He looked around, confusion settling deep as he took in the scene before him. Most of the water in the lake had vanished—either evaporated or absorbed—leaving behind only scattered pools and thick, rolling steam that clung to the air. The ground beneath him was damp and warm, as if the heat still lingered.
Then— SMACK.
A hard knock landed squarely on his head.
Ezra yelped, clutching the sore spot as he turned to glare at his professor, who stood over him, arms crossed, his emerald eyes sharp with irritation.
"I don't recall telling you to try and kill me," his professor grumbled, his expression somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.
Ezra sulked, rubbing his head. "I didn't mean to…"
His professor sighed, running a hand through his damp hair before glancing around at the wreckage Ezra had unknowingly caused. The once-serene lake was now a shallow basin of steam and scattered pools, the air still thick with residual heat.
"Well," his professor muttered, rubbing his temple as if dealing with a persistent headache, "I suppose I've taught you enough. The blockage is gone, and that's what matters."
He stretched lazily, as if he hadn't nearly been incinerated moments ago, before continuing. "In the next two weeks, I suggest you prepare well. The Blood Moon Trial is being predicted for this year. You're lucky… but be careful who you trust."
Ezra's stomach twisted at the mention of the trial, but before he could ask more, his professor barreled on, waving a dismissive hand.
"Anyway, finals are coming up. So are the Ember Games. Try not to get your ass kicked—would be a shame if my student turned out to be completely useless." He smirked. "I suggest you go now. Check out your new fancy abilities or whatever."
With that, his professor turned, stepping into the lake's remaining waters with all the grace of a man who had no pressing responsibilities. He lay on his back, arms spread, floating as effortlessly as a log adrift on a lazy river.
"See you soon, my horrible student." His voice carried over the mist, half amusement, half genuine satisfaction.
Ezra huffed, rubbing his still-sore head before turning away. Two weeks. He had two weeks to prepare for everything.
Ezra returned to his dorm and flopped onto his bed, exhaling sharply as he stared at the glowing text hovering before him. The dim light from the screen flickered against his face, reflecting his exhaustion.
'My Soul Core is incomplete, my Aether capacity is low, and my circulation is unstable. My synchronization is terrible, and I can barely control my lightflow.'
He scowled. The more he read, the more frustrating it became.
His gaze flicked downward.
'Hmm… It says I have two unlocked abilities?'
He hesitated for a moment before tapping the screen.
[Abilities Unlocked: 2/7]
[Luminous Bindings – Chains of Judgment]
"The weight of light is inescapable. To resist is to break beneath its judgment."
Ezra blinked.
Chains?That was unexpected.
That wasn't what he imagined when he thought of light. Light was fleeting, radiant. A flash, not a weight.
Curious, he clicked it open.
He clicked on it .
Rank 1
-Summons 2-3 chains of light.
-Weak restraint; stronger enemies can struggle free.
-Duration: 5 seconds max before they dissipate.
His brows furrowed.
Swiping to the next ability, his eyes widened slightly.
[Dawnstride]
"A step faster than sight. A breath quicker than thought."
Ezra smirked. 'Now this… this I can use.'
Rank 1
-Brief acceleration up to 2x speed.
-Only works in direct light.
-Causes disorientation if overused.
He sat up, rubbing his chin. So, I can move faster, but I need light as a medium…
The restriction annoyed him, but at the same time, it made sense. Still, he couldn't shake the slight frustration bubbling inside him. He had abilities now—ones that sounded powerful in theory. But what was the point if he couldn't even use them?
Frowning, he lifted his hand, focusing as hard as he could. He pictured the radiant chains forming, visualized them wrapping around his fingers, coiling in the air like golden threads of judgment.
Nothing.
Ezra blinked, tilting his head. Maybe he needed to call them out? Some abilities worked that way, right?
"I hereby summon Luminous Bindings!"
Silence.
He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Luminous Bindings?"
Still nothing.
"Okay—Luminous Bindings!"
Nothing.
Ezra scowled, rubbing his temples. "You've got to be kidding me."
A flicker of movement caught his eye. He turned—only to find Silas standing in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with the most judgmental look he'd ever seen in his life.