CHAPTER 17 — The White Within the Silence
"Some laws pass like wind. Others leave a storm in the heart."
The news spread across the entire empire like a fire without flame.
The newly-declared royal decree — the king's law — had just been announced, yet it reached every street, alley, manor, and market with an unnatural speed. Not even a full day had passed, and already whispers turned into full-blown debates.
It wasn't the timing of the law that shook people.
It was its nature.
Among the lower nobles, there was a stunned silence. Worry gripped their throats like invisible hands.
Some lowered their heads, while others looked up to the sky, searching for a reason.
Children clung to their mothers, trying to make sense of the tension in their eyes.
No one had answers.
And that made it worse.
In contrast, the higher nobles...
They understood.
They welcomed the law with subtle smirks and glinting eyes, knowing their position would only strengthen.
They didn't ask why. They asked how much they would gain.
And so the law traveled further still...
All the way to the royal palace — through gold-laced curtains, down polished marble floors — whispered in the shadows of power.
But what this law would bring… and what it would take…
Only time would reveal.
---
Scene Shift — The Classroom of Silence
The classroom was dim and heavy with silence.
Students sat upright in their wooden seats, eyes closed.
All of them… trying to meditate.
Not a word was spoken.
Not a single foot shuffled.
Each student was alone with their thoughts.
Lunin sat at the center, still and hesitant.
Unlike the others, his eyes were open.
He wasn't ready to close them.
Because closing them meant facing himself.
> "I don't even have magic."
"What's the point of this? A waste of time…"
He had told himself this many times.
And he believed it.
But then…
He remembered.
A fleeting moment from the other day.
A subtle shift inside him.
A whisper of realization.
Maybe it wasn't about controlling magic.
Maybe it wasn't about power.
Maybe it was about letting go.
---
Lunin's Silent Descent
He finally shut his eyes.
A slow, drawn breath passed through his lips.
Then another.
And another.
He tried to let go.
But letting go… wasn't easy.
Memories rushed in like an unstoppable tide.
Evenings spent walking dirt roads alone…
The weight of his father's name pressing down on his shoulders…
The silence of being overlooked, ignored, unimportant…
Worry.
Fear.
Shame.
Then, unexpectedly…
A brief flicker of joy — his mother's laughter, soft and distant.
They flowed through him.
And for the first time...
He didn't try to stop them.
He didn't hold on.
He simply let them pass.
Like leaves on a river's surface.
He was no longer fighting the current — only watching it move.
And then...
Everything stopped.
Time.
Emotions.
Even the quiet noise in his mind went still.
And before him… something appeared.
A white silhouette.
It had no face, no voice — only presence.
But its presence was… strangely familiar.
Lunin tried to speak.
> "Who... are you?"
But no sound came.
His mouth did not move.
He stared.
And the silhouette stared back.
---
Return to Reality
"Lunin?"
Donald's voice broke the silence.
He stood up, alarm in his voice.
> "Professor! Lunin's not responding!"
The classroom stirred.
Eyes opened.
Heads turned.
Lunin remained completely still.
Eyes shut.
Breathing barely visible.
Professor Renar walked forward. Calm, quiet — as if this was what he expected.
He knelt beside Lunin, placing his palm gently against the boy's forehead.
In that moment—
Lunin's eyes snapped open.
A deep breath shot from his lungs as if he had just surfaced from deep underwater.
> "Ah… What happened? I saw something—"
Renar gave a faint smile.
> "You've been meditating for ten minutes, Lunin Edevane."
Lunin's eyes shifted, unfocused.
His chest still heaved quietly.
> "That… That was something else…"
Renar narrowed his gaze slightly.
> "How did it feel — being away from your emotions?"
Lunin nodded slowly.
> "I've never experienced anything like it, sir…"
But in his heart, another truth echoed:
> "That white silhouette… I can't tell anyone about it. Not here."
---
The Class Reacts – Donald, Ryen, Elara, Devin
Everyone was watching him.
Donald's brow furrowed.
Elara stared, unblinking.
Ryen looked down, quietly processing.
Devin's lips tightened.
He was jealous.
But that jealousy…
Fueled him.
> "If someone without magic can do this…
Then I'll do it even better."
---
After Class – The Annoying Friend
The day ended.
Lunin walked down the hallway, bag slung over his shoulder.
The sky outside was tinged with warm gold.
And then—
> "LUNIN! HEY!"
Donald's voice.
Too loud.
Too close.
Lunin didn't slow down.
> "Dude! How the hell did you do that?! That was insane! You were just... there! Like stone! I scratched my nose like six times and couldn't focus once! Come on, tell me the trick!"
Lunin sighed.
Donald kept bouncing beside him like a kid who'd had too much sugar.
> "C'mon, just a hint! A clue! I swear I won't tell anyone!"
Lunin stopped.
He turned around, dead serious.
> "Alright. I'll give you one small clue. But after that, leave me alone. Please. For the love of the gods."
Donald grinned wide.
> "Deal! Tell me!"
Lunin leaned in slightly.
> "Let go of what's inside."
Donald blinked.
> "Huh?! That's it?! That's the clue?!"
Lunin started walking away.
> "No complaints. I gave you the hint."
Donald groaned behind him, muttering to himself.
Lunin didn't look back.
---
Final Scene – The Men in Black
As he exited the academy gates…
He saw them.
Men in black cloaks.
Waiting silently across the street.
He recognized them instantly.
His father Edevane's men.
Lunin's eyes narrowed.
But instead of walking toward them...
He turned toward the school again.
> "It's still early. The teachers should still be inside…"
And then, deep in his chest, a fire lit.
A whisper in his soul:
> "Now it's time to get my answers…
You damned old man."
---
CHAPTER 17 — END
Sure! Here's the polished English version of your message:
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So, dear readers, what do you think about this chapter? 🙂
I'm eagerly looking forward to reading your comments and theories!
Also, a quick update:
I've decided to write one chapter per day from now on. However, during busy times, I might post chapters every two days instead. If that happens, I'll be sure to inform you in advance.