It was hard for the students to stay silent when they heard it was real. Some were in denial, shaking their heads, while others reevaluated their choices during their awakening moments.
Asdras stood motionless, not noticing the tears streaming down Lisandra's cheeks. The undeniable truth wove through his consciousness, forcing him to confront his experiences' stark reality.
Every shadow he had seen and every monstrous roar he had heard were now etched deeper into his memories. His mind reeled from this new understanding, blurring the line between reality and nightmare. As the poets of the West once wrote, "Our existence is shaped by our actions."
Vidar shook his head at their questions and whispers. He understood their feelings and knew he needed to guide them toward curiosity and deeper thinking.
"As hard as it is to understand what happened in a day," he said, clearing his throat, "it would be a waste of time without a clear direction and outline of how things work."
He paused to let his words sink in. Noticing they were becoming less agitated, he relaxed and stopped using the room's energy to enhance his delivery.
"Before we delve into more questions, I will outline the basics of what we think — yes, think, because nothing is certain — about awakening and the world itself."
Vidar placed his book on the desk and walked to the wall. He pressed his hand against a small rune at the bottom left. A flat whiteboard materialized, hanging on the wall, held by iron sticks.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a metallic pen, drawing two big circles on the board. He wrote "Our" in the left circle and "Ars" in the right.
"Since the last apocalypse..." Vidar paused for effect. "Students, you will have access to the library to learn more about past events, but for now, understand that an apocalypse means an event with the potential to destroy a world."
He listened to the students' gasps. Some were evasive, as if they knew beforehand, while others were hearing it for the first time. The church had polished what the communities and some cities could receive as learning, avoiding past or significant events. This left a gap of superstition and a lack of understanding of how the world worked in most of the students' minds.
"Since the last apocalypse, we understand that awakening is not just an event but a process. It's the beginning of understanding the true nature of our world and ourselves. The circles represent our world and the world of Ars. The connections between them are what we explore through awakening."
He pointed to the circles. "Our world is what we perceive with our senses. Ars is the hidden world, the source of our power, and the true essence of our existence. When you awaken, you bridge the gap between these worlds, accessing abilities and knowledge that were previously beyond your reach."
"Over the years, there have been theories to explain it, but until one is proven, it will continue to raise more questions than answers. Some theories have stood the test of time, shaping our beliefs and thoughts."
"For the church, it means our duty is to claim the 'Ars World' as if it were a plague to combat. For the philosophers, it means both worlds are shapes of the same reality and have the same connection; one couldn't exist without the other, so we must understand and balance both. For the heretics, our world is akin to a jail and an illusion to be destroyed."
"Ages have passed, and these theories have spread like wildfire, with arguments each year either supporting or demonizing them. But from this, some facts have been established with almost undeniable truth."
"The moment you awaken your powers, you are bound to Ars; you can't exist without it, or you will be doomed. It has been proven that if your source is cut, depending on your potential, you will be short-lived and your death certain."
"Another fact is that just as Ars shapes you, it also shapes our world as much as we shape the Ars world. Because of this, the natives there treat us as outsiders — some cultures have integrated with us, while others see us as enemies to fight against."
Asdras gasped at this. He scratched his palms harder, his eyes darting between the teacher and himself.
'They saw me differently… From their words, I was not an outsider. But why?'
"And lastly, the natives can't enter our world the way we enter theirs using Ars, but they can still damage our world through events like Eruptions. I won't go into the details of what an Eruption is, as you have a teacher for that, but keep in mind that if we let it spread and don't combat it, our world will be swallowed by theirs."
Vidar paused to let the students absorb the information. Some were diligently writing everything down, while others stared blankly at him, trying to process the weight of his words.
"Now, I trust everyone saw the text before your awakening ended. Let's do this: only those with good questions should raise their hands. By that, I mean questions that will benefit not only yourself but also your fellow students. Otherwise, don't waste our time and don't test my patience."
Few took the chance despite their burning curiosity, but some had learned from the church's teachings that it was wise to remain silent rather than speak in uncertainty and test their teacher's patience — some touched their backs, remembering the priest's rod.
Vidar looked around and spotted five out of forty students with raised hands. He nodded and asked each of them to stand. "For today, we will end after these five students ask their questions. You, first!"
