The next morning, as Kaeleen and his friends entered the dining hall, they were met with a sight that only heightened their unease: Luka, Revan, Ithan, and Erik sat across the room, watching them with smirks and trading glances that promised trouble. Kaeleen could practically feel their animosity, and he knew instantly they were planning something.
As they took their seats, Luka rose and strode over with a mocking smile.
"Well, well," he sneered, eyeing Elise and Borik with contempt, "it looks like the dark mana prince here still needs his bodyguards. I hope you're all still standing by him when he loses control again."
Kaeleen clenched his fists under the table, feeling his dark mana stirring in sync with his frustration. Elise placed a calming hand on his arm, her gentle touch reminding him to keep his composure.
"Let it go, Kaeleen," she whispered. "He's not worth it."
But Luka was determined to get a reaction.
"Maybe they should send you to a different class. Or better yet, send you back to wherever they pulled you from," added Revan, his voice loud enough to ensure the nearby students heard.
Taking a deep breath, Kaeleen steadied himself and looked Luka in the eye, keeping his tone even.
"You don't need to worry about me," he said. "I'm here to learn and improve, not waste time with pointless quarrels."
Luka and Revan exchanged surprised glances, thrown off by Kaeleen's calm response. Just then, a professor entered the hall and shot a warning look their way, prompting Luka to mumble under his breath as he returned to his seat. Though the atmosphere gradually settled, Kaeleen knew this wouldn't be the last encounter.
That evening, as Kaeleen was preparing to retire to his room, he encountered Naomi in one of the corridors. The leader of his combat team during the trial, Naomi rarely interacted with others outside of class, and her sudden appearance took him by surprise.
"I need to talk to you," she stated bluntly. "About controlling your dark mana."
Intrigued and somewhat wary of her directness, Kaeleen nodded.
"I've seen your potential," Naomi continued, crossing her arms, "but you lack discipline and control. If you want to improve and avoid incidents like the other day, you should consider accepting help from someone who isn't afraid of your power."
"Are you suggesting that… you could help me?" Kaeleen asked, hardly daring to believe her offer.
Naomi nodded, and though her expression remained impassive, Kaeleen sensed a genuine willingness to assist.
"I'm not doing this out of kindness. I believe we could benefit each other," she explained. "I have advanced knowledge of control techniques, and it's a good opportunity for me to refine my own skills by guiding you. But you'll need to follow every instruction to the letter."
After a moment's hesitation, Kaeleen agreed, knowing he couldn't afford to pass up the help. He met her gaze and nodded.
"I accept," he replied, with newfound determination.
"Good. Meet me in the training hall before dawn tomorrow," Naomi instructed before departing with her usual reserved air.
Relieved yet surprised by her offer, Kaeleen returned to his dormitory, hopeful that perhaps this alliance could be pivotal to his growth at the academy.
Later that night, as he struggled to fall asleep, Kaeleen was roused by a noise in the hallway. Stepping outside, he saw Borik down the corridor, apparently in an intense discussion with Professor Seraphis. The dim lighting of the hallway cast eerie shadows, making Seraphis's face appear even more foreboding.
"What are you doing here at this hour, Borik?" Kaeleen asked, cautiously approaching.
Borik looked at him, clearly uneasy, but before he could respond, Seraphis answered.
"I was ensuring that all students were where they should be," Seraphis replied, his voice calm. "It seems some feel uncomfortable with the academy's nocturnal atmosphere."
Kaeleen detected something strange in the professor's tone but chose not to comment. After Seraphis left, Borik turned to him, his expression grave.
"That man gives me chills, Kaeleen," Borik whispered. "Every time he's around, I feel… something unsettling. Like there's a dark presence in the air."
Kaeleen nodded, understanding his friend's discomfort. Ever since he'd started his private lessons with Seraphis, he too had sensed an unsettling energy, though he'd rationalized it as a consequence of the professor's affinity with dark mana.
"Maybe we should find out more about him," Kaeleen suggested in a low voice. "If there's something we need to know, it's better to be prepared."
At dawn, Kaeleen made his way to the training hall where he was to meet Naomi. The crisp morning air kept him alert, but his mind was a jumble of mixed emotions. Naomi was known for her cold, calculated nature, but her offer gave him hope that perhaps someone else could understand the weight of his power.
When he arrived, he found Naomi waiting, arms crossed and her expression stern.
"Don't be late again," she said curtly, though he sensed she wasn't truly irritated. "We'll start with basic control exercises. You need to learn to channel the energy without letting it overflow. Dark mana is different from other types; its chaotic nature requires absolute focus."
Kaeleen nodded and took his place in the center of the room, following Naomi's instructions. He began with breathing exercises, focusing on visualizing his mana core. Naomi observed him intently, adjusting his stance and offering precise guidance.
"Keep the flow steady," she advised in a firm voice. "Remember: don't let your emotions disrupt the rhythm. The moment dark mana senses you're losing control, it will try to escape."
After a few attempts, Kaeleen finally felt he was stabilizing the flow of his dark mana. Relief washed over him, though he knew this was only the beginning.
Naomi watched him with a slight nod of approval.
"You're improving," she said. "But remember, this is about consistency. One moment of success doesn't mean mastery. We'll practice until you can control it without even thinking."
For the first time in a long while, Kaeleen felt a glimmer of confidence, and as he continued his training with Naomi, he became more certain that he was taking his first real steps toward mastering the power within him.