*Cold wind howling through narrow windows.*
It was midnight when Ryan Nightshade awoke from a restless sleep. *Creak of an old wooden bed.* He sat on the edge of his mattress, his long black hair cascading over his bare shoulders like spilled ink under the pale moonlight seeping through the narrow window.
The chilly breeze *soft rustling* brushed against his slender face, stirring strands that touched his thick eyebrows. His deep blue eyes—like a storm-tossed ocean—stared into the void, distant and unfocused. Tiny beads of sweat glistened on his broad forehead, and his bare chest rose and fell *deep, uneven breaths* in an irregular rhythm.
"The same dream again…" Ryan whispered, his voice hoarse from sleep, the words echoing faintly in the silent room *faint echo.*
He rose from the bed *bare feet scraping cold stone* and walked slowly toward the window. He wore only black underwear, revealing his lean but toned frame—defined abdominal muscles and broad shoulders on display. Old, faint scars marked his arms, like unreadable symbols etched into his pale skin.
He placed his palms against the cold glass *gentle touch on smooth surface* and gazed outside. The academy grounds stretched before him like a black sea, dotted here and there with magical lanterns emitting a soft blue glow *low magical hum*. The towering trees surrounding the academy swayed *dry leaves rustling* in the night wind, their long shadows dancing across the ground like ghostly dancers.
Suddenly, *a muffled roar from afar*, he heard a strange sound from deep within the forest. He stopped breathing for a few seconds *complete silence*, listening intently. The sound resembled… a person moaning in pain, or perhaps the cry of a non-human creature. A shiver ran down his spine *subtle tremor*, and his pulse began to race.
"What is that?" he muttered, pressing his face against the glass, trying to see anything in the darkness *breath fogging the pane.*
He returned to his bed *footsteps on cold stone* and picked up his loose white nightshirt from the old wooden chair beside it. The shirt was made of soft cotton, with long sleeves and an open collar revealing part of his chest. He slipped his arms into the sleeves *fabric whispering* and slowly buttoned the small silver buttons one by one *metallic clicking sounds.*
He decided to leave his room to investigate the strange sound. He opened the door slowly *creaking hinges* and peeked into the long corridor. The hallway was lit by small magical lamps hanging on the walls, casting a dim green light *low electric hum*. The black stone floor was cold under his bare feet, and each step he took echoed *soft echo* through the silent passage.
He moved slowly, trying not to make a sound. His hair swayed with each step, some strands partially covering his left eye, giving him a mysterious, intriguing appearance. The loose nightshirt fluttered around his slender body with every movement, the open collar revealing his prominent collarbone and part of his pale chest.
When he reached the end of the corridor, *approaching footsteps*, he heard others coming from the opposite side. He quickly hid behind a massive stone pillar *body brushing against stone* and watched cautiously. His heart pounded loudly *audible heartbeat* in his chest, and sweat dripped from his forehead despite the cold.
*Footsteps drawing closer*
"We must find him before the others wake."
*Deeper male voice*
"Are you sure he's here? We haven't sensed him like before."
*Sharp female voice*
"His power is growing… we must act now, before he discovers his true identity."
Ryan felt his blood freeze *ringing in ears*. They were talking about *him*—he had no doubt. But who were they? And what did they mean by "his true identity"? He tried to inch closer to hear more clearly, but his foot knocked a small stone *sound of a rolling pebble*.
*Sudden silence*
"Did you hear that?"
*Hushed whisper*
"Someone's watching us… move!"
*Running footsteps fading quickly* The sounds vanished, leaving Ryan alone in the dark corridor. He stepped out from his hiding spot *labored breathing*, his heart drumming in his chest. He placed a hand on his chest, trying to calm himself, but his fingers trembled *subtle shaking*.
Suddenly, strange images flashed in his mind. *High-pitched ringing in ears.* He saw himself as a young child, standing in a dark place filled with black smoke and terrifying sounds *distant screams*. A tall man in a black robe, his face hidden behind a metallic mask, slowly approached him *heavy footsteps on metal floor*.
*Distorted, eerie voice*
"You are the chosen one… son of light and darkness…"
*Painful scream*
He felt a sharp pain pierce his head, as if a hot knife were slicing through his skull. He collapsed to his knees *knees hitting stone* clutching his head with both hands, trying to stop the flood of painful memories. His black hair fell over his face like a curtain, and sweat dripped from his forehead onto the stone floor *drops falling*.
"No… I don't want to remember…" he whispered, voice choked *ragged breath.*
But the memories kept flowing like a raging flood. He saw himself in an ancient temple, surrounded by people in white robes chanting incantations in a language he didn't understand *terrifying group chanting*. A beautiful woman with long golden hair, her eyes filled with tears, tried to reach him, but men in black armor blocked her *struggle and screams*.
