Morning did not arrive gently.
It pulled Arin out of sleep like an unfinished thought.
He opened his eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling as if it might answer the questions that had followed him through the night. The dream still lingered faintly—the feeling of power, of control, of being seen. But like all dreams, it slipped away the moment he tried to hold it.
Reality returned.
Quiet. Ordinary. Heavy.
Arin sat up on his bed and ran his hand through his hair. For a moment, he didn't move. The silence of his small house pressed against him. No voices. No footsteps. No warmth of another presence.
Just him.
He exhaled slowly.
"Another day," he murmured.
He got ready without thinking much—washed his face, picked up his bag, and stepped outside. The morning air was cool, carrying the faint smell of dust and distant food stalls opening for the day.
But inside his mind, nothing was calm.
You don't have power.
The thought returned like it always did.
Everyone else does.
He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag and began walking toward the academy.
The streets were already alive. Students moved in groups, talking loudly, laughing, arguing. Arin walked alone, his steps steady but quiet.
Then something felt… off.
As he turned into a narrower street that led toward the academy, he noticed two men standing near a corner.
They weren't students.
Their clothes were simple, but their posture wasn't. They stood too still, too aware. And their eyes—
Their eyes were on him.
Arin slowed down slightly.
Who are they?
The thought rose instantly.
He didn't look at them directly, but he could feel it. The weight of their gaze. Measuring. Observing.
For a brief second, something inside him shifted.
Not fear.
Something else.
But before he could understand it, he walked past them.
And just like that, the feeling disappeared.
When Arin finally turned slightly to glance back, the two men were no longer looking at him. They had turned away, as if he had never mattered.
Still, the question remained.
Who were they?
Arin shook his head lightly and continued walking.
By the time he reached the academy gates, the strange feeling had faded. Students crowded the entrance, pushing through, talking about something excitedly.
Arin frowned slightly.
"What's going on?"
But before he could ask anyone, a loud announcement echoed across the grounds.
"All students are to gather at the main field immediately!"
Arin sighed.
So much for hiding today.
He had planned to quietly slip into a corner, avoid attention, and let the day pass like always.
But not today.
He followed the crowd toward the main ground.
The field was already filling up. Hundreds of students gathered in uneven lines, murmuring among themselves. Some looked excited. Others curious.
Arin stood near the back.
That was always his place.
Unnoticed.
Unimportant.
On the stage ahead stood Director Yonsai, his tall figure calm and commanding. Beside him were a few teachers holding stacks of papers.
The murmuring slowly quieted.
Yonsai stepped forward.
"Today," he began, his voice steady, "we have two important announcements."
A ripple of excitement passed through the students.
Arin crossed his arms and waited.
"The first announcement," Yonsai continued, "is regarding the academy excursion."
Students immediately leaned forward.
"This year, we will be traveling to the far eastern region of the country."
A louder murmur spread through the crowd.
"Ten days," Yonsai said. "A full academic and exploratory trip."
Arin blinked slightly.
Far eastern region?
He whispered under his breath, barely audible even to himself.
"Where exactly are they sending us…?
One of the assistants began handing out pamphlets across the rows. Students reached eagerly, grabbing the papers and reading quickly.
One reached Arin.
He unfolded it slowly.
The paper described vast landscapes—mountains that touched the sky, forests untouched by time, ancient ruins said to be older than the power itself.
There were mentions of training exercises, historical exploration, and exposure to rare elemental zones and the some places with unsolved mysteries
Arin read quietly.
This isn't just a picnic
Around him, reactions varied.
Some students looked thrilled.
Others looked nervous.
A few were already discussing plans loudly.
Iam definitely going!" one voice shouted suddenly.
A boy stepped forward slightly, raising his hand dramatically.
His name was Aster.
Yes! Yes! I want to go there!" he exclaimed loudly.
The way he said it full of excitement, almost childish made several students laugh.
"Of course you do," someone mocked.
You'd go anywhere if there's food involved."
Laughter spread.
Aster scratched his head awkwardly but still smiled.
Arin couldn't help it.
He smiled too.
It was small.
But real.
Yonsai raised his hand, signaling silence again.
"The second announcement," he said, his tone slightly more serious, "is far more important."
The field quieted instantly.
"A distinguished guest will be visiting our academy tomorrow."
Students leaned forward again.
Yonsai paused for effect.
"The Sovereign Champion…"
A wave of whispers spread like wildfire.
"…Senjonng."
The reaction was immediate.
"The king?"
"He's coming here?"
"Tomorrow?!"
Excitement and fear mixed in the air.
Arin stood still.
His expression didn't change.
But his mind did.
Senjonng…
The man from the market.
The one who smiled at him.
Yonsai continued.
"In honor of his visit, selected students will demonstrate their abilities before him."
That changed everything.
Now the excitement turned sharper.
Students straightened their posture.
Some looked determined.
Others looked terrified.
"To be chosen," Yonsai said, "you must represent the best this academy has to offer."
Arin looked down slightly.
Then I'm already out.
The thought came quietly.
But it didn't hurt as much as before.
Yonsai raised his hand once more.
"You may now disperse."
The gathering slowly broke apart.
Students began moving toward their classes, still talking about the announcements.
Arin walked silently among them.
No one spoke to him.
Some glanced at him.
Some ignored him.
Some whispered.
It was the same as always.
He entered his classroom quietly and took his usual seat near the window.
But today felt different.
More eyes than usual were on him.
Not mocking.
Not entirely.
Just… curious.
As if something about him didn't fit.
Didn't belong.
At the front of the class sat a boy named Riven.
He leaned back in his chair with an air of confidence, his arm casually resting on the desk. Around him were four others—his close group.
There was Kairo, always smirking like he knew something others didn't.
Dren, tall and silent, his eyes sharp.
Lio, restless, tapping his fingers constantly.
And beside them—
A girl.
She stood near the window, looking outside.
Her name was Lyra.
There was something about her presence—calm, distant, almost untouched by the noise around her. Her long hair moved slightly with the breeze, and her eyes held a quiet depth.
Arin found himself looking at her.
Not for long.
Just a moment.
Then he looked away.
Because that was easier.
Because that was safer.
The classroom slowly filled.
Whispers grew.
Energy shifted.
And then
The door opened.
The professor entered.
And just like that
The room fell silent.