"What the..."
I couldn't help but mutter as I slowly moved towards the mirror. When I was directly in front of the mirror I couldn't help but feel shocked.
In the mirror there was a handsome 17 year old boy with silky black hair that reached his waist level, deep black eyes that seemed to consume all light, thin lips, lean body and pale white skin.
'How did I change so much like this?' I thought as I slowly caressed my face here and there as I looked at the mirror some more.
"Ohh, you're awake? How do you feel?"
As I was lost in my own world, an elderly voice sounded beside me at the room entrance. The sudden arrival of another person riled me up so much that I couldn't help but jump back in fright as I faced the visitor.
When I got a clear look at the person I felt relieved because he was no stranger. He was Mr Bernard, the are giver at the school infirmary. He would help take care of those that are wounded or sick ensuring that they are not bored, in pain or in any discomfort. He was a kind soul.
He was an elder in his 40s, long white hair, brown eyes, average face and a gentle aura around him. It was even said that he had the nature element. No one had ever seen this man fighting ever.
"uhh, Mr Bernard. I'm feeling good I guess, thank you" I said as I rubbed my hair, it was now kind of a habit as I got used to doing it most of the time when I'm frustrated, lost or distracted.
"That's good. Do you remember anything about yesterday?"He asked as he looked into my eyes as if searching for answers.
When I heard that question I couldn't help but frown. 'What happened yesterday? Wasn't I getting a beating from Dean? Wait.... Did he just say yesterday? I've been sleeping for the whole day!
"Uhhh, not really. Whenever I try to remember I get this headache so I stopped trying"
"Ok, that's no problem. You need more rest. For now let's go. The principal has been waiting for you". Saying that he moved aside allowing me entry to the door.
Without even wasting a minute, I exited as we made our way to the principals office. On the way there, I couldn't help but notice the gazes the other students were giving me. All this added to my curiosity of what happened the previous day.
As we reached to an elegant gold and black door with dragon patterns drawn on it, my hands couldn't help but start shaking.
This was the principal's office. Every kid would feel nervous coming here. I turned my head left where Mr Bernard was standing and saw him looking back at me. With a slight smile, he gestured form me to enter.
With a deep breath, I raised my head, pushed open the door and entered. All this while my heart was running marathons inside my chest.
When I entered, I was shocked about what I saw. When I entered, my jaw nearly hit the floor.
The principal's office was nothing like I had imagined. Expecting the usual dull, book-filled space with old furniture and a creaky desk, I instead found myself standing in what looked like the throne room of a king.
The walls were adorned with intricate gold and black dragon motifs, their eyes seeming to glimmer as if alive. The floor was polished obsidian, reflecting faint light from a grand chandelier that hung above, its crystals shimmering like stars. Shelves filled with ancient tomes lined one wall, their spines glowing faintly with runes I didn't recognize. A massive window behind the desk bathed the room in warm sunlight, though outside, the sky seemed strangely overcast.
At the center of it all was the principal, seated in a high-backed chair that looked more like a throne. He was a regal figure, his sharp features framed by silver hair that seemed to glimmer faintly. His eyes, piercing and unreadable, met mine, and for a moment, I felt like my soul was being laid bare.
On the desk before him were two steaming cups of coffee, their aroma wafting through the room and calming my nerves ever so slightly.
"Ah, Sean," the principal said, his voice smooth but commanding. "Please, come in. Have a seat."
I hesitated, my legs suddenly feeling like lead. The gravity of the room—and the man before me—was almost overwhelming. But I forced myself to move, taking cautious steps toward the chair opposite him. As I sat down, the principal slid one of the cups toward me.
"Drink," he said, gesturing toward the cup. "It will help with the headache."
I stared at the cup for a moment before taking a tentative sip. The coffee was surprisingly sweet, with a hint of something floral. Almost instantly, the lingering ache in my head began to fade.
"Better?" he asked, watching me intently.
I nodded, still unsure what to say.
The principal leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "I imagine you have many questions," he began. "And I will answer them. But first, I must ask—what do you remember about yesterday?"
I frowned, setting the cup down. "Not much," I admitted. "I remember… Dean beating me up. Then everything's blank. When I try to think about it, it just hurts."
The principal studied me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then he sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"I see. That's to be expected."
"Expected?" I echoed, confused.
The principal leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "Sean, what happened yesterday was extraordinary. Something that hasn't been seen in centuries. Tell me—have you noticed anything strange about yourself lately? Unexplained bursts of energy? Unusual strength? Changes in your appearance?"
My mind flashed to the mirror, to the unfamiliar face that stared back at me. The black hair, the pale skin, the strange, consuming eyes. I nodded slowly.
"I… I don't know how it happened," I admitted. "I looked in the mirror today, and I barely recognized myself. It's like I've changed overnight."
The principal nodded, as if this confirmed something he already knew.
"Sean," he said, his voice low but steady, "you've awakened a power that was thought to be lost to history. A power that most believed would never return."
My heart skipped a beat. "What… what are you talking about?"
The principal's gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The Dark Element."
I blinked, the words hanging in the air like a heavy weight. "The… Dark Element?"
He nodded. "Long ago, before the current era of elemental mastery, there were rare individuals who could command the darkness itself. They were both revered and feared, for their power was unmatched. But the Dark Element is volatile, dangerous. Those who wielded it often lost themselves to its corruption. Over time, the art was forgotten, sealed away to prevent further destruction. Until now."
I swallowed hard, my palms suddenly clammy. "You're saying… I have this power?"
"Yes," the principal said firmly. "And yesterday, it awakened. You nearly lost control, Sean. If I hadn't intervened, you could have…" He trailed off, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite identify. Regret? Fear?
My stomach churned. "Could have what?"
"Killed Dean," he said bluntly.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt my breath catch, my chest tightening. "I… I wouldn't…"
"But you almost did," the principal said, cutting me off. "And that is the nature of the Dark Element. It feeds on your emotions—anger, fear, hatred. If you let it consume you, it will control you. Yesterday was a glimpse of what could happen if you don't learn to master it."
I stared at him, my mind racing. This couldn't be real. Dark Element? Ancient power? It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel.
"What happens now?" I asked finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
The principal leaned back, his expression softening slightly. "Now, we train you. I won't lie to you, Sean—this won't be easy. The path you're on is dangerous, and the stakes are higher than you realize. But if you're willing to learn, to fight for control, you can turn this power into something extraordinary. Something that could change the world."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I took a deep breath, my mind still reeling. But deep down, a flicker of determination sparked to life.
"Okay," I said finally, meeting his gaze. "Teach me."
The principal smiled, a rare glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Good. Then let's begin."
And with that, my life changed forever.