The lecture hall had quieted, the ambient noise of students shuffling papers and whispering to each other coming to a halt. Kaiden sat in his seat, leaning forward with his elbows on the desk, trying to steady his nerves. His mismatched eyes flickered from one student to another as Professor Caldris spoke, his voice cutting through the quiet.
"Alright, class," Caldris said, his tone calm and composed, but there was a certain energy to it today. "Today, we begin the true discovery of who you are. We've covered the basic tenets of Flow, the various ranks and races, and how your abilities evolve. But now it's time to delve deeper into the core of your power."
Kaiden shifted slightly in his seat. He had learned a lot, but there was always this nagging feeling that something was missing. Today was the day. The day he'd learn about his true essence, about his true Prime Aspect. What was he really capable of? Could he be more than just the survivor?
As he listened to Caldris, his thoughts drifted back to his experiences—the raiders, the training, and the battles. All of it had led him here, to this moment where he would finally understand what made him tick, where he would see if he truly was something different from the others.
"Today," Caldris continued, "you will learn about your Prime Aspect. This is the core of who you are. It's not something you can easily change, nor should you want to. It's the power that defines you."
Kaiden exhaled slowly, shifting his attention from the professor to the rest of the class. His eyes scanned over the faces of his peers, noting how some seemed confident while others were filled with uncertainty. He felt the same, but there was no turning back now. He had to face whatever was coming.
"Now, let's start with something simple," Caldris said, his gaze sweeping the room. "Who can tell me the eighth rank in the Fighter Ranks?"
A murmur rippled through the class as students shifted in their seats. A few of them raised their hands, but it was Kaiden who spoke up immediately.
"It's Outlaw," Kaiden said, his voice steady. "They specialize in stealth and guerilla tactics—ambushes and subterfuge."
"Correct," Caldris acknowledged with a small smile. "One point for Kaiden. Now, let's move on."
The professor waved his hand, and Kaiden felt a ripple of energy as the room shifted. A new space materialized before them, different from the lecture hall. They were now standing in a dimly lit chamber. In the center stood a tall, imposing machine—sleek, silver, with pulsating lights. It hummed quietly, but Kaiden could feel its presence. It radiated an undeniable energy.
"This," Caldris said, "is the Essence Nexus. It will read your Flow and tell you what aspect aligns with your core. It will tell you who you truly are—whether you're someone who creates, someone who destroys, someone who balances, or someone who thrives in chaos."
Kaiden's heart skipped a beat. He knew what he wanted his aspect to be. Or rather, he thought he did. The idea of having a destructive nature had always been part of him, but was that truly his essence? Could he be someone who created things, too? He didn't know.
Lucas's POV
As Kaiden stood in the line with the rest of the students, Lucas, seated across the room, glanced at his system, his mind focused on what was ahead. The anticipation in the air was palpable. He could feel it. The tension. The need to know.
[System Panel]
Name: Lucian Kasir
Level: 17
Stats:
Strength: 21.7
Agility: 22.8
Vitality: 19.0
Intelligence: 20.5
Endurance: 11.3
Skills:
Basic Combat Proficiency
Body Manipulation – Very Basic
Rage Amplification – Locked
Flow Compatibility: High
Lucas's mind wandered briefly as he stared at the numbers in his system. It had been an intense few weeks. His training had been grueling, but here he was, part of the elite group. His thoughts flickered to his own prime aspect. Chaos, most likely. He had always felt a connection to the unpredictability of battle, to the destruction that came with it. That was his nature.
But he couldn't be sure. No one could.
He glanced around the room at the students, most of whom were royalty or low noble-born. Two red-haired twins—Astra and Caden—sat in the front row, exchanging whispered conversations with one another. They were calm and poised, as always. Their confidence was palpable. They probably already knew what their aspect was, but it still didn't hurt to confirm.
Astra had always leaned toward Creation, a nurturing force in the world, while Caden, with his merciless demeanor, most likely aligned with Destruction.
Finally, the teacher called the students to line up one by one and approach the Essence Nexus. Lucas stood and slowly made his way forward, eyes steely and composed.
As he placed his hand on the Nexus, the device hummed to life. It lit up, scanning him, and within seconds, the result flashed onto the screen.
"Chaos. Aligns with transformation, unpredictability, and wild energy."
Lucas stood still, a small grin forming on his lips. He hadn't been surprised. It made sense. His Body Manipulation, his ability to transform and bend his body beyond natural limits—Chaos was always a part of him. His power was one of change, of wild potential. It was what made him so dangerous.
Kaiden's Turn
Now, it was Kaiden's turn. He stepped up to the Essence Nexus, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The room fell silent as the machine hummed to life. His hand hovered over the core, and he closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
Was he ready for this? Could he truly handle what was about to be revealed?
With a deep breath, Kaiden placed his hand on the Nexus, feeling the hum of the machine resonate through his entire being. Time seemed to stretch as the Nexus scanned him, analyzing his very essence. The hum grew louder, more intense, until finally, the machine's voice spoke.
"Creation and Destruction."
Kaiden's eyes widened. The room fell deathly quiet as the words echoed in the chamber. Creation and Destruction? His heart raced. Was that even possible?
The professor's face was one of shock, his expression flickering between curiosity and disbelief. "Creation and Destruction? That's... unprecedented," Caldris muttered under his breath, but he quickly composed himself. "Very well. It seems our Kaiden is quite the paradox."
The students stared at Kaiden, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. His peers had seen him as a fighter, someone quick to throw himself into battle, but Creation? Wasn't that the realm of healers and builders? Destruction? That was the chaos of war. Could Kaiden really embody both?
Lucas's gaze shifted to Kaiden, his expression thoughtful. He hadn't expected this. Kaiden had always been unpredictable, but Creation and Destruction together—those were opposite forces. Yet here they were, laid bare for all to see.
The Surprise
The room remained still as the rest of the students processed the results. It felt like an eternity before anyone spoke. Finally, Lucas broke the silence, his voice low but laced with amusement.
"Huh. Guess that makes sense," he said with a slight grin. "You've always been a bit of a paradox, Kaiden."
Kaiden smirked in response, his lips curling up. He didn't know what to make of it himself, but something about hearing Lucas speak in that way almost made him feel more comfortable with the revelation.
The rest of the students exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. Kaiden's heart pounded in his chest as he stood before them. He was something new, something different, and he wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse.
But, whatever it was, he couldn't turn back now. This was the power that resonated within him. Creation. Destruction. He was a force in balance.
He would have to learn to wield both.
As the professor continued to explain the process of Flow and the paths each aspect might take, Kaiden let his mind wander. He was no longer worried about what others thought. It was time to focus on his own journey.
End of Chapter