Chapter 5: The Academy's Call
Dawnspire, Eldoria – Year 5
The cobblestone path to Dawnspire Academy hummed with energy as kids aged 5–6 shuffled along, their faces lit up with hope and a touch of nerves. Taren, now five, walked beside Lira, his small hand tucked into her rough one, marked by years of trading. The tall stone building rose ahead, its Mana Stone lamps glowing warmly over the busy yard where voices mixed with laughter. Zane Ryde's past life—filled with office battles and fight ring victories—seemed like a fading dream, but his sharp mind burned with focus. This place was his starting point for power, a training ground to build toward the age of coming at 11–13, when his true strength would emerge.
Inside the grand hall, Master Veyn stood tall, his gray beard catching the light as he faced the new students. His voice rang out, strong and clear, bouncing off the stone walls. "You're here to train your minds and bodies to awaken power. The age of coming, between 11 and 13, will test what we start today. You'll learn discipline and how to grow strong." Taren settled onto a hard wooden bench, feeling its cool surface, his keen eyes scanning the room. He caught the nervous glances of other kids and felt a faint hum of mana in the air, like a soft vibration. He focused hard, trying to sense it, his brow furrowing, but no gift came yet—Aether Resonance would take effort, and he was willing to put in the work.
Lord Kael strutted by, his bright silk clothes standing out against Taren's plain tunic. "Peasant blood won't rise here," he sneered, his voice dripping with pride as his friends snickered. Taren kept silent, holding his thoughts inside, but his mind quickly noted Kael's traits—potential 45, arrogance 80—thanks to a faint hint from his locked All-Seeing Eyes. A clear ding echoed in his head.
ding
New Objective.
Objective: Silent Observer – Learn academy rules without trouble.
Reward: Basic Mana Manipulation (E-rank).
Penalty: +10 Profile Points (PP).
Taren stood up to explore, his small feet padding softly on the stone floors, slipping away from the noisy crowd. He wandered to the training yards where older kids practiced simple spells, their chants filling the air with a rhythmic sound, soft lights flickering from their hands. The library pulled him next, its shelves packed with dusty old books that smelled of age, hinting at forgotten stories. He overheard a quiet talk among older students about strange stones that boosted strength, a mystery that sparked his curiosity. Gavren's tale of a bright light on his birth night lingered in his thoughts, a clue he stored away. The Dusk Circle's dark rumors floated around, casting a shadow over the academy, but other secrets remained hidden, known only to a select few.
Days settled into a steady rhythm of practice. Taren sat cross-legged in his tiny dorm room, the single candle casting shaky shadows as he strained to feel mana, his small body growing tired, his breath coming in short puffs. He closed his eyes, focusing on the faint hum, determined to catch it. A ding cut through his concentration.
ding
Progress Check.
Host's effort seen. Keep pushing.
Lira visited during a market break, her arms full of warm bread, a worried crease on her face. "Stay safe, Taren," she said gently, running her hand through his hair with care. He nodded, his resolve hardening like tough metal. Kael's teasing grew bolder each day, his words a sharp poke, but Taren brushed them off with calm answers, earning quiet nods from the weaker kids he began to help in the yard's corners. He showed them how to hold a practice stick, his past life's leadership shining through.
One afternoon, Taren watched from a high window as older students trained with glowing staffs, their movements smooth and strong. He wondered if those tools held secrets to power, adding to his growing questions. The academy's stone walls felt like a fortress, both protecting and challenging him, and he felt a pull to uncover its hidden lessons. A dark figure flickered at the yard's edge, vanishing before he could stare, stirring that old unease. No one else seemed to see it, and he kept it quiet, filing it away.
The cracked sky above, visible through a gap, hinted at more mysteries, its rifts a silent promise. Taren spent evenings practicing alone, sitting on his mat, breathing deeply as Veyn had taught, feeling the mana hum grow slightly stronger. He imagined leading a team one day, building a legacy, the title Obsidian Sovereign taking shape in his mind—a goal to chase with every step.
ding
Quest Update.
Quest Accepted: Silent Observer.
Time Limit: 14 days.
Reward: Basic Mana Manipulation (E-rank).
Penalty: +10 PP.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky with gold and red, Taren stood by the dorm window, gazing out. This is my stage, he thought, his mind already planning how to turn this training into a solid base for his rise. He pictured a future where he stood tall, guiding others, the Obsidian Sovereign name echoing as his own, earned through hard work and quiet strength. The distant hum of mana and the academy's walls fueled his determination to face whatever lay ahead.