Elias woke up to the sound of bells ringing in the distance. The harsh clang echoed through the Academy grounds, bouncing off the ancient stone walls. For a moment, he thought he was back in the slums, with street vendors shouting and carts rattling over cobblestones. But then the events of the previous night came rushing back, and reality hit him like a cold splash of water.
He groaned as he sat up, his body aching from sleeping on the hard ground. The shed wasn't much of a home, but it was all he had for now. The wooden boards creaked under his weight as he stood, stretching out the stiffness in his limbs. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since… well, since he didn't know when.
"Great," he muttered to himself. "Starving in a school full of rich kids with magic powers. Sounds like the perfect start to the day."
He had no idea what time it was or how he was supposed to navigate this place. The Academy was enormous, and he was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he was even here. But there was no point in hiding out in a shed forever. He needed a plan—a real plan, not just wandering around hoping not to get caught.
His first priority was finding food. He hadn't survived this long by being picky, and the Academy's kitchens had to be better stocked than the scraps he'd been living on. He just needed to figure out how to get in without attracting attention.
Elias pulled his hood up and slipped out of the shed, sticking to the shadows as he made his way toward the main building. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and freshly cut grass. It was almost peaceful, a far cry from the chaos he was used to. But there was no time to appreciate the scenery—his stomach was too busy making its complaints known.
He made his way to the back of the Academy, where the kitchens were likely located. As he approached, he could hear the clatter of pots and pans, the sound of people bustling about as they prepared breakfast. His mouth watered at the thought of real food—bread, meat, maybe even some fruit if he was lucky.
He peeked around the corner, careful not to be seen. The kitchen doors were propped open, letting out the warm, savory aromas that made his stomach twist in anticipation. There were a few cooks and servants moving in and out, carrying trays and baskets. They looked busy—too busy to notice a scruffy kid slipping inside.
"Just like old times," Elias whispered to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He waited for the right moment, then darted across the courtyard and slipped through the doors, keeping his head down. The kitchen was bustling, filled with the clamor of breakfast preparations. He moved quickly, ducking between tables piled high with bread, cheese, and fruit. His fingers twitched, ready to snatch whatever he could.
Just as he reached for a loaf of bread, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "Hey, you!"
Elias froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He slowly turned to see a middle-aged woman glaring at him, her hands on her hips. She had flour dusted across her apron, and her eyes were narrowed in suspicion.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, taking a step toward him.
Elias's mind raced. He could bolt, but that would only make him look more suspicious. Besides, he wasn't sure he could outrun a head cook with a rolling pin. So instead, he did what he did best—he improvised.
"I, uh, I'm here to help!" he blurted out, plastering on his most innocent smile. "They sent me to… to fetch the bread! For breakfast! For the, uh, the students."
The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "And who exactly sent you?"
Elias swallowed. "Uh, Mr. Tall and Scary? You know, the one with the beard? He said to hurry up."
The woman's eyes narrowed even further, and for a moment, Elias thought she was going to throw him out. But then she let out a huff and waved him off. "Fine. Just be quick about it, and don't touch anything else. We've got enough work without you underfoot."
Elias nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am! Thank you, ma'am!"
He grabbed a loaf of bread and a couple of apples, stuffing them into his pockets before the woman could change her mind. As he backed away, he couldn't help but feel a surge of relief. He'd gotten lucky this time, but he knew it wouldn't last forever.
Once he was safely outside, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He took a moment to collect himself, then sat down by a tree to enjoy his hard-earned breakfast. The bread was soft and warm, and the apples were crisp and juicy. It was the best meal he'd had in a long time, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to savor it.
But as he ate, his thoughts drifted back to the encounter with the man last night. Who was he? Why had he warned Elias about the dangers of the Academy? And what was it about Elias's magic that made him such a target?
Elias didn't have any answers, but he knew one thing for sure—he needed to get stronger. If he was going to survive here, he couldn't afford to be weak. That meant finding a way to unlock the magic inside him, to control it before it consumed him like the man had warned.
But where to start? The Academy was full of secrets, and Elias was determined to uncover them. He wasn't just here to hide—he was here to learn, to grow, to find out what he was truly capable of. And maybe, just maybe, he'd discover why that mysterious old man had sacrificed himself for a nobody like him.
Elias finished his meal and stood up, a new resolve burning in his chest. The Academy might be dangerous, but it was also full of possibilities. He just had to be smart, stay under the radar, and find the right opportunities.
And maybe, if he played his cards right, he'd finally get some answers.