By the time the last class let out, Garry felt empty.
Not tired, not stressed, just…empty.
It wasn't a physical kind of tired, but that feeling of holding it together for too long. Trying to listen, watch, and think about everything he said and did.
He left with the other students, the hall buzzing with talk, and walked back to the dorm.
The door creaked as he opened it.
Acarme was inside, lying on his bed with closed eyes, one hand on his chest, and breathing slowly. His other hand twitched a little as he breathed, his fingers moving in a steady rhythm.
Back early, Garry said, dropping his bag by his bed. What's up?
Acarme didn't open his eyes.
Working on my mana flow, he said.
Garry frowned. ...Like that?
Acarme opened one eye. Yep.
With your eyes closed?
Especially with my eyes closed.
Garry hesitated, then sat down on his bed. Does it work?
Acarme breathed out slowly. If you have to see mana to feel it, you're not in charge of it. You're just reacting.
That made Garry stop and think.
...Is that why you want a second element? he asked.
Acarme was quiet for a second. Then, Yeah.
Garry waited, but Acarme didn't say more.
How was your first day? Acarme asked.
Garry leaned back, staring at the ceiling. Okay, I guess.
Okay usually means not good, Acarme said.
Garry laughed a little. I didn't screw up. That's a win.
Acarme smiled. Low goals.
Realistic goals, Garry said, adjusting his pillow. Everything feels…harder here.
Acarme didn't say anything .
It is, he said. This place doesn't let you fake it.
The room went quiet.
Keep at it, Garry said finally. I'm going to nap.
He turned his head into the pillow and fell asleep quickly.
When Garry woke up, the room was darker, with shadows around the floor. Acarme was by the window, watching the courtyard.
You sleep like you died, Acarme said.
Felt like it, Garry said, sitting up. What time is it?
Almost night.
Garry rubbed his face. Felt like I just closed my eyes.
Happens, Acarme said. Let's go.
Where to?
You've seen classrooms. Now see the academy.
Garry sighed but got up anyway.
They walked slowly, Acarme showing him buildings, secret paths, and where students hung out when they wanted to be alone. Training areas were empty, the stone floors marked from use. Some places seemed old, others not done.
How long did it take you to learn all this? Garry asked.
Acarme thought. I still get lost sometimes.
That's not good.
You'll get there, Acarme said. Or you won't. Either way, the academy doesn't care.
Dinner was a blur of noise. Garry barely remembered the food—just that it was warm and filling.
After that, the days started to run together.
Classes in the morning, training practice, walking the same paths, eating the same food, and sleeping early.
Before he knew it, a week had gone by.
Sunday came quietly.
By night, the dorm felt too small.
Acarme sat on his bed, staring at the wall.
This is boring, he said.
Garry looked up from doing nothing. ...True.
Market? Acarme said.
Garry stood up. Yes!
The market was busy when they got there.
Lights hung over the streets, the light covering the stones. The air smelled like spices, cooking oil, and smoke, along with something sweet Garry didn't know. People talked loud—sellers calling out prices, customers arguing, and laughter.
It was louder than the academy, more wild, and more alive.
Garry slowed down, looking everywhere. Stands lined the street, selling food, clothes, tools, and things that glowed with magic.
They stopped at a food stand near the road. A big pot was cooking over a fire, steam rising. The smell made Garry's stomach rumble.
I'll have stonebroth stew, Acarme said. And two grain-flatbreads.
Garry nodded. Me too.
They waited, leaning against a wooden railing. Garry watched people walk by—students in uniforms, townspeople in old clothes, and merchants counting money.
A lot of academy students here, Garry said.
End of the week, Acarme said. Most people need to remember there's a world outside the walls.
Garry hesitated. Does…being a student help? Out here, I mean.
Acarme looked at him. Haven't you noticed?
Not really.
Acarme pointed to the stall. Discounts. Things you need. Food. Some places don't even ask for your name if they see the mark.
Garry frowned. The mark?
Acarme turned his hand over.
The symbol from the awakening ceremony glowed for a second, then faded.
It's not just for magic, Acarme said. It's your student ID.
Garry blinked. So… you can pay with it?
Two ways, Acarme said. Money—or academy points.
Garry stared. Points work here?
Yep. Shopkeepers trade them with the academy at the end of the month.
Garry's eyes opened a little. That's…handy.
It's control, Acarme said. Keeps students stuck to the academy.
Garry hesitated, then raised his arm. He focused like he'd been taught.
Numbers appeared in his mind.
...Fifteen, he said.
Acarme smiled a little. Sounds right. Everyone gets some each month.
How many do you have?
Acarme didn't answer right away.
Then he turned his palm over.
2775
Garry stared. ...That's a lot.
I've been saving for a year, Acarme said. Last time I missed promotion by sixteen hundred points.
Garry looked back at the number. And this year?
Acarme's smile became sharp. This year, I'm going up.
The food arrived before Garry could say anything.
The stew was thick and good, with vegetables and meat that fell apart with the spoon. Garry tasted it and stopped.
...This is amazing.
Acarme laughed. Told you.
