Chapter 9: The Clash of the Egos
The first official day at the Aeterna Academy began with a tour of the site, led by a stone-faced instructor. The group of students, some thirty new Awakened students of various grades, followed in silence, impressed by the scale of the facilities.
They crossed the Battle Arena, vast circles of clay surrounded by energy shields, where older students were already training, the bursts of their powers crackling against the barriers. The air was loaded with ozone and dust.
They visited the Specialized Training Halls, white and barren cubes where walls could simulate different environments: the stifling haze of laziness, the rocky terrain of the Sahara, or even low gravity. Each room was equipped with sensors that analyzed every movement, every ether expenditure.
Finally, they entered the Central Library, a place as vast as it was silent. Here, paper books, rare relics, rubbed shoulders with holographic consoles containing centuries of knowledge about towers, monsters, blessings, and military tactics. The smell of old paper and electronic circuits created a unique atmosphere.
It was then that they came across another group, led by a different instructor. And at its head, impossible to miss, stood Loïd Skydream.
Their eyes met like blades. Loïd wore a smirk, his eyes running from head to toe, despising his standard uniform and simple appearance.
"So the orphan is walking around?" said Loïd, his clear, haughty voice in the silence of the library. "I hope you enjoy the view. After all, for people in your... middle, this may be the first and last time you see such prestigious places."
Arthur, next to Hakime, clenched his fists. "Ignore him, Hakime."
But Hakime didn't look away. "Everyone belongs here, Skydream. Mine is no less legitimate than yours."
Loïd laughed. "Legitimacy is earned by blood and bloodline. Not by a stroke of luck during an awakening." He approached, lowering his voice so that only their group could hear him." You refused the White's protection, a stupid gesture. Here, without a name, you are nothing. You will break on the rankings."
"We'll see," Hakime replied, his own surprisingly calm voice. The light in him shuddered, not with anger, but with a cold determination. "The ranking will judge our actions, not our names."
Loïd's instructor, a stern man, intervened. "Skydream, enough. Continue your visit."
Loïd drew back, his smile still in place, but his look promised a fierce rivalry." I can't wait to see what your "light" is really worth."
As he walked away, Hakime's instructor took the opportunity to discreetly designate other students to Loïd's group.
"You see the black-haired girl near Skydream?" This is Elara Griffin, from the European family. A-rank blessing, probably related to ice."
The young woman in question had a queen's port, her look as cold as the power she was supposed to embody.
And the tall blond to his right, Kaito Tanaka. Tanaka family, allied with the Skydream. Specialists in etheric technologies. B rank, magnetic control."
Kaito displayed a studied neutrality, his eyes analyzing every detail of his environment like an engineer.
"These people," the instructor whispered to Hakime and the others, "were born to lead. They've been trained since childhood. Don't underestimate them, but don't worry about them either. The academy is a great leveler. Here, raw talent and willpower can surprise."
The tour continued, but the atmosphere had changed. The confrontation had drawn a line in the sand. Hakime felt the weight of the eyes of the other heirs, no longer only curious, but now aware of the friction between him and Loïd. They looked at him, some with contempt, others with cautious curiosity.
As they left the library, Arthur whistled between his teeth. "Well, we managed to get noticed from day one."
Conor crossed his arms. "Skydream has a problem. But he is right about one thing: here, without a name, you have to be twice as strong. Are you ready for that, Hakime?"
Hakime looked straight ahead, towards the arenas where they would soon be training.
"More than ready," he whispered. The light in him seemed to approve, ready to face the shadow of the big names.