Noctis slowly opened his midnight-blue eyes.
He woke to the melodic — though slightly annoying — sound of the device resting on the table beside him.
He straightened his hair in the mirror hanging on the wardrobe.
Within minutes, he left his room and headed downstairs for breakfast. The sheer number of people made him uneasy. When he reached the dining hall, he saw tables spread across the entire place.
He moved forward, spotted where the food was being served, and grabbed a plate. His eyes widened at the variety before him. He didn't overfill his plate — only took what he could eat — then quietly went to sit at an empty table.
'The smell alone tells me this food's good… I just hope they didn't make it out of monsters.'
He took a spoonful of food. His eyes widened.
He began eating faster.
'Whoever cooked this deserves praise.'
As Noctis ate eagerly, the seats around him slowly filled. Each new arrival gave a small nod in greeting, and Noctis returned the gesture.
'These people are surprisingly polite.'
No one spoke. The only sound was the quiet rhythm of people eating. Noctis glanced at a few of them — their fine clothes made their status obvious. Each one emitted a distinct magical presence; some felt cold, others warm.
After finishing his last bite, Noctis remained seated. According to Sinner Asvar, everyone would go to the training field once breakfast was over. As he waited, someone approached with a tray and sat down across from him.
Noctis ignored him at first, but he could feel the person's gaze. As he drank from his cup, he looked up.
The boy seemed about his age. His skin was pale, his dark honey-colored hair straight and slightly long, shimmering under the sunlight that revealed his hazel eyes. His nose was a little larger than average. Noctis narrowed his eyes.
'I've seen that nose somewhere before.'
They locked eyes for a few seconds. The honey-haired boy smiled warmly, stood up, and sat next to Noctis. Noctis leaned back slightly. Just as he opened his mouth, a familiar, pleasant voice reached him.
"You're Noctis, right? Do you remember me?"
Noctis squinted at him for a few seconds, then smiled faintly.
"How could I forget that nose? How've you been, Gylani?"
Gylani's face twisted into mock offense before he laughed.
"You're still the only one who says my nose is big… When Uncle Sylen told me you were coming, I was glad. It's nice to have someone familiar around."
Noctis smiled. They chatted for a few minutes while people around them began heading toward the training field. Soon, they joined the crowd. After walking through long corridors, they arrived at the vast open grounds.
Gradually, teachers appeared — standing on a raised platform a few meters above the ground.
Asvar stood at the front, with several instructors at his side, their eyes fixed on the students below.
Asvar stepped forward, his voice sharp and commanding.
"In ten minutes, everyone will head to the training course of their choice. You'll have three hours of training, followed by a one-hour break. After that, we'll depart for the magic realm… Missions will be assigned during the transition."
A heavy pressure fell over the students. Noctis could feel it pushing against his skin and lungs. When he glanced around, he noticed the same strain on everyone's faces.
Gylani leaned closer and whispered,
"You feel that pressure too, right? That's the aura of Ascended Asvar's magic. But I have no idea what kind of magic it is."
Noctis kept his composure.
"So, Noctis… which class are you taking?"
He answered without hesitation — Sylen had already suggested it to him.
"Swordsmanship and core control."
Gylani raised an eyebrow.
"Swordsmanship and survival?"
Noctis tilted his head slightly.
"Didn't Uncle Sylen teach you those?"
Gylani shook his head.
"He didn't get the chance. I actually came here a month ago. We had to move to another city because of the elders in the family… But I do know a bit about sword fighting."
They made their way to the sword-training grounds. Dozens of Awakened students had chosen the same class. When Noctis reached the field, he spotted a familiar face.
Instructor Asvar stood in front of them, a steel sword in hand, his tone as strict as ever.
"Today will be the same as yesterday. Stances and balance. I'll show you how to establish equilibrium in your posture. You may assume any combat stance you know. Now — form up."
The students spread out, leaving two meters between each other. Gylani quietly whispered instructions to Noctis as they aligned. When everyone was ready, Asvar gave the signal to assume their positions.
The olive-skinned instructor walked among them, his voice deep and firm.
"Balance begins in the mind before it reaches the body. Once the mind achieves stillness, the body follows. The key is to heighten that reflection to its fullest potential. Focus. Relax. But stay as unmoving as stone."
He paced slowly through the lines, stopping beside a few trembling students and watching them closely.
"Imagine yourselves standing both in the middle of a battlefield… and within your own soul realm."
Noctis combined different stances, molding them into something that felt uniquely his. He mixed what he'd seen from the Crimson Commander during the trial with what his grandfather had once shown him.
Asvar approached. His voice was low but carried the same stern weight.
"Your stance is unusual. It'll take you longer to find balance that way… Bend your knee a bit more, and lift your shoulders slightly."
Noctis adjusted himself according to the instructions.
'I feel a little steadier now, but it still doesn't fit me… If I bend the other knee instead and lower my left shoulder slightly—'
He shifted again.
'No… that throws my balance off even more.'
Noctis made a few more adjustments and glanced around.
