The Academy of the Awakened was one of the most heavily guarded places in the world, for it was considered the very future of humanity.
Classes began at seven in the morning. At that exact time, David got up, went through his morning routine, and stepped into the corridor, heading toward Vincent's lecture.
Walking through the long hallways, David thought to himself: "It's been so long since I was here… Now I'm a second-year student, and it's time to study the basics of energy."
A few minutes later, he reached the lecture hall. It was quite large. Looking around, David spotted Leo and went toward him. Many students were sitting nearby.
When Leo saw him, he said:
"Good morning."
He immediately stood up, and together they moved to another seat.
The students who had been sitting next to Leo — five guys in total — glanced at David and started whispering among themselves:
"Isn't that the one who lifted twenty tons?"
"Yeah," another replied. "So he and Leo are friends now? I thought Leo disliked him because David did more than he did."
Meanwhile, the hall was steadily filling up. Soon the rest of the students arrived, including Emma and Lucy. They sat down behind David and Leo.
At that moment, Vincent entered. Casting his calm smile over the room, he began to speak:
"To start, I'll tell you about the theory of energy. Fifty years ago, when the first Awakened appeared, they still did not possess energy. They had only passed the prologue, and only a handful managed to overcome the subsequent trials of fate.
After countless training sessions, the first energy wielders emerged. It was they who taught the next generation how to control it.
As you know, upon completing the prologue, one receives both an achievement and a type of energy to wield. Only one in a million is lucky enough to gain a title. And as you're aware, here in our academy, there are two students with titles."
All eyes turned to Emma and David. The attention made David uncomfortable.
A few seconds later, Vincent continued:
"And so, starting today, I will teach you how to harness your energy. I trust that's clear to everyone. Let's begin. Close your eyes."
David did as Vincent asked.
"Now direct all of your inner energy into your brain."
Everyone in the room obediently followed the instruction.
"Do you feel the energy pulsing through your veins?" Vincent asked.
David felt a pleasant warmth flowing through his vessels. He realized he could control it.
"That's enough," Vincent said. "You may stop."
The students exchanged confused glances. One of them asked:
"But why?"
Vincent replied calmly, yet firmly:
"Do you want your brain to rot?"
The hall filled with frightened whispers.
"Why?" another student dared to ask.
"A good question. When you concentrate energy in your brain, it is still uncontrollable. In the end, you could simply fry your own mind."
At those words, silence fell over the hall.
"That will be all. See you next week."
The students stood up and began slowly leaving. David, however, headed straight t
o his teacher — the one who had once taught him how to survive.