The very first lesson every awakened person learns is how to handle energy.
If you can't control the magical essence inside you, it could kill you—and nature wouldn't hesitate to take its course.
A person's core and meridians produce and guide the flow of magic through their body.
Naturally, everyone can only create a limited amount of energy. To recover it, one must rest, eat, or use herbs. Potions can give a temporary boost, but nothing replaces proper recovery.
Still, no sorcerer ever pushes themselves to the point of completely draining their magic.
Why?
Because the body needs magic as much as it needs blood. When your reserves run dry, the body begins to draw magic from its surroundings.
Wild, unrefined magic.
This is the raw energy that every living being unconsciously releases.
An Aether user can lose their mind if they take in natural Aether. The same goes for a Nexis user. There are rare cases of survival, but only when someone has near-perfect control over their magic flow.
Even then, that exception only applies if an Aether user takes in Aether, or a Nexis user takes in Nexis.
A person's core and meridians slowly shape themselves to accept only one type of energy—either positive or negative.
So when someone suddenly absorbs a different kind, especially its raw form, there's only one outcome:
Death.
No exceptions.
At least… that's what Emma always believed—until now.
"How in the world…" She couldn't believe her eyes.
She wasn't mistaken. Someone who had spent half her life purifying her energy could instantly recognize its darker counterpart.
There was no denying it.
The energy wrapped around William's hand was… Nexis.
But… how?
"I discovered this a few years ago," William said. His voice was calm, but his eyes carried the weight of memory. "I was fighting a monster that had me by the throat. For the first time, I knew what it felt like to be completely helpless."
The dark flames faded as the teenager continued, "In that moment, I accidentally absorbed Nexis. My opponent was reduced to nothing but a pile of flesh and blood."
He let out a slow sigh. "But I didn't lose myself. I was still… me. That's why, from then on, I started experimenting—absorbing Nexis little by little in battle. Every time, I felt stronger, strong enough to crush my enemies. Slowly, I learned how to balance aether and Nexis. And it was… exhilarating."
Sliding his hands into his pockets, he gave a faint smile. "I thought I was destined to become king of this world. Untouchable. Unbeatable."
His shoulders slumped as his tone shifted. "And then… I entered the academy. The moment I laid eyes on Kevin, something struck me. It felt like someone far too powerful, someone I could never escape from, had caught me red-handed—caught me breaking the very laws of the world."
"And that's when you were cursed," Emma said—not asking, but connecting the dots.
It all made sense now. This wasn't some fourth-dimension plot. William wasn't being forced into the role of a villain by fate. If there had been some higher being pulling the strings, Emma would have sensed it.
No—it was simply William.
He was cursed because he was different.
An anomaly.
Someone who could wield both forms of energy.
Someone who could rule over both Light and Darkness.
Emma couldn't even imagine the limits of his power… if there were any.
"That's why I want you to stay away from me," William said. "Sooner or later, everyone will find out what I am."
He had long known that no one would ever accept him. People would either fear him or treat him as an enemy. That was why he had hidden his secret even from the one he loved most—his father.
For Emma's sake, it would be better if—
"I'm not leaving."
William froze, frowning as he turned toward her.
Staring at the strange girl, he asked, "Are you out of your mind? Didn't you see what I just showed you—"
"I did," Emma cut him off, her eyes steady, without a hint of fear.
She stepped closer. "But I don't care. I don't care what you did or what you are. If I want to talk to you, I will. If I want to come closer, I will. You can never stop me from doing what I wish to do."
William clenched his teeth. "Who gave you the right? Why are you so obsessed with me? Isn't that guy, Kevin, already head over heels for you? Why not go to him instead of bothering me?"
"Because I like you."
The blunt confession knocked the breath out of William. He stared at her in disbelief.
"...Even after knowing what you'll face because of me… even after the betrayal you've already felt… you still say that? Are you some kind of masochist?"
Emma shrugged. "I'm still a virgin, so I wouldn't know. But that doesn't matter. What matters is—I'm not leaving."
William turned stiff…how impossibly stubborn is she?
Emma stepped forward.
William has no place to back off since there was a tree behind him.
From a third person's perspective it might have appeared that Emma had cornered him.
A predator eyeing her prey.
Emma tapped her finger against his chest and said, "I have liberated this beast, so isn't it my role to keep an eye on him."
William growled, "I will bite you."
Emma chuckled, "Go on, I will bite you back. And trust me, my teeth will make you bleed."
They both stared into each other's eyes.
Frustration met stubbornness.
That day, their fate got intertwined in a way which would leave a significant mark on the world.
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Add the book to your collection.