*Woman weeping*
"Ryan! My son!"
*Harsh male voice*
"My lady, the ritual has begun… there's no turning back."
*Explosion of bright light*
The memories ended abruptly, leaving Ryan collapsed on the cold stone floor. His body trembled violently *teeth chattering*, and the white nightshirt clung to him, soaked in sweat. He slowly rose *deep sigh*, leaning against the wall, his legs barely able to support him.
As he tried to regain his balance, he noticed something strange. The magical lamps in the corridor flickered unnaturally *electrical buzzing*, their dim green light shifting to deep blue. He looked at his trembling hands and saw thin threads of blue energy dancing between his fingers *crackling electrical energy*.
"What's happening to me?" he whispered, watching the energy grow around his hands *rising hum.*
He tried to stop the flow by closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing, but it worsened. The energy spread through his entire body, and he felt as if an electric current surged through his veins *electric current humming*. His black hair began to float in the air as if underwater, and the air around him rippled with invisible waves *air trembling*.
Suddenly, *energy explosion*, a wave of blue energy burst from his body in all directions. Every magical lamp in the corridor shattered *glass breaking sounds*, plunging the area into pitch darkness. Only the faint blue glow emanating from Ryan's body lit the space with an eerie, ghostly light.
*Running footsteps*
"What was that sound? Where did it come from?"
*Security guard's voice*
"Eastern corridor! All the lights are destroyed!"
Ryan realized the guards were coming. He looked around in panic *rapid breathing*, trying to find a place to hide. The energy still flowed from him, and the blue glow nearly betrayed his position. He focused all his strength on stopping this strange power *intense effort*, and finally, it began to fade.
*Approaching footsteps*
The moment the glow vanished completely, Ryan ran back to his room as fast as possible. His nightshirt flapped behind him *fabric rustling in air*, and his bare feet nearly slipped on the cold stone floor *hurried feet scraping*. He reached his door *touching metal knob*, entered quickly, and closed it as quietly as possible.
He leaned against the door *back pressing against wood*, gasping for breath. His heart pounded in his chest *rapid heartbeats*, and his body was drenched in sweat. He pulled off the soaked nightshirt *fabric being removed*, threw it onto the chair, and went to the small bathroom attached to his room.
He turned on the tap *water flowing sound* and splashed cold water on his face and neck. The water was refreshing and calming, as if washing away the traces of the terrifying experience. He looked at his reflection in the small mirror above the sink and saw a pale face with wide, frightened blue eyes filled with confusion.
"Who am I, really?" he whispered to his reflection *voice echoing in small bathroom.*
He returned to his bed *footsteps on cold floor*, utterly exhausted. He sat on the edge, head in hands, trying to process everything. The strange memories, the unknown power, the people searching for him… it was all confusing and terrifying.
He lay down on the bed *creaking old springs* and pulled the heavy woolen blanket up to his chin. The blanket was warm and comfortable, dark blue with small silver patterns along the edges. He closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but thoughts raced through his mind like a wild storm.
*Footsteps in the outer corridor*
He heard security guards moving through the halls, investigating the incident. Their muffled voices echoed through the thick walls *indistinct whispers*, and occasionally he caught fragmented words: "energy explosion," "dark magic," "immediate investigation."
*Guard voice outside the room*
"We checked all rooms in this wing… nothing suspicious."
*Another guard replies*
"Maybe it was an accident… these old lamps sometimes explode on their own."
Ryan felt slight relief as the voices faded *gradual silence*, but anxiety still tore at his heart. He tossed in bed *body shifting on sheets*, trying to find a comfortable position, but sleep remained out of reach.
He placed an arm under his head and turned to face the window. Moonlight still slipped through the thin curtains, casting silver lines on the floor and walls. The night breeze *gentle wind blowing* softly moved the curtains, creating dancing shadows on the ceiling.
Dawn gently emerged *distant birdsong* as Ryan heard the academy bell toll, announcing a new day *deep metallic chimes*. He hadn't slept more than a few hours, and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and endless thoughts. He slowly rose from bed *long yawn* and walked toward the wooden wardrobe in the corner.
He opened the wardrobe *creaking wooden door* and took out his official academy uniform. It consisted of a white shirt with a high collar and small pearl buttons, a dark blue vest embroidered with the academy crest in golden thread, dark gray trousers, and polished black leather shoes.
He began putting on the shirt *fabric rustling*, buttoning it one by one with mechanical precision. The shirt fit his slender frame perfectly, highlighting his shoulder line and concealing the small scars on his arms. Then he slipped into the vest *arms sliding into sleeves*, which fit him exactly, and adjusted the collar and shiny silver buttons.
