The last thing Solarynth remembered was the wind.
The way it tore past him.
The way the world slowed
and he moved.
Now, he stood in the middle of the field once more.
The glow around him faded, the aqua-gold streaks dissolving into nothing as his speed came to a halt.
The air settled, the flowers slowly rising again, swaying gently as if nothing had happened.
Solarynth let out a breath slightly heavier than before.
He turned his head toward Asura, a faint sense of awe still lingering in his expression.
"That's… my Awakening," he said, almost to himself. "Whoa…"
But before he could take another step
his vision tilted.
The world spun, his balance gave out instantly.
"—hey."
His body dropped.
Before he could hit the ground, Asura moved.
Quick.
Efficient.
He caught Solarynth just before impact, steadying him with one arm as the boy went completely limp.
Asura exhaled, shaking his head slightly as he adjusted his grip.
"…you really don't know how to use your power properly," he muttered under his breath.
One Hour Later
A quiet room, Warm, Still.
Solarynth lay on a bed, the soft light of the afternoon filtering through a nearby window. The scent of herbs and metal tools filled the air a familiar place.
Grace's workspace.
His eyes slowly opened.
Blurred at first.
Then adjusting.
The ceiling came into focus.
Then the room.
Then—
voices.
"…are you serious?"
Grace's voice cut through clearly, sharp with frustration.
Solarynth shifted slightly, sitting up slowly as his vision cleared.
He turned his head toward the source of the noise
and saw Asura sitting on a chair nearby, with a massive bump on his head.
"…how many times do I have to tell you to be careful about your body, Solarynth?" Grace snapped, turning toward him the moment she noticed he was awake.
Her expression was a mix of relief and anger.
Mostly anger.
Then her eyes snapped back to Asura.
"And you," she added, pointing directly at him, "why would you tell him to use his Awakening? He's clearly not in the condition to handle it!"
Asura leaned back slightly in his chair, raising one hand defensively, his usual confidence noticeably absent.
"…I didn't think he'd pass out that fast," he muttered.
Grace's glare sharpened.
Asura immediately looked away.
She let out an annoyed sigh before walking over to Solarynth, her expression softening slightly as she stood beside his bed.
"Alright, hold still," she said.
She raised her hand gently, a faint glow forming around it.
A soft, flowing energy spread outward, wrapping around Solarynth's body like a calm current.
The magic moved through him, subtle but effective, easing the strain in his muscles and clearing the heaviness in his head.
Solarynth blinked, feeling the change almost immediately.
The dizziness faded.
His breathing steadied.
"…wow," he said quietly, looking at her hand. "What did you do?"
Grace crossed her arms slightly, though her tone softened just a bit.
"It's basic healing magic," she replied. "It helps restore some energy and stabilizes your body."
Then she leaned slightly closer, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't push yourself like that again," she added. "Or I'll hurt you myself."
Her tone was sharp
but there was something lighter beneath it.
Solarynth stayed quiet for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…okay."
A brief pause followed before he spoke again.
"Since when could you do that?" he asked, curiosity slipping into his voice.
Grace glanced away for a second, brushing a strand of hair back.
"I've had it since I was a kid," she said. "It's not that strong, though… that's why I rely more on my hands and gadgets."
She looked back at him.
"So don't expect miracles," she added.
Solarynth gave a small nod.
The room fell quiet again.
It was calm.
And for the first time since the battle
Solarynth wasn't thinking about fighting.
He was thinking about learning.
Another hour passed.
The light outside had softened, though the heat of the day still lingered over the village. Solarynth felt better now still not fully recovered, but stable enough to move without the world spinning beneath him.
He and Asura walked side by side through the village streets.
The usual sounds had returned metal clashing in the distance, voices calling out, the rhythm of work continuing as if nothing had happened.
Life moved forward, even after loss.
Eventually, they reached the training grounds.
The moment they stepped in, the atmosphere shifted.
The air was thick with effort.
Men trained under the harsh sun, their bodies covered in sweat as they pushed themselves through relentless drills.
Some sparred with wooden swords and spears, their movements sharp and practiced.
Others focused on raw strength, lifting, striking, enduring.
