Kael dressed quickly, his hands moving on instinct. He threw on a simple black tunic, strapped his utility belt around his waist, and slipped his worn satchel over his shoulder. The motions came naturally, but his mind was far from calm.
He had truly returned to the past. The Eclipse Core was alive within him. And the credits he received in his account were proof that this was no illusion.
Still, one immediate problem demanded his attention.
He was late for work.
He glanced at the chrono-panel beside his bed. The digits pulsed faintly. He had barely five minutes to reach the Academy of Mechanica before the Dean unleashed her wrath.
"Wonderful," he muttered under his breath. "Returned from death, yet still trapped in routine."
He stepped out into the corridor of the living quarters, the faint hum of the city's shields filling the air. The early light of New Arcadia filtered through the translucent walls, reflecting off the floating transports in the distance. The world had not yet fallen. The skies were still stable, the cities alive.
The walk to the Academy was short, only a few sectors away. Kael moved quickly through the narrow bridges and steam-filled streets, weaving between students and market drones.
When he finally reached the outer gates, the sight froze him in place.
The Academy of Mechanica stood proud, its spires still whole and gleaming with polished steel. Its protective domes shimmered faintly under the morning light, and the banners of the Council fluttered high above the gate.
He had not seen the building like this in years. In his time, it had been reduced to ruins, swallowed by ash.
A guard in blue armor stood by the entrance. "You are late again, Instructor Draven," the man said, voice tired but not unfriendly.
Kael forced a smile. "It has been a long morning."
The guard sighed. "Dean Lin is in a mood. I suggest you hurry before she makes it worse."
"Then I should run," Kael replied with a nod as he slipped through the gates.
Inside, the Academy buzzed with energy. Students in mechanist uniforms hurried through the halls, carrying armfuls of components and data tablets. Sparks and laughter filled the air as workshops opened for the day.
The scent of metal and ozone hit him, and for a moment, he almost forgot that this world would one day burn.
He reached his assigned chamber, Room 302.
When he entered, the sound of quiet conversation stopped. A dozen young apprentices turned to face him, their eyes reflecting the light of the glowing tables.
Kael paused, memories of his old life flooding in. He had taught here once before the war began. Many of these faces had once belonged to the lost.
"Good morning," he said, regaining his composure. "Let us begin."
The lesson passed in a blur of voices and questions. He guided them through the basics of artificial constructs and algorithmic commands, his hands moving across the display boards as streams of code filled the air.
For the first time in years, he found himself smiling. These young minds were the last sparks of humanity's future.
When the bell sounded, Kael dismissed the class. The students packed their tools and filed out with laughter and chatter, leaving him alone in the quiet hum of the room.
He exhaled slowly. He could not remain here. The Eclipse Core was active, and every second counted.
He needed resources, freedom, and time.
And the Academy, for all its brilliance, would soon become a cage.
Kael gathered his things and made his way toward the upper offices. When he reached the Dean's door, he paused briefly before knocking.
"Enter," came the sharp voice from within.
Dean Mara Lin sat behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of reports and flickering data screens. Her hair was tied neatly back, her eyes cold and calculating. The air around her smelled faintly of ink and coffee.
"You are late," she said without looking up.
"I know," Kael replied calmly. "I came to discuss something important."
That caught her attention. She looked up, one eyebrow raised. "Important?"
Kael stepped forward. "I am resigning."
For a long moment, silence filled the room.
Then the Dean leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "You cannot be serious."
"I am," Kael said evenly. "Teaching here has been an honor, but I have work that must be done beyond these walls."
"You have one of the most stable positions in the lower division," she said sharply. "Why throw that away? The world outside these gates is chaos."
Kael smiled faintly. "Chaos is where creation begins."
The Dean's gaze hardened. "Do you even have a plan?"
"Yes," Kael said. "Something larger than the Academy could allow. Something that might one day save us all."
She exhaled slowly, shaking her head. "You are too much like your father. Always chasing impossible dreams."
"Perhaps," he said quietly. "But some dreams are worth chasing."
Dean Lin was silent for a moment longer before she gave a resigned sigh. "Very well. I will not stop you. But you will finish your current courses, and I expect a full report before you leave."
"Of course."
"And if this grand plan fails," she said, eyes narrowing slightly, "do not expect me to welcome you back so easily."
Kael allowed himself a small grin. "If it fails, Dean, I will buy you a month's worth of energy rations."
A rare smirk touched her lips. "Make it two."
"Done," Kael said, standing to leave.
As he reached the door, her voice stopped him. "Kael… for what it is worth, you were one of the good ones. Do not waste that."
He turned, meeting her gaze with quiet determination. "I will not."
Then he stepped out into the corridor. The faint hum of the city surrounded him once again.
He looked up toward the distant sky beyond the Academy's domes. The light of the sun still burned strong, untouched by the storms that would one day consume it.
It was time to begin again.