I awoke—or perhaps that wasn't the right word. I slept, though I wasn't truly asleep. It was more like wandering from one dream to the next, each one as vivid and tangible as the room around me.
It was such a strange experience. Even as I dreamed, I could feel the world around my body as though I were experiencing both the real world and the dream simultaneously.
I arrived at my dormitory late last night, long after most of the students had already retreated to their rooms. I was thankful for the solitude; my mind wasn't in the right space, and I craved nothing more than to be left alone.
It was hard to be social after spending what felt like an eternity in isolation. I felt like a stranger—not just to the others but to myself.
The early morning sky shimmered through my window as I prepared for the day—the real sky, not one conjured by dreams. The sunlight's warmth kissed my skin, and oh, how deeply I had missed it. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to bask in its gentle embrace. My eyes were now fully accustomed to the light, and with the ability to manipulate aether, I no longer required the veil I once used as a sensory buffer.
I felt... great. Or at least as great as I could be. The lingering weight of the trial still clung to me, but I chose to push it aside for now.
Skipping breakfast seemed like the easiest decision—I lacked any appetite anyway. Instead, I headed straight for the training ground, eager to focus on something tangible, something real.
I channelled aetheric energy through my aether channels, letting it flow in deliberate cycles within me. It felt strange at first, an unfamiliar current threading through my being, yet oddly... comfortable, as if it had always been meant to be there. With each cycle, I could feel it empowering my movements—lightening my steps, sharpening my senses. As I progressed toward the classroom, the process began to feel natural and seamless. The more I cycled the aether, the more attuned I became, as if my body and the energy were finally learning to move as one.
I flexed my core, pulling the surrounding aetheric energy into my body. It was like a magnet drawing in the force around me, filling me with raw power. The familiar hum of energy surged through me, filling my core to the brim.
I crossed the bridge in long strides, making my way to the expansive training ground. I needed to better understand my newfound powers, and this seemed like the perfect moment. I'd left early, giving myself more than two hours before class started, plenty of time to push my limits before anyone else showed up.
The training ground was scattered with practice dummies, each a marvel of advanced technology forged with the help of rune smiths and master forgers. Standing around six feet tall, they resembled human figures, though their faces were blank, devoid of features. Instead, intricate runic patterns spiralled across their wooden bodies, glowing faintly as if the runes themselves were alive.
"Activate," I commanded aloud, my voice firm as I stood before the dummies. "Set parameters for a newly awakened."
I had used these dummies before, back at home, but never at this setting. Typically, I had them calibrated for an unawakened state, the power of my non-aetheric body limiting what I could safely handle. But now, with the surge of energy flowing through me, it was different.
"I give you permission to use weapons," I stated firmly, my voice sharp with command. "Ground rules to follow: stop when I'm unconscious. Set your parameters so that you deactivate and leave the training area if you receive a vital blow. Five minutes after receiving the blow, you can re-enter the fight; if any dummies remain; if none remain, stay deactivated."
I watched as the dummy's runes flared brightly in response to my commands. Their wooden frames groaning under the weight of the adjustments, the air crackling with energy as weapons materialized from neutral aetheric energy—blades, spears, and shields, all shimmering under the morning light. The dummy's movements were deliberate as they prepared for battle.
Taking in a deep breath, I quieted my mind, allowing control to take root. Control over my body, control over my emotions, and control over the world around me. At first, it felt foreign, like grasping at something slippery I had lost long ago. The turmoil of my past lingered just out of reach, threatening to derail my focus. But with each steady inhale and exhale, I felt my mind begin to settle, sharpening like a blade in the hands of its master.
It was hard to find control again after so long, but in the span of a few breaths, everything else seemed to fade into nothingness—all the useless thoughts and distractions dissolved, leaving only one singular task.
I opened my eyes, and in that instant, the seven training dummies surged forward, their movements swift and calculated. The air crackled with tension, and my instincts flared to life. Without thinking, my Dream Blade materialized in my hand, its form solidifying as if it had always been there, responding to my command before I even willed it.
The weight of the blade was familiar, like an extension of myself. The dummies closed in, their movements relentless, but I was ready. Each one moved with precision, their weapons aimed at me. As the first dummy lunged forward, its aetheric shield raised to ram into me, I swiftly hopped backward. The shield missed by mere inches, and with a single fluid motion, I slashed forward.
My Dream Blade crackled with purple aetheric energy, the blade glowing as it collided with the shield. The impact sent a ripple of energy through the air, the aetheric forces crackling and sparking as the two powers clashed. There was no metal, only the raw essence of aether fighting against aether. The shield trembled under the force, but it held its ground, struggling to resist the power of my strike.
The dummy staggered, its form flickering as the force of the blow disrupted its stability. My senses heightened as I realized I was surrounded. The remaining dummies closed in from all directions, their movements calculated and swift.
Without hesitation, I rushed toward the staggering dummy, its shield still held in a defensive stance. With a burst of speed, I slammed into it, using its aetheric shield as leverage to propel myself over its head. The shield vibrated with energy as I vaulted over, landing behind the line of dummies.