The next day started cold and quiet. A thick fog rolled over the academy grounds. Most students rushed to their morning classes with sleepy faces. But Eiden was not among them.
He sat in the farthest corner of the library, eyes scanning old pages. His fingers moved slowly, tracing each line. Ancient runes glowed faintly on the paper. He didn't need to read them. He remembered writing them.
"Arkanos…" he whispered.
The name felt heavy on his tongue. Like a sealed door slowly opening. More memories returned every night, but they were still broken—scattered images, feelings, voices.
He closed the book and stood up. Time to train.
---
Outside, the training fields were empty. Eiden liked it that way. He drew his sword, the edge humming with light energy. With a deep breath, he began.
Each movement was sharp. Controlled. But this time, he added something new. As the blade swung, a faint rune followed the arc. It was his first attempt to merge sword with magic.
The rune flickered.
Then vanished.
"Too unstable," he muttered.
He tried again. And again.
An hour passed. Two.
Sweat soaked his shirt, but he didn't stop. Not until he saw it. A perfect rune, etched in the air by the tip of his sword.
It glowed.
Then exploded.
Not loudly. But enough to send a shockwave through the ground.
Eiden smiled.
---
Up on the hill, Elara watched.
She hid behind a tree, biting her lower lip. Her heart was racing.
"That magic… I've seen it before. But where?"
She watched every swing, every rune. He was doing something forbidden. She was sure of it. But she couldn't look away.
Why didn't she report him?
Why did she keep following him at night?
Even she didn't know.
---
Later that day, during sword class, the instructor paired Eiden with a new partner.
"Elara," he said. "You're with him."
Eiden didn't flinch. Elara raised an eyebrow but walked to the center of the arena.
They bowed.
Then began.
Clash. Step. Parry.
Their swords danced. But Elara pushed harder than needed. Her attacks were fast. Aggressive. Like she was testing him.
Eiden blocked each one.
"You're strong," she said, panting.
He said nothing.
"But you hide something."
Still silent.
Elara lunged. Her blade aimed at his shoulder. But in that moment, Eiden's sword moved faster. It knocked her weapon away, grazing her cheek.
A tiny flash of blue light shimmered from his hand. Just for a second.
She saw it.
Magic.
Their eyes met.
Elara said nothing.
Not to the teacher. Not to anyone.
---
That night, Eiden returned to the underground ruins. He didn't speak. He didn't smile. But he felt it.
Someone was following him.
He placed his hand on the stone door. A rune lit up, opening the path inside.
And behind him… footsteps stopped.
Elara stood at the entrance, eyes glowing with curiosity.
"I won't tell anyone," she said. "But I want to know what you are."
Eiden didn't reply.
He just turned and disappeared into the dark hall.
And she followed.