In front of the small mirror, he combed his long black hair with an old wooden comb *comb moving through hair*. He tried to tame the rebellious strands, but some still fell over his forehead, giving him a mysterious, captivating look. He sprayed a light lavender-scented cologne *soft mist spray* on his neck and wrists.
"A new day… new questions…" he murmured, staring at his reflection *voice echoing in the room.*
He picked up his brown leather satchel *metal clasp clicking* and checked that his books and tools were inside. The bag was old but practical, with leather straps and multiple pockets. He slung it over his shoulder *strap sliding over shoulder* and headed for the door.
He opened the door cautiously *soft creak* and peeked into the corridor. It was now filled with students moving toward the dining hall *multiple footsteps* *student chatter*. But Ryan noticed something strange—many students were whispering and pointing toward the area where the energy explosion had occurred the night before.
*Whispering girl*
"Did you see the eastern corridor? All the lamps are shattered!"
*Another student replies*
"They say it was a magical explosion… maybe someone was practicing forbidden magic."
Guilt and fear tore through Ryan's heart *racing heartbeat*. He joined the crowd silently, trying not to draw attention. He moved with the flow *collective footsteps* toward the dining hall, avoiding curious glances or questions.
As he walked, he felt eyes fixed on him from behind. He turned quickly *fabric rustling*, but saw only ordinary student faces. Still, he had a strong feeling that someone was watching him, studying every move he made.
He entered the large dining hall *sound of a big door opening*—a vast chamber with a domed ceiling glowing with magical murals. Hundreds of students sat at long wooden tables, eating breakfast and chatting excitedly *noise of conversation and clinking dishes*. The scent of toasted bread and fragrant tea *deep inhale* filled the air.
Ryan headed toward an empty table in the corner, preferring solitude over company. He sat on the wooden bench *bench creaking* and placed his satchel beside him. He tried to appear normal, but his hands trembled slightly as he poured tea into his cup *liquid pouring sound*.
*Footsteps approaching*
"Ryan? Can I sit with you?"
He looked up to find **Elena Verdin** standing beside the table. She was a beautiful girl his age, with long golden-brown hair braided into a single braid over her left shoulder, luminous emerald-green eyes, and delicate features radiating warmth and kindness. She wore the girls' academy uniform—dark blue knee-length skirt, white blouse with a lace-trimmed collar, and a short vest with pearl buttons.
"Of course, please," he replied quietly, trying to hide his tension *calm but hesitant voice.*
Elena sat across from him *skirt brushing the bench* and placed her breakfast tray on the table. The faint scent of her perfume—rose and vanilla—reached his nose, bringing a small sense of calm. He noticed how gracefully she moved her hand as she cut a piece of cake *knife slicing sound*.
"You look exhausted today… is everything alright?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice *tone of real worry.*
Ryan looked at her, and for a moment, he considered telling her what happened last night. Her green eyes gazed at him with warmth and real interest, and something inside wanted to trust her. But how could he tell her he might be responsible for the energy explosion? How could he admit that unknown people were hunting him?
"Just… didn't sleep well last night," he answered, avoiding her eyes *voice slightly choked.*
But Elena wasn't convinced. She placed her soft hand over his *warm touch*, and he felt a gentle current of warm energy pass from her hand to his. This energy was completely different from the destructive force that had burst from him—it was soothing, healing.
"Ryan, I know you're hiding something… maybe I can help," she whispered, barely audible *soft whisper.*
At that moment, Ryan felt the world around him stop. The chatter and laughter in the hall *gradually fading sounds* faded away, and all he could hear was his heartbeat *clear heartbeat* and her calm breathing *gentle breaths*. In her green eyes, he saw something he'd never seen before—deep understanding, as if she knew exactly what he was going through.
*Academy bell ringing*
The academy bell cut through the moment, announcing the first class. Students rose from their seats *chairs scraping, feet moving* and began dispersing toward different classrooms. Elena slowly withdrew her hand *gentle separation*, but her gaze remained fixed on his face.
"Think about what I said… I'm here if you need me," she said, rising from her seat *fabric rustling.*
Ryan watched her walk away, her golden-brown hair swaying with each step *heel taps on stone floor*. There was something different about her—something he hadn't noticed before. The way she looked at him, the energy in her touch, her words hinting at deeper knowledge… could she also be hiding secrets?
He gathered his things *various sounds of items being collected* and headed toward the **Basic Aether** classroom, where Professor Caldrius would be waiting. But as he walked through the student-filled corridors *noise of footsteps and voices*, he once again felt those hidden eyes watching him.
And more importantly, he felt something awakening inside him—something powerful, dark, and dangerous. The aether within him was moving and flowing in ways he'd never known, as if last night's events were only the beginning of something far greater.
"Whatever it is… whatever my true identity may be… I *will* uncover the truth," he whispered to himself as he entered the classroom *door closing behind him.*