Rivan woke to the faint hum of the dorm sigils, golden light pulsing gently across the walls. His body felt… different. Muscles tighter, senses sharper, and the golden warmth in his veins thrumming in time with his heartbeat.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and froze. A subtle shimmer traced along the floor, like the room itself was acknowledging him. His fingers twitched involuntarily, leaving faint sparks in the air before vanishing. This isn't normal…
Outside, the Academy was alive. Students in black-and-silver uniforms hustled through the corridors, whispering as he passed. Some stared openly; others glanced away, eyes flicking with curiosity—or fear.
"Someone's talking about the forest survivor," a boy muttered under his breath.
Rivan's stomach tightened. Forest… survivor? again? The words echoed like a distant warning, and for a brief moment, he wondered if he really belonged here.
At the end of the hallway, Liora waited, hands folded neatly. Her black hair caught the sunlight, silver streaks glinting like metal, and her sharp eyes followed him with quiet intensity. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod—both reassurance and caution—before walking ahead, the edges of her uniform brushing the polished floor.
The training hall was vast, circular, lined with floating crystals and runes etched into polished stone. A steady hum of energy filled the air, vibrating faintly against his skin. Warmth from the overhead lanterns mixed with the faint metallic scent of mana.
Instructor Marnell stepped forward, hands raised, voice carrying over the room. "Today we begin basic mana exercises. Focus on control, not force. Let the flow guide you. And remember—power that is unchecked can harm the wielder as easily as it harms others."
Rivan took a deep breath, trying to steady the rapid thrum of energy in his chest. He focused on the nearest crystal. A simple lift—he tried to imitate the others—but before he could consciously act, it shuddered and leapt toward him, glowing faintly golden.
A murmur ran through the students.
"Impossible…" someone whispered.
Rivan's pulse spiked. Did I do that? His fingers twitched involuntarily, sparks dancing along the tips before he clenched his fists. The surge of energy left a sharp, almost painful heat along his forearms, making him flinch. I have to control this…
Liora's eyes narrowed slightly from the edge of the hall. Her jaw tightened just enough that he noticed—her calm composure cracked for a fraction of a second. She knows I did it…
The exercises continued. Students moved their mana through their arms, lifting stones, shaping small flames. Rivan followed mechanically at first, but instinct took over. A small golden aura rippled from his hands, guiding objects farther and faster than anyone else.
A tall, broad-shouldered student stepped forward, crossing his arms. His face was a mixture of irritation and disbelief. "Who taught you that? That's not standard technique."
Rivan's stomach knotted. His throat felt dry. He glanced down at his hands, feeling a faint tingling burn from exertion. "I—I don't know…"
The boy stepped closer, smirking, and Rivan could feel the tension in the air. His pulse hammered in his ears; his shoulders stiffened, and his fingers twitched, leaving faint trails of light in the air. Stay calm… just stay calm. He clenched his fists, forcing his aura to subside before it could draw attention.
The boy leaned in slightly, voice low. "You better watch yourself. Some of us don't take kindly to… prodigies."
Rivan's jaw tightened. He felt a surge of adrenaline and a faint ache in his chest—the strain of holding back his power. His eyes flicked toward the floating crystals, which pulsed faintly in response to his restrained energy. I can't let this get out of control… not yet.
From the far side of the hall, a cloaked figure observed silently, unmoving, face hidden in shadow. A cold pressure brushed against Rivan's chest—the same sensation from his awakening. He shivered, a faint hair-raising chill creeping up his spine. The figure vanished before he could react.
Someone's watching… he thought. Again.
Marnell's eyes lingered on him longer than necessary. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm but edged with warning:
"Power like yours… is dangerous, even to its owner. Learn control, or it will control you."
Rivan swallowed, feeling the weight of the words. Control… I need control… but how far can I push this before it breaks me?
That evening, back in his dorm, he tried to sleep, but the golden warmth pulsed stronger than before. The sigils responded automatically, glowing in sync with his heartbeat.
And then the voice came again—low, distant, ancient:
"They're closer than you think, Starborn."
Rivan's eyes snapped open. His hands trembled, fingers tracing faint trails of golden light in the air. A faint ache lingered in his chest, a reminder that his power was both gift and burden. Whoever—or whatever—was watching, the game had only begun.
--
Author's Note:
Hey everyone!
Chapter 3 is here! Rivan's first day at the Academy brings more than just training—his powers are awakening, and not everyone is happy about it. Watch the whispers, the glances, and the subtle warnings—there's more happening behind the scenes than meets the eye.
Liora and Marnell aren't just teachers—they're watching, guiding, and maybe even hiding something. And someone… or something… is watching Rivan too.
What do you think the cloaked figure wants? And how far can Rivan push his powers before they push back? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I love reading your theories!
Thanks again for reading and supporting the Starborn's journey. Every save, vote, and comment helps the story grow!