The next few days passed quickly.
By evening, the sun was setting behind the academy walls. Bright orange and purple light spread across the sky, making the cracks glow like fire veins. Most recruits had already left the training ground.
After training, some walked toward the living quarters, exhausted after a long day of training. Others laughed and chattered near the courtyard gate.
But Kaen still stayed behind.
He was not ready to stop not after what had happened earlier.
The gear still felt heavy on his shoulders and it hurt, but he forced himself to ignore it. The courtyard was empty and silent as he stood there, breathing slowly, trying to remember every step and mistake from training.
Where did I go wrong?
Why can't I master this?
What force inside my body is stopping me?
He bent his knees and focused on his posture.
Slow. Steady. Calm.
That's what he repeated to himself.
And then he finally jumped.
WHOOOM!!
Thrusters activated with low hum, but his body moved too fast. He stumbled forward and nearly slammed into the nearby tree in the courtyard.
He sighed, lowering his head.
He reset his stance and tried again.
But the result was the same.
Either too fast or too slow.
He clenched his fist, his jaw tightened. He hit the ground with his fist.
Why can't I do this?
Why me?
Why now?
The courtyard was silent except for his heavy breathing and the low metallic hum of a cooling engine.
Then he heard.
Footsteps.
Someone was approaching him.
He turned his head and looked up.
It was Fin.
He was the academy's top student. Strong. Calm. Confident. Everyone admired him. They thought he could become one of the best soldiers Eldoria had ever produced.
Kaen froze, unsure whether Fin had come here to mock him like the others.
Fin stopped a few steps away. He didn't speak immediately. Instead, he tossed something toward Kaen.
"Catch it."
Kaen caught it.
A water flask.
"Drink it." His voice was calm.
Kaen blinked.
"Oh… uh… thanks."
The cold water slid down his throat, bringing instant relief.
Fin watched him for a moment and then spoke.
"You're trying too hard."
Kaen asked.
"What do you mean?"
Fin walked around him in a circle, observing his stance, posture, and equipment.
"Aerial control isn't about force or speed. It's about rhythm." Fin said.
Kaen looked at him confused.
Fin smiled.
"You're jumping too high, as if the sky owes you something."
Kaen didn't know whether to laugh at it or stay quiet.
"I just want to master these," Kaen admitted.
Fin nodded.
"I know that. But wanting it too badly without proper execution might be risky."
Fin moved his hand toward Kaen.
"Stand up."
Kaen got up and stood in a proper stance.
Fin nodded.
"Now move your right foot three inches back."
Kaen adjusted his posture.
"Good. Now loosen your shoulders. Don't stand stiff like stone."
Kaen exhaled and relaxed slightly.
Fin stepped beside him. The hum of the training gear vibrates under their feet.
"Listen to it," Fin said.
Kaen blinked.
"What?"
Fin touched the thrusters with his fingers. " These machines don't just follow strength, but they also follow balance."
Kaen said, "But my balance is perfect."
"No, it's not. Have you noticed your body shifts slightly when you jump? That's why you lose balance."
"But how can listening to the machine help me master it?"
"To fly, your body must sync perfectly with the machine. Otherwise, you'll lose balance, no matter how hard you try."
Kaen was confused. But then he closed his eyes, trying to focus on the hum of the machine. At first, he could hear only the noise of the machine grinding, fuel pumping, but then slowly he heard a sound, calm and steady. Like it was the heartbeat of the gear.
Fin put a hand on Kaen's arm and gently corrected his stance.
"Move your foot, tilt your shoulder breathe slowly. Stay calm."
Kaen copied his movement, letting the rhythm guide him rather than forcing it.
WHOOOOMM!!
His body lifted. Not too high, not too low. Just enough above the ground.
His feet lifted above the ground for a second.
Then he came down again, landing lightly with a soft sound.
Kaen's eye widened. " I... I did it.
So this is how flying feels like."
Fin smiled, " Yes, you did it."
Kaen tried again this time slightly higher. His motion was shaky but controlled. Not perfect but better.
"How… how did you know what I was doing wrong?" Kaen asked.
Fin lifted his shoulders a little. "Because I made those same mistakes."
"You made a mistake? But you're perfect with this stuff."
Fin laughed softly. " No one starts perfect. Not even me. I struggled at first but eventually mastered it."
For the first time that day, Kaen felt that he was not alone.
Fin pointed towards the practice pole lined across the courtyard.
"Now move sideways. Don't use your arms. Let your feet guide you."
Kaen obeyed. He drifted sideways, shaky at first, then steadier. Each motion was better than the last.
He repeated it each time, gaining more confidence and experience.
Fin nodded. " You are learning fast."
Kaen replied with a smile " Only because you are helping."
Fin looked away, almost shy at the compliment.
"But tell me why you helped me?" Kaen asked.
Fin remained quiet for some seconds.
Then he spoke. " Because beating someone weaker isn't fun."
Fin tapped Kaen's shoulders. " But beating someone strong is exciting."
Kaen blinked, unsure whether to laugh or argue. "So… rivals?"
Fin raised his eyebrows and looked at Kaen " Do you want to be?"
Kaen shook his head firmly. "No… not rivals."
Fin seems surprised.
Kaen smiled softly. "Maybe… rivals who don't hate each other."
Fin laughed. "Friendly rivals, then."
"Yeah. That feels right," Kaen said.
Wind blew across the courtyard. Fireflies fly over the academy. Their sound is melodious and refreshing.
Fin stretched his body. " That's enough for today. Rest now. You will improve faster if you are not tired."
Kaen removed the gear. His shoulder felt relieved, but his body ached from pain.
Fin began walking toward the living quarters.
Kaen called him, hesitating, "Fin."
Fin looked back, his expression was casual. "Yeah, what happened?"
Kaen gave him a small gentle smile. " Thanks."
Fin let out a small breath and relaxed his shoulder. " Don't thank me yet. You still have a long way to catch up with me. Baby bird."
Kaen laughed "And you still talk like a teacher."
Fin smiled, "Well, at least someone has to be smart."
" Yeah, yeah, keep talking before I catch up with you."
"I will be waiting for that day," Fin replied while smiling.
They walked side by side, not as enemies, not as friends, but something in between.
The air was cold. The courtyard light flickered one by one.
Above them, the cracks in the sky glowed. Kaen felt the mark on his chest warm.
Like it was responding to something or someone.
For the first time after the attack, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Hope.
The sky wasn't just calling him, it was making him ready for something far greater than a threat.