After a night filled with laughter and warmth, the next morning dragged them all back to reality.
Back to training. Back to struggle.
The peaceful glow of last evening faded the moment they stepped into the room.
"I'm so sick of these Aether Crystals!" Blake snapped, sitting on the left side of Chast.
"I feel you, bro!" Yves said, sticking out his head.
Chast leaned back a little to let Yves see Blake. Sitting between them made him the unfortunate wall separating their endless chatter.
"Move back a bit, Chast," Yves said, lightly pushing his shoulder.
Chast rolled his eyes. "Let's just switch seats," he said, standing up.
"Great idea!" Yves replied sarcastically, flashing a smirk.
Chast ignored him and swapped places anyway.
Ugh, I was like a ham between a burger.
"You've had enough of them?" Hunter asked dryly, pointing toward Yves and Blake. His voice was husky and deep.
It was Chast's first time really talking to him, and he immediately felt uncomfortable. Hunter was just like Zayn — the type who rarely talked and seemed to enjoy the silence.
Chast sighed, nodding in response.
Hunter clicked his tongue. "Get used to them. They're always like that." He tilted his head toward their team, who were too busy talking to notice. "Look at them... they never shut their mouths." He scoffed.
Chast sneered. Hunter was right. "Their chatter always fills the empty room, though."
"Tch," Hunter scoffed again. "Music to my ears."
Chast snorted. "Haven't you gotten used to it?"
Hunter smirked. "One day. Someday."
Chast shook his head, curling his lips into a small smile.
The students' chatter died instantly when the professors entered, Zayn trailing behind them. He walked with effortless poise, hands in his pockets, his robe flowing behind him like a shadow.
They stopped at the front, all smiles except Zayn, whose face remained as unreadable as ever.
"Good morning, Enigmatics! Another day, another training!" Professor Vrynth's voice boomed with energy.
The rows of students gave strained smiles and let out frustrated sighs. They hadn't done that much training yet, but it already felt exhausting. How much worse would it get once the harder lessons began?
"Buckle up, Enigmatics!" Professor Vrynth declared with a teasing grin.
The students slumped in defeat. This training would never end, and there would be no time to slack off.
Professor Morrwynn stepped forward. Every step was heavy, the weight of her near-term belly slowing her down. She rubbed her stomach gently as if calming the baby inside.
"The second level is about harmony," she said, her face brightening with a soft smile. "Allow your emotions to flow through the Aether Crystal."
She paused, one hand still resting protectively on her belly. "The Aether Crystal reacts to truth — it mirrors your rhythm and your soul."
With a snap of her fingers, the room vibrated and the orbs flickered uncontrollably.
The girls shrieked when the floor split apart, opening into a massive pit that suddenly sucked them all in.
Screams filled the air as students plummeted through swirling light, their chests tightening, hearts hammering wildly.
Are they going to drown us?!
They hugged themselves, bracing for impact as the glimmering stream below rushed closer — but before they hit, everything stopped.
They floated.
Slowly, they opened their eyes and found themselves suspended in midair above a vast, luminous river.
A familiar laugh echoed from nowhere. They turned and spotted Professor Vrynth standing proudly atop a stone monolith in the middle of the stream.
"You all seemed to enjoy the ride," he sneered.
Their hair stuck out wildly, clothes rumpled and askew — a group of magical messes glaring back at him. That journey was one hell of a ride, and none of them wanted to experience it again. Once was more than enough.
Still, awe soon replaced their frustration. Floating in the air felt strange but exhilarating. Some began hopping or swimming through it, laughing and testing the invisible surface beneath them.
Then, the two other professors appeared beside Zayn, all three standing effortlessly above the water.
Professor Valkiery clapped her hands sharply, catching everyone's attention.
The laughter stopped. The air went still.
"Your lesson begins now!" she announced, her voice graceful but commanding. "Do not force it feel it."
With another snap of her fingers, Aether Crystals materialized before each student, glowing faintly like fragments of stars.
Excited murmurs filled the air as everyone eagerly reached for their crystals. Training while floating was a whole new experience.
Meanwhile, Chast just stared blankly at his. "Do I have to do this again?" he muttered.
I thought I was done already. Why do I have to do this again?
He groaned inwardly, resting his hand lazily on the crystal before closing his eyes.
"What are you doing?" a familiar voice suddenly asked.
Chast's eyes fluttered open slightly. Wait... was that the crystal talking?
"Kid!" the voice barked, louder this time.
Huh?
He opened one eye — and froze.
Zayn was standing right in front of him.
What the—? What is he doing here?
"What are you doing?" Zayn repeated, tone sharp as ever.
"Training?" Chast answered, blinking in confusion.
"Follow me." Zayn turned away without another word.
Chast's eyes lit up. "Sure, boss!" he said quickly, grinning as he jumped to his feet.
He followed eagerly, excitement bubbling in his chest. He already knew what this meant — another round of Zayn's personal training.
And honestly? He couldn't wait.
Chast hummed to the beat of his snapping fingers as he trailed behind Zayn.
"You seem energetic today," Zayn commented, glancing back at him.
"I had enough rest, I guess," Chast replied casually.
Lie.
The truth was, the thought of training with Zayn again made him ecstatic — and maybe, just maybe, there was another reason behind his unusually good mood today.
"Good," Zayn said. "Because you'll need to brace yourself, kid." He grinned mischievously, the corner of his mouth lifting as if he planned of something wicked.
Chast's heart tightened. He remembered that grin and he knew it meant trouble, something far worse than another sleepless night of training.
Buckle up, Chast Vaughn!
Zayn lifted his hand and muttered a chant. "Manlukat ka!"
A portal of light and shadow opened before them, swirling with power.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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