Awakening of the War Soul
At Greenhold Academy, set against the looming majesty of Skyfire Mountain, the campus sprawled across a vast expanse. Even disciples of the outer academy enjoyed the privilege of personal residences, tucked neatly among winding paths and ornamental gardens.
Kai Dawnsworn returned to the row of residences where the outer disciples lived. Boomer trailed silently behind him, a calm presence that contrasted sharply with the tension radiating from Kai. He stepped through the doorway of his modest residence and paused, shoulders heavy.
"Boomer… I want to give up," he admitted slowly, his voice carrying a rare vulnerability.
"Even if the Blade-mage has yet to awaken, you're still exceptionally gifted," Boomer said, his black eyes steady and unwavering as they observed Kai. When Kai had first revealed himself as a Blade-mage, the world had laughed. But Boomer knew better—this was no trivial claim. Kai Dawnsworn was indeed a Blade-mage, and that fact carried weight far beyond the ridicule of peers.
Kai's gold eyes reflected a bitter, almost resigned light. "I know… but I've worked so hard." His lips curved into a faint, dry smile. "Three years. And yet, I'm still behind you. It seems I'll have to push even harder."
"Then let's train," Boomer said, his tone firm yet encouraging.
Kai nodded, turning his gaze to the towering figure behind him. Boomer was a head taller, his frame commanding respect even without a word. Together, they entered the designated development chamber within Kai's residence.
Kai Dawnsworn settled into a cross-legged stance, closing his eyes. A bright, flowing current of Mana gathered around him, coalescing into a visible aura. The Spiritual Mana in the chamber surged violently, rushing toward Kai as if drawn by an invisible magnet. Boomer watched quietly from behind, noting the formidable vortex of energy Kai had become. Anyone witnessing this scene would have felt a shiver run down their spine.
The rushing air coursed through Kai's body, seeking the depths of his mind, the sacred space of his War Soul Palace.
Possessing a War Soul—a living spirit within the palace—was the hallmark of a Blade-mage.
Within Kai Dawnsworn's War Soul Palace, a massive ancient tree spread its jade-green canopy. Yet, the land around it remained barren, untouched. As the Mana poured in, the tree greedily absorbed it, the crisp leaves trembling as though stirred by an unseen wind.
An apparition emerged beneath the tree—an ethereal reflection of Kai himself. He stared at the magnificent tree and whispered, "Three years of absorbing Mana, and yet you give nothing back. You only take… If you continue like this, I'll no longer transfer any of the Mana I gather to you."
With those words, the apparition vanished. The flow of Mana that had been directed toward the War Soul Palace shifted, spreading through Kai's body instead. A tremendous surge of energy washed over him, signaling readiness for the Growth Plane.
But just as he reached for that breakthrough, a violent force erupted, pulling all the Mana back into the War Soul Palace.
The sudden reversal made Kai's body shudder with frustration. Three years of diligent cultivation, every ounce of Mana sacrificed to his War Soul, only to see it rejected, hoarded by the very entity he sought to empower. Rage flared in his chest.
Yet the War Soul ignored his fury. It continued its relentless absorption, devouring every bit of energy in Kai's body. Within moments, his complexion paled, the strain evident in the tightening of his jaw.
Damn it! Kai Dawnsworn cursed under his breath.
A violent tremor rattled through his skull. His consciousness struggled, desperate to assert control, but the wild surge of Mana overpowered him.
"Ah…!" A deep growl tore from his throat. Boomer reacted instantly, rising to his feet. He witnessed the transformation unfolding in Kai's body: Mana from the surrounding chamber surged into him, while the very flora nearby—the flowers, the grass, the trees—wilted under the overwhelming force.
Boomer's black eyes sharpened with realization. He stepped forward, taking a position directly behind Kai. Placing both hands on Kai's back, he felt the sheer magnitude of the force—his own Mana being drawn away into Kai's body.
Could it finally be awakening?
A silent, electric anticipation hung in the air, as if the War Soul itself had sensed the moment it had long awaited.