Golden threads of sunlight slipped through the window, brushing against Kealen's heavy eyelids. He woke up feeling every muscle in his body, as if he had undergone intense training—not a painful sensation, but one of renewal, as though his cells had been rebuilt from scratch. He stretched across the bed, listening to the comforting crack of his back, then rose and headed downstairs, his steps slightly heavier than usual due to the dense aura still settled in his limbs.
On the table awaited a heartwarming sight. Various dishes released appetizing aromas that teased his hungry senses: toasted bread, slices of cold meat, and a warm soup seasoned with wild herbs. Kealen wasted no time and began eating ravenously, as if compensating for all the energy the aether stone had drained from his body the day before. Each bite restored his balance, erasing the lingering weakness left by the fusion.
Once finished, he returned to his room and put on the academy's official uniform, which now filled him with pride. He checked his appearance in the mirror, touched his wrist where the aether flowed silently beneath his skin, then set off toward the academy with hope filling his chest and curiosity gnawing at him about what he would learn today.
At the massive academy gates, amid the constant noise and movement of students, he spotted familiar hair and two faces he had grown comfortable seeing. Liora and Janero stood beside the central fountain, speaking in hushed, anxious tones.
"Good morning!" Kealen called out as he approached them confidently.
Liora turned with a wide smile, though slightly pale, and said,
"Oh, Kealen! You're finally here. We were just talking about you and what happened yesterday."
Janero laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"I'm still embarrassed that I fainted while you stayed standing. Tell us—what happened after we lost consciousness?"
The three of them began walking toward the classroom building, and Kealen lowered his voice, growing serious.
"It was truly terrifying. Ilthra almost failed to fuse with the aether stone… her body started shaking, and frightening gray threads appeared, as if her energy refused to stabilize. If Noctis hadn't intervened at the last moment to help her control the aura flow, things could have ended tragically."
Janero stopped walking for a moment, his eyes widening in shock.
"Was it really that dangerous?"
Kealen nodded sadly.
"Yes. Noctis carried her—she was cold as ice. The instructor was furious and warned him not to interfere, but he did it to save her."
Liora looked around anxiously, searching among the passing faces.
"But… where are Noctis and Ilthra now? I haven't seen them since I arrived, and that worries me."
Kealen shrugged.
"I don't think they came today. Ilthra probably needs more rest for her energy to stabilize."
Their conversation was cut short by the stern call of the supervisors echoing through the area:
"Section B! Proceed to your hall immediately!"
The three moved together and entered the classroom, which was already crowded with students. This time, Kealen did not sit alone in a corner as he had on his first day. Instead, he pulled his chair to sit beside Liora and Janero, forming a small circle of safety and companionship in this new world.
Suddenly, the door opened and a woman radiating energy and vitality entered—completely different from the strict instructor they had seen the day before. She wore a long robe embroidered with silky threads and walked with light, graceful steps.
Kealen whispered to Liora in surprise,
"Where's our instructor? Who is she?"
Liora replied in an equally soft whisper,
"In the academy, we have five instructors for each section, each teaching a different aspect of power. It seems this instructor will be handling control lessons today."
The instructor stood before the board and wrote her name, "Selene," in elegant script, then said in a clear, resonant voice,
"Good morning, beginners! Before we start, tell me—how did it feel to acquire your aura for the first time?"
Students began sharing their experiences, some quietly admitting they had fainted from the pain. Instructor Selene laughed and said,
"Don't worry, that's perfectly normal. Your body was learning a new language."
She continued,
"Today's lesson is about Aura Release—how to bring that dormant. energy out through your hands and bend it to your will."
Selene began drawing a detailed human hand on the board, illustrating the paths along which energy flows. Pointing at the diagram, she said,
"There are two ways to release aura. The first is Automatic Release, where your mind commands the energy directly without words—this is a skill for advanced users. The second is the Keyword, a shout or word that unifies your focus and opens the gates of aether."
She raised her hand before the students' astonished faces and declared confidently,
"Aura Release!"
Instantly, a soft pink glow burst from her palm, enveloping her hand like liquid light. As they watched, something even stranger happened—her eyes began to shine with a mysterious pink light that pierced the faint dimness of the hall.
A student from the back asked in awe,
"Instructor! Are your eyes releasing aura too?"
Selene laughed.
"No, that's not aura. These are called Spirit Eyes. It's a visual ability that allows us to see the flow of aether in the air and within other bodies. But don't dream of it yet—you won't reach that stage until the third level."
Kealen raised his hand and asked seriously,
"Instructor Selene, how will we know when the aether stone has fully fused with us?"
She looked at him with admiration for his sharp question and replied,
"Excellent question. You'll know when the aether stops feeling like a weight pressing on your veins and becomes like blood flowing peacefully through your body. You'll feel a warm shiver spread through your being, a beautiful sense of power and harmony—as if you had been walking in darkness and suddenly saw the light
Kealen felt intense excitement as he listened to her words, imagining that warm river flowing through his veins.