In front of us stood a woman who appeared in her early twenties, yet her presence was anything but youthful. Her black hair cascaded like a flowing abyss, and her dark eyes glimmered with a commanding, otherworldly intensity.
Smooth, obsidian-like horns curled around her head, forming a crown that marked her as something far beyond human. She was silent yet imposing, exuding an aura of regal power that made the air feel heavy with her presence.
When I saw her, the only race that came to mind was the Prometheus race—a lineage whispered about throughout the galaxy, said to be both revered and feared for its power.
Her piercing gaze swept across the room, sharp and unrelenting, making it feel as though she could strip away every layer of pretense and see straight into the depths of who we truly were.
Despite her youthful appearance, there was an undeniable gravity to her—an air of authority and wisdom that made it clear she was much older than she appeared to be.
"Hello, everyone," she said, her voice smooth yet commanding, cutting through the silence like a bird's call in the stillness of dawn. "You can call me Ms. Athena, and I will be your instructor for Class 1-A."
Her piercing gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on each student as if she were taking our measure. "Many of you are here because you excelled and showed promise beyond your peers. But let me make one thing clear."
Her voice hardened, and the room seemed to grow heavier as if her very words carried weight. "Excelling in the past means nothing here. Whatever achievements brought you this far are irrelevant. This class will test you in ways you have never imagined. Whether you succeed or fail depends entirely on how you adapt and how much you are willing to grow."
She paused, letting the words sink in, her gaze unwavering. "Class 1-A is not a privilege. It is a challenge. Only those who prove they are capable of overcoming their limits will remain. The rest..." She didn't finish the sentence, but the silence that followed was more intimidating than any threat could have been.
"Now," she continued, her tone softening just slightly, "before we begin, I need to understand what kind of students I have before me. Introduce yourselves—name, rank, and what you hope to achieve here. And remember, honesty is more important than impressing anyone."
My classmates began introducing themselves one by one, each voice carrying a mix of nervousness and determination.
When it was finally my turn, I stood, my palms lightly pressed against the edges of the now-weathered desk.
"Hi, everyone," I began, clearing my throat slightly. "I'm Samuel Solis, currently ranked seventh." I kept my voice steady and didn't bother hiding my last name. After the fiasco with Argon, I was certain many already knew who I was. "Throughout my time at the Aetheris Institute of Enlightenment, I hope to learn more about myself—what I'm truly capable of and how far I can push my limits."
I scanned the room briefly, noting a few curious glances from my peers. "But more than that, I want to figure out how to use what I learn here to make a difference, not just for myself but for others."
Satisfied, I sat back down, exhaling softly. Ms. Athena gave a barely perceptible nod, her expression unreadable. Whether it was approval or indifference, I couldn't tell. The following student stood, their voice breaking the silence settling over the room.
This continued until all 25 students had completed their introductions. Most were quick and straightforward, with enough detail to fulfill the task. Noel and Natalia kept theirs brief but composed, reflecting their calm and focused natures.
Argon's introduction, however, wasn't exactly pleasant. His tone carried an air of arrogance, and how he emphasized his rank felt like a thinly veiled jab at those below him.
On the other hand, Doran's introduction stood out for all the right reasons. His words were confident yet warm, and his demeanour was approachable. He spoke with a natural charisma that immediately drew the room's attention, leaving a positive impression on most of us.
As the last introduction concluded, the room grew quiet again. The anticipation returned as everyone waited for Ms. Athena to speak.
"Thank you all for your introductions," Ms. Athena said, her voice commanding and making the room feel smaller. She took a moment to let her piercing gaze sweep across the class, ensuring every pair of eyes was on her. Then, with a faint, enigmatic smile, she continued, "Now, I have a question for all of you."
She paused, raising a hand to gesture around the dim, eerie classroom, its cracked ceiling exposing the swirling void above. "Do any of you know what I did to cause this transformation?"
Her question hung in the air like a challenge; some students exchanged uncertain glances while others furrowed their brows in thought. The silence stretched, and the tension grew as if the room itself demanded an answer.
A petite Veyrain girl shot her hand up, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Ms. Athena, you must have used one of your Aetheric abilities to put us in some sort..." She hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "...Illusion, just now."
Ms. Athena paused, her gaze sweeping the room with a subtle yet discerning look. "Do all of you agree with Virginia?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with a quiet authority. One by one, students nodded or muttered in agreement, their expressions ranging from confusion to cautious certainty.
The air in the classroom felt unnervingly cold, and a shiver crawled up my spine. Without hesitation, my hand shot up. I was sure of this; I could feel it. As Ms. Athena's eyes met mine, I spoke with confidence. "I believe the opposite," I said firmly, my voice carrying through the room. I wasn't wavering on this.
I scanned the classroom, which now felt unmistakably real. "Don't get me wrong," I added, keeping my voice steady. "I agree that an illusion-based ability was used—no doubt about it. But..." I let the word hang for a moment, letting the class absorb the certainty in my tone. "We're out of it. We've crossed back into reality."
There was no doubt in my mind. The sensation of the room—its coldness, the way the walls felt just a little too real—told me everything. Unwavering, I met Ms. Athena's gaze again as the room went silent.
"Your illusion doesn't just affect the visual," I said, my voice firm as I locked eyes with Ms. Athena. "It manipulates all sensory perceptions. You weren't just able to alter what we saw—you created the illusion of warmth, smell... even touch." My words hung in the cold air, precise and deliberate.
The room fell silent as the weight of my statement sank in.
I could feel the students' eyes on me, their gazes a mix of uncertainty and unease. Some exchanged quick, nervous glances, questioning whether I was onto something or grasping at straws.
Ms. Athena's expression remained unreadable, but something in her eyes—a flicker of interest, maybe even approval—told me I was close to the truth. The silence stretched, the air almost crackling with tension, but I didn't back down. I stood firm, letting the certainty of my deduction speak for itself.
"And what makes you so certain this is the true design of the classroom?" Ms. Athena asked, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile.
Her voice was calm, but her tone had an edge of challenge, as if daring me to prove my point. The weight of her gaze pressed against me, yet I refused to waver.
"Because," I replied confidently, my eyes scanning the room, "if it weren't, your illusion would have crumbled by now. The temperature, the textures, even the faint feel of dust beneath my fingers —it all feels too real to be part of a false construct." I turned my attention fully to her, my voice steady.
"But even beyond that, the way the shadows fall here matches the light source perfectly, and that's not something easily mimicked. It's subtle, but it's there."
A hushed murmur rippled through the class. Ms. Athena's smile grew slightly wider as though I had said something that intrigued her or perhaps amused her. "Interesting," she said, crossing her arms. "Go on."
"The final clue," I continued, holding Ms. Athena's gaze, "was when the room started to distort. I felt something... how do I put it? It was almost as though the Aetheric energy was unravelling—as you let purposely let it slip from your control and return to its natural state."