The night passed in serene silence. The faint sounds of rustling leaves outside the window and the distant hum of the academy's life provided a comforting background. The moonlight shifted through the hours, replaced by the faint amber glow of dawn as the sun crept over the horizon.
Morning broke gently, with the soft light of the rising sun filtering through the cracks of the curtains. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of dew that had settled on the academy grounds overnight. Arakh stirred, groaning softly as the golden rays spilled onto his face, warming his skin and coaxing him from the depths of sleep.
His fingers twitched under the pillow, and he blinked groggily, his vision swimming as he tried to adjust to the light. For a moment, he lay there disoriented, his mind struggling to reconcile the peace of this quiet morning with the chaos of the previous days. He half expected the hum of the altar or the sensation of time slipping away again, but all he heard was the distant chirping of birds and the faint chatter of students beginning their day.
Arakh finally sat up, rubbing his eyes with one hand while the other propped him up. His hair was a tousled mess, and he yawned widely, stretching his arms above his head. The faint creak of the bedframe beneath him reminded him of his new reality—no longer trapped, no longer running, but here, in this unfamiliar yet oddly comforting place.
His golden eyes wandered to the codex lying on the bedside table, the faint shimmer of its cover catching the morning light. The sight of it stirred a mixture of curiosity and apprehension within him. He reached for it, his fingers hovering above the book for a moment before pulling away. Later, he thought. For now, he just wanted to savor the normalcy of the morning, even if he knew it wouldn't last.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and let his feet touch the cool stone floor.
---
Meanwhile, inside one of the bustling classrooms of Elabra Academy, the air was alive with chatter, the hum of voices blending into a chaotic symphony. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating rows of neatly arranged desks, though very few students were actually seated. Most of them were huddled in groups, their excitement palpable as they discussed the unexpected events of the previous day.
"What do you think happened at the dorms?" one boy whispered, his voice barely audible over the din. He leaned in closer to his group, his dark eyes wide with curiosity.
"I heard Master Lorelai brought someone back herself," a girl with braided hair chimed in, her tone a mixture of awe and disbelief. "That never happens. She's so strict about rules."
"Not just someone," another boy interjected, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. "It was a kid. Looked about eleven—tiny, golden eyes, messy hair. He didn't even look like he belonged here!"
"I saw him too," said a taller girl with a sharp gaze, her voice cutting through the clamor. "He didn't just look like a kid—he was a kid. But the way he carried himself…" She trailed off, frowning. "It felt strange like he didn't belong, but at the same time, like he did. Almost as if…" She hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Almost as if he wasn't normal."
"Not normal?" another student scoffed, slapping his palm on the desk for emphasis. "You're making it sound like he's some kind of prodigy or… or a mythical hero from one of those old tales."
"Maybe he is," the braided-haired girl muttered, earning skeptical glances. "Think about it—Master Lorelai wouldn't go out of her way for just anyone. If she brought him here, he must be important."
Lorelai pushed the classroom door open, the hinges creaking loudly enough to cut through the chatter like a knife. The noise in the room died instantly, and every student turned their heads toward her, their faces tense with the fear of her usual sharp reprimands.
Her frown deepened.
Arakh wasn't in the classroom.
"Ugh," she groaned softly, pinching the bridge of her nose as she stepped inside. Realization struck her like a bolt. I forgot to tell him what time the class starts. It wasn't like her to overlook such details, but between the unusual events of the day prior...
---
Meanwhile, Arakh stood in front of a closed classroom door in a different wing of the academy. His hands rested on the wooden frame as he hesitated, staring at the plaque with a number he was sure didn't match Lorelai's classroom. He pushed the door open anyway, only to find the room completely empty.
Stepping inside, he glanced around at the rows of unoccupied desks and the faint smell of chalk dust. It felt eerie, as though the space had been abandoned long before he'd arrived. Closing the door behind him with a quiet click, he turned back into the corridor, his footsteps echoing faintly against the polished stone floors.
"Where is everyone?" he muttered, walking past rows of classrooms, each one just as empty. The vibrant morning sunlight filtered through the arched windows, but the absence of any movement gave the usually lively halls an unnerving stillness.
Arakh paused mid-step, his realization dawning. His shoulders slumped. "I'm late, aren't I?" he said aloud, his tone resigned. He scratched the back of his head, glancing around for any sign of life.
For a brief moment, the thought crossed his mind to turn back to the dormitory and avoid the embarrassment altogether. But then he shook his head. No, I'll figure it out. I just need to find the right classroom… somehow.
"ARAKH!!"
Indus jolted and the paper he was holding on scattered again. He sighed, "At least she chose to stay for a while." he picked up the stacked papers.
Arakh jolted, he knew who that sound belonged, and he knew the tone was not, approachable. He gulped, making his way toward the source of the sound. That was from the other wing of the academy!
