The Energy Synthesis lecture was held in a grand, amphitheater-like hall, designed to accommodate students from the Fifth to the Seventh Enlightenment levels. The room was huge with sleek, polished floors and large holographic panels that were embedded in the walls, displaying relevant data for the students.
The lighting was soft and the seats were arranged in layers, making it easy to see the lecture from any angle.
Vastarael and Elyonari rushed in, just barely making it to the front row. They weaved through the clusters of students as they made their way to their seats.
As they moved, people's eyes followed them. It wasn't hard to guess why. Their names had already started circulating like wildfire. The two of them were the heroes of the 13th District incident. To most students, they were legends in the making.
Vastarael's curly white hair and mask only drew more attention. He wasn't shy about wearing it in public, not that it mattered. His presence was more than enough to capture everyone's attention.
Elyonari didn't mind the attention as she quietly sat beside him. The room was abuzz as students leaned over to whisper to each other.
"Did you hear? The Elven Princess... she's the one who was with him! They took down that giant Krepsuna together!"
"I heard she's a Seventh Enlightenment student but she's so young. And him? That mask..."
"No way, right? It's the Prince of Anqerise. I think he's in the Seventh, too, but didn't he only just get here?"
"I heard he survived a Deity at the age of thirteen for a whole day!"
Vastarael caught snippets of the whispers but he couldn't be bothered. He'd gotten used to the gossip and it wasn't anything new. Elyonari, on the other hand, leaned back in her seat as she adjusted her staff beside her. She wasn't one to let others' opinions affect her. They were here for the lecture, not to entertain the curiosity of the crowd.
A moment later, the door at the front of the lecture hall swung open. The room fell silent almost immediately as the lecturer, a tall and imposing woman with sharp, silver eyes, walked in. She wore a long cloak. Her presence commanded respect. Her name was Professor Lethore and she was known for being one of the most difficult instructors in the entire academy. She was a master of Energy Synthesis, capable of manipulating and combining different energy types like it was second nature. She had one of the rarest Pinnacle Tethers in Spheraphase.
She was of the Divine Rank.
All lecturers in Minafallen are Divine or at the extreme most, Minor Gods. Mortals in the room felt incredible power that they felt like bowing down to her. For the Immortals, they felt the same way too. Only the Seventh Enlightenment Students were unaffected by her power.
Without a word, she took her place at the podium with a holographic display flickering to life behind her. Her sharp eyes scanned the room for a moment before she spoke.
"Welcome, students, to Energy Synthesis. I trust you've all come prepared for this lesson. This class will not be easy, but it will be necessary. Those of you in the Fifth and Sixth Enlightenment will find this to be a challenge, while those of you in the Seventh will be expected to grasp the concepts immediately."
She flicked her wrist and the holograms around the room shifted, showing visual representations of different energy types.
"You will learn how to blend and manipulate these energies to create new, more potent forms of mysticism. Energy Synthesis is not about adding power to what you already know. It's about combining and harmonizing them. You can create something greater than the sum of its parts, but only if you understand the fundamentals."
Vastarael glanced at Elyonari out of the corner of his eye. She was already focused.
"Now, who can tell me about all types of energy in Spheraphase?"
A student raised her hand and Professor Lethore nodded, gesturing for her to answer.
"There are nine of them. Mana, Essence, Miasma, Divine Energy, Demonic Energy, Nature Energy, Spatial Energy, Soul Energy and Elemental Energy."
"Correct," Professor Lethore confirmed. "Mana is for Mortals who haven't reached the Awakened Stage yet. Essence is for Immortals and Mortals who have reached the Awakened Stage, which occurs when Spheraphasians are at Essentia level."
"Miasma is found in Demons. Divine Energy is used by Deities, Divines and Nexuses only. Demonic Energy is used by Demons of the same rank as those in Divine Energy. It is the counterpart of Divine Energy. Nature Energy is manipulated by nature beings. Spatial Energy is controlled by spatial beings and Elemental Energy can be used by anyone wielding an element if it is not a Divinity."
Vastarael knew all this. His father taught him this after all.
"And so, on to the next question. Why is the difference between Divine and Demonic Energy compared to the other energy forms?"
For a few seconds, no one had the answer to that question. That was until, a hand was raised. They all turned around and saw a beautiful student with demon features. The lecturer smirked when she saw her.
"Lady Denisia, you can give us your answer."
Denisia Andelaris was one of the ten Seventh Enlightenment Students. She was from Dynasty Andelaris, which rules the heavens of Spheraphase. What shocked everyone was that despite this, she had demonic features while her sister had angelic ones. If it wasn't for their features, they would have not have been easily distinguished because they are twins.
"Unlike other energy forms, Divine and Demonic Energy need to be cultivated from the faith and belief of those who know them."
The lecturer nodded in agreement, "Good answer, Lady Denisia. Naturally, this can only work on the Seventh Enlightenment Students so there's no need to dwell on that. So, let's focus on the major lesson for today. If you have any of the energies mentioned from the Seventh Enlightenment, please step forward."
There was a moment of stunned silence as the students processed the request. Then, as if on cue, the students began to rise from their seats, walking to the front of the room with varying levels of confidence. One by one, the students who were attuned to the specific energies stood, each representing a unique form of power.
Narisva Starisnova stepped forward first, representing Spatial Energy.
Next, Eldrigan Hanabas, a serious-looking student with an almost intimidating aura, stood up, his dark presence revealing the swirling miasma that clung to his every step.
Denisia Andelaris and Peroncerea Ceres were next, both of them with Demonic Energy.
Natalis Andelaris followed, her demeanor calm yet radiating the warmth of Divine Energy.
Then, Elyonari Mintheris stepped forward. The room seemed to hum with the vibrant pulse of Nature Energy.
Farrynelle Skyrover, the mighty princess from the Skyrover Dynasty, advanced next, her Elemental Energy manifesting in the form of lightning.
Vastarael Richinaria followed suit and the room went eerily silent as he stepped forward. A ripple of Essence spread out from him. He could represent Soul Energy but since being an Aeterium was a secret, he just represented Essence which every Essentia had.
Next to him, Adelasta Viaca, with her powerful and fierce Essence.
Finally, Xander Fedres, a quiet but undeniably powerful student, walked forward with Essence. His calm exterior masked the depth of his capabilities.
The students who had stepped forward stood at the front of the lecture hall, each of them representing either of the nine primary energies. Professor Lethore observed the students for a moment, as if considering the implications of their collective power. Then, she spoke again.
"Now, as all of you know, mastering your energy is not an overnight task. It takes time, patience and above all, guidance. So, here is your first and perhaps most important assignment. Until you graduate, you are to seek advice from these ten if you have any similar energies. If you need help understanding or controlling your energy, turn to those who share your affinity. Their experiences will help guide you. This course will exist as long as you're here at the academy and you will be stuck with me until the end. Consider it a lifelong assignment. It will be your responsibility to help your peers who might be struggling with energies similar to yours."
Vastarael glanced over at Elyonari, who gave him a faint smile. It seemed like they were both in for a long ride, but that wasn't anything new.