Shen woke early the next morning, the dim light of dawn filtering through the small window of his room. The air was still and heavy with the quiet of the academy. He had barely slept the night before, too distracted by the training session with Zarek to find any rest. His mind kept returning to the feeling of the raw energy swirling inside him—he had felt in control for a moment, but the memory was fleeting. The power was always there, just beneath the surface, threatening to surge again if he lost focus.
Today, Zarek had informed him, would be a different kind of test. It would not be about harnessing the power inside him immediately, but about building patience and self-control—two things Shen had never been good at. Since his arrival at the academy, everything had felt urgent. He needed to prove himself, to demonstrate that he was worthy of the training he had been given. But Zarek had made it clear that rushing would do more harm than good.
Shen knew that if he wanted to survive in this world and truly master his abilities, he had to let go of his impatience.
He dressed quickly, the cold stone floor beneath his bare feet sending a small jolt of discomfort up his spine. His thoughts drifted back to his family, to the home he had been forced to leave. He had no choice but to embrace the harsh reality ahead of him.
With his resolve firmed, he left his room, making his way down the familiar halls toward the courtyard where he was to meet Zarek. There were fewer people in the academy at this early hour, and the occasional echo of footsteps was the only sound that broke the silence.
When Shen reached the courtyard, he found Zarek already waiting for him, standing with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his face.
"You're late," Zarek said, his voice flat.
Shen quickly apologized, bowing his head in respect. He knew better than to argue with someone as experienced as Zarek. The instructor was not interested in excuses.
"Today will be about patience," Zarek continued, stepping aside to reveal a small, wooden platform set up in the middle of the courtyard. "I want you to stand on that platform and hold your energy in place for as long as you can. If you lose control—if your power escapes you—it's over. Do you understand?"
Shen nodded. This sounded simple enough, but his gut told him it would be anything but easy.
Zarek handed him a small crystal, its surface smooth and translucent. "This is a focus stone. Keep it in your palm. It will help you focus your energy. Don't let your thoughts wander. Don't let the power take over."
Shen held the stone tightly, feeling the smooth surface beneath his fingers. He didn't know if it would really help, but he trusted Zarek's guidance.
"Begin when you're ready," Zarek said.
Shen stepped onto the platform, taking a deep breath. He could feel the power in his chest, a pulsing, thrumming energy that seemed to vibrate through his body. It was always there, just beneath the surface. His mind raced with thoughts—thoughts about his past, his future, the weight of the power inside him. But he fought to push them aside.
He closed his eyes and concentrated, focusing on the crystal in his hand. Slowly, he began to imagine the energy flowing from the crystal, down through his arm and into his chest. The energy inside him hummed, but Shen fought to keep it still.
The seconds ticked by, stretching into what felt like hours. His muscles began to ache from standing still, and beads of sweat formed on his brow. He wanted to shift, to move, to do anything that would relieve the pressure building inside him. But he resisted the urge.
Minutes passed. He was starting to feel a slight burn in his chest, where the energy pulsed most intensely. It was as if the power was a living thing, demanding to be released, to break free. His breath became shallow, his grip on the crystal tightening. He could feel the walls closing in around him, his body betraying him with its discomfort.
A voice in the back of his mind screamed at him to stop—to give in to the power, to let it flow. But Shen refused to listen. He focused harder, determined to prove to himself that he could control it.
The pressure inside him increased, and he thought he might break. But just as the power seemed ready to burst forth, a calming presence washed over him. It was Zarek, standing off to the side, his eyes locked onto Shen with an intensity that seemed to reach into his very soul.
"Focus," Zarek's voice cut through the chaos in Shen's mind. "You're not fighting the power. You're simply letting it exist. Let it flow, but do not let it control you."
Shen took a deep breath, his body trembling from the effort. He adjusted his stance slightly, trying to find a position that allowed him to focus without succumbing to the strain. Slowly, the pulsing energy in his chest began to settle, the rush of power subsiding into a steady hum. It wasn't gone, but it was no longer threatening to escape.
Minutes passed, and with each one, Shen felt more and more like he was gaining control. The energy inside him became less of a burden and more of a companion—something he could understand, something he could manage. It wasn't perfect, but for the first time since he had arrived at the academy, he felt a glimmer of hope that he might one day master this power.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Shen lowered the crystal. His legs were shaking, his body aching, but he had done it. He had held the power in place. For now, at least.
Zarek stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You did well," he said, his tone more approving than Shen had expected. "But this is just the beginning. Patience is a skill that takes time to develop. You'll need to practice every day if you want to master it."
Shen nodded, sweat dripping down his face, but there was a feeling of quiet pride that settled within him. He had faced the power head-on and kept it in check. He wasn't there yet, but this test had shown him that control was possible.
Zarek turned and walked back toward the academy. "We'll see if you can do it again tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that."
Shen watched him go, a new sense of resolve forming within him. This was his path—difficult, but not impossible. And with each day, he would grow stronger, more in control. No matter how long it took.