Gylani seemed to be doing well — relaxed yet focused. When he looked to the other side, his eyes widened slightly.
Asvar was standing beside a girl, carefully observing her.
Her stance was elegant yet sharp, the poise of someone both disciplined and confident. Asvar gave a small approving nod.
'Just looking at her makes me feel off balance… I still don't understand what exactly Asvar means by "balance."'
Minutes passed. Eventually, Asvar gave them a ten-minute break. Noctis walked over to Gylani.
"Looks like you're good at this, huh?"
Gylani shrugged lightly.
"I honestly don't know how I'm doing it. Maybe it's talent."
Noctis raised an eyebrow.
"So what did Instructor Asvar mean by balance?"
Gylani pursed his lips and shook his head.
"He never said. Apparently, we're supposed to figure it out ourselves."
They talked for a few minutes. Gylani pointed out several students one by one, but Noctis's attention locked on one person.
"Do you know that girl?"
Gylani shook his head.
"She's from one of the major clans — the Compass Clan. You might've heard of them. Her father died a few years ago, and now her eldest brother runs the clan."
Noctis had heard of it. Back when magic first began influencing the world, an ordinary man had guided thousands — sinners included. Years later, his followers became what was now known as the Compass Clan.
'So she's the one Asvar nodded at earlier.'
Asvar called time. Everyone returned to their fighting stances. An hour passed quickly, and it was time to switch lessons. Noctis considered staying another hour but changed his mind — he wanted to see what the core-control class was like.
He said goodbye to Gylani and headed off. When he arrived, he noticed there were far fewer students than before. In sword training, there had been dozens — here, barely a dozen.
Someone approached. When he glanced over, he saw the girl from the clan. He studied her briefly: average height, lean build, dark-blonde hair, and forest-green eyes untouched by sunlight. Her posture was straight and calm.
She was beautiful — striking, even — but Noctis didn't dwell on it. He waited quietly for the instructor.
Moments later, the teacher appeared. She scanned the students with a composed, assessing gaze. Her black hair framed sharp brown eyes, her defined features contrasting elegantly with her sun-kissed skin. Her presence alone was captivating.
Noctis's eyes widened slightly as he watched her.
Her voice was like a soft melody.
"I see some new faces among us… I'm Elena, your core control instructor and your guide through the realm of magic. Many awakened ones tend to skip this class, but I assure you—core control is one of the most important things you'll ever learn."
Her tone remained gentle as she continued,
"Sit down slowly and relax. Other sounds may distract you, but that's actually better… Close your eyes and focus on your core. Feel the essence it releases flowing through your entire body."
The smile on Elena's face never faded.
Within minutes, all the students were seated, their expressions calm and serene. Noctis tried to match their stillness, though his peace broke from time to time. Yet, he never lost control.
'It's impossible not to feel it with such a greedy core.'
Elena moved gracefully among the students.
"Now… without losing your focus, gather the flow of essence into one of your hands."
Noctis failed several times.
'Would've been nice if you told us how to do that…'
He spent minutes trying. After a few mistakes, he gradually directed a stream of essence from his core through his inner channels, guiding it toward his hand. He couldn't control it perfectly, but part of it gathered there.
"Good. Now spread the essence throughout your body… Distributing it is easier than gathering it."
Noctis took a deep breath and let the essence seep through every vein and muscle. He had chosen this class for a reason—controlling essence was invaluable. With precise control, one could use less essence to produce far greater power.
Essence played a crucial role in all magic.
Every spell consumed a portion of it, but even a small spell could create immense results when used with mastery.
As he spread the energy evenly, Noctis exhaled deeply.
'I feel… more alive.'
Time passed, and the rest period arrived.
Noctis wasn't tired, yet he preferred solitude. His core had flared with hunger mid-lesson, breaking his concentration.
He sat away from everyone, quietly observing the crowd. He noticed Gylani but didn't call out. His eyes wandered—first to the weapon racks, then slowly upward.
'Does this place even have a roof? What if it rains suddenly?'
Rain had become a rare phenomenon.
Since the arrival of magic, even nature itself had changed. According to the message of the spirit guides, rain was a blessing—but humanity had lost its right to receive it.
While Noctis stared absentmindedly at the sky, a familiar presence approached.
"Noctis! I've been looking everywhere for you… Don't tell me you were hiding from me?"
Noctis glanced at his own shadow, then at him, and shrugged.
"I was just looking for a quiet place. And seriously, how could I hide from that giant nose of yours? You'd sniff me out anywhere."
Gylani frowned faintly.
"Yeah, yeah… Anyway, are you ready for the passage to the magic realm?"
Noctis nodded slightly.
"Somewhat. What's it like there?"
Gylani shrugged.
"You'll see when we get there."
Noctis frowned but sighed. The break would end in a few minutes. Together, he and Gylani walked toward the gate, staying close so they wouldn't lose each other in the crowd.
When they arrived, they lined up like everyone else and waited for the instructors. Within moments, the teachers appeared.