Kael sat with Maren, along with the students resting around them. "I was half a second late," Kael muttered. Maren glanced at him, she did not answer immediately, she closed her book and then replied to Kael.
"That's not a bad thing, you can feel things faster."
"I'm still far behind you all, but at least I've become a little better," Kael replied. Maren took a slight breath and then exhaled it, then she responded. "At least you can understand what you lack." The sound of footsteps was heard behind them. They turned and saw Darius walking toward them.
"Hey." Kael looked up. "Yeah?" Darius stared at him for a few seconds. "You're still as weak as before." His tone was flat, as usual. "You were a little different in that duel earlier." "You lost because you were late," he continued. "If Elric Thorne hadn't stopped at your neck, you would have lost more than just a duel."
Elric Thorne was my opponent earlier.
Kael fell silent for a few seconds, then answered. "I know."
Darius narrowed his eyes slightly, as if testing whether that answer was sincere or not. "Alright." He turned around. But before leaving, he paused for a moment— "Your training isn't finished." Kael raised an eyebrow. Darius glanced back halfway.
"If you've started to understand your rhythm, then you must also learn to force it when needed." After saying that, he walked away.
Kael stared at his back. "Forcing rhythm…" he muttered. Maren smiled faintly. "Maybe that's his way of saying 'you're starting to be worth teaching.'" Kael replied. "I know," then laughed softly. "A strange way to give a compliment."
Some time had passed. One by one, the students left the training hall, including Maren. "Kael, I'm going to the cafeteria, I've been hungry for a while." "Alright," Kael replied.
The sound of footsteps faded.
The evening light entered the hall, becoming softer.
Near the window, Aether stood, looking outside. Kael rose from his seat, then walked toward Aether. "Master." Aether turned. "Yes."
"Why are you still here?" Kael asked. Aether answered. "Nothing, I'm just looking."
"Oh yes, Kael, there is information I want to tell you." Kael raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "What information?" "As you know, you will be advancing in class soon."
"Yes, I know that," Kael replied. Aether responded. "Yes, everyone knows that, but this is about role assignment."
"Role assignment?" Kael asked in confusion. Aether answered. "Yes, this year there will be role assignments according to each individual's abilities. The roles consist of five branches, namely Anchor, Striker, Weaver, Observer, and Catalyst."
Aether raised one finger.
"Anchor. Anchor keeps everything stable, if the Anchor falters the team will collapse."
Second finger.
"Striker. The one who attacks, but must wait for the right time to strike, cannot just attack recklessly."
Third finger.
"Weaver. The one who can slightly alter events. Like delaying or arranging small occurrences."
Fourth finger.
"Observer. The one who reads the situation, who determines when the team will move."
Fifth finger.
"Catalyst. Support, the one who makes everything synchronized, like a team booster."
Kael nodded.
"Oh… interconnected." "What about me? Can I take one of the roles?" Kael asked. Aether looked into Kael's eyes, as if assessing him. Then Aether answered. "I am not someone who can determine another person's fate, but it seems you can still occupy one of the roles."
Kael's brow furrowed. "Still?" "Simply put, your rhythm is not fully stable," "Sometimes you are late, but at other times you are too fast." He let out a light breath, then added. "Perhaps that is something to be weighed, it is just that it makes it difficult for you to merge with others."
Kael did not answer. Aether turned, beginning to walk away. "However, as long as you understand your own rhythm, you are still part of a role," he said without turning. "The problem is not difference, but the inability to align," Aether continued.
Before Aether left, Kael asked. "Wait!" "Earlier you said 'team', will each role later be formed into a team?" Aether answered. "Later, each role will be formed into a single unit. You are right, a team."
"Will it be chosen randomly?" Kael asked. Aether explained. "The academy will observe each individual's rhythm—the way of thinking, the way of moving, and the way of making decisions. From there, those who have flows that support each other will be placed together." Then Aether left Kael behind.
Tick….
Tick….
Tick….
The beat of Chrono Halo could still be heard.
"At least help me for now," Kael muttered in his thoughts. Chrono Halo glowed behind Kael, as if conveying that it was his power. Kael murmured. "I will force it." Then he walked out of the training hall. As he passed the doorway.
the beat stopped—
just for a moment. Kael froze, his brow slightly furrowed. "What!?! "
Silence….
Then—
Tick….
The beat returned. As if nothing had happened. He looked back. The hall was empty, but somehow for a moment he felt his rhythm slip out of time.