The morning light that seeped through the narrow windows of Raven House did little to lift the oppressive atmosphere that clung to its stone walls. Jorel stood before the small mirror in his dormitory room, adjusting his uniform with a mix of nervousness and resolve. Today was the first real day at E&R University, and he knew it would be a test in more ways than one.
His thoughts lingered on the events of the previous day—the assembly, the headmaster's stern words, and the sight of the girl with fiery red hair and bruises. The weight of everything he had learned was pressing down on him, making the simple act of getting ready for class feel like a monumental task.
Ryen was already waiting for him outside their dormitory room, looking slightly more composed than the day before. "Ready?" he asked, offering a small, encouraging smile.
Jorel nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They made their way down the winding corridors of Raven House, the silence broken only by the occasional distant murmur of voices from other students. The building felt like a labyrinth, with its endless hallways and shadowy corners. But Jorel had a good sense of direction, and soon they found themselves in front of the large double doors that led to the Pain Tolerance classroom.
The room was as intimidating as the rest of Raven House—dark and cavernous, with high ceilings and rows of sturdy wooden desks. The walls were lined with strange instruments, each one designed to push students to their limits. Jorel could feel the tension in the air as he and Ryen took their seats, the other students eyeing each other warily.
Their instructor, a tall, severe-looking man with sharp features and cold eyes, entered the room without a word. He moved to the front of the class, his presence commanding attention. When he finally spoke, his voice was a low, dangerous growl.
"Welcome to Pain Tolerance," he began, his gaze sweeping over the students. "This class is not for the faint of heart. You are here to learn the limits of your body and mind—and then surpass them. You will be pushed to your breaking point, and those who cannot endure will be left behind."
Jorel's grip on the edge of his desk tightened. He had expected this, but hearing it stated so plainly was still unnerving.
The instructor continued, his tone unyielding. "Pain is not your enemy. Pain is your tool. It is your power. But it is also a force that can destroy you if you do not master it. In this class, you will learn to control it, to harness it, and to use it to your advantage. Fail to do so, and you will have no place in this school."
With that, he motioned to the rows of instruments along the walls. "Today, we will begin with the basics. Each of you will select a device and endure its effects. Your task is simple: control the pain, channel it, and remain conscious. Those who succeed will move on to the next phase. Those who fail… will be dealt with accordingly."
Jorel exchanged a tense glance with Ryen. The room was filled with an array of devices, each more terrifying than the last. There were needles designed to pierce the skin, clamps to crush bones, and strange contraptions that hummed with a low, ominous energy.
The students moved hesitantly, each one choosing their instrument of torture. Jorel's eyes landed on a set of needles, long and thin, gleaming in the dim light. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he approached them, but he forced himself to remain calm. This was just another trial, another test of his resilience.
He picked up the needles, feeling their cold weight in his hands. The task was to insert them into specific points on his arms, triggering nerves that would send waves of pain through his body. It was a delicate process, requiring precision and control. One wrong move, and the pain would be too much to bear.
Jorel took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. He had been through worse—much worse. The memory of the entrance exam, the searing pain that had threatened to tear him apart, was still fresh in his mind. He had survived that, and he would survive this too.
Slowly, carefully, he began to insert the needles. The sharp sting of metal piercing flesh sent jolts of pain through his arms, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let it overwhelm him. He could feel the pain spreading, a burning sensation that crawled up his limbs like fire. But he didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. Instead, he focused on the pain, drawing it in, letting it become a part of him.
Around him, other students were struggling with their own devices. Some cried out in agony, others gritted their teeth in silence. But Jorel kept his focus, his mind sharp and clear. He knew what he had to do. He visualized the pain as a dark, swirling mass within him, and with every ounce of willpower, he channeled it into a single point.
The instructor watched him closely, his expression unreadable. Jorel could feel the man's eyes on him, could sense the scrutiny and the expectation. But he didn't waver. Slowly, the pain began to coalesce, to form a tangible force that he could direct. It was like grasping at smoke, but he held on, refusing to let it slip away.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to channel the pain into a controlled burst. The energy surged through him, a wave of power that left him gasping for breath. The needles fell from his hands, clattering to the floor, but Jorel remained standing, his body trembling with exertion.
The instructor nodded slightly, a rare flicker of approval in his cold eyes. "Well done," he said, his voice softer now, almost begrudgingly respectful. "You've passed this phase. But remember, this is the lowest of tolerance."
Jorel nodded, though he could barely focus on the instructor's words. His body was exhausted, every muscle screaming in protest, but he had done it. He had passed the first real trial of E&R University.
As the class continued, Jorel noticed that not everyone was as fortunate. Several students had already collapsed, their bodies unable to handle the strain. The instructor watched them with dispassionate eyes, making notes on a clipboard as they were carried out of the room. It was a stark reminder of the stakes they all faced.
When the session finally ended, Jorel and Ryen left the classroom in silence, their minds reeling from the intensity of what they had just endured. The hallways of Raven House felt colder, more foreboding, as they made their way back to the dormitory.
"You did well," Ryen said, his voice breaking the heavy silence.
"So did you," Jorel replied, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for the students who hadn't made it. "This place… it's going to push us harder than we ever imagined."
Ryen nodded, his expression somber. "Yeah. And it's only going to get tougher."
As they walked, Jorel couldn't shake the feeling that the school was watching them, assessing their every move. The shadows in the corridors seemed darker, the whispers of other students more hushed, as if the very walls of Raven House held secrets they weren't ready to reveal.
They passed by another group of students, their faces pale and drawn. Jorel overheard a snippet of their conversation as they passed.
"Did you hear about the girl in the infirmary?" one of them whispered.
"Yeah… they say she barely survived her last trial," another replied, their voice tinged with fear.
Jorel exchanged a glance with Ryen, both of them thinking the same thing. The girl—the mysterious physical pain user they had heard about—was still at the forefront of their minds. But before they could dwell on it, they reached their dormitory.
The room was cold and silent, a stark contrast to the intensity of the day. Jorel collapsed onto his bed, his body too exhausted to move. But his mind was still racing, the events of the day replaying over and over.
He had passed the first trial, but there were many more to come. And with each one, the stakes would only get higher. The whispers about the girl, the intensity of the training, the shadowy presence that seemed to lurk around every corner—it was all building to something, something that Jorel couldn't yet fully grasp.
But he knew one thing for certain: he had to survive. Not just for himself, but for the mystery that was slowly unraveling around him. The girl, the trials, the secrets of E&R University—they were all pieces of a puzzle that he was determined to solve.