The lecture hall was large and arched, with stone ceilings carved to funnel sound. Crystal screens hovered mid-air above the blackboard, displaying elemental flow charts and ancient battlefield diagrams. Most students had half their attention on their notes, the rest drifting between exhaustion and boredom.
Dr. Evanna Lys is a kind and inquisitive woman dressed in a scientist's outfit with combat boots. Her voice helps students learn better—or puts them to sleep.
"—The principle of elemental intersection is not only foundational to advanced technique," she said, rapping a long pointer against the floating diagram, "but vital to preventing collapse when dealing with corrupted ley threads. If you ignore the resonance imbalance, your element doesn't just fail—it implodes."
I sat near the middle row, my chin resting against my hand, eyes half-lidded. My notebook was open, but the page mainly remained blank. Next to me, Sera glanced sideways. I hadn't said much since sitting down. No sarcastic remarks, no half-whispered comments about Evanna's unholy alliance with boredom. Just silence.
Look, it wasn't that I was trying to ignore her. But I just had a lot to think about. I've learned much more about myself than in the last 10 years. I wasn't tired but burdened. She shifted slightly in her seat, tapping the side of her notebook to draw my attention.
"You okay?" she whispered without looking directly at me.
I blinked, pulled from my thoughts. "Huh?"
"I asked if you were okay," she repeated, her voice low enough not to get Evanna's attention.
I glanced at her, then down at my notes. "Yeah. Just... thinking."
Sera raised a brow. "About the lecture?"
I gave her a weak smirk. "Sure. Let's pretend that's it."
That was a joke, but she didn't laugh. Her eyes lingered a little longer.
"You don't usually zone out this hard. Something happened?"
I hesitated. My mind flashed once again with fragments from last night. Those texts, Adrien's memory of Humlide Inizio, and the mark on my hands pulsing like it had its own heartbeat.
"Just... couldn't sleep," I lied. "Been having weird dreams lately."
She seemed to want to know more, but she decided not to press for the details. But she didn't look away, either.
"Dreams don't burn through your focus like that," she said quietly.
I looked at her more carefully then. Her expression had no judgment—just that steady, intuitive gaze. She wasn't prying; she was watching. I leaned back slightly, voice low.
"...What do you do when you feel like something inside you might not be... safe?"
Sera tilted her head. "Safe for who?"
"For anyone."
She studied me. Then answered softly, "You learn what it is. And if it tries to own you... You learn how to make it yours instead."
I looked down at my hands. Sighing deeply. "I'm trying..." I barely got out.
Sera didn't hear that last part; she was about to say something until the instructor called her out. "Miss Lionheart, care to explain what happens when an unstable core comes into contact with a ley fracture?"
Sera didn't even flinch. "It detonates, ma'am. Chain reaction. Either it collapses on itself or explodes outward. No in-between."
The instructor smiled. "Correct. Dangerous. Much like the tendency in humans. If someone underestimates their fragility, it can become a dangerous risk."
I glanced at her. She really is impressive. Sera leaned over slightly, whispering again without looking his way.
"You're not the only one thinking too hard, Reyes. Just don't forget to breathe while you do it."
I smirked faintly, then turned my eyes back to the screen. I felt myself burning inside. I was still unsure about myself, but I felt less alone.
Just under an hour passed, and the bell chimed faintly, signaling the end of the second period. Students filed out into the sunlit courtyard, the morning air crisp with the scent of fresh-cut grass and charged crystal dust from the nearby training fields.
I stepped out slowly, still weighed down by the thoughts I hadn't shared. Behind me, Sera caught up, falling into step beside me.
"You know," she said, adjusting her satchel, "you don't have to keep carrying it alone. Whatever it is."
I glanced at her. "...Sorry, I'm not exactly used to sharing."
Sera gave a light smile. "Well, I'm not exactly pushy. Just observant."
Then she added more carefully, "If you're not busy... do you want to walk around for a bit? Around the gardens? You could use a break from whatever's clawing at your thoughts."
I blinked. Was this an invitation for something? I freaked out a little inside. I looked around; I was getting stares, weren't I? There were probably other students who were jealous that I could even be in Sera's presence. However, this was coming from Sera. It wasn't some grand invitation. It was quiet, kind, and honest. For a moment, I felt something uncoil in my chest. The idea of just walking, just breathing, felt relaxing.
I was about to say yes—
"Yo, Reyes!"
The voice rang out like a spark across the stone. Rhett strode up from the far path, tossing a training glove into the air and catching it casually. His wind-woven jacket hung half-open, boots scuffed from drills.
