Elias woke up suddenly, his body drenched in sweat. He stayed in bed for a few moments, trying to calm his breathing.
Did I have a nightmare? Or am I just nervous about what lies ahead? Seriously, Elias, pull yourself together, this isn't like you...
He got up to get ready. Today marked the beginning of his adventure at the Academy of the Eternal Moon.
After a quick shower, Elias put on the academy uniform, a stylish and comfortable ensemble of dark blue and black, proudly symbolizing his affiliation with the Eternal Moon. Descending to meet his father and sister, he embraced them affectionately. Ethan, his father, gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder.
"You look really cool." he said with a warm smile.
Elias smiled back.
"If you say so..."
His younger sister, Aria, gave him a quick hug.
"Good luck, bro ! Just wait until I master triple affinity, everyone will know about me!"
He returned her smile.
"Thanks, I'm counting on you..."
After a few more words exchanged, he took one last look at his family before leaving. The journey to the Academy took two hours. The landscape passed before his eyes, but his mind was elsewhere, imagining the new life that awaited him.
Everything is happening so fast, it's hard to grasp...
Elias smiled inwardly.
***
Upon arriving at the Academy, he was struck by its imposing grandeur. Although still within the capital, he felt transported elsewhere. Majestic buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, each one a testament to the institution's greatness and tradition. There were multiple complexes, tall towers, meticulously maintained gardens, and training grounds. Adolescents moved about everywhere.
Huge...
Elias went through the necessary steps for his enrollment, guided by the academy map on his watch, avoiding getting lost on his way to the main hall where the welcome ceremony would be held. Along the way, he was captivated by the beauty of the surroundings and noticed the furtive glances of other students, likely recognizing him due to recent news about his affinity with Chaos Aura.
Elias was rather handsome, with his jet-black hair and captivating gray eyes that matched his uniform.
In the crowded ceremony hall filled with adolescents, Elias found a seat and sat down.
So, these are all first-years here?
He noticed some students were already making acquaintances, catching snippets of their conversations.
"You also chose the Eternal Moon? Pfft, just following the trend..."
"Do you really think I'd come here for you? Seriously?"
Friendly conversations like these were everywhere, although some from important factions kept their distance.
Ugh, this reminds me that I'm really not good at this kind of thing...
Elias wasn't antisocial, but he wasn't a natural socializer either. In high school, he got along well with most people, but he rarely took the first step, which left him without true friends.
Forget all this...
Shortly after, a stunning woman stepped onto the stage. Her long black hair and ocean-blue eyes exuded power and respect. It was Selene Lumen, the academy's director and a renowned Aura Master. As she entered, everyone fell silent.
"Welcome, everyone."
She began with a clear and authoritative voice.
"Congratulations on joining the Academy of the Eternal Moon. You are here because you have shown potential."
After the usual speech, Selene mentioned the test scheduled for the next day.
"This test will primarily assess your Aura manipulation."
Upon hearing this, Elias felt inwardly dismayed.
Darn... Well, I'm in trouble.
He knew very well that his Aura manipulation was nonexistent at best. He had spent a week locked in his room meditating, barely noticing any progress. He simply didn't know how to use his power to achieve anything. It was clear that those who would excel in the rankings were adolescents from factions, already placed in optimal conditions even before discovering their affinity.
Seriously, what kind of test is this ?
Selene continued.
"This test will establish an initial ranking for first-years."
She added, emphasizing that the ranking would evolve throughout the year, fostering competition and excellence among students.
Feeling down in his corner, Elias caught sight of some familiar faces from the corner of his eye.
Huh ? What are they doing here ?
Seth Drayton and Ariana Valenwood were each sitting on their own. They seemed to be loners, much like Elias.
Seriously, they chose this academy too?"
Last year, it was the Academy of the Rising Sun that attracted most promising young talents... But with Selene Lumen's rise, things seem to have changed.
Where's the other one?
He looked around for Adrian but didn't see him.
Well, it's not my business.
Selene concluded her speech, expressing pride in the new intake and enthusiasm for their progress. Once her speech was over, she invited everyone to head to their respective dormitories.
Elias followed the stream of students, heading towards his own dormitory. The complex reserved for first-years was impressive. Outside his door, he used the card given to him to open it. Inside, he was stunned by the luxury of his room, equipped with modern and elegant furniture, a comfortable living room, and state-of-the-art technology. However, he had been too preoccupied lately to dwell on these details.
On a table, Elias noticed a particular bracelet.
Hm?
He remembered being told that each student would receive a special bracelet, capable of measuring the user's power and reacting to their Aura, allowing each to track their progress and display aura-related abilities.
"Cool..."
The metallic bracelet was a deep black.
"That must have cost a fortune..."
Elias noticed an inscription on the object.
"Wave Corporation."
It was a well-known brand specializing in Aura-related items.
Intrigued, Elias attached the bracelet to his wrist. He immediately felt his aura interact with the device, causing a slight vibration. Then, a hologram appeared.
Status :
User : Elias Hart
Aura : Chaos
Rank : Novice-
Statistics :
Vitality : 11,880
Endurance : 12,090
Agility : 11,930
Strength : 12,000
Intelligence : 13,030
Charm : 14,200
Aura Ability :
-
Innate Ability :
- Entropic Control : Allows manipulation of entropy on a small scale, temporarily altering the level of disorder or order in a specified area.
Elias was pleasantly surprised.
"Well, that's handy... but what do all these numbers mean? Am I good or bad?"
As he read through the displayed information, Elias noticed something interesting.
"Entropic Control..."