Chapter 10
The sensation didn't disappear when they left the street. Even though the atmosphere seemed calmer, something was still wrong, like a pressure that refused to fade. Leo could feel it in his body, not as pain, but as a constant discomfort, as if something inside him wanted to react too soon.
The professor stopped abruptly and spoke without turning. —We're not going straight to it. First, you understand the basics.
Nando exhaled sharply, placing a hand on his chest. —Thank you… seriously, thank you.
Teodora glanced at him without changing her expression. —Don't get too excited. That doesn't mean you're not getting involved.
Nando made a face. —Yeah… figured that much.
Leo stepped forward, more serious. —Then let's start.
The professor gave a slight nod and raised his hand. —Leo, you first.
Teodora stepped closer and pulled out the skull wrapped in cloth, holding it out to him. —Hold it. But don't use it.
Leo took it carefully; the cold was immediate, but it wasn't normal cold, it was deeper, as if the object held something inside. —And now? he asked, looking at them.
The professor watched him closely. —Sit. And don't try to control anything.
Leo obeyed, sitting down slowly while holding the skull in both hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remembering what he had done before. Don't search, don't force… just recognize.
At first, he only felt the usual: his breathing, the weight of his body, the contact with the object.
But little by little… it appeared.
That difference.
Him… and the other.
The skull reacted slightly, like an internal vibration.
Leo tensed his fingers instinctively.
—Don't squeeze it, Teodora said calmly, —if you force it, it reacts badly.
Leo loosened his grip slightly, focusing again. The sensation returned, clearer now; his energy was unstable, moving without direction, while the object's was denser, more fixed.
The professor took a step around him. —Don't try to merge with it.
Leo slowed his breathing.
For a moment… it almost happened.
He felt both energies trying to connect, as if the skull were responding to him.
His pulse quickened.
—Stop, the professor ordered.
Leo tensed… and stopped.
He separated both sensations.
He didn't reject them.
But he didn't let them join either.
The vibration faded.
The atmosphere stabilized.
Teodora gave a slight nod. —That's it.
Leo opened his eyes slowly, exhaling. —It feels… like it wants to react on its own.
The professor answered calmly. —Because it can. That's why you need to control yourself first.
Leo nodded, understanding better.
The professor then turned to Nando. —Now you.
Nando pointed at himself. —Let's remember I don't have any of that.
Teodora walked toward him and this time pulled out a wooden sword, simple, but marked with engravings along the blade. She handed it to him without explanation. —That's why you use this.
Nando took it carefully, surprised. —A wooden sword…?
Teodora crossed her arms. —It has cursed energy. It's not a toy.
Nando lifted it slightly, testing the weight. —Yeah… this definitely feels different.
The professor stepped closer. —Don't swing it without thinking. It's useless.
Nando stopped immediately. —Got it. So… what do I do?
Teodora pointed at the blade. —Find where the energy is most concentrated.
Nando frowned. —Back to the "feeling" thing…
—Do it, the professor said.
Nando sighed, but obeyed. He held the sword with both hands, narrowing his eyes as he tried to focus.
At first… nothing.
—I don't feel anything, he said, opening one eye.
Teodora shook her head slightly. —Stop overthinking it.
Nando tried again. This time he focused more on the contact, the weight, the texture…
And then he noticed it.
—… wait, he murmured.
He slid his hand slightly.
—Here… he said, touching a spot closer to the tip. —It feels different.
The professor nodded. —That's the point of impact.
Nando looked up. —So if I hit with that…?
—It works, Teodora replied. —If not, it doesn't.
Nando made a small face. —Of course it had to be like that.
The professor stepped back. —Try it.
Nando hesitated for a second, then swung at the air.
Nothing.
—… that did nothing, he said, lowering the sword.
Teodora shook her head. —Because you're not aiming at anything.
Nando exhaled in frustration. —Great… now I just need the invisible enemy.
The professor looked at him steadily. —Imagine the point.
Nando frowned, raised the sword again, and this time focused on that specific spot. He swung again, more precisely.
The air made a faint, dry sound.
It wasn't strong… but it was different.
Nando opened his eyes slightly wider. —… that was different.
The professor nodded. —Again.
Nando repeated the motion.
And again.
And again.
Each time less clumsy.
Each time more direct.
Until he stopped hesitating.
Teodora watched in silence. —You're not hitting the air anymore.
Nando lowered the sword, breathing a bit heavier. —No… I'm not.
The professor looked at both of them. —That's enough for now.
Leo stood up, still holding the skull. —So… we're going?
The professor looked toward the street, where the pressure still lingered. —Yes.
Nando gripped the sword more firmly. —Now I'm actually worried.
Teodora turned around. —You should be.
The three of them began to move forward.
This time, it wasn't improvisation.
It wasn't curiosity.
It was preparation.
And even so…
the feeling that something bigger was waiting for them…
didn't go away.