Aiden looked at the enormous gate of Zeru's Academy, then at the imposing building. He still hadn't fully grasped the magnitude of the place or the power it held. He knew he needed to get stronger, and this academy, with its legendary reputation, seemed like the perfect place to do so. With that thought in mind, he made his decision.
"I will stay in this aca...."
Arthur, who had been observing him, simply smiled and turned away. "Excellent. Now shoo, I have things to do," he said, dismissing Aiden with a wave of his hand.
Aiden was left standing there, his mouth agape. He had barely managed to voice his decision before Arthur cut him off.
********************
In the upper floors, the council of masters was in session. Lagertha, the leader of the council, paced restlessly, unable to find peace.
"His back," Neo Finland, one of the masters, muttered.
"I'm fully aware of that," Lagertha snapped, her eyes flashing with irritation.
"Well, he hasn't done anything bad ever since we've known him," Sera, another master, pointed out.
"But it's strange how someone we don't know was given the status of a Big Three," August, the oldest member of the council, mused.
Lagertha slammed her fist on the table, her voice rising. "He took that position from me, even his brother!" she exclaimed, her anger palpable. A nearby cup shattered into pieces, startling everyone in the room.
"Lagertha, please, don't let your emotions control you," August cautioned. "We need to approach this situation calmly and rationally.
"You're right, why should I be angry?" Lagertha said, calming herself and crossing her legs. "After all, there's a certain someone Arthur seems to have an interest in." She smiled mysteriously.
"Yes, Aiden Hayes," Sera confirmed with a knowing smile. "But what do you plan on doing to him?"
Before Lagertha could respond, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Neo said.
Issac entered the room, bowing slightly to the council.
"This is the first time you decided to come here on your own. That's surprising," Lagertha remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"I need your help, Lagertha," Issac said, his voice serious.
"With what, may I ask?" she inquired.
"A boy named Peter Skyfire has been acting violently, and I don't know what's happened. I need you to use your abilities and tell me what we're dealing with," Isaac explained to Lagertha.
Lagertha stood up from her seat. "Hmm, fine then," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Well, my fellow masters, I will discuss that later."
The masters nodded in response.
***************************
Aiden entered the warriors' training grounds, his gaze scanning the crowd. Some of the trainees were giving him curious glances, but he ignored them. He was looking for Pelia and Lyra, but they were nowhere to be found.
"I think Pelia went to the healer's ward. I hope Peter is okay, but where is Lyra?" he wondered aloud.
Daniel, who had been observing Aiden, called out to him. "Hey, you!" he shouted. But Aiden ignored him and continued his search for Lyra.
"He dares ignore me. He will pay just like last time," Daniel muttered angrily, clenching his fist.
Aiden decided to change his mind and head to the healer's ward to check on Peter. On his way, he spotted Issac and a woman he didn't recognize walking towards the ward.
"Who is she? Oh, she must be one of the best healers," Aiden thought to himself. "That mark, the mana radiating from it... it's so familiar. Wait, let me go to the ward first," he muttered.
Issac and Lagertha entered the healer's ward, where Pelia was sitting beside Peter. The healers present bowed respectfully to Lagertha.
"Here he is," Issac said, pointing towards Peter's bed.
"You must be his sister," Lagertha assumed, addressing Pelia.
"Yes, Master," Pelia nodded.
Lagertha placed her hand on Peter's forehead and closed her eyes. A moment later, she pulled her hand away, a look of surprise and concern etched on her face.
"She's the one. The same girl," Lagertha muttered, her eyes narrowed.
"I will bring her here," Issac said.
"And what happens next? Will she make things worse?" Lagertha asked, her voice laced with doubt.
"She will reverse the effects of her ability," Issac assured her, though he wasn't entirely certain himself.
"Who are you referring to?" Pelia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Lyra, it seems her ability is capable of affecting others too. This can be dangerous," Issac said, his voice filled with concern.
"Which is why I said..." Lagertha began, but Issac interrupted her.
"No. I will help her. She will get better, she will learn how to control her abilities with my guidance," Issac declared, his tone resolute. He looked at Lagertha, his eyes filled with determination.
"Fine then," Lagertha said, standing up and walking towards the door. "Remember what happens if you fail."
Issac nodded slowly in response.
After Lagertha left, Isaac decided to exit the ward, leaving Pelia to watch over Peter. He spotted Aiden talking to Lagertha, their conversation seemingly intense. Curious, he approached them, but decided to focus on his primary task: bringing Lyra to the ward to reverse the effects of her ability on Peter.
"My name is Lagertha, Master's council leader, and you are?" Lagertha asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Aiden was taken aback. "The Master's Council? Wait, I remember them. They're the ones who oversee all the activities in Zeru's Academy. They have the power to decide what happens and what doesn't. How could someone with such high status be talking to me? I'm just a nobody," Aiden thought to himself.
"I'm Aiden... Aiden Hayes," he replied, bowing respectfully.
"Oh, Aiden Hayes, you're the one who survived the Nara town incident," Lagertha said, feigning surprise. "Such a tragedy. I'm truly sorry for your loss."
Aiden offered a wan smile. "It's alright, Master."
Lagertha nodded, her expression turning cold. "Well then, take care of yourself. Be strong." With that, she turned and began to walk away.
As soon as she was out of sight, her forced sympathy evaporated. A dark frown creased her brow. Why didn't my ability work on him? she wondered, a sense of frustration growing within her.
"The ones who resisted my ability were Arthur, Armon, and the king so far," Lagertha mused. "Aiden isn't on their level. He's not that strong. Unless... he's hiding something." A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
*********************************
The training hall fell silent as Isaac entered. His gaze was direct, his voice firm. "I'm looking for Lyra Lawman. Where is she?"
The warriors exchanged confused glances. None dared to answer.
"She isn't here?" Isaac pressed.
Frustration growing, he stormed out of the hall. Closing his eyes, he focused, attempting to sense her presence. A sudden surge of chaotic energy jolted him.
"No," he muttered, his eyes snapping open. "Her mana is... out of control."
A wave of dread washed over him. He knew what this meant. Rushing towards the source of the disturbance, he found Lyra, her eyes glazed over, a lifeless body clutched in her hand.