The celebration party had gone well. I met with students from different departments, exchanged words with them, and even made a few new friends. Laughter and chatter filled the hall, the warmth of camaraderie spreading like fire. For the first time since arriving here, I felt a little less like an outsider.
When the party ended, the captain called me over.
"So, Nishant," he said with a knowing smile, "enjoying the party?"
"Yes, Captain," I replied politely.
"Don't be so formal, my boy. Relax." He chuckled, waving his hand as if brushing away my stiffness. "Anyways, I have a surprise for you."
My curiosity spiked. "What is it?" I asked, unable to hide the slight excitement in my voice.
"You'll find out tomorrow." His grin widened, then he turned and left.
I stared after him. Then you should have told me tomorrow itself. You're playing with my patience now, Captain… I thought, sighing to myself.
I returned to my room, changed out of the formal clothes, and practiced the breathing technique I had learned earlier that day. Afterward, exhaustion caught up to me, and I drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
---
What time is it? I wondered groggily when I awoke from that rest. The clock on the wall read the 10:75 period of the morning—a strange system of time I was still trying to get used to.
Stretching my arms, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I washed my face, then turned the tap so the bathtub could fill. The sound of water splashing was oddly soothing. After a refreshing bath, I dressed in my training clothes, ready to face another day.
I settled by the window, where sunlight streamed through in golden beams. As it touched my face, a familiar warmth spread across my skin. It reminded me of the mornings back on Earth, of the home where I was born, where I truly belonged. The thought of Earth tugged at something deep inside me.
But I knew better than to drown in longing. Without knowledge and power, there's nothing I can do about returning. I straightened my posture and closed my eyes. The breathing technique was my only lead. If there's any chance of finding a way back, DP is the key.
Hours slipped by as I practiced. For the first time, I felt DP moving through me in a clear, deliberate flow. It was then I realized something. The breathing technique wasn't just about drawing DP into the body—it was about shaping pathways for it.
It was as if invisible channels were forming inside me. Just as oxygen needs blood vessels to spread through the body, DP needed its own conduits. The breathing technique carved those channels, bit by bit.
I chuckled at the thought. Either I'm a DP prodigy, or just a fool overthinking everything. The smile lingered on my lips as I opened my eyes.
---
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," I called.
The door creaked open, and in bounced Krotas Kroti, a fellow student from the Combat Department. His ever-lively tone filled the room as he greeted, "Good morning, brother!"
"Morning," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Need something?"
"Nah… but do you remember Captain talking about a surprise for you yesterday?" His grin was mischievous, his eyes dancing with excitement.
"Yes… I remember." I frowned slightly, recalling the Captain's cryptic words. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, as you know, the Elites handle all sorts of problems in society—whether they're magical or not."
"I know that," I replied, my impatience starting to creep into my tone.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "There's a man causing trouble in the eastern part of Aurelia. Today, the Combat Department's mission is to deal with him. And guess what?" His grin widened.
I blinked. "What?"
"You're coming with us."
I stared at him, caught between confusion and surprise. "What?"