The morning bell rang sharply across the academy. Students hustled into the schoolyard, powers already on display. Fire danced along one boy's fingers, a faint shadow slithered behind another, and a small whirlwind circled a hovering girl.
Kael hung back, bag slung over his shoulder, feeling invisible in a world of sparks.
"Late again, weakling!" Toren's voice cut through the morning chatter. Black wings unfurled from his back as his friends laughed. Dust swirled around Kael's feet from a minor whirlwind conjured just for show.
Kael's stomach twisted. He kept his gaze down.
"Don't mind him," Lyra whispered, walking beside him. Her hair caught the sunlight, glowing like strands of gold. "You're stronger than you know."
Kael forced a nod. The ache in his head throbbed, sharper than yesterday. The vision of a colossal shadow lingered in his mind. Watching him. Waiting.
Inside the classroom, rows of desks gleamed under the sunlight. Professor Armin, tall with silver hair and piercing eyes, waited. He had a reputation for noticing potential—and the lack of it.
"Good morning, students," he said. "Today we practice awakening your powers. This is not about strength alone. Control and understanding matter most."
Kael swallowed hard. No power. Nothing. Every glance at his classmates reminded him of that painful truth.
Mira, with silver hair flowing like water, lifted her hands. A small orb of light floated above her palms. She smiled proudly at the teacher.
Kiro, a boy with fiery red hair, clenched his fists. Sparks crackled and danced across his fingers. His smirk was directed at Kael.
Kael looked down at his empty hands. Nothing. Only a faint pulse in his chest—the whisper of the shadow from his dreams.
Professor Armin gestured to a wooden training dummy. "Step forward. Channel your energy. Strike."
One by one, students went. Mira's orb hit perfectly. Sparks flew from Kiro's punches. Toren stepped up last, wings spreading wide. He slammed the dummy. Wood splintered. Kael flinched.
Then it was his turn.
He approached slowly. Chest throbbing. Head pounding. He raised his hands. Nothing.
Professor Armin's voice cut through. "Focus on your core, Kael. Power is understanding yourself. Feel it. Don't force it."
Kael clenched his fists and closed his eyes. He focused on the pulse inside, the shadow that haunted him. A faint ripple ran through his chest. The dummy trembled slightly.
The classroom gasped.
Even Toren's smirk faltered. Mira's eyes widened. Lyra's hand brushed against his arm, a silent encouragement. "I knew you could do it," she whispered.
After class, Armin called Kael aside.
"Your aura… it's unusual," the teacher said quietly. "Most students have sparks or none at all. Yours… moves differently. Subtle, restrained, and persistent."
"I… I have nothing, sir," Kael said, face burning.
"Do not underestimate hidden potential," Armin replied. "One day, you may surprise yourself—and everyone else."
Kael nodded, unsure whether to feel encouraged or anxious.
Outside, Lyra waited. "You did something today. Even small, it means your power is waking."
Kael shook his head. "It's barely anything. They'll laugh tomorrow."
"Then let them," she said firmly. "I'll be here. You'll find your own pace."
That night, Kael lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Headache throbbing. Dreams returned. Mountains collapsed. Skies burned. The shadow loomed, closer than ever.
A voice echoed, deep and resonant.
"Rise, child of Origin… the world waits long enough."
Kael jolted awake, heart racing. Air felt heavy. Something ancient stirred nearby. Watching. Waiting.
Lyra knocked softly at the door the next morning. "You look exhausted," she said. "Another dream?"
Kael nodded. "Yeah… it felt real this time."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Kael wanted to believe her. Deep down, a spark of hope flickered. His life, once ordinary, was slowly starting to change. Something powerful stirred within, waiting for the right moment.
The boy who couldn't shine was beginning to awaken.