— Nighttime —
Razin: So… there's something inside me called an energy core. I can't use it yet… but it's there… and it seems to have an incredible future if I study and train hard. That really excites me.
Razin: Will they start teaching us how to use our energy cores tomorrow? I can't stop feeling excited… I'll finally learn the things I saw my father and mother do!
Razin (disgusted expression): But… the thing about those arteries in the body… it grosses me out. Am I even smart enough to understand this? (he gets a bit angry) Hmm…
Razin: I wonder what Dad and Mom are doing right now...
— Elsewhere —
Oravyn: I wonder how Raz's first day went… I hope his high first Beat didn't cause any problems for him.
Alithra: I trust him. But what really worries me is his social ability… we didn't prepare him well. He's never experienced anything social like this.
Oravyn: He'll learn in time… maybe his friends will teach him some manners.
---
— Back to Razin —
Razin: I'll sleep now… I can't wait for tomorrow.
Razin falls asleep, and the night passes peacefully.
---
The Next Morning
He opens his eyes, washes his face, and gets ready for the day.
Razin: Ten minutes left… I'll head out now. This time, I won't get lost… I made sure of it.
---
— Yesterday —
Razin: I've already set my goal! I want to explore the truth behind techniques and understand their origin!!
(Dumb expression): …But first, I really need to make sure I don't get lost in the hallways again tomorrow.
Razin: I'll go take a tour of the school and check where the classrooms are.
He stood up from his chair and walked into the main building. After some time spent exploring—
Razin: Okay… I think I've seen all the classrooms.
He stepped outside and started wandering around the school.
Then something caught his attention.
Razin: …What's this yard?
---
— Back to the Present —
As he walks along the road—
Razin: I wonder… will I run into Colin again here?
Someone calls out to him.
Colin: Razin! Hey!
Razin notices him, but this time he doesn't just keep walking.
He walks over to Colin and stops to talk.
Colin: How was your first day?
Razin (unimpressed): Wasn't it your first day too?
Colin (annoyed): No, you idiot. I'm in my second year.
Razin (flat): Hmm… good for you. But I'm not an idiot.
Colin: Yes, you are. Anyway—answer my question.
Razin: It was a rough day! There were too many things my brain couldn't handle… and everyone kept staring at me! And—
Colin: And?
Razin (dull tone): …The teacher almost punished me.
Colin: Idiot. You deserved it.
Razin: No I didn't. I'm not an idiot.
Colin: So what did you think of the teac—
Razin was gone.
Colin: Razin? …Razin??
Razin had already continued walking and headed into the main building.
Colin (irritated): Ugh, I hate that guy!
Razin (walking): I hope today's lesson isn't hard.
---
He reached the designated classroom and entered before class began. He sat in the same seat as yesterday—beside Verina.
Razin smiled and waved at her.
Verina: H-hello.
Verina (thinking): This guy… is an idiot.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the teacher entering.
Teacher: Good morning, everyone.
Everyone: Good morning!
Teacher: Today, we'll be focusing specifically on the energy core. For the next period, our focus will be on helping each of you activate your energy cores. Because it takes time…
Teacher: Let's start by explaining what we'll be doing—and why we're doing it.
Teacher: The process of activating the energy core is, in truth, extremely dangerous. It could even result in death. It heavily depends on your understanding of your own body's internal structure. Let me be clear: if you're afraid of risk—afraid of death—leave the school now.
Shock ripples across the entire classroom.
Razin: This is insane! What…?!
Verina (pale): …Is it really possible… to die from this?
Razin: It depends on how well I understand the human body… But… I don't know if I'm good enough at that. Should I drop out…? No—I'll decide based on how I feel after today's lesson.
He glanced at Verina. Her face was pale, clearly frightened.
Razin (nervous): …Verina…
Teacher: In fact, based on our history with this… the death rate for students attempting core activation is about 5%. That's a very high number, considering this is a matter of life and death.
The students looked terrified.
Teacher: But don't overthink it yet. I suggest you make your decision after you've seen how well you can understand the body and its arteries.
Razin: That's what I'll do… but everyone looks terrified… even Verina… and I'm scared too. This is… horrifying.
Razin: Is this why Dad told me not to make friends too quickly...?
Razin: Also… this means Mom and Dad went through this too… and they didn't seem worried at all… even though they knew. Do they trust me that much? …Should I go through with it?
The teacher claps to grab their attention.
Teacher: Now then, let's begin the actual lesson. Please pay close attention.
---
Teacher: First, the human body contains three main types of vessels:
Arteries: carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.
Veins: carry oxygen-poor blood from the body to the heart.
Capillaries: responsible for cellular nourishment.
Teacher: The most important for core activation are the arteries. So we'll focus primarily on them.
Teacher: Now, here are the key arteries in the body:
The aorta, the largest artery, branches from the heart to the head, arms, torso, and legs.
But most important of all… is the Core Artery.
Teacher: The Core Artery links the heart (left side of the body) to the energy core (right side). It's inactive at birth, and only becomes usable when you learn to control the blood flow consciously.
Teacher: Blood flow depends primarily on the heart's contraction and expansion. You must reach a state of mental clarity and focus intense enough that you can consciously control when your heart beats—as if turning it into a voluntary muscle, temporarily.
Teacher: When the heart contracts, blood surges through all arteries. So when you control the contraction, you must focus it into a new path—toward the Core Artery. But doing that means less blood remains in the heart momentarily. That's the real danger.
