The next day, Kael woke up to a different sensation. No more shouting or the damp, musty smell of the slums. Instead, there was silence and the soft light from the window of his new dormitory room. As a special student, he had been assigned a rather comfortable private room. This was the fresh start he had longed for.
He got ready and headed to Headmaster Eldrin's office. The path led through wide corridors, where he encountered many other students. Some still looked at him with curiosity, but most were busy with their own cultivation. Kael sensed the different energy currents radiating from them – strong, weak, chaotic, serene – all clearly registered by the Primordial Energy within him.
Upon arriving at the office, Headmaster Eldrin was already waiting. On the table lay a stack of old books and several ancient scrolls.
"Good morning, Kael," Eldrin said, offering a rare smile. "Today we begin. I will not teach you according to the standard curriculum. Our goal is to understand and control Primordial Energy."
He pushed the stack of books towards Kael. "These are documents on ancient energy theories, legends of the 'Primordial Era,' and even some records of mutated Source Cores. You will have to study them yourself. I will merely be your guide."
Kael nodded. He felt excited. This was his chance to truly understand his power.
"And here," Eldrin held up a thin, faded scroll. "This is a map of the Academy's Ancient Library. It contains thousands of years of knowledge. I will grant you free access."
Kael's eyes lit up. An ancient library! He knew that the most important answers lay not in modern textbooks, but in the forgotten records of the past.
"However," Eldrin suddenly said, his voice turning serious. "You must be extremely careful. You are not the only one interested in ancient secrets. This Academy has many talented students, and not everyone will be pleased to see someone like you suddenly appear and receive special treatment."
"And there are outside forces watching," Eldrin continued, his eyes hardening. "After the incident in the slums, news of a cripple suddenly possessing strange abilities has spread. You have created a ripple, Kael. Remember, not everyone wants ancient secrets revealed."
Kael nodded. He understood. He had felt the scrutinizing glances on his way here. He was no longer alone, but that also meant he was no longer absolutely safe.
After his meeting with the Headmaster, Kael immediately went to the library. He quickly found the section for ancient records and legends. The dim light from the high windows illuminated rows of massive bookshelves, laden with old books and scrolls. The smell of decaying paper and dust permeated the air, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Kael began to read. He immersed himself in stories of ancient Source Cores, of colossal creatures that once roamed Arcania, and of a "Golden Age" where humans could directly communicate with the elements. The more he read, the more he realized the truth. The current Source Core system was truly a weaker version of something far grander.
Suddenly, Kael felt a powerful energy surge past. He looked up. A group of students was entering this section. They wore the elite uniforms of the Academy, symbols of prestigious families.
Leading them was a girl with flowing golden hair and sharp blue eyes. Her energy was strong, certainly a high-level in the academy. Kael sensed the arrogance hidden behind her elegant facade.
The girl saw Kael reading the old books. Her gaze settled on him, then she sneered dismissively.
"Oh, look who it is," she said, her tone cold and sarcastic. "The cripple from the slums dares to enter the ancient library? Do you even understand what you're reading, or are you just dirtying the books?"
Kael looked up, facing her. "I am learning. That is the only reason I am here."
The girl scoffed. "Learning? What could someone without a Source Core like you possibly learn? Or do you think the Headmaster will just grant you some 'special' Core?"
Her words stung Kael. He knew he shouldn't react, but her arrogance made the Primordial Energy within him subtly stir.
"A Source Core isn't everything," Kael replied coldly. "And you know nothing about me."
The girl was momentarily stunned by Kael's confidence. She had never seen a cripple dare to defy her like this. "You dare... a lowlife dares to speak to me like that?"
The students with her began to step forward, their eyes full of menace.
"Enough, Seraphina," a familiar voice rang out.
Kael turned. Lyra was standing there, looking at him with concern, then at Seraphina with annoyance.
"Lyra, step aside," Seraphina commanded. "You shouldn't associate with his kind."
Lyra stepped forward, shielding Kael from Seraphina. "Seraphina, he's my friend. And he has every right to be here."
Seraphina laughed scornfully. "Friends? A talented mage like you befriending a useless cripple? You must be slowly turning into a cripple yourself."
Kael felt a surge of anger. He couldn't accept anyone insulting Lyra. The Primordial Energy within him began to churn more fiercely, an invisible pressure radiating outward.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. She sensed a strange energy from Kael, something elusive yet threatening. She took a step back, and her friends also seemed uneasy.
"Fine," Seraphina said, her sharp gaze sweeping over Kael. "Just you wait. This Academy isn't an easy place for anomalies."
She turned and left with her friends, leaving a tense atmosphere in the library.
Lyra turned to Kael, sighing in relief. "Are you alright? Seraphina is the daughter of one of the most powerful Mage families. She's very dangerous."
Kael watched Seraphina's retreating form, then turned to Lyra. "Thank you, Lyra."
He knew the fight in the slums was just the beginning. Life at the Academy would be much harder. But he had a friend. And that, for Kael, was more precious than any power. He would not only learn to fight for himself, but also to protect those he cared about.