"We've got unfinished business," he said, stepping between me and Sera with a half-grin. "Remember? Our little match got cut short the other day."
I stiffened. "Right. You still want to finish that?"
"You damn right." Rhett raised a brow. "Unless you're backing out."
I glanced at Sera, whose expression shifted just subtly. Not hurt, not disappointed. Just patient. Like she'd expected something to interrupt.
"It's okay," she said before I could speak. "You've got your own rhythm. I get it."
I hesitated. I did want to go with her. I could really use the silence. Something calming. But part of me—still wrestling with what I learned—needed to burn something off. I looked back at Rhett, who was already cracking his knuckles.
"Just ten minutes," I said. "Then I'm walking. No interruptions next time."
Sera looked up at me and smiled. "I'll hold you to that."
She turned, stepping back toward the garden path. "Don't get cocky and lose."
I called after her with a smirk. "Not planning on it."
Rhett crossed his arms. "Is she always that cool?"
I answered without thinking. "Cooler than me."
We both laughed once—then my fire flared quietly beneath my skin again.
It's time to finish what we started.
——————————————————————
The sparring platform behind the main hall was quieter than the central arena, tucked between ivy-covered walls and shaded by tall silver-needle trees. It wasn't regulation size, but it had seen more real fights than most of the polished stages on campus.
I stepped into the ring and cracked my neck once. Rhett circled lazily, flexing his fingers as soft wind currents rippled around him.
"No interference this time," Rhett said, flashing a grin. "Let's see what you've really got."
My eyes narrowed, heat slowly rising to my fingertips.
"Fine. No distractions. No holding back."
We launched at the same time. Wind met flame. Rhett surged in low, gliding with impossible smoothness. I ducked, spinning into a counter-strike laced with a burst of fire—but Rhett spun away, dragging a slicing breeze behind him like a whip.
The fight escalated quickly—no posturing, no filler—just the two boys who wanted to feel something clear. My footwork was aggressive, burning bursts fueling each step. Despite being bigger than me, Rhett was lighter, slipping in and out of reach like vapor.
Rhett twisted the air each time I tried to corner him, rebalancing his stance mid-air with sharp gusts. Blow after blow, neither of us could land a clean hit. Every near-strike came closer than the last. The tension thickened with sweat and friction—pure, honest combat.
——————————————————————
Behind the hedgerow overlooking the ring, Sera crouched low on a stone ledge, partially shielded by ivy and silence. She'd only meant to walk the gardens, maybe clear her thoughts... but her feet had led her here.
Curiosity had won.
She watched Daniel move—intense, focused, fluid—and something stirred behind her eyes—not just admiration, but recognition. That power isn't normal. At first glance, his fire looked like any other elemental user's. But sometimes—especially after taking a solid hit—his flames shifted.
The violet flickered darker. The edges turned crimson-violet, then soot-black before snapping back. Once or twice, she saw it crawl up his arm like it was pulling something from inside him. Daniel didn't seem to notice, but she did. And it wasn't the first time.
——————————————————————
I exhaled hard, sweat trailing down my temple. Rhett stood opposite me, chest rising with fast but steady breaths.
"You're stronger than the other day," Rhett said between exhales. "Cleaner. Focused."
"You're harder to hit," I admitted. "Annoyingly so."
Rhett smiled. "That's my thing."
Then he moved again.
We clashed in the center ring—Rhett using an aerial burst to flip behind me, sweeping low. I planted my heel, igniting a shockwave under my boots to burst upward, dodging mid-sweep. I twisted in the air and brought a flame-coated elbow down, but Rhett countered with a sudden vacuum pulse, knocking the flame off course just enough to avoid direct contact.
——————————————————————
Both boys landed.
Both staggered.
Still no hits.
Sera leaned forward slightly, watching closely. Daniel's stance wavered, just for a second. His flame curled along his knuckles, no longer roaring, quivering. Then it spiked. A pulse of energy—not big enough to be seen by most, but Sera saw it. Not with her eyes but her instincts. It wasn't just a flame. It was something deeper. Something darker.
Her breath caught. She didn't move, and she didn't interrupt. She only just watched Daniel.
——————————————————————
My fists tightened. "One last exchange?"
Rhett nodded. "Let's finish it."
We made one last charge. My fist met Rhett's palm mid-air—flame and wind clashing in a shockwave that rippled across the ring, kicking dust and grass into the air. We both landed. Still standing, still untouched. And we both couldn't help but smile.
Rhett let out a small breath. "Guess we're evenly matched."
I exhaled. "For now."
