Kaiden walked into the classroom with an air of caution, his mismatched eyes scanning the room. The first thing he noticed was how regal the space felt—ornate desks carved from obsidian with faint glowing runes etched into their surfaces, and a massive Flow-powered chandelier casting soft, ambient light over the room.
Thirty desks were arranged neatly, and a handful of students were already seated. Each of them carried an air of refinement, their postures straight and their clothing immaculate. Kaiden instantly felt out of place.
The students weren't all human, either. At least five of them had visible differences—slit-pupiled eyes, faintly glowing skin, or elongated ears. Kaiden's mind whirled. He'd heard of other races, but seeing them in person was different.
Among the familiar faces, Kaiden spotted Luthor, whose bulky frame made his desk look comically small, Nira, her dark hair as striking as ever, and Lucas, who practically radiated effortless confidence.
The Quiet Entrance
Kaiden made his way to the back of the room, hoping to avoid unnecessary attention. The last thing he wanted was to stand out among students who looked like they belonged in a palace. Unfortunately for him, his plan didn't work.
As he sat down, whispers began spreading through the room.
"Who's that?"
"Isn't he the top scorer of group 6?"
"His eyes—look at his eyes!"
Kaiden sighed inwardly, wishing he could fade into the shadows. He was used to stares, but it didn't make them any less annoying.
A moment later, Laucas strolled in, his impossibly perfect features earning admiring glances from the students. Kaiden watched as Laucas scanned the room, his gaze landing on the seat next to Kaiden. Without hesitation, he walked over and sat down.
Kaiden raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?" He said in silence.
Lucas smirked.
Kaiden could only watch as the disguting muscle human being sat next to him.
The whispers intensified. Having the two most talked-about students sitting together only fueled the curiosity of their classmates.
The Teacher Arrives
The room fell silent as the door opened, and a tall, elegant figure stepped in. The teacher was a man with sharp features, silver hair slicked back neatly, and piercing gray eyes. His clothing was immaculate—a tailored black suit with crimson trim, giving him an air of both authority and sophistication.
He placed a sleek, rune-etched briefcase on the desk and surveyed the room with an unreadable expression. When he spoke, his voice was smooth and commanding, drawing everyone's attention.
"Welcome," he began, "to the first day of your journey at the Ashen Spire Academy. My name is Professor Caldris, and I will be your instructor in Flow Fundamentals and its advanced applications."
The students straightened in their seats, their attention locked on him. Kaiden found himself listening intently despite himself.
"This class," Caldris continued, "consists of the top five participants from each of the six groups. The elite among you." His gaze swept the room. "Twenty-five of you represent the noble houses of the Sovereignty, and five of you—the top scorers of Group Six—represent the low nobles."
Kaiden caught a few sideways glances from his classmates at the mention of low nobles. He ignored them, keeping his focus on Caldris.
"We are not here to debate ranks," Caldris said sharply, as if sensing the undercurrent of judgment. "You are all here because you have potential. It is my job to ensure that potential is realized."
The First Lesson: Understanding Flow
Caldris picked up a piece of obsidian chalk and began writing on the board.
"Let us start with a question." He turned to face the class. "What is Flow?"
A hand shot up immediately, belonging to a girl with shimmering silver hair and golden eyes—a race Kaiden didn't recognize. She spoke with confidence.
"It's the energy within our bodies," she said.
"Correct," Caldris replied. "But that is only the surface-level answer. Flow is far more complex. Allow me to explain."
He began to write three headings on the board: Essence, Flow, Resonance.
"These are the three pillars of Flow. If you wish to master it, you must understand each one deeply."
Essence (Who You Are)
"First," Caldris said, tapping the board, "Essence. This is who you are at your core—your personality, your values, your worldview. Your abilities with Flow are not random; they are a reflection of your Essence."
He drew four symbols under the heading: Creation, Destruction, Harmony, Chaos.
"Each of you aligns with a Prime Aspect, an archetype tied to a fundamental concept of reality.
Creation: Building, healing, crafting.Destruction: Breaking, disrupting, decaying.Harmony: Balancing opposites, connecting forces.Chaos: Unpredictability, transformation, wild energy."
Kaiden leaned forward slightly, intrigued.
"Your Essence determines how you use Flow. For example, a Creation Flowcaster might summon tools or heal injuries, while a Destruction Flowcaster might shatter objects or disrupt energy. This alignment reflects not just your abilities but your personality."
Flow (How You Use It)
"Next," Caldris continued, "Flow itself—the energy that powers your abilities. There are three primary ways to use Flow:
Enhance: Boosting physical or mental abilities.Project: Using Flow externally, such as firing blasts or creating shields.Shape: Altering the environment or creating constructs, such as walls or illusions."
Kaiden's mind raced as he connected the explanation to his own abilities. He had been enhancing and projecting Flow without realizing the terminology.
"Flow is finite," Caldris warned. "Overuse it, and you'll face Flow Burnout, weakening yourself until you recover. Managing your reserves is key to survival."
Resonance (How You Connect)
"Finally, Resonance," Caldris said, his tone sharpening. "This is how your Essence interacts with the world, others, or objects. Resonance unlocks advanced techniques:
Synergy: Combining powers with allies.Echoes: Storing Flow energy in objects.Exploitation: Detecting weaknesses in an enemy's Essence to turn the tide."
Kaiden's mind reeled at the possibilities. The explanation made Flow feel more structured yet infinitely complex.
The End of Class
"As you grow," Caldris concluded, "you will pass Thresholds, moments of personal or emotional growth that deepen your connection to your Essence. These breakthroughs allow you to evolve, perhaps even gaining a secondary Aspect."
He turned to face the class, his gaze piercing. "Tomorrow, we will delve into the races and ranks of the Sovereignty. I expect all of you to study the basics tonight. Dismissed."
Kaiden stood, his mind still processing the information. As he made his way toward the door, he felt the stares of his classmates. Some were curious, others wary.
"Kaiden," Lucas said, walking beside him. "You're surprisingly focused for someone who looks like they'd rather be anywhere else."
Kaiden shrugged. Wondering why the kid is talking to him.
Lucas smirked, shaking his head. "You're an odd one and also watching people is weird."
Kaiden didn't reply knowing he had been caught spying through the cams, his thoughts already turning to tomorrow.
End of Chapter 72
Kaiden takes his first steps into the academic side of the Ashen Spire Academy, learning the deeper intricacies of Flow. With new knowledge and the weight of his classmates' gazes, he begins to prepare for the challenges ahead.
To be continued...