Aiden awoke with a start, his heart pounding, his breath ragged. The images from his dream - or was it a vision? - jumbled in his mind, terrifyingly realistic. He had seen himself giving in to his darkest urges, feeding on the blood of his friends, unable to control the beast within. The metallic taste seemed to linger on his tongue, filling him with disgust at himself.
"It was just a dream," he murmured, trying to convince himself. "Just a dream..."
But deep down, he knew it was more than that. It was a warning, a reminder of the curse that flowed through his veins. He would have to redouble his vigilance, keep control at all costs. No one must discover his true nature, not even his closest friends.
Taking a deep breath, he got up, chasing away the last mists of sleep. Today was a big day: his first day of classes at Elysium. He had to focus on that, on this chance to learn, to progress. The rest would wait.
He met Ethan, Mina, and Kai in the common room, in front of a copious breakfast. The smell of coffee and toasted bread warmed his heart, reminding him for a moment of his life before, when everything was simpler.
"Ready for this big day?" Ethan said with an encouraging smile, unaware of his friend's inner turmoil.
Aiden forced himself to smile back, swallowing his anxiety.
"More than ever," he replied with an assurance he was far from feeling.
On the way to their first class, Mina and Kai were effusive, sharing their excitement and expectations. It was the first day of classes for everyone. Although many people had been on campus for several weeks to acclimatize, today was the first official day.
Aiden listened to them distractedly, his mind unable to stop returning to his disturbing dream.
"And you, Aiden, what are you looking forward to most in these classes?" Mina suddenly asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Caught off guard, Aiden thought quickly. He certainly couldn't answer "learning to control my thirst for blood so I don't slaughter you all."
"I hope to learn more about the nature of our powers," he finally replied, carefully choosing his words.
It was the truth, he realized. Beyond his own curse, he sincerely wanted to understand this new world, and find his place in it.
They entered a vast room with astonishing architecture, mixing ancient style and cutting-edge technology. The walls were covered with frescoes depicting scenes of magic and mythology, while holographic screens floated in the air, displaying complex diagrams and esoteric formulas.
In the center of the room stood a woman in her forties, looking both stern and benevolent. Her long black hair streaked with silver was pulled into a strict bun, revealing a fine-featured face and piercing blue eyes. She was dressed in a long dark robe, adorned with mysterious symbols embroidered in silver.
"Welcome, everyone," she declared in a clear, calm voice when all the students were seated. "I am Professor Lana, and I will have the honor of being your main teacher."
She swept her gaze around the room, pausing for a moment on each face.
"You are here because you have been chosen," she continued. "Chosen for your potential, for the unique gifts that lie dormant within you. Elysium's mission is to help you understand and master these powers, so that you can become agents of change in this disrupted world."
Aiden drank in her words, both fascinated and intimidated. Professor Lana exuded an aura of quiet power, as if she carried ancient secrets within her.
"Magic, as you will discover, is a complex and protean force," she explained. "It draws its source from the primordial energies that animate the universes, and now ours, and expresses itself through a multitude of forms and disciplines. Some of you have affinities with the elements, others with psychic forces or the arts of illusion. Your first challenge will be to understand the nature of your own gift, and learn to channel it."
With a gesture, she conjured a luminous sphere that began to levitate above her palm, changing shape and color at the whim of her will.
"But magic is not just a matter of raw power," she clarified. "It is above all a responsibility, because in the hands of an enlightened mind, magic can accomplish wonders, but in those of a malicious being, it can cause unspeakable havoc."
A shiver ran through the assembly, each measuring the weight of these words. Aiden couldn't help but think of himself, of the bloodthirsty beast that slumbered within him.
"You're probably wondering why you, why now," Professor Lana continued, as if reading their thoughts. "The truth is that we are living in a pivotal time, a unique moment in the history of our world. The Awakening has changed the game, unleashing forces long dormant. Some see it as a calamity, others as an opportunity. But one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same again."
She paused, letting her words sink into her audience.
"There is so much you still don't know about the origins of your powers, about the true stakes we face," she admitted. "But all in good time. You will have plenty of time to discover it later."
Aiden exchanged a look with Ethan, reading the same mixture of excitement and uncertainty. They were aware of being on the cusp of a great adventure, but also that the path would be strewn with pitfalls and troubling revelations.
Professor Lana resumed her speech, detailing the program of their training, the different disciplines they were going to tackle. Elemental magic, illusion, psyche, alchemy, mystical botany... So many fields to explore, so much knowledge to acquire.
But beyond the classes themselves, Aiden felt that something greater was at work. That this wasn't just a change on earth, far from it.
As they left the room to go to their next class, Aiden couldn't help but take one last look at Professor Lana. She stood straight and proud, and he could sense that she exuded something special, but he didn't yet know what.
"That was incredible!" exclaimed Ethan, his eyes shining with excitement. "I didn't think there were so many different types of magic!"
"I must admit, for once, I feel that classes are going to interest me," Aiden replied, in the same excited tone.
They couldn't wait to get to their next class.