The hallways of Arcadia High buzzed with curiosity as Theo made his way back to class, still shaken from the encounter in the dungeon. His mind raced, replaying every detail of the terrifying yet exhilarating experience. He couldn't shake the feeling of the energy that had coursed through him when he touched the artifact, nor could he ignore Aria's piercing gaze as she'd watched him use a skill he barely understood.
He found his seat in the back corner of the classroom and tried to focus as the teacher droned on about ancient artifacts and dungeon history. But whispers filled the room, people glancing in his direction, clearly talking about his unexpected adventure. Arcadia High students had a keen interest in anything dungeon-related, and gossip spread quickly.
Theo pretended not to notice, his thoughts drifting back to Aria. She had been incredible in the dungeon, handling the raiders with ease, her every move precise and controlled. It was obvious she had trained for years, far beyond what most students at Arcadia High could accomplish. But there was more than admiration in his thoughts—there was confusion. Why had she defended him so fiercely? And why had the artifact resonated with him, a supposedly low-energy Warden?
"Hey, dungeon hero," a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Theo looked up to see a familiar face grinning at him—Eric Moreau, his classmate and friend since middle school. Eric was one of the few people who never seemed phased by Theo's unremarkable abilities. Though not especially powerful himself, Eric had always taken a laid-back attitude toward the hierarchical world of dungeon-licensed students.
"I heard you got dragged into a dungeon today?" Eric smirked as he sat down next to Theo. "Didn't know you had it in you to become the school's newest adventurer."
Theo rolled his eyes. "Not by choice. I don't even know how I got pulled in. I was just standing near the gate, and suddenly I was inside."
Eric whistled, clearly amused. "Weird stuff. But hey, don't you feel different now? Most people say their first dungeon experience changes them." He raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you'll awaken some hidden talent?"
Theo shook his head. "It wasn't like that. I barely managed to keep up. I was just… lucky." He hesitated, then added, "Aria Sinclair was there. She saved me, actually."
Eric's eyes widened. "The Aria Sinclair? The prodigy with a License Level 5?" He chuckled, impressed. "Lucky you, man. People say she doesn't even notice anyone below her level. But she saved you?"
Theo nodded, still trying to make sense of it himself. "She did. And there was something weird about the dungeon… it felt like I was being drawn there."
"Maybe it's fate." Eric laughed. "Either way, that's huge. Rumor has it that anyone who catches Aria's attention is destined for something big."
Theo tried to brush off the comment, but Eric's words lingered. He couldn't deny that the experience had stirred something deep within him. The artifact, the strange energy he'd felt—it all seemed to point to a larger mystery he couldn't ignore.
After school, Theo headed to the Warden's Training Facility, an open space near Arcadia High where students could practice their skills. Though he'd been there many times before, today felt different. The experience in the dungeon had sparked a need to understand his abilities—or lack thereof.
He entered the facility and scanned the room, feeling an uncharacteristic sense of determination. A few students were scattered around, practicing skills and techniques, some surrounded by auras of flame or shadow as they honed their abilities.
Theo tried to summon the barrier he'd managed to create in the dungeon. He raised his hands, focusing on the warmth he'd felt, and tried to channel it. But nothing happened. He tried again, clenching his fists in concentration, willing the energy to manifest. His hands remained empty, and the familiar sense of frustration returned.
"Having trouble?"
Theo nearly jumped, turning to find Aria standing behind him, arms crossed and her gaze unreadable. He hadn't heard her approach, and his cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
"Aria! I… I was just trying to figure out what happened in the dungeon," he admitted, feeling exposed. "I felt something, like I had some kind of power. But now it's just… gone."
Aria studied him carefully. "That's normal. Dungeons can amplify latent abilities. But for someone like you…" She trailed off, as if considering something. "It's unusual for a Warden to manifest energy in that way, especially with your level."
Her words stung, but Theo forced himself to remain calm. "I know. That's what everyone keeps telling me." He looked away, embarrassed. "But it's not like I asked to be there."
She sighed, her expression softening slightly. "It's not your fault. But you need to be cautious. Dungeons are unpredictable, especially ones connected to artifacts. If you're pulled in again, without any control over your abilities, it could be fatal."
Theo felt a spark of defiance. "So what am I supposed to do? Just avoid dungeons forever? I don't want to be powerless."
Aria seemed taken aback by his intensity. For a moment, her stoic expression wavered, and Theo thought he saw a hint of understanding in her eyes. "I understand. I didn't get where I am without taking risks. But if you want to survive in this world, you need training."
Theo hesitated. "Will you help me?"
She paused, studying him with a critical eye. "Why should I? Training takes time, and you don't exactly have a track record of success."
Theo felt the sting of her words, but he refused to back down. "Because I need to know why this is happening. The artifact… it called to me. If I ignore it, I'll always wonder what it meant. I don't want to keep being a bystander."
Aria regarded him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. But this isn't some casual tutoring. If I agree to train you, you're committing to it."
"I understand," Theo said firmly, feeling a rush of relief and determination. "Thank you."
The next day, Theo met Aria at dawn in the training facility. The building was nearly empty, the air still and cool. Aria stood in the center of the room, a small training bag beside her, her expression as stern and focused as ever.
"We'll start with the basics," she said, gesturing for him to stand across from her. "Show me what you can do."
Theo braced himself, lifting his hands in an attempt to summon the barrier he'd managed in the dungeon. He focused, remembering the strange warmth he'd felt, the tingling that had allowed him to block the raider's attack. But once again, his hands remained empty.
Aria raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Theo gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up. "I don't understand. I felt it in the dungeon. It was there, but now… it's just gone."
Aria sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Skills aren't something that just appear on command, especially not with someone as untrained as you. Your energy is scattered. Without focus, you'll never be able to harness it consistently."
She took a step forward, her gaze intense. "Close your eyes and clear your mind. Dungeons can amplify latent abilities, but you need to find that energy within yourself first. Imagine it like a spark, deep inside you."
Theo closed his eyes, doing his best to follow her instructions. He searched inward, focusing on the faint glimmer of energy he'd felt in the dungeon. Slowly, he began to sense a warmth, faint but steady. It pulsed like a heartbeat, growing stronger as he concentrated.
"Good," Aria's voice was calm, encouraging. "Now, don't try to force it. Let it build naturally."
He focused on the warmth, feeling it spread through his hands. A faint shimmer of light appeared between his palms, a small, translucent barrier forming. It was weak, barely holding together, but it was something.
Aria nodded approvingly. "Not bad for a first attempt. With practice, you'll be able to sustain it longer."
Theo's relief was short-lived as Aria's expression turned serious. "But don't get ahead of yourself. This is just the beginning. Building a reliable defense isn't easy, especially for a Warden. You'll need to push yourself much harder than this."
He nodded, his determination renewed. "I'm ready. I'll do whatever it takes."
For the next several hours, Aria put him through a series of exercises, each one designed to push him to his limits. She was relentless, correcting his form, forcing him to focus his energy and maintain the barrier under increasing pressure. By the time they finished, Theo was exhausted, every muscle in his body aching.
As he collapsed onto the floor, panting, Aria handed him a water bottle. "You did well," she said, her tone softer than before. "Most people give up after the first few exercises. You have potential, Theo. But potential means nothing without dedication."
Theo took a sip of water, feeling a surge of pride at her words. "Thank you, Aria. I won't let you down."
She nodded, a faint smile crossing her face. "Good. We'll meet here every morning until you're ready."
As she turned to leave, Theo couldn't help but feel a new sense of purpose. For the first time,