Academy: First Steps with the Sword and Nexus
As the sun slowly climbed toward its peak, Aurelia Academy was bathed in golden light. Elias rose from his bed, his chest tight with a mix of excitement and unease. The lessons of balance and the sparks he had touched upon yesterday still lingered in his mind. Today, his training would continue—this time with both the sword and the Nexus.
In the corridor, Cedric approached with a sly grin.
"Ready for today, Elias?"
"I'm ready," Elias replied, a glint of determination in his eyes.
Other students were gathering as well: Lyra, brushing her golden hair from her shoulder with a faint smile at Elias; Darven, a quick-footed boy with cropped hair who darted past with restless energy; and Alenor, calm and composed, yet with sharp, watchful eyes.
At the center of the training square stood Commander Aldren. His face was stern, his gaze cutting like steel. The students raised their wooden swords as he spoke in a commanding voice:
"Today is not about strength. You will learn balance and coordination. Every strike must flow with both body and mind. Do not rush."
As Elias gripped the wooden sword, his father's voice echoed in his memory:
"Balance, my son. If your feet are unsteady, the sword will never obey you."
Cedric leaned closer, muttering under his breath,
"Better keep up today. I won't go easy."
Their first spar began. Cedric's strikes were fast and reckless, each blow pressing forward with raw aggression. Elias staggered under the impact, but his stance held firm. He focused on observing—reading the rhythm, the speed, the intent behind Cedric's movements. Aldren circled them, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
"Lyra! Straighten your stance! Alenor, loosen your wrists!"
Elias learned not only from his duel but also from watching the others. With every clash, he adjusted, breathing with the rhythm of his movements. When Cedric lunged again, Elias shifted, breaking his opponent's balance with a controlled counter. Cedric stumbled but did not fall. Aldren gave Elias a curt nod.
"Well done, Thorn."
For the rest of the lesson, they practiced combinations and defensive forms. Elias felt the spark of pride kindle within him. He did not boast or show off; it was enough to feel his own progress.
By afternoon, the students gathered in the stone hall. Blue crystals embedded in the walls glimmered faintly, casting a serene glow. Master Marwen stood at the center, his calm presence filling the room.
"Today," he said, his voice soft yet steady, "you will touch the Nexus for the first time. If your body is prepared, then listen to your spirit as well. Do not rush—observe, and feel."
Elias closed his eyes, steadying his breath. Beneath the surface of his thoughts, beyond the faint spark from yesterday, he felt a trembling resonance—like a distant guide whispering just out of reach.
Around him, other students experienced their own fragments of awakening: a flicker here, a pulse there. Some felt nothing at all. Marwen moved among them, offering short, subtle hints, never lingering too long on any one student. Elias learned to follow the inner vibration, syncing it with his breath until it felt almost natural.
As evening fell, the students returned to their dormitories. The Academy was strict—supervisors patrolled the halls constantly, and students were permitted to see their families only for a single month during the summer recess.
Cedric gave Elias a small shove on the shoulder.
"Not bad today."
"I know. You weren't bad either," Elias answered with a faint smile.
From down the hall, Lyra glanced back at him with a gentle smile.
"Good night, Elias."
"Good night," he replied softly.
When Elias finally lay down, his mind replayed the day: the weight of the wooden sword in his hands, the whisper of the Nexus within. Both paths had only just begun, but the foundations were set. Exhaustion pulled at him, yet beneath it burned a deeper flame—curiosity, excitement, and the promise of what tomorrow might bring.