The golden rays of the morning sun bathed the University of Higher Magic in a soft glow as students rushed toward their designated training areas. Today was the first official day of training under their respective mentors, and the air buzzed with excitement—and in Aiden's case, dread.
He trailed behind Leon and Xaleth, his mind racing as he took in the sheer scale of the campus. The dorms had been overwhelming enough—each student had been assigned their own personal space, with elegant stonework, enchanted lighting, and even an automated wardrobe that adjusted outfits based on magical affinities.
For Aiden, however, that wardrobe had stayed mostly empty. Because he had no magic.
And now, he was about to train under Takeda Renzou—one of the scariest names he had ever heard.
"I feel like I'm walking toward my own execution," Aiden muttered.
Leon smirked, glancing back. "You definitely are."
Xaleth, walking beside him with his usual distant aura, finally spoke. "You should be honoured. He doesn't take weaklings."
Aiden groaned. "Yeah? Then why am I here?"
Neither of them had an answer to that.
As they turned the corner, Aiden's breath caught in his throat.
The Training Grounds
It was massive.
A sprawling colosseum lined with magical barriers, weapon racks, and elemental dummies. Training zones were divided based on combat styles—some students sparred with weapons, others practiced elemental techniques, and a few were even meditating while floating in mid-air.
The raw energy of the place sent a chill down Aiden's spine. He felt like an ant standing among giants.
"Well," Leon grinned. "At least the scenery's nice."
Aiden wasn't paying attention. His focus was locked onto the mountain of a man standing at the centre of the field, arms crossed, watching them with the gaze of a predator.
Takeda Renzou.
Everything about him screamed power.
Standing well over six feet tall, his muscular build looked carved from stone. His black combat gi was simple, yet it only amplified his overwhelming presence. His silver hair was tied back, sharp eyes scanning them like a battle-hardened warlord evaluating his troops.
Aiden could feel the sheer weight of his gaze.
"You're late."
His voice cut through the air like a blade.
Leon rolled his shoulders. "We're not late. You're just early."
A flicker of amusement flashed across Renzou's face. Then—he moved.
In an instant, Leon was on the ground.
A heavy hand pressed against his back, pinning him effortlessly. The attack was so fast that even Xaleth's sharp eyes had barely caught it.
"Late," Renzou repeated, before releasing Leon and stepping back.
Aiden's jaw nearly dropped. How does a guy that big move so fast?!
Leon groaned, dusting himself off. "Alright, I get it, I get it."
Renzou's attention shifted to Aiden. "You. The powerless one."
Aiden flinched. "Uh… yeah?"
"Why are you here?"
Aiden clenched his fists. Because I have no choice. Because I refuse to be weak. Because—
"Because I refuse to back down."
Silence.
Then—a smirk.
Renzou nodded. "Good answer."
Aiden barely had time to react before Renzou threw a wooden staff at him. The force nearly knocked him back, but he caught it—barely.
"Your training starts now."
"Wait, sensei, why did you select me?" Aiden asked
"I think you already know my powers, right? It might be same case with you as well."
Aiden was surprised. maybe he is right. Maybe if I train under him I can awaken myself too right .
What followed could only be described as hell.
No explanations. No slow introductions. Just combat.
Renzou attacked with brutal precision, forcing them into immediate defensive maneuvers. His movements were fast, efficient, and merciless.
Aiden found himself immediately overwhelmed.
Leon blocked a strike with his forearm, countering with a high-speed kick, but Renzou sidestepped effortlessly.
Xaleth tried using footwork to create distance, but Renzou closed the gap in a blink, forcing him to evade with barely a breath to spare.
And Aiden?
Aiden got hit. A lot.
The wooden staff cracked against his ribs, sending him stumbling. He barely blocked the next strike, his arms shaking from the impact.
Renzou didn't let up. He was testing them.
Leon and Xaleth had actual combat experience. They weren't just skilled—they worked together with instinctive synchronization.
When Renzou shifted focus to Leon, Xaleth would try to create an opening.
When Xaleth was pressured, Leon would counterattack from the blind spot.
They were warriors.
Aiden, however, was barely keeping up.
He had no refined techniques, no natural instincts. Just raw desperation.
By the time Renzou finally called a stop, Aiden collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
Leon was sweating, but still standing.
Xaleth was breathing slightly heavier—but otherwise fine.
Renzou crossed his arms. "Pathetic."
Aiden groaned. "You… could go easier… y'know…"
Renzou smirked. "And waste my time? No."
Leon wiped sweat from his forehead. "So what, we're just your punching bags now?"
Renzou raised a brow. "If you can't even handle this, how do you expect to survive?"
The words sank in.
Aiden clenched his fists, forcing himself up despite the pain.
He wouldn't quit.
Not now.
Not ever.
A Glimpse of Teamwork
That night, back in the dorms, the atmosphere was quieter than usual.
Aiden sat on the floor, stretching his sore muscles. Across from him, Leon was sharpening a dagger, while Xaleth leaned against the window, staring at the moon.
No one spoke for a while.
Then—Leon sighed. "Not bad, I guess."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You survived."
Aiden chuckled weakly. "Barely."
Xaleth, still gazing outside, spoke. "You hesitated too much."
Aiden frowned. "I was trying to think."
"That's the problem," Xaleth said flatly. "Combat isn't about thinking. It's about instincts. You can't hesitate."
Leon smirked. "What he's saying is—you suck, but at least you didn't run away."
Aiden sighed. "Wow. Thanks for the encouragement."
Leon tossed a small training knife at Aiden. He barely caught it, looking up in confusion.
"Tomorrow, we train together. If we're going to be a team, we need to fight like one."
Aiden blinked. "Wait. You mean—"
Xaleth turned away from the window. "You need to catch up."
Aiden looked down at the dagger in his hand.
For the first time, he wasn't just an outsider.
He was part of something.
And he wasn't about to let that go.