Chapter 32: Early Light
15, Piscaris - 3118 – third house left of the Few Spices Restaurant (Antiarena City)
Before the dawn began to stretch across the sky, Zaara stirred from her sleep. A soft knock and a familiar voice coaxed her awake.
"Wake up, sleepyhead. It's time for Fajr," said Zirak, his face partly concealed beneath the hood of his white robe, black hair gleaming faintly in the dim light.
Still rubbing sleep from her eyes, Zaara yawned and shuffled toward the washroom. Her movements were slow, her mind still caught in the haze of dreams. She covered her mouth with the back of her left hand.
After performing ablution, she offered the Fajr prayer with quiet concentration. After that the room remained hushed, save for the soft rustle of her recitation of Holy Quran. Zirak sat nearby, silently listening.
Breakfast was simple but warm, and Zaara ate with cheerful enthusiasm. Today marked her first official day at the Red Arena Academy as part of the Essence Wielder Class. Nine years of learning awaited her, and she could hardly wait.
Zirak accompanied her to the academy gates, offering heartfelt prayers for her success. Before leaving for work, he reminded her several times to return home or head straight to the Few Spices Restaurant after classes.
At the academy, a teacher in a crimson robe stood near the front doors to welcome students. The Essence Wielder Class was treated with a noticeable level of care and formality. This path was not for ordinary students; it was the beginning of a long and specialized journey.
The academy grounds buzzed with activity. Children played games on the lawn, laughter echoing as the early sun bathed the buildings in gold. Zaara, feeling a flutter in her chest, stepped lightly into this new world.
There were three Essence Wielder sections: A, B, and C, each with around thirty-five students.
After the morning assembly, Zaara approached a teacher to ask about her class. The man wore thick rectangular spectacles and a neatly pressed vermilion robe. His blond hair was combed to perfection. Upon hearing her name, he nodded and pointed her in the right direction. As she walked away, he muttered to himself, "This year's arrivals might be quite something."
Zaara entered the classroom A. Her peers, all around her age, were bubbling with anticipation.
One of them recognised Zaara and happened to be beside her. A chubby girl who wasn't too tall asked, "Hey, Zaara! what's your Essence Aspect?"
Zaara hesitated. "I'm not quite sure ... It had a long name. Something like ... Icy Crystal Nebula?" As she spoke, she opened her palm. A faint blue light shimmered, and tiny, diamond-shaped crystals floated in a mist, casting a refreshing chill.
"Whoa! That's amazing!" the girl exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder and curiosity. "That must be a super rare Aspect. Maybe your grandfather was a legendary Essence Wielder!"
Zaara asked in delight, "What about you? What's your Essence Aspect?"
The girl grinned and waved her hand. A soft, golden light appeared, forming into a small piece of bread. "Here you go! I can create simple food and water. Nothing fancy yet. But at least we won't starve during training."
Zaara was also both amazed and charmed to see her friend's Essence Aspect. It reminded her of what Zirak had said the night before: every student here was special in their own way. She took the bread and enjoyed it.
'I'll definitely become a strong Essence Wielder,' she promised herself, clenching her fists.
The classroom was neatly arranged into four rows. The two on the right held the boys, and the two on the left, the girls. Each desk had two seats. As everyone settled down, a woman in a modest navy robe entered the room.
"Assalamu Alaikum, everyone," she greeted.
"Walaikum Assalam, teacher!" the class replied in unison.
"I'm your instructor, Hurairah. I'll be guiding you for the next three years in all the fundamentals of Essence Wielding. Let's begin with introductions. Tell us your name, Essence Aspect, and your innate Essence Talent."
One by one, the students stood and introduced themselves. When Zaara's turn came, she repeated what she had said earlier.
Teacher Hurairah paused. "Icy Crystalline Neblina," she corrected gently, a flicker of surprise passing over her features. She couldn't help but be startled as this aspect long thought to be extinct.
Some students snickered, but Hurairah silenced them with a sharp look.
Zaara felt ashamed as she scolded herself silently, 'Why didn't I ask teacher Zirak for the name of my Aspect again!?'