Kael sat at his desk, tapping his pen against the wooden surface as the teacher droned on about the upcoming field trip. The announcement two days ago had barely registered in his mind—his thoughts had been elsewhere.
Jace Ramos.
The memory of their clash on the rooftop was still fresh. The moment Jace's fist shot toward him, the sheer power behind it had been terrifying. Kael had blocked it, but the force had sent him flying. If this was Jace **without mana**, what would he be like if he went all out?
Kael clenched his fist under the desk. He had grown stronger, yes, but that encounter reminded him—he was still far from enough.**
"Alright, class! I hope you're all excited for the trip."
The teacher's voice snapped Kael from his thoughts.
"We'll be leaving in three days. Make sure to pack your essentials and be at the meeting point on time!"
A murmur of excitement rippled through the students. It had been months since the school reopened, and after everything that happened, a field trip seemed like a rare moment of normalcy.
Kael exhaled, allowing himself to focus on the present.
After school, Kael stopped by a small convenience store near his home to grab a drink. As he waited at the counter, his ears caught a conversation between two students sitting at a nearby table.
"Hey, did you hear? Jace Ramos isn't coming back to school."
"What? Why?"
"He got recruited by the government."
Kael froze.
"They say he's part of some special program, kind of like the military. Apparently, he's really strong—strong enough that they scouted him before he could even graduate."
Kael paid for his drink and left the store, his thoughts swirling.
So that was it. Jace wasn't just strong—he was strong enough to be acknowledged by the government.
Kael had never considered working for them. His siblings did, and now even Jace was part of it. Was that the path to power?
He shook his head.
No, that's not my goal.
Kael wasn't looking for recognition. He wasn't seeking to join some organization. He simply wanted to become stronger.
For himself.
For the next time something like the Black Gate happened.
For the next time he stood in front of a monster like Tyrant.
---
#Packing for the Trip
At home, Kael packed his bag for the three-day field trip. His mother peeked into his room, smiling.
"Excited?" she asked.
Kael shrugged. "Not really."
She chuckled. "It's been a while since you did something normal, Kael. Try to enjoy it."
He nodded. He knew his parents were still worried about him—even if they didn't say it outright. The hospitalization, the trauma of what happened at school… they could sense he wasn't the same.
And they were right.
As Kael zipped his bag shut, he took a deep breath.
This trip wasn't anything special. Just a regular school outing.
Right?
---
#Departure Day
Three days later, Kael stood with his classmates near the school gates, where a large tour bus awaited them.
The teacher clapped their hands, gathering everyone's attention.
"Okay, everyone! Are you excited?"
A chorus of cheers erupted from the students.
Kael? He simply adjusted his bag strap and exhaled.
This was supposed to be an ordinary field trip.
So why did he have a gut feeling something was about to change?
---
Chapter End.