The night was heavy with silence, but Alex's mind was far from restful. In his sleep, a dream took hold of him—vivid and haunting. He found himself standing in a familiar field bathed in soft, golden light, a place he recognized all too well from his past life. A girl stood before him, her face partially obscured by a veil of silver hair that shimmered in the sunlight. Her voice was soft, filled with warmth and affection as she spoke to him.
"I love you, Alex," she whispered, her words carrying a depth of emotion that made his heart ache. Her hand reached out, gentle fingers brushing against his cheek. For a moment, he felt a sense of peace, a connection that transcended time and space.
But a wave of confusion and pain washed over Alex as he gazed at her, his heart heavy with the memory of betrayal. This wasn't just a dream—it was a memory, a fragment from his past life. He knew her—knew her well, yet the memory of what she had done was a wound that had never fully healed.
"Why did you betray me?" he asked. The words tumbled out before he could stop them, a raw reflection of the torment he had buried deep within.
The girl's serene expression faltered, but she didn't answer. Instead, her form began to fade, dissolving into the light. Panic seized Alex as he tried to reach out to her, but it was too late. She was slipping away, just like she had before, in that fateful moment that had changed everything.
Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in his chest. Alex gasped as a sword pierced through his body from behind, its cold steel emerging from his chest, stained with his blood. He looked down in shock, trying to comprehend what was happening, but the pain overwhelmed him.
With a jolt, Alex awoke, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. His heart raced, the remnants of the dream clinging to him like a shadow. He sat up in his bed, trying to steady his breathing, his hand instinctively moving to his chest where the sword had pierced him in the dream. The skin was smooth and unbroken, but the phantom pain lingered.
"Just a dream," he muttered to himself. It was a memory of a past life, a reminder of the betrayal that had led to his death. But why had he remembered it now?
Knowing that sleep would not come back easily, Alex decided to take a cold shower. The icy water cascaded over him, numbing his mind and helping to wash away the remnants of the nightmare. He stood under the stream for a long time, allowing the cold to clear his thoughts, before finally turning off the water and stepping out.
Dressed and ready for the day, Alex left his dorm room. As he stepped out into the corridor, he found Leon leaning casually against the wall, waiting for him. Leon grinned as soon as he saw Alex, his usual playful expression in place.
"Morning, sleeping beauty. Had a good dream?" Leon quipped, clearly in a good mood.
Alex gave him a flat look, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're always full of jokes this early?"
"Gotta start the day with some positive energy," Leon replied with a chuckle. "Besides, you look like you could use a laugh. Rough night?"
"Something like that," Alex replied, not offering any further details.
The two of them made their way towards the classroom, the morning air crisp and cool. Leon continued to joke and chatter as they walked, doing his best to lighten the mood. Alex appreciated the effort, even if he didn't show it openly.
Their first class of the day was Mana Theory, a fundamental subject for every student at Gaia Academy. As they entered the classroom, they immediately drew attention. Alex and Leon were both well-known among the students, and their presence often caused a stir.
They found seats near the middle of the room, sitting beside a commoner girl with short brown hair and a quiet demeanor. The girl, clearly nervous, blushed deeply as the entire class turned to look at her when Alex and Leon sat down.
Leon noticed her discomfort and gave her a warm smile. "Don't mind them," he said in a friendly tone. "We're just regular students, same as you. I'm Leon, by the way. And this is Alex."
The girl's eyes widened as she looked between the two of them, clearly surprised that they were speaking to her. "I-I'm Lila," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Nice to meet you, Lila," Leon replied, his tone genuine. "Don't worry, we're not as scary as we look."
Alex remained silent, his mind still preoccupied, but he gave Lila a small nod of acknowledgment. She seemed to relax slightly at that, though her face remained flushed.
Just then, the door to the classroom opened, and a woman entered. She was tall and graceful, with long, flowing black hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. Her presence commanded attention, and the students immediately quieted down.
"Good morning, class," she began, her voice calm but authoritative. "I am Madam Selene, and I will be your instructor for Mana Theory."
Madam Selene wasted no time diving into the lesson. She began by explaining the fundamentals of mana—the life force that flows through all living things, and how it could be harnessed, manipulated, and utilized by mages.
"Mana exists in all things," she explained, her tone measured. "But it is only those with the ability to control it who can truly harness its power. The stronger your connection to mana, the more powerful your spells will be. However, raw power alone is not enough. Understanding the nature of mana, its flow, and how to direct it is crucial for any successful mage."
As she spoke, the students listened intently, some taking notes, while others absorbed the information in silence.
"Now, let's see who has been paying attention," Madam Selene said after a while, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "Who can explain the concept of mana flow?"
There was a moment of silence as the students looked around, unsure of who should answer. Finally, Lila, the girl sitting next to Leon, tentatively raised her hand.
Madam Selene nodded towards her. "Go ahead."
Lila took a deep breath before speaking. "Mana flow is the process by which mana is directed from the core of the body to the outside world. It involves focusing the mind to channel mana through specific pathways in the body, which then allows it to be released in the form of a spell or enchantment."
"Correct," Madam Selene said, a small smile playing on her lips. "And how does one ensure a smooth mana flow?"
"By maintaining a calm and focused mind," Lila answered, her voice growing steadier. "Any distraction or emotional turmoil can disrupt the flow, leading to weaker spells or even backfires."
"Very good," Madam Selene replied, clearly pleased. "Well done, Miss Lila."
As Lila sat down. Leon leaned over and whispered to her, "Nice job, Lila. You nailed it."
Lila's face turned bright red again, but she managed a shy smile. "Thank you."
Leon, ever the social butterfly, continued to chat with her quietly while Madam Selene resumed her lecture. Alex, on the other hand, remained silent, his thoughts drifting back to the dream he had that morning and the strange, unsettling feeling that lingered in its wake.
Though his focus was on the class, the memory of the girl and the phantom pain of the sword weighed heavily on his mind. For now, though, he pushed it to the back of his mind.
As the class continued, the students absorbed the intricacies of mana, each of them on their own path, but all sharing the same goal—to master the art of magic and prove themselves worthy of Gaia Academy.