The warmth of the festival had faded, but its echoes lingered. Laughter and cheers still haunted Elian's mind, but the hooded stranger's words had buried themselves deeper.
"The seal will not hold forever. Find the truth, before they find you."
Sleep had been restless. When the morning sun broke through his dorm window, Elian felt heavier than he should. His chest ached faintly where the seal's mark glowed under his shirt, reminding him that his secret was still chained… for now.
The academy's training ground was buzzing with noise. Today was the start of the Elemental Trials, where first-years would showcase their skills before instructors. It was supposed to be a simple evaluation, but to Elian, it felt like a stage where one mistake could expose him.
Lyra was beside him, clutching her spellbook with eager eyes, while Kael stretched dramatically, his sword strapped across his back.
"Try not to embarrass yourself, Elian," Kael teased, though his grin was meant to reassure.
Elian forced a smile, but his gaze kept drifting to the high platform where the instructors stood. Among them was Professor Darius, a sharp-eyed veteran mage who was rumored to see through illusions and lies.
Elian's heartbeat quickened. If anyone notices the seal's influence on me…
One by one, students stepped forward. Lyra's turn came first. She summoned elegant spears of violet lightning, her control precise, drawing gasps of admiration. Kael followed, cutting through conjured dummies with swift, decisive strikes that made even the instructors nod.
Then it was Elian's turn.
He stepped into the circle. The ground shimmered, runes activating, projecting a group of simulated monsters before him. They weren't real, but their movements were fast, their claws sharp.
The test began.
Elian drew his training blade, forcing his breathing steady. The first strike came from his left—he parried awkwardly, his wrist trembling from the impact. A second beast lunged, and he barely ducked in time.
The crowd murmured.
"Elian's struggling."
"Didn't he rank low in the entrance exam?"
"Why is he even here?"
Whispers stung sharper than blades.
He bit his lip, pushing harder. He dodged, blocked, slashed—but his movements lacked the natural strength of Kael or the finesse of Lyra. His body was reaching its limit, yet the trial wasn't ending.
Then, a simulated beast feinted and raked its claw across his arm. Pain flared hot, blood splattering across the glowing circle.
The crowd gasped.
"Elian!" Lyra shouted, stepping forward, but an instructor held her back.
The monster raised its claw again. Elian braced himself—knowing he couldn't dodge in time.
And then—
The seal pulsed.
Light rippled through his veins, golden threads stitching the wound closed in seconds. His eyes widened as strength surged within him. His grip tightened on the sword.
When the monster struck again, his blade moved faster, sharper—cutting straight through the illusion with a flash. The trial circle flickered, shattering the remaining simulations in one sweep of his glowing strike.
Silence fell.
Elian stood in the circle, chest heaving, the faint glow of his seal fading beneath his shirt. His wound was gone. Not even a scar remained.
The instructors exchanged looks. Students whispered louder.
Lyra's hands trembled around her book. Kael stared, eyes wide with something between pride and fear.
And on the platform, Professor Darius's sharp gaze locked on Elian. He didn't smile. He didn't frown. He only studied him—as though he had just witnessed a truth Elian had fought to keep buried.
Elian staggered back, his head swimming. He clenched his fist against his chest, hiding the glow.
Why… why do I have these powers? What am I?
The weight of secrets pressed harder than ever.
And in the shadows beyond the platform, hidden from everyone else, the hooded stranger from the festival watched silently.