Lorelai stood at the doorway of the classroom, arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed down the hallway. She spotted Arakh sprinting toward her, his disheveled hair bouncing with each hurried step, his face a mixture of panic and embarrassment. Her eyes narrowed into a stern glare as he closed the distance.
Arakh skidded to a stop a few paces in front of her, panting slightly. "I—uh—I didn't realize—" he began, but Lorelai cut him off with a raised hand.
"You're late," she stated flatly, her tone as sharp as a blade. Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned and pushed the classroom door open once more. She stepped inside with a commanding presence that demanded the students' attention.
The room fell silent, all eyes on her as she stood at the front of the class. "Alright," she began, her voice carrying authority. "We have a new Beginner Resonator joining us today. Try to get along with him… or don't. Whatever you see fit."
The students exchanged puzzled glances, clearly not expecting such a dismissive introduction. Before anyone could process her words, Arakh entered the classroom, closing the door behind him with an audible click.
Every head turned toward him. A palpable wave of shock rippled through the room as they took in his appearance. Unlike the rest of them, who wore the standard academy uniform—immaculate robes bearing the academy's insignia—Arakh stood out like a sore thumb. His simple, rugged attire betrayed his village origins, and the way he carried himself, though not unconfident, was undeniably different from the polished demeanor of the city-raised students.
Murmurs began to bubble up amongst the students, whispers carrying across the room as they tried to size him up.
"Is he serious? He didn't even bother wearing the uniform."
"Look at his boots… are those handmade?"
"Definitely a villager. Why is he here?"
Arakh stood at the front of the class, exuding an air of casual confidence as he pointed his thumb at his chin. "My name is Arakh Xei," he said, his voice loud enough to cut through the lingering murmurs. "I came from Kairan, just like Reikh." He smirked, adding with a teasing tilt of his head, "Let's get along, kids."
The classroom erupted into a wave of puzzled murmurs. A chorus of "Huh?" echoed through the room as students exchanged confused glances.
Arakh's smirk faltered as the realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Wait a second… I'm roughly the same age as them. His eyes widened in mild panic. Crap.
At the front of the room, Lorelai pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a heavy sigh. "Get yourself an empty seat, Arakh," she instructed, her tone laced with restrained exasperation.
"Y-Yes, Lo— Master Lorelai," Arakh stammered, quickly correcting himself. He nodded awkwardly before making his way up the steps of the tiered classroom.
With each step, he could feel the weight of the students' judgmental stares bearing down on him. The whispers were quieter now, but their rejection was palpable, hanging in the air like an oppressive fog. He clenched his fists briefly, frustrated with himself. That blunder's going to cost me, he thought. First impressions, ruined.
She paced in front of the class with her usual commanding demeanor. "Today, we'll be heading to the training grounds. If you're expecting an easy morning, think again. There will be no leniency—especially for beginners."
Her gaze flicked pointedly toward Arakh, who was still settling awkwardly into a seat near the back of the classroom. He stiffened under her scrutiny, suddenly aware of how out of place he looked among the polished academy students.
"Everyone, on your feet," Lorelai ordered, gesturing toward the door. "Form up and follow me."
The students obeyed reluctantly, their chairs scraping against the stone floor as they stood. Arakh hesitated for a moment before rising, trailing behind the group as they filed out of the classroom. The corridors were alive with the sound of shuffling feet and low murmurs, but Lorelai's sharp pace left no room for dawdling.
The training grounds sprawled before them, an open expanse surrounded by towering stone walls and shaded by the canopy of an ancient oak tree. The air was crisp and carried the faint scent of freshly turned earth. Wooden dummies and training weapons were neatly arranged along one side, while an arena in the center promised something far more daunting.
"Line up," Lorelai barked, her voice echoing across the grounds. The students hurried to obey, forming a neat row in front of her. Arakh found himself wedged between two students who gave him skeptical side glances, their judgmental expressions making him all the more self-conscious.
Lorelai's eyes scanned the line critically. She clasped her hands behind her back, her expression unreadable as she began to pace. "Combat readiness isn't just about strength," she began, her voice carrying easily across the grounds. "It's about instinct, adaptability, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. That's why today…" She stopped abruptly, turning on her heel to face the students. "We'll start with a demonstration."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, their collective tension palpable. Lorelai let the silence hang for a moment before her gaze locked onto Arakh. "You," she said, pointing a finger directly at him. "Step forward."
Arakh blinked, his heart skipping a beat. He felt the weight of every pair of eyes in the group shift onto him. "M-Me?" he asked, his voice faltering slightly.
Arakh swallowed hard, pushing down the wave of anxiety threatening to rise in his chest. His feet moved on their own, carrying him forward until he stood awkwardly in front of Lorelai. She crossed her arms, looking him up and down with an appraising gaze. I feel like I know where this is going, but that was TEN YEARS AGO!