Chapter 2 – Sparks of Curiosity
The morning sun spilled into the academy courtyard, highlighting the grandeur of the Heavenly Dominion Academy. Students were already gathering for training sessions, their auras pulsing like living flames. Among them, Auren Vale walked calmly, hands behind his back, masking the quiet excitement bubbling inside him. So many geniuses, so much potential… and all of them thinking I'm nothing. Perfect.
His first step toward the training ground drew glances and whispers. The elite class—Class One, full of the academy's top geniuses—had gathered to watch the new arrivals. Every eye was sharp, measuring, calculating, and already judging.
Good, let them judge. Auren smiled internally. Every insult, every glance, every little assumption is fuel.
He approached the instructor from yesterday, her aura radiating gentle authority. She noticed him immediately, her gaze softening. "Auren, today you will train under observation. Show me your focus, and perhaps you'll surprise us all again."
He bowed lightly, voice smooth and sincere: "Instructor, your guidance yesterday was… invaluable. I'll do my utmost to live up to it."
She liked that, didn't she? He thought with a mischievous grin. First step in earning a heart…
The instructor motioned to the courtyard. "Your first task today is an aura stabilization exercise. Pair up with a fellow student of similar strength—or, in your case, observe and learn. Class One students will demonstrate their skills."
Auren's attention immediately went to the strongest female student in the class, known unofficially as the Crimson Genius. Her aura was dazzling, radiating both strength and beauty in a way that made even the geniuses around her step back slightly.
Oh, this one… Auren's internal excitement bubbled, though outwardly, he remained calm. She's curious about me already—just a little. That's perfect. And she's strong, gorgeous, and… hmm… her aura alone is worth watching closely.
The Crimson Genius noticed him briefly, her amber eyes flicking over him like a scientist observing an anomaly. She said nothing. She didn't know his name, didn't even register him as a competitor. Yet a tiny spark of curiosity hummed somewhere deep in her chest.
Meanwhile, the other students were eager to demonstrate their superiority. A tall genius, known for his precise control of aura, sneered at Auren. "Step aside, Zero. Watch how true skill is wielded."
Auren internally chuckled. Humiliation first… then everything else.
The genius began his demonstration, manipulating his aura to create complex energy constructs that danced and shimmered in the sunlight. The other students gasped in admiration. Auren observed quietly, noting every fluctuation, every pressure point, every pattern.
Yes… exactly as expected. I'll need that later.
The Crimson Genius watched him briefly, curiosity tightening her brows. Why did he stand so calmly, almost detached, when the display was so impressive? She couldn't see his aura—not yet—but something about his posture, his quiet observation, made her notice him.
Auren smiled internally again. Oh, she's interested. Not love, not yet. Just curiosity… but that's fine. I'll take it.
After the demonstration, it was time for the students to train. The instructors paired them off, but Auren was left to observe the elites. He noticed how each display, each movement, each aura manipulation was a chance to gather energy, even passively. Every ripple of emotion, every flash of pride or envy, added a tiny spark to his own growing potential.
So far, so good. He mentally cataloged the aura signatures, storing them carefully. Nothing wasted.
Then came the first direct interaction—a genius from his own class, arrogant and sharp-tongued, stepped forward. "Zero, why are you just standing there? You'll get crushed if you try to step in."
Auren's lips curved slightly, cheerful internally, though calm externally. Yes, yes, insult me properly. Make it sting. I love it.
He stepped forward anyway, letting his presence brush against the genius. Hmm… a little overconfidence. Perfect. He dodged the first attack almost lazily, his body moving in precise, minimal motions. Each step absorbed just a fraction of aura from the air around him. Sweet… this humiliation will be worth it.
The genius redoubled his effort, trying to dominate him with brute aura power. Auren dodged, absorbed, stored, and smiled inwardly. Almost fun. Not quite yet, though.
The Crimson Genius observed silently, her interest deepening. This new student—he didn't shine, didn't flail, didn't even struggle outwardly. Yet he moved with an effortless rhythm, responding instinctively to attacks, timing perfectly, and somehow… storing power without showing a single flicker of aura.
What is he? she whispered in her mind. I don't understand him… but I want to.
Minutes passed. The genius finally overwhelmed him momentarily, forcing Auren to stumble—a small, human-looking failure. Gasps erupted from the crowd. The Crimson Genius' curiosity spiked. She noticed how he didn't falter completely; his smile remained faint, his composure intact.
Interesting… she thought, leaning slightly forward.
Auren, internally, giggled. Perfect. Humiliation first, yes… but the real fun is just beginning.
After the exercise, the instructor approached him, her gaze lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "You handled that… well. Not flawlessly, but your composure is remarkable."
Auren bowed slightly. "Thank you, Instructor. Your instruction yesterday continues to guide me even now."
First heart… maybe. He thought with a private, teasing smile.
The rest of the class buzzed with chatter, comparing results, noting who stood out. Most didn't notice Auren at all, writing him off as a weakling who somehow survived the exercise. Only the Crimson Genius and the instructor seemed to sense something unusual in him, though neither could pinpoint it yet.
As the day progressed, Auren moved quietly through his tasks, observing, calculating, and storing every ounce of aura he could. Every glance, every whisper, every jealousy he sensed around him added fuel to the tiny storm growing within.
Later, I'll surpass all of them… including her. He glanced briefly at the Crimson Genius, who caught his eye for just a moment. She quickly looked away, her curiosity restrained—but it was there.
The sun began to dip, casting long shadows across the academy. Auren finished his day calmly, bowing politely to the instructor. "Thank you for today, Instructor. Your guidance has… made it very enjoyable."
She smiled slightly, almost unconsciously. There's something different about him… something charming, and yet… something dangerous.
One step closer to the storm I'm building, Auren thought internally, his bubbly excitement hidden behind calm eyes.
As he walked back to his dormitory, he considered the next day: the Pressure Room record, the geniuses who mocked him, and the mystery of the strongest girl whose curiosity he had already piqued.
Soon, he whispered internally. Everything will start to move… and they'll all notice me. Not just as Zero, but as someone impossible to ignore.
> Tomorrow, Auren will face his first true challenge among his peers—a chance to break the Pressure Room record. But a cunning genius has been planning to humiliate him further… and Auren's first sparks of intrigue with the Crimson Genius might finally ignite.