The first was a young man with vibrant energy and a mischievous smile. His round, expressive eyes sparkled behind glasses, reflecting boundless curiosity and keen intellect. A mop of tousled blonde hair framed his face, giving him a carefree, youthful appearance. His slightly flushed cheeks added warmth to his fair complexion.
"My name is Finn, sir. My question is about our power. How can we use it again?"
"Good," Vidar replied, gesturing for the student to sit. "There will be another teacher for the subject of Ars Energy and its usage, but to keep it short, you need to understand yourself and how to channel your energy. But keep in mind, everyone, that this power is not without cost. Each of us, when awakened, receives both power and strain."
Vidar turned to the board and wrote "Power" and "Strain," drawing a line connecting both.
"Both are elusive and hard to grasp, and we can't tell each of you about your own power and strain. It is up to you to discover and understand them. But as per the rule of ethics, I advise none of you to share much about your power and nothing about your strain, as that can be used against you. Now, next one, please."
Lisandra took her chance and asked, "My name is Lisandra, sir, and my question is about time: Is time there different from ours? I remember being there for at least a month."
"That is one of the points we researchers are trying to understand, Miss Lisandra. For the awakening, the time ratio is different by an amount we can't grasp. In simple terms, when you're first taken to the Ars World, you remain there until you either die or accomplish a goal, and in our world, no more than a second will pass. Next!"
The third student was a young woman with quiet intensity; her hand was slightly raised in cautious deference. Her face had a mix of softness and steely resolve, with a loose cascade of dark hair framing it. Large, dark eyes, shadowed with the wariness of someone accustomed to watching her back, flickered with subtle movements, always alert.
"Name's Merida, teacher. Got a question for sir — can we keep things from there?"
"That's a good question, Miss Merida," Vidar said with a smile.
Turning back to the whiteboard, he pressed a key that erased the content. He drew a symbol of a chest and a key, then turned to answer.
"We can bring things from there, but it requires a special container to either bring from there or transport to there. Certain items act as such containers. The exception is if you contract a runesmith to etch the runic symbol of the key. Items with such a symbol are known as key items and can be used freely in both worlds. Next!"
Asdras took his turn and, staring at the drawing of the key on the whiteboard, asked, "My name is Asdras, sir. My question is about the key: What does it mean to have a key to a place?"
Vidar paused and studied Asdras deeply, taking his time to memorize his appearance and name. When the silence made Asdras look at his fellow students, Vidar replied.
"That's an interesting question, Mr. Asdras. I hope to speak with you another time. But as for your question," he turned to the whiteboard, drawing a key and a city icon.
"This is a good question; it can answer two things at once. For that, you earn a point, Mr. Asdras. I can guess that the last question — and I hope so — would ask about how to get back there, and the answer lies in Mr. Asdras's question. You need a key."
"There are three known methods to get back there. The first is that if you have a key for a certain place, you can use it. The second is challenging an Eruption, which occurs within the Ars World. And the third is becoming a Breaker, giving you free access to both worlds."
"But attention," he said, gazing deeply at Asdras. "For the first method to happen, you need to become a Challenger, the next stage after Awakened. The academy has a tradition of gifting a key to students who advance a stage, allowing you to access the Ars World safely."
"And — lucky or not — for those who wish to enter the Ars World sooner, you will have a chance to participate in the next Eruption, which is the key to becoming a Challenger. Now, next!"
The final student, a boy with a halo of thick, coiling hair, exuded both anxiety and resolve. His wide, dark eyes shone with a mixture of apprehension and fierce resolve as he faced the teacher, betraying a depth of emotion beyond his young age.
"Aye, m' name's Stig, sir. Can ye tell us what happened t' Trygve, me brother? I know we're expected t' be talking 'bout grand things an' all that, but please, teacher, I need t' know. He were right next t' me!"
A wave of silence took control of the room. It had been bugging the minds of some students, and despite their attempts to stay quiet and not test the teacher's patience, their expressions told Vidar they needed an answer.
"Sit, Mr. Stig. I will pardon it this once," he said, taking a deep breath. "I guess it's fair to know. If you die in your awakening, you die for real, and sadly, Ars will take even your remains. The academy will pay your family a sum, but no amount of money or answers will be enough. I'm sorry for your loss..."