They ate slowly, the noise of the market fading away.
I'll teach you every trick I know to get points, Acarme said. Going to class. Behavior. Small tests. Don't skip the small stuff.
Garry nodded. I'll need it.
When they were done, the vendor wiped his hands and said,
Eighty nart, or four points.
Garry tensed.
He looked at his palm, then at Acarme.
Acarme knew right away. Short?
I… have fifteen.
Acarme sighed. Hopeless.
He paid.
You'll pay me back, Acarme said. When you're rich.
With extra, Garry said.
They walked on, deeper into the market. Stands selling charms, scroll cases, and metal tools lined the streets. Garry felt like he was seeing something different of magic—less controlled, less neat.
Then the noise changed.
Yelling.
Angry voices.
They turned a corner and saw a crowd around something in the street. Someone yelled again, louder.
A man fell to the ground.
Someone kicked him.
Garry tensed. Hey—
Acarme grabbed his arm, hard.
Don't, he said.
They're hurting him.
You won't fix that, Acarme said. It'll just be worse.
Before Garry could argue, some academy staff walked through the crowd, their presence making people quiet. The crowd vanished as if nothing happened.
Acarme let go. See?
Garry didn't answer.
They walked back toward the academy.
By the time they got to the dorm, night had fallen.
Garry stayed awake, staring at the ceiling.
The academy felt safe, but the world outside didn't.
He didn't know which one was more scary.
They went back to the dorm late.
The hall was quiet, the lights low. Garry unlocked the door and walked in, dropping his bag by the bed. His legs hurt from walking, and his head was full of the market—the sounds, smells, and the quick moment of trouble that disappeared.
Acarme closed the door.
Long day, he said.
Garry nodded, sitting on his bed. Yeah. But… it was good to get out.
They talked for a while, about classes and how the academy felt after the first excitement. Nothing important, just small things, complaints, and jokes.
The room went quiet.
Garry leaned back and looked at the ceiling before falling asleep.
Morning came as usual.
The bell rang. Garry woke up, rubbed his eyes, and sat up. The dorm was quiet—empty. Acarme must have gone to class already.
Garry got dressed, ate, and walked to the main hall with the other students.
When Mr. Bhola walked onto the platform, the room quieted down.
You know the basics, Bhola said. Mana, elements, control.
People talked quietly.
Now, he said, time to practice.
People smiled and whispered, they were waiting for this.
Bhola raised his hand. This is just for new students.
The room changed a little as students moved.
Line up by element, Bhola said.
Four teachers stood by him.
Fire, Water, Air, Earth.
Garry moved with the others.
Fire and air filled up fast, then water. Earth was last.
He walked into the earth line.
He counted.
Twenty-five, maybe thirty.
Out of almost three hundred.
The lines split up, and each group went down different halls.
The earth classroom felt different right away.
The ceiling was lower, and the walls were rough rock, with veins of dark stone. The air felt heavy, and it was quiet, as if sound didn't travel well.
Garry slowed down.
A man stood at the front.
He was big, and older than the other teachers. His hands were rough, and looked suited to lifting stone. He didn't smile.
I'm Heclot Bary, he said. I teach earth magic.
He looked across the room, pausing on each student long enough to make Garry stand up straight.
...More than usual this year, Heclot said quietly.
Some students moved, not sure if they were supposed to hear that.
Heclot turned to them.
Earth magic isn't force, he said. It isn't speed, and it isn't showing off.
He stepped forward.
It is being there.
He let the word mean something.
You don't control earth, Heclot said. You don't force it. You connect with it. You stay with it.
Garry listened, a quiet excitement inside him.
Most of you picked earth to be strong, Heclot said. Some picked it for protection.
He looked serious.
Both are wrong.
He started walking, his boots scraping the stone.
Earth doesn't like rushing. It doesn't like fighting. If you push, it pushes back. If you rush, it breaks.
He stopped and tapped his chest.
Mana for earth must settle. It must sink.
Garry swallowed.
This element will make you angry, Heclot said. Because nothing happens when you want it to. And nothing moves when you ask it to.
Some students frowned.
Magic, Heclot said, must be felt through your whole body. Not just your core. Your feet. Your spine. Your breath.
He took a slow breath.
Now, he said, we start.
The room grew quiet.
Close your eyes.
Garry did it right away.
Focus between your chest and your stomach, Heclot said. Don't look for anything. Just listen.
Garry breathed in.
Then out.
At first, nothing happened.
No warmth, no pressure, no glow.
Just his heartbeat, someone moving nearby, and the quiet room.
Thoughts came into his head.
Am I doing this right?
Should I try more?
Why can't I feel anything?
A voice broke the quiet.
Sir, someone said. I see it.
Garry opened his eyes.
A boy with black hair stood there, eyes closed, as if it was normal.
Heclot nodded. Good.
Garry stared.
Already?
Heclot looked back at the class.
Others, he said, don't rush. Earth doesn't care how fast you are.
But Garry felt bad.
He closed his eyes.
Focused.
Listened.
Still nothing.
He knew that, for the first time since coming to the academy, he was behind.