Chapter 4 – Steps Into the Unknown
The path to the academy wound through narrow coast roads and broken stone trails swallowed by moss and time. Kael walked in silence, a worn satchel slung over his shoulder, his thoughts louder than the wind brushing the cliffs.
Beside him, Joran trudged quietly, his eyes half-lidded, hands tucked into his sleeves. A reclusive boy with a barrier ability — fitting, Kael thought. His silence was like a wall around him, firm but not unkind.
Elira had packed them simple supplies: dried rootbread, smoked fish, and a small pouch of coin — barely enough to pay the registration fee. She stood by the edge of the village road that morning, her eyes fixed on Kael as if trying to memorize his shape.
"You remember what I told you," she had said, her voice low.
Kael had nodded.
"Only water. Nothing else."
"If you value your life — yes," she warned. "Water's a gift. Rare but acceptable. But superior wind? That's a threat. That's blood worth spilling."
Joran had glanced back toward them before walking ahead, but said nothing.
Kael's thoughts returned to the present as the coastline gave way to a wooded trail. Birds called overhead, and the distant hum of mana-tech carriages could be heard from beyond the forest. Civilization. The mainland.
Joran finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady. "Nervous?"
Kael exhaled. "A bit."
"You don't talk much," Joran said. "But you think a lot."
Kael gave a half-smile. "I guess that's true."
Joran didn't smile back. "Most people at the academy talk too much. They flash their elements, brag about lineages. You'll need to be careful."
"You mean… because I'm not from here?"
Joran's gaze flicked toward him. "Because you're different. You hide it, but it's there."
Kael's stomach tightened.
"I won't ask," Joran added. "We all have things to hide."
Kael was beginning to understand him — not cold, just used to solitude. Just like him.
They reached a checkpoint before midday, where the road widened and led into a field where a massive silver gate stood open. Students — all roughly their age — walked in groups toward the academy grounds, laughing, posturing, slinging small bursts of flame or sparks as if to show off.
Some walked differently. With a presence that radiated not elemental mastery — but instinct.
Kael turned his head as a deep growl rippled through the air. A tall girl with braided hair and tattooed arms stalked past them. For a moment, her eyes glowed amber, slitted like a predator's. Her skin shimmered with patches of dark fur, and her fingernails curved into short claws.
"Beast-type?" Kael asked under his breath.
Joran nodded. "Transformation class. They don't control elements — they become the beast they awakened with. Body, mind… sometimes both."
As they passed, Kael caught glimpses of others: a boy whose arms bore stone-like plating as he adjusted his coat, another whose spine arched beneath his robe as if wings itched to grow.
"Beast awakeners are rare," Joran said. "But the academy takes them seriously. Some lose control. That's why they're regulated."
Kael frowned. "So they fight by becoming monsters?"
"Not monsters," Joran replied. "Weapons."
The Academy Grounds
The academy grounds were larger than Kael imagined — an entire valley carved into paths, training fields, dormitories, and towers. Mana lines shimmered in the air like veins of light connecting each building. Elemental auras hung heavy, like a mist over everything.
A grand podium loomed over the central plaza, where robed instructors waved students forward one at a time.
"Line up! System registration and class initialization!" a woman barked, holding a glowing staff. "If you're null, step to the right. If you're awakened, proceed left."
Kael followed the line to the left, heart pounding. He approached a circular formation of floating runes and stepped in.
"Name," said the woman beside the device.
"Kael."
"Surname?"
He hesitated. "None."
She frowned but nodded. "Place your hand here."
Kael pressed his palm into the rune circle. The system responded instantly:
[System Initialization Complete…]
Name: Kael
Elemental Affinity: Water – High-Class
Stage: Initiate (42%)
Status: Registered
"Water, hmm?" the instructor said, her tone neutral. "Not many these days. Still, it's respectable."
Kael stepped away with a breath of relief. His secret remained hidden. No mention of wind. No mention of lightning.
He turned and watched Joran step into the ring.
[System Initialization Complete…]
Name: Joran Thorne
Elemental Affinity: Barrier Field – Basic-Class
Stage: Initiate (36%)
Status: Registered
"Barrier type," the instructor murmured. "Defensive class. Stable."
Joran gave no reaction as he walked away.
Next in line, a tall, broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, his shirt unbuttoned to reveal thick, scaled skin running across his collarbone. His eyes flickered gold as he entered the circle.
[System Initialization Complete…]
Name: Davi Orien
Transformation Type: Draconic Serpent — Beast-Class
Stage: Initiate (39%)
Status: Registered
"Incoming transformation type," the staffwoman called out. "Assign to Room W-3. Keep tabs on behavior."
The beast-types were clearly noted. A girl following Davi bared wolfish teeth as she transformed partially — fur spreading down her arms as her nails hardened. Her data scrolled into the air just like the others.
Beast. Element. Barrier. So many types.
Kael clutched his academy token — a small silver hexagon etched with his name and stage.