Bryce turned to Gabriela and saw her bright smile as she looked at him, but it made him feel nothing. He wasn't in the mood to entertain her, but then a thought crossed his mind.
"What do you know about the person who founded this citadel and academy?" he asked.
Gabriela looked surprised. "You finally talked and you're the curious type. I like that."
Since Gabriela seemed interested in him for reasons he didn't fully understand, Bryce decided to take advantage of it and turn her into his informant. He would ask her questions about things he needed to know and, hopefully, she would answer them.
"To be honest, I don't know much about him," Gabriela said. "I know he created the force field that protects the citadel. It was his people who became the first enlightened ones, they literally shaped the world into what it is now."
Bryce was satisfied with her answer. At least she was useful to him. He didn't want to ask more questions, it would make it obvious that he was using her.
"Don't worry," Gabriela said suddenly, still smiling. "You're not using me. I know you need answers, and I'll gladly give you the ones I have."
Bryce stiffened. He hadn't expected that. For a moment, he wondered if she could read his mind.
Before he could think further, Silas walked into the training ground, and all eyes turned toward him.
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting," Silas said. "I got caught up with something. Now, without wasting any more time, we'll begin."
He faced the students. "First, we'll start with individual training. This is your chance to master energy."
The students scattered, heading toward different sections of the training ground. Most of them picked up wooden weapons placed neatly on a table nearby. Bryce wasn't sure what to do, so he remained where he was, watching.
Silas walked up to him.
"You, Bryce," Silas said. "Given your situation, I'll focus on you and guide you through the basics."
Silas turned and motioned. "Follow me."
Silas led him to a quieter section of the training ground and faced him. Bryce felt a flicker of frustration. Silas was difficult to read, and he had no idea what he was planning.
"For you to manipulate energy, what some of you call mana, you first have to understand what it is," Silas said, pacing slowly. Some students nearby turned their attention toward him, including Jace, Zhen, and Gabriela.
"I've said this before," Silas continued, "but I'll say it again for Bryce's sake and for anyone else who still needs to hear it."
He stopped and looked around.
"Everything in this world is made of energy. Every single thing, even us. Because there is no longer a bridge separating our world from the metaphysical world, the two have become intertwined. And now, it is easier for humans to access that power, the power of the universe itself."
As Silas spoke, something changed in him. His voice grew stronger, more passionate.
"Manipulating energy is no small ability," he said. "It is the power of gods. Before the invasion, many of you believed in one god or another, a god who created the world, who performed miracles."
He looked directly at Bryce.
"What power do you think those gods used? They manipulated energy."
Bryce listened intently. The explanation made sense to him, but understanding alone wasn't enough. He needed to use it.
"Now, Bryce, let's get to the point," Silas said. "Your status as an enlightened one may still be uncertain. But since Father William brought you here, you must be one."
He stepped closer. "Before you can use power, you need to feel energy. You need to become one with it. So I want you to feel the energy around you."
Bryce didn't know how to begin. The uncertainty irritated him.
"What do I do?" he asked.
Silas blinked, then nodded. "Right. This is your first time. Close your eyes and simply feel it. If you are truly enlightened, it won't be difficult. Focus and you'll feel the energy."
Bryce wasn't sure he could do it, but he had no choice.
He stood still and closed his eyes.
Darkness surrounded him. At first, he felt nothing, only a faint breeze moving through the training ground. Then he realized something was wrong. There shouldn't be any breeze indoors.
He focused on that sensation.
And then he felt it.
Energy.
It flowed around him like a current, gentle yet vast. Not only could he feel it, he could see it.
The first energy he sensed clearly belonged to Silas, standing in front of him. It was steady, controlled.
Then he felt immense energy coming from five different directions. He couldn't tell who they belonged to, his eyes were still closed.
He was about to open them when he felt another energy.
This one was different.
It was coming from him.
He turned his attention inward, trying to observe his own energy, and the moment he did, flashes tore through his mind. The mansion. The book. The mysterious figure.
His heart grew heavy. His breathing became shallow.
Bryce's eyes snapped open.
His mood shifted instantly. Whatever he had felt, he didn't want to feel it again.
"I see you were able to sense the energy," Silas said calmly. "That's good. Now comes the next step, manipulating the energy you feel."
Silas had noticed Bryce's reaction. So had Zhen. So had Gabriela.
But for reasons unknown, Silas chose to ignore it and moved on.