Kael leaned back against the cold bench, his arms folded across his chest, already feeling his stomach tighten at the thought of spending the next few hours following her lead. The park was quiet at this hour, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound besides Selene's steady, animated voice. She was energetic, confident, and above all insistent. Kael had the sinking feeling that his idea of "training" and hers were two completely different concepts.
"Right," she continued, barely pausing for breath. Her eyes shone with that relentless light, the one that made it impossible to argue with her for long. "There will be an assignment from a client in a few days. How about we go together? You'd definitely change your mind once you try assassination. The timing is perfect. We can start with a simple assignment, but if it's too tough the first time, I can find an easier one. But I think you can handle it. I have a feeling about you."
Kael let out a long sigh, the kind that came from deep in his chest, as Selene's words rolled over him like an unstoppable tide. It wasn't that he hated listening to her, but every sentence seemed to push him further from the quiet life he had carefully built for himself. He just wanted to sleep, to go home, and pretend none of this had happened to return to the simple, unremarkable life of an "extra" in a world of heroes and monsters.
And yet… even as he thought it, a small, stubborn part of him stirred with something close to curiosity. He hated to admit it, but there was a strange pull to her words. Maybe learning something from her isn't the worst idea, he mused. She seems serious about teaching me… and her skills are legendary. He turned his head slightly, stealing a glance at her. Selene's eyes, still glowing with that strange, determined light, were fixed on him, waiting for a response.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice carrying a note of resignation he couldn't hide. "I'll go. But don't expect me to be enthusiastic about it. I'm just doing this to get a new skill, nothing more."
Selene's smile widened instantly, triumphant and radiant, like she had just won a personal battle. "Perfect! You won't regret this! I'll make sure it's worth your time, Kael." The way she said his name with genuine warmth, not mockery caught him off guard.
Kael rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze so she wouldn't see the flicker of interest sparking inside him. Training with her… could this actually be interesting? Or would she push him so hard that he'd regret agreeing in the first place? His thoughts tangled in doubt, but beneath the hesitation he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time: anticipation. For the first time in months, maybe years, he allowed himself to imagine that stepping out of his comfort zone learning from Selene Whitmore, of all people might actually lead to something worthwhile.
He had no idea just how much this simple decision would change the course of his life, pulling him from the sidelines into the heart of a world he had so desperately tried to avoid. And so, that quiet park, where the shadows stretched long and the air was still, became the beginning of a new chapter.
One where Kael Vi-rel would step into skills and lessons he hadn't imagined, guided by a girl whose determination was matched only by her unexpected warmth.
---
The Next Morning
Kael woke to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the thin curtains of his dormitory room. For a brief moment, before his thoughts caught up with him, he lay still on his small bed, letting the warmth of the morning lull him back into a sense of normalcy. Then, like an unwelcome reminder, the memory of last night's conversation with Selene crept back.
"Training with her… assassination jobs… what have I gotten myself into?" he muttered, sitting up and running a hand through his disheveled hair. His room was modest, just a bed, a wooden desk cluttered with half-finished notes, and a small chest in the corner. Nothing in it screamed "ambition."
Dragging himself from bed, he stretched, bones popping, before shuffling toward the washroom. The cold splash of water across his face chased away the last remnants of sleep. He stood in front of the mirror for a moment, staring at his reflection plain, unremarkable features, dark circles under his eyes, and hair that refused to stay neat. "Extra," he whispered to himself, a word that clung to him like a brand.
He filled the small stone tub and lowered himself into the lukewarm water, the quiet gurgle of the pipes echoing in the silence. As he soaked, his mind wandered, replaying Selene's smile, the certainty in her tone, the way she had spoken his name. He didn't want to admit it, but she had gotten under his skin.
After a quick bath, Kael dressed in his academy uniform a plain dark tunic, trousers, and the insignia of his year stitched at the shoulder. He tightened the belt around his waist, slipped his notes into a satchel, and made his way to the mess hall.
The dining area was already bustling with early risers. Trays clattered, voices mingled, and the aroma of warm bread and soup hung in the air. Kael grabbed a simple meal: a bowl of porridge, a heel of bread, and a cup of watered-down tea. He ate quickly, without much enthusiasm, while listening half-heartedly to the excited chatter of students around him rumors about dungeons, guild assignments, and the latest duels. Their voices blurred into background noise.
Finishing his meal, Kael headed across the courtyard toward the classroom halls. The academy towered above him, its spires etched with ancient runes, its walls humming faintly with stored magic. He sighed, tightening the strap of his satchel. Another day of lessons he barely cared about.
---
In Class
"Magic is everything," the instructor began, adjusting his glasses as he faced the rows of restless students. His tone was crisp and authoritative. "It can be given by its constituents, or by engraving it into circuits or runes. That is how traps, summoning, barriers, healing every form of application comes into existence. And these circuits, when concentrated, become dungeons."
Kael slouched in his seat, tapping his quill idly against the edge of his desk.
"Most dungeons," the man continued, "are natural phenomena formed from clusters of magical residue, almost like spores gathering into a hive. However, that does not mean man-made dungeons do not exist." He gestured toward the projection screen where intricate diagrams of circuit formations glowed.
"The main buildings of the Top Ten Guilds showcase the peak of artificial dungeon-making, constructed with hundreds of circuits. Some specialize in defense, while others are designed for offense or research. A skilled magician can attempt to dismantle these circuits, though doing so is dangerous. Break one incorrectly, and you might collapse the entire structure or worse."
Kael's eyes glazed over. He had heard all this before. Circuits, runes, dungeons. I used to draw them just for fun, post them online for people to watch. And now I'm sitting here listening to the same explanations again. His thoughts drifted. There was nothing new in today's lecture for him.
The instructor cleared his throat sharply, snapping Kael back to reality. "Now then, for today's exercise design your own circuit. Imagine you are exploring an unknown land and stumble upon a small dungeon. You must survive there for weeks, and you are not alone you are responsible for a sick companion. With only one middle-grade E magic stone, you must choose five magics that will help you survive. Construct your circuit and present a plan."
Groans rippled through the class. Some students leaned eagerly toward their desks, already sketching runes with glowing ink. Others slumped, muttering about unfair scenarios.
The class grew quiet, the scratching of quills filling the air.