"I was not expecting to see you here today," the combat instructor said to Father William.
Because he was still focused on Zhen, Bryce did not realize that the combat instructor had walked up to him and Father William.
"I came to show him how things are going in the academy," Father William said as he turned toward Bryce.
"And who is he?" the instructor asked with a warm smile.
"This is Bryce. He is a new student at the academy," Father William replied.
"Nice to meet you, Bryce," the instructor said, but Bryce did not respond.
"This is Silas Blackwood," Father William said to Bryce. "He will be taking you on combat training now that you are in the academy."
Bryce scanned Silas, but there was nothing particularly engaging about him. He wore spectacles, and his dressing was plain, a plaid T-shirt and black trousers.
"You saw the fight firsthand today. How was it?" Silas asked Father William.
"The students are progressing, and that is a good sign. They are the future of our world after all," Father William replied.
"They will progress even more, step by step," Silas said confidently.
"Good," Father William said. "I will be on my way now. You will see more of young Bryce from tomorrow."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the training ground. Bryce followed behind him.
Now that they were no longer in the training ground, Father William stopped. "This is where we part ways for now," he said to Bryce. "I am sure you can find your way back to your room. And about your room, give me some time, and I will move you to a better room with the other students."
"I want that room," Bryce said immediately. "I can manage it. I don't mind."
Bryce was not ready to stay in a room with people he did not know. He was fine being alone.
"Hmmm," Father William said thoughtfully. "Okay then, you can keep the room. It's getting late now, it will be dark soon. Get some sleep, and tomorrow you will begin the academy properlu. If there is anything you need from me, I am always here."
Father William walked away, leaving Bryce alone.
Bryce was not in the mood to sleep, but his body was still weak, so he decided to rest and hope he would wake up feeling better.
He walked slowly back to his room. The room was not hard to find, he had always been good at remembering places. He entered and closed the door behind him.
The room was not ideal. It had only one small window and a bed in the corner, but Bryce had no problem with it.
After standing for a while, he grew tired and sat on the bed. The fight he had watched earlier began replaying in his mind. He wanted that power and more, so he could begin his mission.
Bryce lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
After some time, he opened his eyes, but he was no longer in the room.
He was on the floor of the mansion.
Confused, he slowly stood up. The mansion began to shake, just like before, but he could not move. It was as if his legs were stuck to the floor.
Then he saw himself coming out of the library, with his friends behind him. The same scene from that night was playing again.
He saw Austin coming out of the library and ran to help him, but it was useless. He could not touch anything. The door slammed shut, killing Austin.
The same thing happened with Tyler. Bryce tried to help, but there was nothing he could do.
Now he stood at the exit of the mansion, and right in front of him was Carl. Tears filled Carl's eyes, and Bryce was powerless to do anything about it.
Flashes of the book filled his mind, along with flashes of the dark figure he had seen in the library.
Bryce woke up suddenly, gasping for breath. He had just relived everything that happened that night in the mansion.
He placed his hand on his face. The only emotions left were anger and regret.
There was a knock on his door. Some of the tension eased as he wondered who it could be.
He glanced at the window and saw light outside, it was already morning. He didn't know the time and there was no clock in the room.
Bryce slowly stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, Eva was standing there. Both of her hands were full, though Bryce couldn't tell what she was carrying.
"Good morning," she said in her calm voice.
"Morning," Bryce replied. "Come in."
He stepped aside, and she entered. Bryce closed the door behind her and walked closer to the bed. He still didn't feel okay after the dream.
Eva gently placed one of the bags she was holding on the floor. "I thought you would be hungry, so I brought food for you," she said.
Only then did Bryce realize how hungry he was. Even after sleeping, he still felt weak. He guessed it was because he hadn't eaten.
Eva took out a container and handed it to him. Bryce opened it, but he wasn't sure what he was looking at, it wasn't any type of food he recognized.
Eva noticed the confusion on his face and explained, "Since all this happened, trees and plants started dying. Most weaker animals couldn't survive the harsh atmosphere either. New plants that are planted no longer grow. And we no longer eat animals, most of them are extinct or on the brink of extinction."
It was hard for Bryce to believe what she was saying, but he had no reason to doubt her. He began to think about the damage the invasion had done to the physical world, and the lingering thought that it was all his fault.
"Humanity was on the brink of starvation," Eva continued, "and that was while we were still fighting those creatures."