Akeh sat cross-legged, eyes closed, focusing on his breath as the hours passed.
Around him, spirit energy shimmered faintly in the air like rising heat. Dozens of other students sat in loose circles, pretending to focus, but many of their eyes were locked on Akeh.
"Tch."
One of the older students, a tall girl with braided hair and a chipped front tooth, squinted at him with a curled lip.
"Does he really believe that's what meditation looks like?"
"Maybe he's hoping if he breathes hard enough, he'll awaken something."
Another boy muttered under his breath. A few students snorted, but the sound quickly died out.
There was something fragile about the way Akeh sat—like a paper boat in the middle of a raging river. And yet, he didn't move.
"Every spiritually gifted person I know had a third or second-rate soul… why's he wasting everyone's time?"
"Does he think he is big enough to meditate with us?" someone whispered.
Their irritation grew into something more deliberate.
A small pulse of spirit energy emerged near the courtyard's edge. Then another. And another. One by one, the students began radiating energy, not enough to attract a master's attention—but enough to disturb anyone untrained, enough to break someone like Akeh.
Akeh felt it. The sudden rise in spiritual energy.
It started as a gentle pressure on his skin, but soon, it pressed on his chest like a weight, each breath harder to take. His brow furrowed.
What is this?
He could feel the spirit energy they were all generating. Were they doing this deliberately to irritate me?
Still, he stayed seated. Still breathing. It was a lot easier to resist the energy compared to before.
He held his ground.
Minutes passed.
And still, Akeh remained unmoved, face calm, breaths even.
A silence spread through the group—not the quiet of peace, but the absence of victory.
"...He's still awake?"
The tall girl leaned forward, frowning.
"He didn't pass out?"
"Wait," someone whispered, their voice tight,
"Don't tell me… he's already located his soul?"
Another student's eye twitched.
"No way."
Akeh opened his eyes slowly.
He didn't look at anyone in particular, but his gaze passed over the students like a silent wind. He wasn't smug. He wasn't proud.
Just... there.
Still sitting.
Still breathing.
That, somehow, made it worse.
The energy in the courtyard felt calmer now, Akeh settled into the flow of meditation once again when he sensed someone approaching.
The girl stepped forward, smiling slightly.
"Hello, I'm Montes. You're Akeh right?" she said.
Ignoring her, he tried to deepen his focus.
"M-maybe I'll come next time when you're not so immersed." She said, apologetic.
Finally, he let out a sigh.
"What do you want?"
"I just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm the best of the third-rate souls. A-And if you ever need help, I'm here." she said.
"I don't need your help," Akeh replied, tone flat.
Montes nodded, unbothered by his tone.
"Alright, but earlier you asked Altine about spirit energy, right? If you're curious, I can show you how soul reading works."
Akeh glanced at her, interest flickering in his eyes. After a beat, he nodded.
"Alright, show me now."
They stepped into the center of the courtyard, drawing attention from the other students, who began gathering to watch.
"I'm not much of a teacher like the purists, but I'll try my best," she said.
As they faced each other, Montes began her explanation.
"Soul reading works by using part of your spirit energy to create a channel into someone's soul. The moment you touch my hand, you should feel it."
Akeh reached out, placing his hand on hers. Immediately, he felt a connection...a soft but steady pulse that hinted at her soul.
"You feel that?" Montes asked.
"Yeah," he replied, focusing more closely.
"That's my soul. But your spirit channel is too wide...make it smaller, and what I'm about to do next will be clear."
Then, without warning, Montes lashed out, driving a kick straight at his stomach. Akeh gasped, thrown off by the surprise move, but barely flinched, absorbing the impact. He studied her, more annoyed than hurt.
"Just now, i saw her move. Almost as if I could see the next future… with all that new feeling, the kick took me by surprise."
He thought, rolling his shoulders.
Montes took a step back, surprised.
"I hit him with all my strength, but… he is still standing."
She thought.
Akeh smirked, settling into a Dambe stance.
"The kick took me by surprise, do you think we could try again?"
Montes raised a brow.
"You sure? I am the strongest of the third-rate souls, will you be okay?"
Akeh's gaze was unwavering.
"please, go easy on me." Akeh said with a grin.
They circled each other, and a few intense moments later, Akeh emerged victorious, leaving the students around them in stunned silence.
Whispers buzzed through the crowd as they watched him with newfound respect...
Meanwhile, across the water, Adunni guided a canoe to the clinic. She had been wondering about Lekan and Taiwo, certain they'd be back on their feet by now.
When she arrived, she greeted Ifeoluwa at the front and went straight to their room.
Inside, Lekan and Taiwo were still lying on the beds, looking worn out. She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips.
"You still haven't recovered yet?" she asked.
Taiwo gave a sheepish chuckle.
"No… the injuries were that bad."
Lekan lay silent, barely acknowledging her presence. Adunni noticed the tension and crossed her arms.
"So...let me just ask the question. What happened to Akeh's mother?"
Lekan remained quiet, but Taiwo immediately shook his head, trying to brush off her accusations.
"I'm not accusing you," she said with a calm but piercing look.
"But with the way Lekan's staying quiet, you're clearly hiding something. Should I read your soul and find out?"
Taiwo's eyes widened, and he shook his head.
"No need for that. I'll tell you… but you have to promise you won't say a word."
Adunni gave him a skeptical look, then finally nodded.
"Fine. I promise."
Taiwo glanced around, then leaned in close, whispering the truth into her ear. Adunni's eyes widened in shock as the words sank in, leaving her stunned.
To be continued...