Razin: This is too much! So much information… I can't take all of this in!
Student: Sir, isn't this… insane?
Teacher: If you want to become a technique user, you have to go through this. It's your choice.
Teacher: Your training will focus on three things:
1. Achieving deep mental focus and clarity.
2. Visualizing and understanding the position of your arteries—especially the core artery, heart, and energy core.
3. Understanding the function of the heart and the flow of blood, so that you can eventually control them.
Teacher: You have a maximum of one month to activate your core. After each session, we'll offer volunteer trials. But after the month is over, you'll have to wait until next year.
Razin: So I have one month to do all of this… Are technique users insane? How did anyone even figure this out? I don't get it.
Teacher: Don't be too afraid. With hard work, it's possible. It's not easy, but it's not impossible either.
Teacher: That concludes today's session. You're all dismissed.
---
Everyone began to leave. Verina and Razin stayed seated for a moment longer.
Verina had recovered a bit from the shock, but clearly still found the whole thing terrifying.
Razin was in a strange mix of excitement, fear… and something else.
Razin (inner thought): Dad told me not to make friends yet… especially given this situation, with the risk of death… But… everyone already has friends. I'm the only one alone…
Razin (looking at Verina): And honestly… I think I've already found someone I'd like to be my friend…
Verina stood up to leave.
Razin: Wait…
She stopped and looked back at him.
Verina: What? Do you want something?
Razin: Verina… can I… walk with you outside for a bit?
Verina looked surprised, but didn't oppose the idea—she was a little curious about Razin too.
Verina: ...Sure. But don't do anything stupid.
Razin (embarrassed): I don't do stupid things.
Verina: Is that what you think?
They began walking out of the classroom together, but just before exiting—
Teacher: Razin, Verina—both of you have the highest Beat this year in the academy. Don't be afraid. You're more than capable. I believe in you. Just give it your best.
Teacher: And Razin… you don't know how amazing you truly are yet… but one day, you will.
They both smiled.
Verina: Thank you, sir!
Razin: Thanks!
Verina lightly elbowed Razin.
Razin: Ow…
They left the room and walked side by side.
They walk through the school grounds together.
Verina: So… did you have something specific in mind?
Razin: Yeah…
Verina: Honestly, I didn't expect someone like you to ask to walk with me.
Razin: Why not? I just felt like you were a good person… so I thought I should talk to you.
Verina: You really are an idiot. (laughs)
Razin: So, what did you think of today's lesson? I noticed you looked scared.
Verina: I think being scared is normal when your life's on the line, you idiot.
Razin: Hey! I didn't mean it that way, you annoying girl.
Verina (laughing): I'm just teasing you.
Verina: I think it's terrifying. I could die… and my parents would lose me… just because I want to learn techniques. But Dad told me I could do it. That I shouldn't give up. I didn't understand what he meant back then… but now I do.
Razin: My parents didn't tell me anything about this.
Verina: …Maybe they trust you. You are special, you know.
Razin: No I'm not! Why does everyone keep saying that? I know my first Beat was high, but like the teacher said… it means nothing if I don't work hard.
Verina: That's exactly why you need to push yourself even more.
Razin: Yeah… maybe you're right.
Verina: You're the center of attention in the whole class… actually, anyone who hears your name will know you're the highest Beat holder in the school. The Beat scores spread fast around here.
Razin: I love that. I want to show off in front of everyone…
Verina: You can, you idiot.
Razin: But what if I fail to activate my core? What good is my Beat then?
Razin: I won't consider myself special until I activate the thing that actually makes me special.
Verina (smiling): You're honestly such an interesting person. I didn't expect a clueless guy like you… to be thinking that way.
Razin (grinning, scratching his hair): Thanks…
Razin: Hey Verina… I've been noticing it… and now I know it's true because you just said it yourself… Am I really that bad at talking? A lot of awkward things have happened to me, and I never understood what I was doing wrong. Is that why you hit me earlier too?
Verina (deadpan): Yes. You're really bad at talking.
Razin: That's just mean!
Verina: Honestly, yes. You're an idiot when it comes to conversation. You don't know how to speak politely or formally… even though this is a formal place—school. That's something you should've learned a long time ago. Basic etiquette…
Verina: As for me, I was raised from a young age to act and speak properly, especially in formal settings like this.
Razin: Hmm… well, I'm not from this city. And this is actually the first time I've ever met people other than my mom and dad.
Verina: ...What? You're not from the city?
Razin: Yeah. I live in a remote area, cut off from the world. Just me, my parents… and a few of my pets. So this is my first time seeing anyone besides them.
Verina: But… why?
Razin: I don't know. My parents never told me why we lived that way… At one point, I even thought our house was the entire world.
Verina: That's… honestly kind of sad. You were alone all that time…
Razin: Yeah…
Verina: That explains everything. It explains why you're an idiot.
Razin: …I really was alone all the time… just me and my animals…
(Razin looks at her, eyes soft)
Razin: I don't know if belive so or not… but at least for me… this means that you… are the first friend I've ever had.
Verina blushes slightly from the comment and lightly hits him on the head.
Verina: Idiot!
Razin (smiling): Maybe for you, it's too soon to call me a friend… I don't know… I don't really understand how friendships work.
Verina : you do now… this is how it works. And even I… consider you my friend too.