The next morning, in the east courtyard of the academy.
I couldn't sleep at all last night.
My body was on the bed, but my soul was restless. Whenever I closed my eyes, I felt like I was falling again, into endless darkness, with the memory of real pain that hadn't yet disappeared.
The walls that pierced my body, the unpleasant sound of cracking bones, the feeling of the weight of the earth crushing me like an ant... and then the emptiness. And then the return.
I'm still scratching my head over how I came back. Was it time repeating itself? Did the space element let me jump in time? Or was it just a warning? I'm not sure, but I do know one thing
That element is out of the ordinary.
I was in the line of students in the East Quad. My features are a little pale, my eyes are heavy, but I keep my back straight.
"Good morning, my students," said Serena's voice, cutting through the whispers. "As I said, today we're going to do some basic tests to see how well you can control your elements.
She pointed to a bunch of stone targets all over the arena, as well as metal slabs.
Each of you will try to use your element to hit or affect the targets. We're testing control, not power.
The students came forward one by one. Some fired fireballs, while others added their element to their weapon. I could do both. I was planning to use my sword art, but I had the bottle, so...
When my name was called, I quietly stepped forward.
I took out the artifact vial that Serena gave me and got a little bit of blood from it. I picked it up in the air on a bullet, then shot it at a stone target.
It went through it easily.
Some people were surprised, others cautious... it seems like my name still gets a mix of reactions.
Serena nodded, but didn't say anything.
I went back to my place without saying a word, but inside... I was just trying to keep it together. I hadn't slept, my head was heavy, and my body was still shaking.
After Dan finished his presentation, someone called out the name of a student wearing a diamond badge, with long, ash-colored hair and calm features.
"Ellen Hartner."
When he heard the name, Dan paid attention. It's the same family Marlin mentioned yesterday—the girl Dan was accused of trying to assault.
A girl with brown hair tied back stepped into the center of the square. She moved with confidence, but she wasn't looking for attention. She stood in front of one of the goals, closed her eyes for a second, and then extended her right hand forward.
The ground shook a little under her feet, and then thin, snake-like wooden roots popped out of it. They quickly crept towards the target and, in a flash, turned into a huge wooden spear that shot out with incredible speed.
Strike!
The spear went right through the center of the stone target, making a deep cut, and then the spear just broke into pieces.
A quiet buzz of admiration spread through the group.
Serena said in a neutral tone:
"The stroke is spot on, and the density is perfect. The wood element needs a balance of flexibility and strength, and you showed both.
It's your turn, Rowen.
Dan said under his breath.
"Isn't that the boy from last time?"
He lifted the sword, and it gave off a blue spark, then just vanished... A moment later, the metal target split in half, and no one saw him hit it.
He didn't say anything for a second, then just left without saying what had happened.
Marlin came behind him, holding a spear.
He took an offensive stance, then summoned flames to wrap around his spear. He sprinted toward the target with incredible speed, then tore it apart with a precise fireball.
He laughed when he finished:
"It could have been a little harder, couldn't it?"
Then a young guy with blue hair and eyes like calm lakes stepped forward. He stood quietly, holding a slim sword that caught the sunlight.
He looked familiar, and then Dan remembered that he'd seen him on the day he'd enrolled at the academy. He was among the first to go through the gate.
"Lian Solid!"
The professor called him.
The young man nodded quietly and took a step forward, then raised his right hand a bit. Then, a stream of water formed around his arm and rushed along the blade, covering it with a bright liquid aura.
He gave the target a quick, precise cut with a light step, splitting the wood and causing it to fall to the ground.
People started to talk about how impressed they were, and even Ms. Serena raised an eyebrow in a way that showed she thought it was pretty good.
Dan watched the scene with almost stunned eyes. "His control of water... so elegant.
Lian went back to his spot near the students, but he stopped suddenly when he passed Dan.
"Dan Noctein, right?"
Dan looked up and met Lian's eyes.
"Yeah, I am."
Lian looked him over for a second, then said in a cold tone:
"Strange... I thought you'd be more... rude."
Dan didn't reply. He just looked at him straight on, without any emotion.
Lian kept going, sounding a bit disgusted:
"I never thought I'd end up in the same arena as someone with so many bad rumors. The Academy seems to be pretty forgiving."
Dan's hand clenched a bit, but he stayed calm.
"I'm not the person you think I am."
Lian chuckled lightly:
"Of course... I've changed, haven't I? That's what everyone says after they get caught."
Lian looked away and kept going without saying anything, leaving everyone in a awkward silence.
Marin, who was standing nearby, muttered:
"What's wrong with him? Act like you killed his brother."
Dan just smiled, without any emotion.
After Lian left, Dan stayed standing there, thinking about the emptiness in front of him. Lian's words didn't really bother him. He wasn't the one involved, but he still felt a little empty.
Marin, who noticed the tension in Dan's face, put a hand on his shoulder and said:
"Don't let his words affect you. You're not the person they're talking about, people change."
Dan gave a slight smile.
Then, Professor Serena stepped back into the center of the arena and said:
"Today's tests are done. Great job, everyone! Remember that controlling your element comes not only with strength, but with understanding and balance."
The students started to head back to their places or chat with their classmates about how the day went.
Dan decided to stay in the courtyard. He wanted to think about what had happened and what the next step was.
He's not going to think about using the space element again. He just doesn't want to remember that feeling.
From now on I will focus on sword art, the Black Shadows style.
Dan started practicing sword art, remembering what he had learned from Kyle.
Shadows aren't about power; they're about feeling. It's about being part of the darkness, not an adversary.
Dan practiced for a few hours until sunset, then collapsed from exhaustion. He was sitting on the floor when someone gave him a bottle of water.
Dan lifted his head and saw it was the first place student, Rowen Feldrick.
Rowen said with a smile.
Hey, looks like you're finally all rested up. Actually, I thought you were going to pass out at any moment. By the way, I'm Rowen. "
"Dan Noctein."
"Yeah, I know you. You've been using the blood element. It's very rare. Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. I honestly thought you didn't know me. If you don't, then you must not know about my reputation."
Rowen found it amusing.
"I wouldn't judge someone on rumors. Besides, you're friends with Marlin, right? He's pretty good at judging people?"
I smiled a little.
"Then I'll have to thank Marlin later for knowing me so well."