Morning light streamed faintly through my window, soft but insistent. When I cracked my eyes open and glanced at the clock, I nearly groaned. Eight in the morning.
"I slept more than usual," I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My body, though heavy with lingering fatigue, felt stronger than before—a subtle reminder of the Thyros Essence I'd crafted.
I stretched, joints popping, and slid out of bed. A quick bath later, steam curling off my skin, I felt fully awake. I dried off and dressed in my casual academy uniform—not the formal training gear, just something simple and comfortable. My sword rested against the wall where I'd left it last night. I strapped the belt around my waist, adjusting it until the hilt rested neatly against my hip, the weight familiar and grounding. The leather creaked as I tightened the buckle, securing the blade in place.
"Alright," I whispered, checking my reflection once. "Time to get moving."
The cafeteria was unusually quiet that morning. Only a handful of students lingered at scattered tables, some hunched over breakfast, others half-asleep with mugs of steaming tea. The air smelled faintly of butter and warm bread, comforting in its simplicity.
I walked up to the counter. The menu wasn't large, but I picked a plate of roasted fowl with seasoned potatoes and a side of berry compote, pairing it with a tall glass of citrus juice.
Balancing the tray, I found an empty corner table. The seat creaked as I slid into it. The first bite sent a small ripple of satisfaction through me—the meat was tender, seasoned with earthy herbs that brought out its natural flavor. The potatoes had a crisp edge, soft inside, while the berry compote's sweetness cut through the richness perfectly. The juice was sharp, tangy, waking my senses fully.
It wasn't a feast, but it was enough. I ate steadily, my thoughts drifting toward what awaited me beyond these walls. Every bite felt like fuel for the path ahead.
When I finished, I wiped my hands clean, left the tray at the collection stand, and stepped out of the cafeteria.
The academy gates loomed ahead, two armored guards standing vigilant. Their eyes tracked me as I approached.
"Heading somewhere, student?" one asked, his tone stern but not unfriendly.
I gave a small smile, keeping my voice casual. "Just out to see a relative in the city. I'll be back by evening."
They exchanged glances before nodding. "Don't be late. Curfew rules still apply."
"Of course."
They let me pass, and I walked out of the academy grounds with steady steps. The act of lying so smoothly almost unsettled me—but it was necessary. My true destination wasn't something the academy would allow without questions.
The portal station sat at the heart of the city, a circular plaza buzzing with activity. Dozens of platforms hummed with restrained energy, guarded by operators in uniform.
I approached one of the officers and handed over my academy ID. "Destination: Windermere."
He inspected the card, then nodded briskly. "Coordinates set. Step onto the platform."
The portal flared to life—a swirling vortex of blue and silver, humming with barely restrained power. I exhaled and stepped forward.
Unlike my first time traveling through a portal, the sensation didn't overwhelm me. No nausea, no disorientation. My body handled the mana flow smoothly now, my core steadier. One blink, and I was somewhere else entirely.
Windermere stretched before me like a painting come alive. The city bustled with early activity—vendors calling out, carts rattling along cobblestone streets, children darting between alleyways. But I had no time to linger. My destination lay at the city's edge, far from the warmth of crowds ,An abandoned church.
The abandoned church was easy to find, its silhouette a lonely scar against the sky. The once-grand walls were cracked and moss-eaten, windows shattered, doors hanging by rusted hinges. Time had stripped it of dignity, leaving only the husk of what it once was.
I circled to the back, where the forest began. Tall trees stood shoulder to shoulder, branches tangling high above to block much of the sunlight. The air smelled of damp earth and wild herbs. Birdsong echoed faintly, though each rustle of leaves made me wary.
I was searching for a certain special tree.
"I swear, finding that tree nearly brought me to tears."
Taking a deep breath, I gazed at the dense forest sprawling ahead. Towering trees intertwined their branches, and the earthy scent of herbs filled the air. The forest felt alive, each rustle and distant sound hinting at its hidden secrets and potential dangers.
I pressed forward with a clear mind. Games and reality weren't the same. Overconfidence could kill me here.
The search dragged on. An hour passed beneath the canopy, shafts of light shifting as I trudged deeper. My patience frayed, but then
I froze.
In front of me stood a tree unlike any other. Its trunk rose wider than any I'd seen, towering high until its crown seemed to touch the heavens. Leaves shimmered faintly, as though catching starlight invisible to the eye. Deep claw marks marred its bark, etched with deliberate violence. The air here vibrated faintly, alive with hidden energy.
My heart quickened. "Found it."
I pressed a hand against the trunk, steadying my breath. Then, slowly, I let mana seep from my palm into the wood.
The response was immediate. The tree pulsed with light, its glow spreading upward until it engulfed the entire trunk. A blinding flash swallowed my vision, and when it cleared—
I was no longer in the forest.
Endless grasslands stretched in all directions, golden blades rippling under a breeze that carried scents of flowers and clean water. Trees with silver bark dotted the horizon, their leaves glowing faintly. Above, the sky shimmered a deeper blue than I had ever seen, and the air was thick with mana so pure it prickled against my skin.
It was beautiful. Breathtaking. Unreal.
"It's been a while since I last saw a human."
The voice was smooth, feminine, carrying a strange mix of warmth and mischief. I turned.
She stood a few steps away.
Her hair was the color of emerald silk, cascading down her back in loose waves that seemed to catch the light themselves. Her eyes—golden, luminous, sharp as a hawk's yet soft as sunlight. Her features were flawless, her form graceful, clothed in a gown that seemed woven from the wind itself. She was beauty given form, an ethereal presence that made the air itself feel charged.
For a moment, I almost forgot how to breathe.
"Oh," she said with a teasing smile, tilting her head slightly, "you're quite a handsome one."
I swallowed, forcing composure. I knew who she was. Sylandra.Spirit of the Evergrove – tied to vitality, renewal, and eternal forests.
"It is an honor to stand before you, Lady Sylandra, Spirit of the Evergrove."
Her smile widened. "So, you know who I am. That saves us time." She stepped closer, her gaze studying me with curiosity. "So tell me, young one… what made you come to me?"
"I am here to receive your blessing."
Her golden eyes glittered with amusement. "You are here for my blessing. And what makes you think I'll simply hand it over?"
"Because," I said, my voice steady, "I am someone worthy of receiving it."
"Quite the bold words," she said softly, her lips curving into a smirk. "But can you back them up?"
I locked eyes with her, refusing to waver. "You can test me if you wish."
She held my gaze for a long, tense moment. Then, slowly, she raised her hand. "Very well."
Light gathered in her palm, coalescing into a sphere before bursting outward. The ground trembled as something emerged from the glow.
A warrior stepped forth, towering and clad in armor as dark as obsidian, etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. His helmet concealed his face entirely, but two slits burned with crimson light. A heavy crimson cape flowed behind him, tattered at the edges, and in his grip rested a massive broadsword nearly as tall as I was. The air seemed to hum with the weight of his presence, pressing against my chest.
Sylandra's smirk never faded. "Let's see what you've got."
I drew my blade, the steel whispering free of its sheath. The gladiator raised his sword in reply, and the world seemed to hold its breath.
"Alright," I muttered, steadying myself. "Let's dance."