Alaric followed Master Vaelion through the winding halls of the academy, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. The academy, with its towering spires and vast chambers, seemed to stretch endlessly, like a labyrinth built to test even the most seasoned of minds. Each corner held secrets, and each hallway seemed to pulse with the magic that flowed through its ancient veins.
They passed through corridors lined with bookshelves that reached the ceiling, filled with tomes containing knowledge from eons past. Some of these books were so old that their pages looked as though they might crumble at the slightest touch, yet the magic imbued within them seemed to preserve them in an almost perfect state.
Vaelion's pace was steady and unhurried, as though he had walked these halls countless times and had no need to rush. His long robes flowed behind him with an elegant, almost predatory grace. Alaric couldn't help but notice the aura of power surrounding him—Vaelion was not a man to be underestimated. There was a palpable presence about him, a quiet authority that made even the academy's most powerful mages defer to him.
"Master Vaelion," Alaric said after a moment of silence, his voice respectful but curious. "I have to ask… why me? There are many talented students here, but you chose me. Why?"
Vaelion glanced at him, his sharp gaze piercing through the veil of polite curiosity in Alaric's voice. "Ah, so you're already questioning the decision," he said with a thin smile. "Good. It means you have a mind of your own. But it's not a question that has an easy answer."
They reached a large door at the end of the hall, intricately carved with symbols Alaric didn't recognize. Vaelion turned to him, his expression serious.
"I chose you, Alaric Solis, because you have something that no other student here has. You are not just a prodigy in magic; you possess something far rarer, far more dangerous—divine energy."
Alaric's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his divine energy. He had known that it was unique, but hearing someone else speak of it with such weight made it feel more real, more ominous.
Vaelion continued, sensing the shift in Alaric's demeanor. "Do you understand the implications of what you have? Most mages in this world possess only mana—their magic comes from the energy that flows through the very fabric of this world. But you…" He paused for a moment, his gaze sharpening. "You have something beyond that. Divine energy is not just a different kind of magic; it is a power that transcends this realm. It comes from the gods, from realms far beyond our reach. It can create or destroy with but a thought. And if used carelessly, it can consume the user entirely."
Alaric swallowed hard, the weight of Vaelion's words sinking in. He had always known that his power was beyond anything anyone had seen before, but the way Vaelion spoke about it made him feel small, insignificant.
"How do I control it?" Alaric asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He had always felt a constant pull inside him, a tug of energy that he couldn't quite understand. It was as if there was a storm brewing within him, one that could either give him the power to reshape the world or destroy him in the process.
Vaelion studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing with contemplation. "Control isn't the word you should be concerned with. Mastery is. If you wish to wield this divine energy, you must learn to merge it with your own mana. Only by balancing both can you hope to use them effectively."
He opened the door before them, revealing a small, circular room. The walls were lined with mirrors, each reflecting the dim light of the room, casting long shadows. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a crystal that pulsed with an inner glow.
"This is where we will begin," Vaelion said, his voice low and commanding. "The first step to mastering divine energy is understanding it. We will start with a simple exercise—a meditation that will help you connect to the divine energy within."
Alaric stepped into the room, his eyes drawn to the glowing crystal. It was beautiful, but there was something unsettling about it as well. The way it seemed to pulse with an almost unnatural rhythm made his skin crawl.
Vaelion gestured for Alaric to sit cross-legged on the floor before the pedestal. "Sit, and focus," he instructed. "Clear your mind of everything. Forget about the academy, about your friends, about the trials ahead. For the next few hours, you will focus solely on the divine energy within you."
Alaric did as he was told, taking a deep breath as he sat down on the cold stone floor. He closed his eyes, pushing everything out of his mind except for the sensation of the divine energy within him. It was strange, almost like an untamed beast, thrashing against its confines, eager to be free.
As he focused, the world around him seemed to blur. He could feel the energy swirling inside him, pulsing with heat. It was as if his very blood had been replaced with molten power, ready to erupt at any moment.
Vaelion's voice broke through his concentration. "Focus, Alaric. Let the energy flow through you, but do not let it control you. Remember, you are the one who must control it."
The words seemed to anchor him, grounding him in the present moment. He took another deep breath, letting the divine energy course through his body, feeling it flow from his chest, down his arms, and into his fingertips. It was like holding onto a lightning bolt, but instead of fear, he felt an overwhelming sense of power.
Suddenly, a jolt of pain shot through his chest, making him gasp. The divine energy within him surged forward, threatening to consume him whole. He gritted his teeth, fighting against the tide, but it felt impossible. The power was too great, too wild.
"Focus, Alaric!" Vaelion's voice came again, sharper this time. "If you let the energy control you, you will lose yourself. Breathe, and let the energy settle."
Alaric struggled to calm himself, focusing on his breath. Slowly, gradually, he felt the chaotic surge of divine energy begin to settle. It was still there, pulsing within him, but it was no longer a storm—it was a river, flowing steadily, under his control.
He opened his eyes, gasping for air, drenched in sweat. His body trembled, but there was a fire in his chest—a fire that had been tamed, yet still burned brightly.
"You did well," Vaelion said, his tone acknowledging the effort. "But this is only the beginning. Divine energy will never be easy to control. It will test you at every turn. But if you can master it, you will become a force unlike any this world has ever seen."
Alaric nodded, his heart still racing. He knew that what he had just experienced was only a fraction of what lay ahead. But for the first time since his rebirth into this world, he felt a glimmer of hope—a sense that he might actually be able to master this power.
"Thank you, Master Vaelion," Alaric said, his voice filled with resolve. "I will continue to train, to push myself. I won't stop until I've mastered this energy."
Vaelion gave a small nod of approval. "Good. Your training will continue tomorrow. Rest well tonight, for the path ahead is not an easy one. But know this, Alaric Solis—you are destined for greatness. Never forget that."
Alaric stood up, his muscles aching from the intensity of the training, but there was a fire inside him now. The divine energy, the power that had once seemed so alien and terrifying, was now something he could hold in his hands. It was part of him, and he would make it bend to his will.
As he left the room, his mind was filled with the promise of what lay ahead. The academy had given him a chance, and now he would show them that he was not just another student. He was something more—a force that would shape the future of this world.
And nothing would stop him from reaching the top.