Rhett held out a hand. I took it, both of us still catching our breath.
"Good fight," Rhett said.
"Yeah," I replied, eyes still faintly glowing with heat. "Thanks for pushing me."
——————————————————————
Sera quietly backed away, not ready to let herself be seen. She disappeared down the garden path, her thoughts now heavier. Daniel Reyes wasn't just a strong student. He was something else. And whatever it was... it was waking up.
The sun had risen fully, painting the academy grounds in gold and pale warmth. Most students were scattered between classes and training, but Sera wasn't roaming—she was searching. She found Amber leaning against a stone railing near the edge of the south garden, watching two students duel with clumsy overexertion on the distant field.
"Hey," Sera said softly,
Amber looked over, raising an eyebrow. "Hey. I thought you were with Daniel."
"I was." Sera walked up behind her, arms crossed. "Sort of."
Amber's head tilted slightly, curious. "Something happened?"
Sera hesitated, then spoke low. "I watched him spar with a guy named Rhett. Not on purpose at first; I just... ended up nearby."
Amber gave her a dry look. "Accidentally found yourself ten feet above the ring?"
Sera shot her a faint glare. "Don't start."
Amber smirked but quieted. "Okay. What'd you see?"
Sera's eyes narrowed slightly. "His flames. They're not normal. They shift. Especially when he's pushed. There's... something inside them. Something I don't think even he notices."
Amber's casual demeanor faded just a bit. "You mean like a mutation?"
Sera shook her head. "No. Worse. Like the flame carried something else with it. It flickered black."
Amber's brow furrowed. "That sounds like—"
"—a cursed element," Sera finished, nodding. "But he hides it. Or maybe he really doesn't know."
Amber leaned back against the railing. "And what are you planning to do with that info?"
Sera looked down. "I don't know. I just... needed to tell someone."
There was silence for a moment.
Then—
"Yo!"
They both turned.
——————————————————————
I walked up the stone path with Rhett, still a bit scuffed and laughing faintly from our fight. I caught sight of Sera and Amber and slowed my pace; my eyes felt bright.
"Hey," I said, looking at Sera. "That walk you mentioned earlier—still up for it?"
Sera blinked. It wasn't long since she asked about it, but she had a face like I wouldn't remember or ask about it.
"I—" she blurted, then looked to Amber quickly. "Actually, I told Amber I'd help with something. That sparring class assignment? We're behind on it."
Amber didn't miss a beat. "Yeah, I was going to grab you for it anyway," she said calmly.
I paused, and I felt my expression neutralizing. "Oh. Okay. Yeah—no worries."
Rhett lifted a brow but said nothing.
Sera offered a polite smile. "Another time?"
I nodded once. "Sure."
I had no bitterness in my voice, but something flickered behind my eyes. Not flame, not anger. Just something quieter.
"Come on," Sera said to Amber as she turned away.
Amber gave me a slight nod as they left. I watched them go for a second, then turned back to Rhett.
"Guess that's life," I muttered.
Rhett gave a lazy shrug. "You win some, you lose some. Then you set things on fire and try again."
I chuckled quietly, but deep down, I could feel a tiny ember in my chest burn a little colder.
I went through the rest of my break alone before heading to my next class. I took that walk I wanted, but it didn't achieve the desired results. I hoped it would calm me, but I felt more alone than I did before. I don't think I took a single note in the rest of my other classes.
Eventually, evening arrived, and I went on my usual routine and trained with my mentor, Regalia. We were in an isolated combat annex. It was colder today. Not physically, but in the atmosphere. Master Lionheart stood center stage, arms crossed, her wolf-cut hair swaying slightly as a breeze approached the open-topped arena. Her twin blades rested behind her, untouched.
I stood opposite her, my stance locked, fists faintly flickering with controlled flame. But I knew my focus wasn't there; she knew, too. I had landed late, and my strikes were slower. My flame didn't bite the same way it usually did.
Regalia's eyes narrowed. "Again."
I exhaled, tightened my fists, and charged forward, feinting left and striking right. Regalia sidestepped with surgical precision, catching my wrist mid-swing and throwing me across the mat with a single motion. I hit the ground hard, skidding across the stone until the back of my shoulder clipped the arena wall.
"Again," she said, calm but firm.
I groaned as I stood, brushing dirt from my tank top. "That makes seven times."
"Then it should start to feel familiar," she retorted.
I moved in again—quicker this time, aiming a low burst of flame at her feet while arcing a spinning strike overhead. She deflected the blow effortlessly with the back of her arm and drove a palm into my chest, knocking me back once more.
