The next morning, Zoser woke up feeling something new pulsing inside him. The sun had started to slip through his window, bathing the room in warm, golden rays. He got up slowly, but soon felt a strange sense of excitement filling him. Today was his first real day at the Royal Academy, and it would surely be different from anything he'd seen before.
He began his day with some simple exercises to prepare his body, then went to the bath to wash up. Afterward, he looked at himself in the mirror. He was still the same boy who had come from his distant village, but now he carried something new within him, something that belonged to a place bigger than his former world. He carefully dressed in his new clothes, then left his room and made his way to the first floor where his supervisor was waiting.
The supervisor led them to the main lecture hall where the introductory lecture would begin. As they arrived, Zoser noticed that many students from other groups had already gathered. With each step, he felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He left his group and entered the hall, which was bustling with movement.
As Zoser searched for a seat, he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Jibran smiling at him. "Hey, little brother! Are you ready for what we're about to witness today?" Jibran said eagerly, throwing his arm over Zoser's shoulder as if they had known each other for ages.
Zoser smiled, though Jibran's words seemed full of optimism and energy, while he himself still felt a little anxious. "I don't know... everything here is so new."
Yuro, who had been reading a book, responded calmly, "New things are always hard at first, but over time you'll get used to them." His tone was steady, as it always was, as if reassuring everyone.
As they spoke, Zoser noticed Hange sitting silently, her eyes distant. She briefly looked up at him, then returned to her thoughts. It was strange how each of them expressed themselves differently: Jibran with his enthusiasm, Yuro with his calmness, and Hange with her constant silence.
Suddenly, Master Seth entered the hall, causing everyone to fall silent. He wore a sleek black coat bearing the academy's emblem, and his deep green eyes seemed to capture every movement in the room. He was tall, with a thick beard and white hair, and his imposing presence made all the students feel the weight of the academy they had entered.
"Good morning, everyone, and welcome to your first day at the Royal Academy." Seth began, his voice powerful, signaling that today would mark the beginning of a new chapter. "You will learn a great deal here, but first, let me remind you of something important: This academy is not just a place of study. It is a place to test your abilities to face challenges, hone your skills in combat, magic, and leadership."
He paused for a moment, as if watching the students' reactions. Like the rest, Zoser felt a mix of awe and tension. Seth pointed to a massive 3D map hanging behind him.
"This is the map of the academy in detail. Learn it well, for it will guide you."
Seth then explained the layout of the academy as if describing a whole new world: the main hall that stretches up three floors, the vast training grounds where combat and spiritual energy skills are practiced, and the grand library full of ancient knowledge. The academy was a massive, beautiful place, like an ancient temple honoring the heroes who had graduated from it.
He continued to explain the academy's teaching system. "First, the day is divided into three periods: The first runs from morning until noon, covering theoretical subjects, some optional and others mandatory. The second period, after lunch until sunset, will focus on practical lessons and physical training. The third period is your free time, but it is the most important because you will review what you've learned and work on improving your skills."
Seth spoke about the system of rewards and punishments, where students who excelled could join elite classes, but those who failed two consecutive tests would be expelled. He also mentioned that at the end of the year, there would be a comprehensive exam to evaluate each student's progress in training, physical fitness, and knowledge.
"And finally," Seth said, looking at each student carefully, "a booklet containing the academy's rules will be distributed. Memorize it well, because breaking the rules can result in severe punishment, even death."
The students exchanged looks, and it was clear that some, like Jibran, were eager for the competition, while others, like Hange, seemed lost in thought. Zoser's gaze shifted between everything Seth had said.
As Seth finished speaking, the students sat in complete silence, reflecting on what they had heard. They all knew that this was not just academic learning; it was a real test of their strength, determination, and abilities. Most importantly, each one of them understood that there was no room for failure here.
At the end of his speech, Master Seth announced, "I have finished presenting what I had for you, but today will be special. Your first official lecture will be mandatory. I will introduce you to Master Sid, who will teach you everything about the Aether and how to enhance your skills in dealing with it."
At that moment, an elderly man, well over eighty years old, entered. His back was hunched as he walked with a heavy cane, and his glasses hung from the tip of his nose. Despite his slow steps, his eyes carried a charm and wisdom that could not be denied. He cast a sweeping glance over the students, then smiled gently before speaking in a deep voice:
"Hello, I am Sid, the Master of Aetherology at the Royal Academy."
His voice carried a sense of reverence, as if there were years of deep knowledge about the Aether that would shape their lives from this moment forward.
Sid took a deep breath before calmly asking, leaning on his cane, "What is the Aether?" These words were simple, yet loaded with deep meaning, as if inviting the students to discover the secrets of this universe.
