are now Initiate Nexarcs, The starting point for all Nexarcs, where they begin to harness the power of the Nexus System."
The gemstones, called Enchantrums, possessed unique and potent powers that Nexarcs used to enhance their bloodline abilities. These rare and precious crystals were infused with elemental energies, resonating with specific elemental affinities like the fiery brilliance of Fire Crystals, the serene glow of Water Sapphires, and the crackling energy of Thunder Topazes.
Professor Taddeus placed the crystal down and announced, "Each of you will be receiving one to use."
"Really?" a student exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, this will help us become stronger than we currently are," Professor Taddeus replied.
"Yes, but you can choose to wait until I teach you how to use it, or you can find out on your own," he added.
After Professor Taddeus finished explaining about the Enchantrums, he distributed one to each student based on their bloodline. Leaving the class and walking down the hallway, Lennox held the Fire Enchantrum in his hand, inspecting it. He pondered how he should use it.
'Should I crush it?' Lennox thought. 'No, let's wait. I'm sure Theo already had one and can teach me about it. I haven't seen Maya in a while now. Where is she?'
Having decided what to do with the Fire Enchantrum, he arrived at his dorm. Since he had nothing else to do for the rest of the day, he went to sleep. However, as a couple of hours passed and the academy's sky darkened, Lennox suddenly woke up, sitting on the edge of his bed.
Running his hand through his hair and placing his hand on his forehead, Lennox said aloud, "I can't sleep. This hasn't happened in a while."
"I guess it's time to read something to clear my mind," Lennox said to himself.
Getting up from his bed and dressing back up, he exited his dorm and walked around the academy, heading to the library. Upon arriving at the front desk, he saw an old man with black hair leaning back in a floating chair, snoring loudly.
'For someone who is sleeping and holding up that chair, he must be strong,' Lennox thought.
Quietly sneaking past the old man, Lennox began his search for a book to read. He eventually found a multi-colored book named "Enchantrums." He immediately knew that this book would contain information about the gemstone and how to use it.
Sitting down at a table, he opened the book and started reading. Like a professional reader, he quickly turned the pages. He learned that there were more Enchantrums for other bloodlines besides the ones the professor had mentioned in class. Finally, he found multiple ways on how to use the Enchantrums.
"So... it can be eaten, but the absorption is faster and less stable. It's dangerous to the body and Nexus lines," Lennox said, shaking his head. "But with meditation, I can slowly absorb it. Slower absorption, but more energy absorbed."
After finishing the book, Lennox closed it. "Alright, I know what to do," he said, letting the information process in his mind. "I still have time, so I might as well read something else." watching the clock time.
Getting back up from his chair, Lennox returned the "Enchantrums" book and searched for another one. He came across a light blue book with cryptic symbols on it that piqued his interest. He sat down and opened the book to read.
"This book seems very interesting, but I can't seem to decipher it," Lennox whispered, his hand tracing over the ancient drawings that seemed to be indecipherable.
The library was silent, except for the occasional rustle of paper and the faint ticking of the clock. Lennox sat hunched over the book, completely engrossed in its contents. Their eyes moved swiftly across the intricate symbols and cryptic verses that adorned the pages, a mixture of fascination and frustration reflected in their wide eyes.
As Lennox delved deeper into the book, a peculiar sensation washed over them. It began as a prickle at the back of their neck, a distinct feeling of being watched. The hairs on their arms stood on end, and a shiver crawled down their spine. Yet, when they glanced around, the library appeared as empty as ever.
The sensation persisted, growing stronger with every turned page. Lennox's eyes darted from left to right, searching for any sign of a presence, but there was nothing.
"Mah!, Mah!"
Suddenly, they heard the sound of the old man at the front desk, about to wake up. Peeking his head around the bookshelf, he saw the man wiping his drooling face. With a gulp and a sigh of relief, Lennox forced his attention back to the book, attempting to shake off the eerie feeling.
Yet, the sensation of being observed lingered, as if invisible eyes were boring into the very core of their being. The words on the pages blurred as Lennox's focus wavered. Their breath hitched, and their heart quickened its pace, caught between anxiety and curiosity.
A flicker of movement caught their eye, a mere trick of the dim light, or so they thought. The feeling of being observed intensified, taking a tangible form within their imagination. A figure, shrouded in ethereal mist, stood just beyond their peripheral vision, eyes gleaming with ancient knowledge and secrets.
Lennox grip tightened on the book, their pulse drumming in their ears. "Who are you?" they whispered, the words barely audible. But there was no response, only the lingering sense of a presence, leaving them both intrigued and unsettled.
The pages of the book seemed to turn on their own accord as if guided by an unseen hand. Lennox eyes widened as they read a passage, the words resonating with the mysterious aura that enveloped them.
"You seek the heart of the Nexus, young one," the figure intoned, their voice a mere whisper yet echoing through the library. "But do you truly understand its nature? Nexus energy is not just a tool; it is a living force, a bridge between worlds. To master it, one must embrace its complexities."
Lennox eyes widened with realization, his mind racing to comprehend the cryptic words. The figure moved closer, his eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom. "In your journey, you will encounter not just challenges, but revelations. The Nexus energy responds to your intent, your emotions, and your deepest desires. To truly harness its power, you must understand yourself as much as you understand the energy that surrounds you."
"Beware, young one," the figure warned, their gaze penetrating. "For the Nexus energy is both a gift and a burden. It can elevate you to unparalleled heights, but it can also consume you if you lose yourself in its depths. Balance, understanding, and self-awareness these are the keys to unlocking the true potential of the Nexus System."
With that, the figure melted back into the shadows, leaving Lennox in profound contemplation as what just happened suddenly disappeared from his mind. he closed the book and quickly headed back to his dorm, taking out the Fire Enchantrums from his side desk by the bed.
"Alright, let's do this... I just need to meditate and absorb it. It will slowly enter my Nexus Veins," Lennox whispered.
Sitting down in a zen-like sit, Lennox held the Fire Enchantrums in one hand and kept the other hand open in a palm. As he took a deep breath and exhaled, he recalled the meditation techniques from the book they had read.
Taking another deep breath, After a couple of minutes Lennox started to feel a flow of energy on their Nexus Veins, similar to how he attuned and resonated to awaken his bloodline. Azure blue energy flowed into his Nexus Veins, traveling down his left arm and entering his fire symbol. For the rest of the night, he meditated on the Fire Enchantrums, and it slowly started to lose its color as the energy was absorbed into his being.