I stumbled, but I didn't fall.
Regalia finally stepped forward, her tone cooling further. "You're distracted."
I didn't respond.
"Your fire isn't just fire. It's expression. Intention. Purpose. Right now, it's flickering like it doesn't know what it wants to be."
"I'm fine," I muttered.
Regalia's eyes hardened. "Don't lie to someone trained to read how people move."
I clenched my jaw, looking away.
Regalia stepped closer. "You're hesitating. Not just in the fight. In yourself. Why?"
Silence.
I can feel her circling me slowly. Her gaze locked on my shoulders and my tension.
"Someone got into your head," she said flatly. "A girl, maybe?"
I flinched, then I shook my head. "It's not like that."
Regalia raised an eyebrow. "Then what is it like?"
I didn't answer.
"I've trained soldiers, mercenaries, killers, and fools. But the ones who survive are the ones who don't flinch from their reflection."
Her voice dropped. "You're flinching."
That's when my fists trembled. My flame sparked—then cooled again.
I looked up at her... I was tired. "I'm scared of what I might be," I said at last. "Scared of what they saw in me... what I didn't see in myself."
I felt Regalia study me for a long moment.
Then, quietly: "Good."
I looked at her, confused. "Good?"
"If you weren't scared, I wouldn't train you. I'd fear you."
She pulled her swords from the ground and sheathed them.
"You don't need to eliminate the fear," she said. "You need to make it kneel."
I stood still, her words hanging in the air like steel drawn from a sheath.
"Training's done for today," Regalia said. "Go walk off whatever ghosts are tugging at your spine. But tomorrow—"
"I know," I said. "No hesitation."
Regalia turned, pausing only once. "Don't prove me wrong."
Then, she left the arena.
I stood there in the fading light, the silence of the empty ring mirroring the quiet war within me.
——————————————————————
The academy's eastern trail wound along a quiet river that bordered the outer forest. Most students didn't come here—it was too far from the dorms and the noise, which was precisely why I chose this road. I strolled, boots crunching against loose gravel.
My body still ached from training, and Regalia's words echoed like embers under my skin:
"You don't need to eliminate the fear. You need to make it kneel."
But what if I couldn't?
I stopped near the water, eyes scanning the rippling surface. The setting sun cast red-gold streaks across it, almost like a flame. A familiar voice called from behind me.
"I figured you'd end up out here."
Adrien approached with his usual calm stride, hands in his pockets, glasses reflecting the fading light.
I didn't turn. "How?"
"You only disappear when your thoughts are loud. And you didn't show up to dinner."
Adrien came to stand beside me, glancing at the water, too. "Training again?"
I nodded. "She's right. I'm distracted. I can feel it."
I felt Adrien studying me quietly. "Because of what we read? Or... what do you remember?"
My fingers twitched from his last words. "Both. It's like... the more I learn, the less I know myself."
I looked down at my palms, the gloves still loosely wrapped over the sigil. "There's something in me, Adrien. Something dark. And I'm scared that one day I'll stop fighting it."
Adrien didn't speak immediately.
I continued, my voice softer now.
"That day in Humlide Inizio... I keep wondering what I became, what you saw. You say I wasn't myself, that I changed—but what if that is me? What if I'm just pretending to be this person now?"
Adrien's brow tightened, but his voice remained steady. "You want the truth?"
I looked at him for a moment, then nodded once.
"Remember when I said I was terrified?" He asked. "It wasn't from the demon you became. But of losing you to it. That thing... it wasn't you. It was everything you were afraid of, everything you buried. It took over because you didn't know how to carry it."
I stayed silent, my gaze now locked towards the water.
"But you didn't destroy us," Adrien added. "You saved who you could. You were trying. That's who you are."
I clenched my jaw. "I don't feel like a hero. I feel like a grenade with a heartbeat."
Adrien chuckled dryly. "Welcome to being a Gatekeeper, I guess."
I winced. "I'm not even supposed to be one."
"Maybe not," Adrien said, stepping closer. "But you are. And instead of hiding it, you're standing here scared because you don't want to hurt anyone."
He looked directly at me. His following words hit me like a truck.
"That fear? That guilt? That's your anchor, not your chain."
I stared at him for a long moment. Then, I looked down. "...Thanks, bro. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Adrien shrugged. "I don't want to think about that."
We stood in silence for a while, the river flowing quietly beside us. Then, Adrien smirked. "So... are we going to tell Vivian she was technically right about you being cursed?"
I groaned. "Please don't give her that satisfaction."
Adrien laughed. "Alright. Our secret—for now."