The chamber was swallowed in the silence of night, broken only by the faint crackle of torchlight. Guru's gaze fixed on Hans, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper.
Guru (Barely audible):
"He isn't your blood, is he, Hans?"
Hans stopped mid-step, his eyes widening slightly. His breath caught, then escaped in a slow exhale. His gaze flickered briefly toward Key, who sat nearby, lost in thought, oblivious to the gravity of their words. Hans glanced around cautiously before leaning closer, his tone hushed, heavy with unease.
Hans (Careful, restrained):
"How… how did you know?"
Guru's expression darkened, a sharp glimmer of understanding burning in his eyes.
Guru (Quiet, yet firm):
"When he released his power, there was something… something strange. The energy felt familiar, as if I've encountered it before."
Without another word, Hans motioned for Guru to follow. They slipped away from the others, their footsteps echoing softly through the long stone corridors. Shadows wavered on the walls, dancing under the dim glow of torches. This was a conversation too heavy for any other ears.
Once inside a secluded chamber, Hans shut the door tightly. He turned, his voice kept low, as though even the walls might betray him.
Hans (Uneasy, almost whispering):
"Is it… is it Lun?"
He raked a hand through his hair, his thoughts spinning wildly.
Hans (Pained, almost pleading):
"Laura and I… we never tried to find out if he had it. To us, his very existence was a blessing. We never cared about anything beyond raising him with love, giving him the life he deserved."
Guru shook his head slowly. His calm tone did little to hide the undercurrent of unease.
Guru (Measured, cautious):
"No. This is not Lun."
Hans staggered back a step, his voice rising in disbelief.
Hans (Startled):
"Not Lun?! Then… what kind of power does he have?"
Guru's gaze drifted into the distance, his eyes heavy with memory.
Guru (Quietly, as if recalling):
"I've seen something like it before… but I am not certain yet. What I do know is this: it is not Lun."
He paused, the silence stretching long, his next words carrying a weight that seemed to sink into the walls themselves.
Guru (Whispering):
"But if it ever proves to be Lun…"
His words trailed off into the heavy quiet, unfinished, leaving the air thick with unspoken meaning.
In this world, Lun was a rare gift, a power bestowed upon only four out of every ten children born. It lived within them, granting special abilities. In the Kingdom of Nebura, those blessed with Lun were bound by law to undergo the Knight's Trial, a tradition designed to select the protectors of the kingdom's future. Those who carried Lun held far greater chances of passing than those without.
But Guru was a man who defied fate. Born without Lun, he had risen against all odds to achieve the rank of The Stellar, among the most powerful knights in Nebura. His accomplishments became a beacon of hope for all those born ordinary, proof that greatness was not something inherited at birth but forged through willpower and relentless effort.
For this reason, Guru had always refused to take on disciples who possessed Lun. To him, true strength was not a gift, but something carved out of hardship.
Hans (Hopeful):
"So… you'll accept Key as your student?"
Guru (Calm, yet resolute):
"I never train those born with Lun. But this boy, I believe he is something else entirely… not Lun."
Relief washed through Hans like a cool mountain stream over parched earth. He allowed himself a wide smile, his shoulders easing.
The following morning, sunlight spilled gently across the training hall. Renzo sat slouched in the corner, bandaged but grinning, while Newth crouched beside him.
Key approached hesitantly, his voice quiet, carrying a weight of regret.
Key (Softly):
"Hey… about last night. I'm sorry."
Renzo stretched, brushing it off with an easy laugh.
Renzo (Playful, relaxed):
"Forget it. You're amazing. I mean, moving that fast? I didn't even see it coming."
Newth glanced at Key, curiosity shining behind his grin.
Newth (Chiming in):
"Seriously, I didn't see anything either. One blink, and boom—you had him flying."
Key lowered his gaze, his expression clouded, as though a storm brewed behind his eyes.
Key (Uneasy):
"I still can't control it… this power, it's dangerous."
Newth raised an eyebrow, leaning closer.
Newth (Probing, curious):
"Power? Wait, do you mean you've got Lu—"
The heavy creak of the door cut him off. Guru and Hans stepped inside. The room fell silent.
Guru (Firm, commanding):
"Key, come with me."
Key followed without a word. They entered a dim chamber lit only by the faint glow of torches. At its center sat a plain wooden table, upon which rested a glass of clear, untouched water.
Key's heart pounded, but he trusted Guru.
The test was simple. To determine whether one possessed Lun, a person had only to dip their finger into the water and release their energy. If the water shifted color, Lun was present.
