The wind whispered through the trees lining the stone path.
Zayn walked forward in silence.
He wore light clothing, made for speed and movement.
His hands were wrapped in bandages, tight around his fists.
A simple white band was tied around his forehead—not to hide his eyes, but as a habit. A style. His way of staying grounded.
Dozens of young candidates walked beside him toward the Academy.
A voice broke the silence.
— Hey.
Zayn turned.
A boy with brown hair and a bright, honest smile.
He looked… normal. Too normal for a place like this.
— I'm Gabriel, he said.
— Zayn, he replied after a short pause.
Gabriel grinned.
— You don't talk much, huh? Don't worry. We'll survive this exam.
Zayn shrugged.
— Maybe.
They walked together.
Gabriel talked a lot. Too much.
Yet somehow… Zayn didn't mind.
For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel completely alone.
---
The Forest Trial
The exam began without ceremony.
A vast forest. Dense. Alive.
The rule was simple: survive and kill the wild beasts.
At first, things went well.
Students worked together.
Fire. Lightning. Blades of energy.
Shouts. Victories.
Then… something changed.
The ground trembled.
A crushing pressure fell over the forest.
Shapes emerged between the trees.
Djinns.
— This isn't normal… Gabriel whispered.
And just like that, everything collapsed.
This was no longer an exam.
It was a slaughter.
The attacks were too fast. Too powerful.
Students were smashed into trees. Others fell before they even understood what hit them.
Zayn fought back.
His energy burst out—raw, unstable, violent.
— Zayn! Gabriel shouted. Fall back!
A djinn appeared out of nowhere.
Gabriel pushed Zayn aside.
The attack struck him instead.
— Gabriel!
He dropped to his knees.
Blood spilled onto the ground.
His smile was gone.
— It's… nothing… he said, forcing a weak laugh. Run…
The djinn raised its hand.
Zayn screamed.
Too late.
Gabriel was destroyed before his eyes.
His body collapsed, lifeless.
The world stopped.
---
Rage
Something inside Zayn shattered.
— AAAAAH !
A wave of energy exploded outward.
The forest shook.
Zayn attacked without thinking.
His power lashed out wildly—too strong, too fast.
— Stop! someone shouted.
He heard nothing.
A massive force struck him.
His arm was severely damaged.
He fell.
Chains of energy wrapped around him, crushing him to the ground.
He tried to move.
Nothing.
His body gave up.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
---
In the Void
Zayn opened his eyes.
An endless void.
Then laughter.
— Hahaha… honestly, you lasted longer than I expected.
Two red eyes shaped like spirals glowed in the darkness.
— Who are you…? Zayn asked.
— Are you serious? the voice mocked.
— I'm Lucifer.
He stepped closer.
Tall. Overwhelming. Smiling cruelly.
— King of the djinns.
— And your future… if you keep failing like this.
Zayn clenched his teeth.
— I want power.
— But you don't touch innocents.
Lucifer burst out laughing.
— Still got morals? That's adorable.
He placed a hand on Zayn's forehead.
— Deal accepted.
— Your body… for your revenge.
Zayn closed his eyes.
— Do it.
---
Awakening
Zayn's body suddenly stood upright.
His hair grew wilder, sharper.
His eyes turned red, marked by infernal spirals.
A halo of flames ignited above his head.
He smiled.
But it was no longer Zayn's smile.
— Ah… the air feels amazing.
He looked around.
The corpses. The screams. The fear.
— Baraga, he said calmly.
A massive djinn appeared.
— Come closer.
The flames intensified.
— Let the game begin.
The world held its breath.
---
End of Chapter 3