Aleron awoke with a start, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he gasped for breath. His body was drenched in sweat, and his mind struggled to latch onto the fleeting remnants of his dream. The dream was always the same—fragments, broken images, like pieces of shattered glass. He could feel the heat of an immense power, hear the roar of a battle, and sense a presence looming over him, but it was all vague and indistinct. The dream was a haunting, a phantom that lingered just out of reach.
For a few moments, Aleron lay still in bed, his heart pounding in his chest. The morning light was beginning to seep through the window, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. The warmth of the sunlight should have been comforting, but instead, it only heightened the sense of unease that had been gnawing at him for days.
He shook his head, trying to clear the fog in his mind. He couldn't remember anything specific about the dream. There was a figure—someone powerful, someone who radiated authority. But their face? It remained elusive. Every time he tried to focus on it, the image slipped away like smoke, leaving behind nothing but emptiness.
"Not again," Aleron muttered under his breath. He had been having these dreams for weeks now—fleeting glimpses of a life he couldn't remember, of a battle that felt like it had happened eons ago. But when he woke, the weight of the dream clung to him, and the questions only multiplied.
With a sigh, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. He couldn't let these dreams control him. Today was the first day of his training at the Academy of Ardentis, and he had to focus. The academy was his chance to carve out a future, to build a life for himself, and the dreams, as unsettling as they were, couldn't distract him now.
"Focus, Aleron," he whispered to himself as he stood up and began dressing in the standard academy uniform—a dark blue tunic with gold trim that marked him as a new student. It was a simple outfit, but the academy's colors were a symbol of pride, a mark of the training that lay ahead.
He finished dressing quickly, then stood before the mirror, running a hand through his messy brown hair. His reflection stared back at him—young, determined, but there was something in his eyes, a depth that didn't quite match his age. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him, something hidden just beneath the surface, but no matter how hard he tried to remember, it remained just out of reach.
"Are you ready?" came the soft voice of Larissa, his adoptive mother, from the doorway.
Aleron turned to find her standing there, her warm smile on her face. She was older now, with streaks of silver in her dark hair, but there was no mistaking the kindness in her eyes. She had raised him since he was a child, giving him a life full of love and care. Yet, there was always a part of him that wondered—why had she taken him in? What had happened to his real parents? But no answers ever came.
"I'm ready," Aleron said, offering her a small smile. "Just… a little nervous, I guess."
Larissa nodded sympathetically. "It's normal to be nervous on your first day. But remember, Aleron, you've trained for this. You've learned everything you need to succeed."
He nodded again, though the nervousness still lingered. This wasn't just any school—it was the Academy of Ardentis, one of the most prestigious institutions for magic and combat training in the kingdom. The academy was known for producing warriors, mages, and scholars who shaped the world with their power and knowledge. But it was also a place where those with potential were forged into something greater, and Aleron couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about him that set him apart.
After a quick breakfast, Aleron gathered his belongings and stepped out into the village. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft golden light across the streets. The air was crisp, and the morning dew still clung to the leaves of the trees. As he walked, he couldn't help but notice how peaceful everything seemed. The village was small, nestled between rolling hills, but it was home—at least, it was all he had ever known.
Yet, the sense of unease followed him like a shadow. As Aleron walked towards the academy, the weight of his dreams seemed to press down on him. He couldn't ignore the fact that something about this day felt different, as if it were the beginning of something far more significant than just his training.
The Academy of Ardentis was an imposing structure, its stone walls rising high into the sky. The air around it hummed with magic, a faint energy that was almost palpable. Aleron felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he crossed through the gates, a strange sensation sweeping over him, like stepping into another world entirely.
As he walked through the courtyard, he could see students practicing spells, knights sparring with swords, and warriors engaging in hand-to-hand combat. It was a bustling place, full of energy and ambition. Some students looked focused, others more relaxed, but all of them carried an air of purpose.
"First day?" Aleron turned to see a young man approaching him. He was wearing a black tunic with a badge that marked him as a second-year student. His eyes were sharp, but there was a friendly glint in them.
"Yeah," Aleron said, offering a slight nod.
"Orin," the young man introduced himself, extending a hand. "I'm in the swordsmanship program. If you're ever looking for a sparring partner, I'm your guy."
Aleron shook his hand, appreciating the gesture. Orin seemed like someone who had been through the grind and come out on the other side with confidence. Aleron, however, couldn't help but feel a little out of place. He hadn't trained for combat like most of these students. His focus had always been on learning magic, but something about the academy made him feel like he was being pulled in multiple directions at once.
"Thanks," Aleron said. "I'll keep that in mind."
As Orin walked off, Aleron couldn't help but notice how easily he blended in with the others. He was a skilled fighter, no doubt, but Aleron's path was different. He wasn't here to wield a sword—he was here to learn magic, to harness the power that flowed through the world.
But even as he walked through the courtyard, his mind wandered back to the dream. The images, the presence—the figure. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see it, feel it. It was as though he had lived through this before, as if the dream was trying to tell him something important.
The main building of the academy was even more impressive up close. Massive stone pillars lined the entrance, and the doors opened automatically as Aleron approached, revealing a grand hall inside. The air was thick with the scent of parchment, ink, and a faint crackling energy that felt almost alive.
At the front of the room stood a tall figure, a professor in dark robes. He surveyed the students with a piercing gaze, his presence commanding silence.
"Aleron, I presume?" the professor's voice was low and gravelly, carrying an air of authority. "I'm Professor Kaelan. I'll be your instructor for basic magic."
Aleron nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of the man's gaze. There was something about Kaelan—something sharp and calculating, as if he could see through Aleron's facade.
"Today, we begin with something simple, but important," Kaelan continued, gesturing to a crystal orb on the desk in front of him. "This is Levitas Minor—a basic levitation spell. The incantation is 'Levitas Minor,' and it will allow you to lift small objects off the ground with only your will."
Aleron nodded, though he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Magic. It was the very reason he was here, the very reason he had come to this academy. But as his eyes locked onto the crystal orb, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen something like it before. Somewhere. Somewhen.
Professor Kaelan's eyes seemed to follow Aleron as he approached the desk. "Focus, Aleron. Magic is about control, not power. You must learn to harness it, to feel the energy in the air and bend it to your will."
Aleron took a deep breath and stretched out his hand. The room was silent, all eyes on him as he focused on the crystal orb. He could feel the power in the air, like an electric current running through him. His mind reached out, and he whispered the incantation.
"Levitas Minor."
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. The orb remained still. Aleron's heart skipped a beat, but just as he was about to try again, the orb shimmered, and then, with a soft hum, it floated a few inches off the desk.
Aleron's breath caught in his throat. He had done it. The power was real. But more than that
—he felt the spark, the connection. Something inside him stirred. Something deep and ancient, like a door unlocking within his soul.
Professor Kaelan's lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. "Well done, Aleron. You have potential. But remember, this is just the beginning."
As the lesson continued, Aleron couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had only just begun. The academy, the magic, the dreams—it was all connected somehow. And he was only scratching the surface.
But for now, he would have to play the part of a simple student, for the truth of who he really was... remained hidden in the shadows.
To be continued...