Guru (Calm, instructing):
"Place your finger in the water. Focus your energy inward… then let it flow into the water."
Though confused by the instructions, Key obeyed. He dipped his finger into the water, closed his eyes, and concentrated.
The room was silent, save for the sound of his breathing.
The water remained unchanged.
Guru's brow furrowed. He exhaled softly.
Guru (Encouraging, steady):
"Try again."
Key repeated the process. Again, the water stayed clear. They tried once more, and once again, nothing happened. No matter how hard they pushed, the result was the same.
Key had no Lun.
A faint smile touched Guru's lips, his suspicions confirmed.
Guru (Decisive, yet gentle):
"Key, from this moment forward, you will train, learn, and grow under this roof… as my student."
Key's eyes widened in surprise, his heart lifting.
Key (Excited, almost breathless):
"Thank you, Master!"
Hans, standing nearby, could not hold back his own smile.
Hans (Quietly, to Key):
"Key, I won't be visiting often."
Key straightened, his voice steady despite the flicker of sadness in his eyes.
Key (Bravely):
"That's alright, Father."
Hans thought to himself, astonished, He doesn't worry at all?
Hans (Softly, tender):
"I'll miss you, Key."
Key (Warm smile):
"I'll miss you too, Father."
Hans chuckled softly, running a hand through his son's hair before turning to Guru.
Hans (Respectful):
"Guru, thank you for taking him in. I'll take my leave now."
Guru gave a solemn nod.
Guru (With dignity):
"I'll walk you to the gate."
After that, Key returned to the room where Renzo and Newth were waiting. A wide smile stretched across his face as he told them the news—he was now officially Guru's disciple. Their conversation resumed from where it had left off.
Key (Curious, scratching his head slightly):
"Newth, what were you saying earlier? You said I had something?"
Newth (Leaning back, thoughtful):
"Lun. It's a rare ability… almost like having superpowers."
Key (Blinking in disbelief):
"Huh? Me? I have something like that?"
Renzo (Shaking his head, serious):
"No way. Impossible. Guru would never allow someone with Lun to train here. And you just said you've been accepted."
Newth (Rubbing his chin, puzzled):
"Yeah, that's true… But if it isn't Lun, then what is it?"
Key (Awkward laugh, a little nervous):
"Honestly… I don't know either."
Meanwhile, Guru and Hans walked side by side toward the great gate. Between them hung an air thick with unspoken thoughts.
Hans (Voice warm but hesitant):
"Thank you, my friend. I'm entrusting my son to you… for the next ten years."
Guru (Expression unreadable, nodding slowly):
"I'll train him well. But I must know… how often do you plan to visit him?"
Hans (Pausing, unsure):
"Maybe once a week… or once a month…?"
Guru (Firm, without hesitation):
"Once a year."
Hans (Stopping in his tracks, eyes widening):
"What?! That's—"
Guru (Cutting him off, gaze unwavering):
"If you cannot accept that, I will not train him."
Hans let out a long sigh, a faint smile tugging at his lips though it felt forced.
Hans (Reluctant, but giving in):
"Fine. Once a year, if that's what you want."
Guru's eyes shifted, his thoughts wandering as if chasing shadows.
Guru (Quiet, almost to himself):
"That power… I've seen it before. But I can't recall where."
Hans (Brows furrowed, curious):
"You said you found him in the Starhaven Flower Garden, right?"
Hans (Nodding slowly, confused):
"Yes. Why?"
Guru (Voice sharpening, eyes narrowing):
"When you found him… was there anything strange?"
Hans froze, sifting through fragments of memory. At last, he nodded, his expression heavy.
Hans (Serious, recalling):
"I remember… the flowers around him had withered. The cloth that wrapped him was charred in places. And there was a strange mark burned into it… like the letter K."
The moment Hans spoke of the strange mark, Guru's expression darkened. His mind stirred with fragments of a forgotten memory—black flames curling into the shape of a K. He couldn't tell if it was a dream or something he had truly witnessed, but the shadow of it unsettled him.
Hans (Worried, watching him closely):
"Guru, what is it?"
Guru (Forcing calm, shaking his head):
"Nothing. Don't trouble yourself about it."
But his eyes betrayed him, glimpses of unease flickering like sparks he couldn't fully hide.
They finally reached the gate. Hans placed a firm hand on Guru's shoulder before parting ways.
Hans (Voice steady, grip tight):
"Take care of him for me."
Guru (With quiet conviction):
"I will."
As Hans disappeared into the horizon, Guru remained at the gate, his thoughts still circling around that burned symbol. Whatever truth lay behind Key's mysterious power, he was determined to uncover it.