A silence fell over the hall for a few moments, before some students exchanged hesitant glances. Some appeared curious, while others were bewildered. Zoser felt something strange in the air, as though every word spoken by Sid carried more than just a question; it was an invitation to dive into something greater than their current understanding.
"The Aether," Sid continued, raising his hand to point toward the horizon, "is the force that binds everything in this universe. It is the energy that permeates everything, from rocks to bodies, from winds to rivers. It is the primal energy that governs reality itself."
He raised his hand to the sky and said, "Everything moves because of the Aether. You, the earth, the sun, and even the gods themselves. If you learn how to use it properly, you will be able to control many things, whether in battle or in daily life."
As Master Sid spoke, the students in the hall listened attentively, some becoming increasingly astonished by the concept he introduced. His words had a powerful impact, as if they were opening doors to unseen worlds.
Sid continued in a deeper tone, as if whispering an ancient secret, "The Aether is not something you can see with your naked eyes, but it is something you can sense. It is the force that surrounds us, we live within it, but it is beyond our control unless we know how to handle it."
He looked into the students' eyes deeply, as if evaluating each of them one by one, "But through continuous training and meditation, you can learn how to establish a proper relationship with the Aether, and how to enhance your ability to use it. You will find that every movement, every thought, every feeling emanates renewed energy. If you learn to use it cautiously, you will be able to change the course of events around you."
Then Sid moved closer to the board and began drawing overlapping circles, as though explaining something profound. "These are the circles that represent different fields of the Aether. The Circle of the Soul, which is the source of your inner power, the Circle of the Body, representing physical strength, and the Circle of the Mind, where your ability to focus and analyze resides."
He raised his hand to his chest and said, "When these circles unite and harmonize with one another, you will reach your strongest state. You will be able to control the Aether fully. But this does not happen overnight. You must learn how to listen to your bodies and souls, and know when to be in balance."
The hall was completely silent; all the students were riveted by the words Sid spoke. His talk was full of wisdom, and it seemed to plant seeds of questions in their minds.
Then Sid asked, "What is the difference between us, the Aetherians, and ordinary humans?"
Sid continued, drawing the students' attention to every word, "We Aetherians possess the ability to communicate with the Aether in a way that ordinary humans cannot. We sense it and direct it through our bodies to influence it directly, giving us the ability to use it to develop our spiritual, physical, and mental skills. This ability allows us to live in harmony with the forces around us, while ordinary humans remain disconnected from it."
Sid slowly raised his cane, as if drawing an invisible line between himself and the students, "The Aether is not just random energy; it is a vital element in our daily lives. What makes us different from ordinary humans is our ability to direct this energy, while others remain powerless to use it for their benefit."
He took a step forward and added, "But don't think that this power is something easily attained. It requires constant training and a strong will. You cannot become a true Aetherian overnight. You cannot improve your ability to use the Aether except through a deep understanding of yourself and working on your internal balance. What you will learn here is not just kinetic or mental techniques, but a synthesis of soul, body, and mind."
He looked at the students with firm eyes and said, "The Aether is a mighty force, but it can be a curse if you use it for selfish or personal purposes. Power knows no mercy."
Sid's words carried great weight, and everyone felt it. Some faced this burden with fear, while others were charged with enthusiasm to explore this power.
Sid then continued in a calmer tone, "The Aether is not just internal or external energy that can be controlled. It is a balance between the two. When you find this balance, you will be able to interact with everything around you. This is the secret: interact with the world instead of imposing your will on it."
He raised his hand once more, pointing to the circles he had drawn on the board: "When you integrate these three circles: the Soul, the Body, and the Mind, you will be able to influence reality. But always remember that everything begins from within, from the soul."
At that moment, Zoser raised his hand. Sid smiled appreciatively and gestured for him to ask.
Zoser asked, "If the Aether is this powerful, what is its source?"
"Your question is important, Zoser," Sid said, looking at him with his deep eyes. "The Aether... we do not fully know its source. We have not yet reached that level of understanding. But we do know that the Aether comes from the vast sky, from realms we cannot see, but that surround us."
He paused for a moment, then added in a deep voice, "The Aether is not just energy, it is the essence of the universe, flowing from the sky, nourishing everything. It is said to be the cosmic breath, the soul of the world that breathes through the universe as a whole. Others see it as a very ancient energy, older even than the beginning of time."
He looked at the students, then up at the sky, saying, "Perhaps in the future you will discover more about its source. But for now, we must learn how to use it effectively."
He then looked at them all and said with confidence, "The Aether is a continuous journey of discovery, and if you learn how to interact with it, it will determine your fate in this world."