The academy had not been the same ever since the Combat Rounds ended. Even though two days had passed, the courtyard still buzzed with murmurs about the boy who had come out of nowhere and shattered all expectations. Zeref could feel the pressure of every glance that followed him as he walked toward the training wing. Some looked at him with admiration. Others glared as if he had stolen something from them. Ren noticed the stiffening of Zeref's shoulders and whispered, "Ignore them. People talk when they can't understand what they saw."
Zeref gave a small smile, though the tension didn't fade. Even Yuxin, usually cheerful and expressive, kept glancing behind them. "It's getting weird," she muttered. "Ever since the awarding ceremony, people act as if Zeref is going to explode any moment."
"Maybe they're scared he actually will," Ren joked under his breath, but there was a bite in his tone. Zeref didn't respond. He was trying too hard to ignore the strange feeling inside him—an invisible thread tugging at his core ever since he had touched the Aetherion during the collapse. A heaviness, a hum, something breathing beneath his skin.
The trio reached the inner courtyard. Miss Lin stood waiting, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable as always, but Zeref noticed her eyes flicker briefly—assessing him, almost wary. "You're late," she said. "Kindly remember that training is not optional, Zeref."
He bowed lightly. "Apologies, Miss Lin. I wasn't feeling very—"
"Different?" she finished for him, causing Zeref to blink. Ren and Yuxin exchanged glances. Miss Lin dismissed them with a gesture. "You two may use the outer grounds today. Zeref and I will train separately."
Ren frowned immediately. "Separately? Why?"
Yuxin added, "Did Zeref do something wrong?"
Miss Lin glanced at them sharply. "No. But he requires a different type of training starting today." Her gaze shifted to Zeref. "Follow me."
She led him deep into the training halls where few disciples ever stepped foot. The air was colder here, silent and ancient. Miss Lin stopped in a circular chamber lined with stone slabs carved with old runes. Zeref felt a faint vibration in the ground as soon as he stepped inside. His lungs tightened. Something in this room… resonated with him. As though the walls were humming his name.
Miss Lin spoke without turning. "Ever since the collapse, an abnormal Aether fluctuation has been recorded around you."
Zeref stiffened. "I… didn't do anything. I don't even know how—"
"I know," she said gently, turning toward him. "Which is the alarming part."
She raised a hand and a soft barrier formed around the chamber. "I need you to meditate, Zeref. No force. Just breathe."
He obeyed, settling onto the center platform. The moment he closed his eyes, the world faded.
And then something breathed back.
A subtle tremor pulsed through his body, spreading outward like ripples on water. The runes on the walls flickered faintly. Zeref gasped and opened his eyes, but Miss Lin only watched sharply, her hands already glowing with prepared counter-seals. "Continue," she demanded.
Zeref swallowed and closed his eyes again.
This time, the pulse grew stronger—an invisible heartbeat echoing through the chamber. Not his heartbeat. Something older. Vaster.
Far above, in distant mountains and temples, ancient devices shuddered awake. Crystals cracked. Bells rang without wind. Elders meditating in seclusion snapped their eyes open.
Aether had moved.
And it was moving because of him.
Zeref's eyes shot open as a faint iridescent glow wrapped around his arms. "Miss Lin—something's wrong—"
But before he could stand, a surge spread from him like a whisper made of light—soundless yet thunderous. The Aether Pulse.
Every artifact in the room vibrated violently. Dust rose in spirals. The stone floor shivered beneath him. Zeref gasped in pain as the glow deepened, forming thin streams of silver along his veins. "What's happening—?!"
Miss Lin rushed forward, placing both palms over his back. "Steady your mind! Don't resist—breathe with it!"
Zeref tried, but the pulse felt alive, as though the Aetherion itself had reached out and touched him again. He felt visions—flashes of stars, a distant sky torn in violet light, silhouettes standing beneath constellations he did not recognize.
The pulse expanded again—this time surging far beyond the chamber.
Across the realm, more elders rose from meditation, turning toward the academy. Several ancient guardians awakened in confusion. "Aether… has been stirred," murmured Elder Jian from the Northern Temple.
Miss Lin felt her heart pound. It was too soon. Far too soon.
Finally, after several agonizing moments, the vibration died down. Zeref collapsed, breathless and shaking, sweat streaming down his forehead. Miss Lin knelt immediately. "Zeref! Tell me what you felt."
"I don't know," he gasped. "I… I didn't try to do anything. I just… it felt like… something touched my mind."
His voice trembled. "It felt like it knew me."
Miss Lin froze.
She masked it quickly, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Listen carefully. You must not tell anyone about what happened today. Not Ren. Not Yuxin. Not even other teachers. Understand?"
Zeref nodded weakly.
Miss Lin stood slowly, her expression turning grave and conflicted. He's synchronizing too fast… far faster than any mortal should. If this continues, the academy will realize who he is—long before he's ready.
She turned away, her cloak shifting with her hurried steps. "Come. You're done for today."
Zeref followed shakily. The moment they stepped outside, Ren and Yuxin ran over.
"Bro! Are you okay?" Ren asked.
"What happened inside?" Yuxin demanded.
Zeref forced a small smile. "Just… meditation training. Miss Lin pushed me harder today."
Ren squinted. "Your eyes look weirdly shiny."
Yuxin poked his cheek. "Did you break something?"
Zeref laughed awkwardly. "No! Just tired."
But deep inside, he knew something had changed—something he couldn't put into words.
As they headed back toward the dorms, Zeref placed a hand over his chest. His heartbeat had finally steadied but something softer lingered beneath it. A faint hum, like an unanswered call waiting for him to speak.
And far away, in a forgotten shrine, an ancient seal trembled—responding to the same pulse.
The Starbound had awakened.
But Zeref had no idea what destiny had begun shifting around him.
And this was only the beginning.
---
To be continued...