Tionus stood outside the School of Leonis, taking in its grandeur. The stone courtyard bustled with activity as other disciples-to-be prepared to depart from their families for the year, ready to dive into the world of the Abyssals. Tionus stood alone, a state he had grown accustomed to since losing his parents years before.
The School of Leonis was a large, temple-like structure built from various types of wood and stone. At its entrance was a wooden arch with a sign overhead reading School of Leonis. Just beyond the arch lay a small garden adorned with pink flowers, leading up to the main building.
Without any family or friends to bid farewell to, Tionus headed through the archway and toward the school's wooden patio, where a man dressed in black robes stood. He was older, with long, grey hair that hung to his shoulders, and wore wooden sandals. His face was lightly wrinkled, but his frame seemed solid. What struck Tionus most, however, was the profound weight of the man's presence. He had stood near many great Abyssals before, but none this powerful since his parents' death.
The man, noticing his unease, smiled at Tionus, and he found the expression surprisingly comforting.
"Young Tionus," the man said, "it is wonderful to have you enrolling with us. I am Violen, Master of the Leonis School. I see you are the first to arrive, though we must wait for the others before I properly introduce myself."
Tionus bowed his head low to Violen, finally realising who the man was. He had heard much about him but had never met him in person.
"It is an honour, Master Violen."
...
A few moments later, the garden filled with those here to enrol at the school, all dressed in the white robes typical of disciples. There was an equal number of men and women, as was customary for Leonis disciples, who believed there was no spiritual difference between genders, unlike the Third and Eighth Schools.
"Welcome, newcomers," Violen spoke in a calm voice that carried effortlessly through the garden's air. "I am pleased to welcome all one hundred of you to the School of Leonis, our great founder. If he were here today, he would be filled with joy at the sight of those wishing to follow his ways and ensure that his legacy remains."
Tionus had always respected Leonis, as had his parents, but he knew he was less familiar with Leonis's teachings than he should be. Hopefully, I'm not the only one who has neglected my studies, he thought.
"I am Master Violen, head of this esteemed school. I will look after you during your time here, so grow used to seeing my face. Now, allow me to show you inside," Violen said as he opened the sliding doors to the school and stepped in. After a few moments, the disciples followed.
The first room was a large hall, plain in design and void of ornament. Its floor was soft, layered with some kind of fabric, and along the walls were numerous doors. At the far end of the hall was another door, similar to the one they had just entered.
"This is the Meditation Room, where our disciples come to focus on their hearts. Some like to bring their studies here and read on the floor, so it also serves as a study room for those inclined to learning." Tionus flushed at the mention.
Violen moved past the rooms to the back entrance and threw the doors wide. Outside was another garden, even more beautiful than the one at the front. It was decorated with various flowers and hedges, and through its centre ran a small river, which they crossed using a wooden bridge. They continued, admiring the garden's beauty, until they reached a grassy field stretching out farther than they could see.
Violen turned to address the disciples.
"If you continue ahead, you will reach the crater, and in its depths, you will find the abyss. However, you needn't worry about that until you have awakened your heart and become open to Abyssal powers."
The words filled Tionus with anticipation and excitement. After all, this was why he had come—to follow in the footsteps of his parents, two of history's greatest Abyssals.
"How long will it take for us to awaken our hearts?" he asked, regretting it as all eyes turned toward him, including Violen's. To his surprise, the master smiled.
"Keen. Just like your father, Herus," he said, causing Tionus to flush with embarrassment. The mention of his father sparked whispers among the other disciples. Now that they knew he was Herus's son, his peers would likely never see him as an equal, only as the son of a great figure, showing him respect he felt he did not deserve. The thought bothered him, but he pushed it aside as Violen silenced the whispers.
"Do not worry, young Tionus. Your heart will awaken when it is ready, whether that be today, or a year from now—who knows. For now, let us head back to the school and into the dorms; the night grows late, and you must rest well for tomorrow."
The thought that his heart might awaken as soon as the next day, though unlikely, filled Tionus with even more excitement.
...
Back in the hall, Violen pointed to one of the numerous doors.
"Inside is where you will sleep," he said, opening the door. Inside, bed mats were lined along the floor in rows, each with a small wooden chest at its end for personal belongings. The room was divided by a curtain which could be drawn to desperate the men and women.
"Choose a bed and rest; I do not wish to keep you awake much longer. If you need to use a restroom, head to the door closest to your left. We will meet again before sunrise, then proceed to the dining room for breakfast. After that, you will begin your first meditation. We will see who truly possesses the capability and desire to become an Abyssal and who is here merely to fulfil the wishes of their parents. Goodnight, disciples—sleep well."