Chapter 33: Noel
Hurairah quickly regained her composure and smiled warmly.
"Today is your first day, so I'll begin by explaining the classifications of Essence Aspects. In the afternoon, we'll start your first training session. Remember, both physical and mental discipline are key to strengthening your Essence Talent and Aspect. If you want to become true Essence Wielders, you must train hard—every day."
The classroom fell into silence, all eyes fixed on the teacher.
"As you all know," Hurairah continued, "Essence flows through our nervous systems. An Essence Aspect can be awakened naturally, or with the help of certain techniques and technologies. However, the latter method is only viable between the ages of six and eight. If someone fails to awaken their Aspect through external means, it's unlikely they ever will—unless they have exceptionally high innate talent."
She paused, her voice softening just a bit.
"Those who awaken their Aspect naturally often have stronger Essence Talent. Now, Essence Aspects fall broadly into two categories: Ability-Type and Weapon-Type. In our class, only one of you—Said—has a Weapon-Type Aspect."
She gestured gently toward a quiet boy with dark hair and nervous eyes. He looked strikingly similar to Waker, only younger and thinner.
"With time and training," she continued, "your Aspects can evolve, and so can your Talent. You might one day become a Battle Essence Wielder, or perhaps a Support Essence Wielder. That depends on your Aspect's nature ... and your heart."
She smiled again, her eyes glinting.
"We'll go deeper into subclassifications later. For now, let's just focus on your foundations."
Zaara listened carefully, but her brows gradually furrowed. She had heard all of this before—from Teacher Zirak. Since the age of four, her lessons had gone far beyond what was being taught now. This was nothing more than revision.
After school, Zaara walked through the academy gates, her mood lower than she'd expected. Zaara slapped herself lightly and muttered in a strict tone, "Zaara! Don't get careless and proud! If Teacher Zirak learns about this, you'll definitely get a punishment. I've to work harder than before if I want to become an important Essence Weilder."
Her chubby friend walked beside her, still excited.
"You're the best, Zaara! Teacher Hurairah even praised you today!" she chirped. "C'mon—you've got to treat me!"
Zaara blinked, her stomach grumbling at the mention of food. "Okay, okay. Let's go to Few Spices. Teacher Zirak must have prepared something warm."
They turned onto a quiet road as the sun dipped lower. The afternoon light shimmered, casting a gentle warmth across the city. As they passed a bend, something caught Zaara's eye—a flash of bright red, like fire under sunlight.
A little girl was squatting by the roadside near a dark alley, barely older than six or seven. Her clothes were ragged, her face dirt-streaked, and her crimson hair shone in the light. But what struck Zaara the most were her eyes—deep red and strangely clear, with red eyelashes long enough to frame them like gemstones.
Zaara approached gently. "Sister, are you alright?" she asked in a kind, careful tone.
The girl didn't reply. She simply looked away and lowered her head.
Just then, a group of older boys came sauntering toward them—delinquents. Their eyes lit up as they spotted the girl with red hair.
"Oi, check out that hair," one of them whispered. "She must be from another empire. Bet she'd sell high on the black market as a slave."
Zaara stiffened.
The boys circled them casually, like vultures pretending to be friendly. One crouched beside the girl and grinned. "Where's your family, little one? You hungry? Come with big brother—we've got food."
The red-haired girl shook her head hard, fear flashing across her face.
The boy reached out to grab her arm. She let out a frightened scream.
Before Zaara could speak, the chubby girl beside her trembled and whispered, "Z-Zaara ... what do we do?"
"What are you doing?" Right at that moment, Zaara's voice filled with coldness called out. The youngster reveal resentful faces as they look down.
A girl wearing a white scarf and plain black dress, no older than seven, with short black hair and onyx-black eyes, was looking at them with a cold expression.
Zaara's face was calm, but her black eyes had darkened. She pulled out a soft toy from her backpack—a stitched chimera with button eyes and mismatched paws. Holding it to her chest, she whispered, "Protect us."
The youngster in the back revealed a trace of cruelty. He raised one of his legs, trying to kick the girl into the alley.
Her palm shimmered with violet light. A pulse of Essence flowed into the toy.
It growled.
Not a weak toy sound—but a real, low snarl that echoed with power. The chimera glowed, swelling in size. Its mouth stretched, revealing a maw of glowing thread-teeth.
The delinquents froze in shock.
The chimera lunged forward with surprising speed. One swipe of its paw sent the boy flying two meters across the pavement, groaning as he landed hard. Bones cracked. The others stepped back in terror.
Zaara stood firm. "You're nothing but bullies," she said coldly.
The chimera turned, still growling, and carefully picked up the red-haired girl by her collar. It set her down beside Zaara with the gentleness of a mother cat.
Onlookers had begun to gather. Some muttered in concern. Others whispered about the display of Essence.
The delinquents hesitated. One of them muttered, "Bad luck! She's one of those registered Essence kids ... If we mess with her, the government'll be on our necks."
The leader gritted his teeth. "Let's go!"
They grabbed their injured companion and fled.
Zaara exhaled slowly. The chimera returned to her side, sitting loyally like a dog, its glowing eyes watching the road. The chubby girl still stood frozen behind her.
Zaara smiled softly at the red-haired girl. "It's okay now. My name's Zaara. What's yours?"
The girl looked up, eyes wide. Her voice trembled as she spoke for the first time.
"… Noel. My name is Noel."