It's been three days since Caelum was subdued. Currently his body is laying in a cottage covered in bandages. Next to him at the study desk sat the headmaster.
"He has not woken up in days"
This was worrisome. Did his body not heal? But faint traces of mana leaked from his body. His pulse was normal.
If anything he seemed to only be asleep. But for how long will he be in this state. Months? Years? Days?
"Only time will tell"
The headmaster got up from his chair. Put on his robe and looked at the boy one more time before opening the door.
He went out of the cottage. Infront of the door a name was engraved. [Liam Lockhart] The name of the headmaster.
*******************
Back at the Academy Candice was still searching for traces about Caelum. Leon finds her in the library where she reads over records. She had asked someone to investigate Caelum Veris. All she found in the documents was that Caelum was once a noble.
Approaching her - he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Aaaaaaa!!!!"
"Woah~ relax it's just me"
"Oh, Leon you scared me"
"Have you found anything? "
Candice stared at the papers and shook her head.
"Nothing for now. All I could find was that he was a noble at one point."
"Not particularly useful. Where is he right now anyway, he hasn't been in class for like three days."
"Now that you mention it... It is sus"
"Yeah, something is definitely going on"
"But why are you suddenly interested in Caelum?"
"Just curious."
"Right~"
************************************************
The sky was blue and gold. The ground felt rough. A cottage stood in between a forest of trees.
-Swoosh!
Caelum was swinging his sword. His control over the world in his conscious has gotten better. He even figured out his to keep the obsidian replica away from the cottage that he created.
-Swoosh!
One slash split the air.
Then another.
Then fifty more.
Then one hundred.
Two hundred.
Sweat dripped from his body. Looking at the sky he picked up his sword. The sun was slowly setting.
"It's time."
It was time to try against his replica again. It seemed like he couldn't leave, until he defeated it.
Flashback – The First Attempt to Wake Up:
When Caelum first created the false world—the tranquil cottage surrounded by trees—he didn't go crazy. He had always been composed under pressure, and this felt like just another dream. His replica was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm ready," he had said aloud, standing in the empty clearing. "Send me back."
Nothing happened.
He repeated it. This time louder. "Wake up. Let me out."
Still, the forest remained still. Birds chirped in the distance. The wind rustled leaves. No change.
Caelum frowned. "This is my consciousness, isn't it?"
He clenched his fists and focused. He pictured the real world: the academy, the dorms. He willed his body to stir.
"I command you," he growled, voice heavy with desperation. "Wake up. Return."
But the only thing that responded was the shadow at the edge of the trees—his obsidian replica, grinning silently before vanishing back into the woods.
Caelum fell to his knees, breathing hard. He had thought this world would obey his will.
But then he felt it—a gentle tug in the air, a presence watching. The world did respond. Just not to commands.
"…So that's it," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "I'm not in control. Not yet."
From then on, he began training—not just his body, but his intent. The replica wasn't just an obstacle. Maybe if he defeated it....
************************************************
Back in the present
Caelum was standing face to face with his replica. Surrounded by a forest of bamboo - yet another dreamscape that he created.
-hoo.
A breath escaped his mouth.
This will be the 67th attempt.
He got into a stance. Lightning flickered across his body. This time all the way up to his abdomen.
-Boom!
Leaving behind a crater - Caelum dashed toward his copy. Lightning surrounded his sword.
Like a bolt of lightning he arrived infront of the copy.
-Clang!
Steel met steel. The copy grinned - the exchange was short but it had won again.
"Dammit I couldn't chain two attacks"
He got up, took his sword and headed back to his cottage. Tomorrow he would try again.