Everyone turned to see Professor Seraphis Morvane, the tall, slender man dressed in his dark robe, standing a few meters away. His piercing eyes rested on Luther with silent expectation. Elise felt a shiver run down her spine, Naomi narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and Borik stood still, seemingly waiting for the next move.
Luther swallowed hard, noting how the professor gave him that inscrutable gaze, almost as if he could see through him. The discomfort was palpable, and a faint knot formed in his stomach. Nevertheless, he knew he couldn't refuse.
"Y-yes, professor?" he responded in a calm voice, trying to appear composed.
"Come to my office, please," said Seraphis, in a tone that brooked no argument. "I need to discuss some details about your training."
Luther looked at his friends. Elise gave him a worried glance, Naomi raised an eyebrow, and Borik shrugged, as if to say, "Be careful." After a brief moment, Luther nodded to the professor and stepped forward.
"I'll see you later," he said to his companions with a half-smile, trying to convey confidence he didn't quite feel.
"Take care," Elise murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
Seraphis turned on his heels and headed down an adjacent hallway, his steps steady and silent, as though the man's very shadow moved with the same elegance. Luther followed him, his mind filled with questions.
Seraphis's office turned out to be a larger space than Luther had imagined. Upon entering, the light of a few magical lamps cast their soft glow over shelves packed with scrolls, dark-covered books, and vials containing liquids of indeterminate colors. The air had a strange aroma, a mixture of ancient dust and dried herbs, and every corner seemed to hold a secret.
Seraphis gestured for Luther to sit in a wooden chair in front of a plain, unadorned desk on which rested a few scrolls and a quill. The professor took his place behind the desk, never losing that intense, analytical gaze he had displayed earlier.
"Luther," began Seraphis in a calm voice, "I understand that your affinity with dark mana unsettles you. That's normal. By nature, dark mana is unstable and aggressive. It does not respond to the logic and order of elemental magic or the serenity of light magic; instead, it feeds on your emotions. The more intense and uncontrolled they are, the wilder the mana you channel will be."
Luther swallowed, nodding slightly. His gaze remained fixed on the professor's hands, which rested motionless on the desk.
"The key," Seraphis continued, "is not to force the mana to act at your whim, but to understand that it is a mirror of your internal state. If you are irritated, fearful, or furious, dark mana will respond with violence, amplifying the pain in your body. To manage it, you must keep your emotions in check. Master your anger, your frustration, and in return, you'll achieve a stable spark—a useful tool, without pain."
The professor rose and walked to a small cabinet. From a drawer, he pulled out a transparent orb containing a dark liquid that moved slowly within, almost as if it were alive.
"We'll try a brief exercise," he explained, placing the orb on the desk in front of Luther. "Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Feel the mana flowing within you; don't force it. Let it perceive your calm."
Luther obeyed, inhaling deeply. He tried to empty his mind of doubts and memories of pain. He felt the dark mana in his chest, like a restless mass that wanted to break free and hurt him again. But instead of resisting, he tried to calm it, like soothing a frightened animal. Instead of rage, he sought a neutral, serene emotion, imagining the murmur of a calm river or the whisper of wind through the trees.
He felt a slight burning in his hands but not the sharp pain from before. Seraphis nodded in approval.
"Good. Do you notice it? It doesn't hurt as much now. Dark mana, when reflected in your inner peace, finds no reason to tear you apart. You must remember this feeling and practice it until it becomes second nature."
Luther carefully opened his eyes and nodded. It was a small step, but a step forward nonetheless.
"Over time," Seraphis continued, leaning over the desk, "you will learn to summon and use dark mana without it causing you harm. But don't think it will be easy. You'll have to face your inner demons, your fears, and your rages. Only then will you achieve true mastery."
The professor circled the desk and stopped next to Luther. With a slow, almost surprisingly gentle gesture, he took the young man's hands in his own. Luther couldn't help but feel a sudden discomfort at such a personal touch.
"I know you've suffered, Luther," said Seraphis, his voice curiously soft. "Dark mana users are despised, feared, treated with disdain. Aether is not merciful to those who bear this power. I understand. I truly do."
Luther felt a shiver as he heard those words, laden with compassion. He was used to the coldness or fear his affinity provoked, but not pity. Seraphis, noticing the tension, briefly stroked the back of Luther's hands before releasing them and straightening up.
"I don't intend to make you uncomfortable," the professor said, regaining his distant, controlled tone. "My goal is for you to master your gift and not let it destroy you in the process. From now on, every Monday, you will come to my office to continue these exercises, evaluate your progress, and learn new techniques."
Luther nodded silently, trying to process the strange mix of emotions he felt at Seraphis's proximity, his soft voice, the charged atmosphere in the office, and the promise of challenging but necessary training.
"You may go," Seraphis concluded with a wave of his hand. "Continue with your classes. Don't be late. Your future at this academy depends on many variables, and time is one of them."
Luther stood up with some relief. He cast one last glance around the room, noting the books, the notes, and the orb with dark liquid, before heading to the door.
"Thank you, professor," he managed to say with a slight bow of his head.
Seraphis did not respond, merely offering a subtle nod. Luther opened the door and stepped into the hallway, feeling the air freer, as if he had escaped from a windowless room. He walked toward his classes, aware that he had just taken an important step in his journey but also knowing that the path ahead remained dark and winding.