Everywhere is discipline.
Solarynth slowed his steps slightly, taking it all in.
There was something about the place that made him feel… out of place.
Not weak.
Not incapable.
Just… unfamiliar.
As they moved further in, he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh—sorry about that," Solarynth said instinctively.
He looked up and recognized the face.
"Omen… it's you."
Omen turned, blinking once before a small grin formed.
"Well, look who it is," he said. "Solarynth. What are you doing here?"
He paused briefly, then added,
"I thought you were still at Grace's place, resting."
Solarynth nodded lightly.
"Feeling better," he replied, glancing around the training grounds as if searching for someone.
Then he asked,
"So… where's Rook?"
Omen's expression shifted slightly, more serious now.
"He's at home," he said. "Resting. His arm's still broken, so he won't be back here anytime soon."
A short pause.
"Anyway… what brings you here?"
Solarynth nodded, taking that in.
Then he straightened slightly.
"I'm looking for someone," he said. "Someone who understands the five stages of magic."
He exhaled quietly.
"I need to learn how to use mine."
For a brief moment, Omen studied him.
Solarynth's magic—his Awakening—was speed.
Something he had unlocked in the middle of battle against Maelkris.
Powerful but unstable.
Omen rubbed his chin, thinking.
"Well… I know someone," he said slowly. "But she's not here right now."
He glanced back at Solarynth.
"I know a bit about it, though."
Solarynth immediately paid attention.
"Alright," Omen said, folding his arms slightly. "Listen carefully."
He began to explain.
"There's Stage 1… Awakening."
His tone shifted not as polished as a teacher's, but serious enough.
"That's when a person first unlocks their magic," he continued. "It happens when you're pushed to your limits. Fear. Anger. Pain. Something inside you breaks… or ignites."
Solarynth listened closely.
"That's all I really know about that part," Omen admitted. "But there's one thing that matters if you want to move forward."
He pointed slightly toward Solarynth.
"Sense your magic."
There was a pause.
Solarynth blinked.
"…that's it?" he asked.
Omen shrugged.
"That's where it starts."
Solarynth didn't argue.
Instead, he walked forward a bit and sat down on the ground, crossing his legs slightly as he tried to focus.
Asura leaned nearby, watching quietly without interrupting.
Solarynth closed his eyes.
He tried to focus inward.
Sense your magic…
But what did that even mean?
Magic wasn't something he could see.
It wasn't something he could hold.
He searched for something anything.
A feeling.
A presence.
Nothing.
He tried again.
This time harder.
Focusing deeper.
Still nothing.
Minutes passed.
Finally, Solarynth opened his eyes, a slight frustration in his expression as he looked up at Omen.
"…nothing's happening," he said.
Omen scratched the back of his head.
"Well… I don't know," he admitted honestly. "I'm not really a magic-type fighter."
He shrugged.
"I'm a Spartan."
Solarynth let out a quiet sigh before pushing himself up to his feet.
That didn't help, not even a little.
"Then… what do I do?" he muttered under his breath.
Omen thought for a moment, then spoke again.
"You can spar," he said. "Kill time while you wait. Sometimes fighting helps you understand things better."
Solarynth hesitated.
Before he could respond, Asura spoke from the side.
"Just don't get yourself hurt," he said casually. "You'll be in trouble if she finds out."
He didn't need to say Grace's name.
Solarynth let out a small breath.
"…I'll be fine," he said. "I know how to fight."
He adjusted his clothing slightly, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward.
Then he looked back at Omen.
"Hey… who's the best here at hand-to-hand combat?"
Omen didn't hesitate.
"That would be me," he said plainly. "And lucky for you I'm in good shape today."
There was no arrogance in his voice.
Just confidence.
Solarynth went quiet for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…alright."
The two of them stepped toward the sparring area a wooden octagon-shaped ring reinforced for training.
Fighters nearby paused slightly, sensing something about to happen.
Solarynth stepped inside, moving to one side of the ring.
first time since the battle.
he felt nervous.
Not because he was weak.
But because this time
he couldn't rely on instinct alone.
And deep down, he knew it.
"Alright Omen, let's spar.."