The birds' chirping sounded incredibly melodious. The cool morning air, dew still clinging to the window, the sun just rising… everything seemed peaceful as usual.
Free walked leisurely, filling the empty corridors of the academy.
"The first class is Shaman, huh. The time has come… time to see what kind of power I have," he thought.
During his walk, he accidentally ran into Hedra. Hedra, who had come to check on him, immediately approached. Free's expression tensed at Hedra's arrival.
"Free!" Hedra shouted, patting Free on the shoulder.
Feeling pressured, Free ignored him and continued walking.
Hedra walked alongside him.
"You know, I always come early because the morning atmosphere feels so different from the daytime. The quiet accompanied by the dawn brings peace to the soul. What do you think?"
Free glanced at the window, watching the ceiling filled with birds flying, and said,
"That… calms the mind from troubles."
Hedra, hearing this, felt a spark of astonishment at Free's words. His eyes glimmered.
"Exactly! I knew you would understand. I feel the same… Sometimes I even greet those who work this early in the morning."
Free didn't respond; he felt unable to say anything good, like complimenting him.
They walked together at almost the same pace.
"Where are you headed first, Free? There's still plenty of time before class starts," Hedra asked curiously, glancing at Free who was focused on walking.
"I want to go to the cafeteria. Waiting for Gil and Seria there."
"Oh… I see. Then I'll come along! You don't mind, right?"
Free ignored him and quickened his pace. Hedra followed at the same speed.
Along the way, Hedra kept greeting other students, which made Free curious.
Free stopped and turned to Hedra with a confused expression.
"Why have you been greeting them non-stop? It seems you don't even know them…" Free asked, puzzled.
Hedra looked confused by the question.
"Isn't it normal to greet people?" Hedra replied.
"I guess… maybe," Free answered.
Hedra smiled, looking at Free warmly.
"Right? Greeting those around us, especially fellow academy students, is a form of mutual respect created in a peaceful kingdom. Besides, I am the crown prince, the future king. It's my duty to be friendly with my people," Hedra continued.
Free turned back and continued walking toward the cafeteria.
When they entered, they saw a woman and a man sitting on the benches as if waiting for someone. They were Seria and Gil, who had arrived earlier.
Gil saw Free and gestured for him to come over. Seria also looked up as Hedra appeared from behind Free. Seeing them, Free and Hedra walked to the same bench.
"The first class is Shaman… I'm not really good at it," Gil complained.
Seria glanced at him.
"But this is a great opportunity for you, Free."
"You're right. It's a chance to uncover the secrets behind your power," Gil added.
Other students began arriving… the corridor, once silent, now echoed with footsteps and chatter.
Teng… Teng… Teng…
The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Students quickly dispersed and went to their respective classrooms.
The four of them did the same.
Once inside the classroom and seated neatly, Free saw a new instructor enter.
The instructor smiled at the students.
"Alright everyone, please pay attention and allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Egrid. I master various shamanic techniques, so I will personally be guiding this class."
Free sensed a powerful aura from the man. He looked at him, feeling a pressure unlike any previous instructor.
"I think I've heard that name before…" one student murmured.
"Isn't he one of the famous Great Wizards?" another student added.
"The famous Great Wizard!?" The whole class buzzed with excitement over the instructor's name.
Free turned to his friends.
"Hey, do you guys know about—"
"In short, he's a wizard who uses curses with immense power, that's all." Seria interrupted.
Egrid continued explaining about Shamans. During the lesson, he demonstrated several curse techniques as examples.
He took a white Lily from the vase on his desk and began chanting a curse…
"Life begins to fade, passing through decay, leaving only death, Eviltol…"
The petals, once white, turned gray, wilted, and crumbled into dust.
The curse released a massive amount of energy. Free didn't just sense it—he could actually see it.
Egrid noticed Free and recognized his ability. He commanded Free to step forward and show his shamanic power.
Free froze in surprise.
'E-eh… why me?' he thought in confusion.
He stepped forward calmly, feeling confident since he could use curses. Standing before the class, he focused his imagination and will. He raised both hands slightly and spoke his curse.
"Here… only cold air! Crio Ventum!"
Instantly, the classroom air became cooler than before. Dew appeared on the windows, obscuring the outside view.
Egrid was slightly shocked.
'This power isn't like normal shaman techniques. Is this really a curse? Who is he, actually?' he thought, stroking his chin curiously.
After showing his ability, Free glanced at Egrid for feedback.
Egrid smiled, overflowing with excitement. He approached Free, placed a hand on his left shoulder, and spoke in a higher tone,
"Amazing! I've never seen a technique like that. You have talent!"
Egrid continued the class, and Free returned to his seat.
Teng… Teng… Teng…
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Gil, Seria, and Hedra headed toward the academy grounds. Free intended to follow, but Egrid stopped him, wanting to ask about the curse he had just used.
"You guys go ahead; I'll catch up." Free said.
"Make sure you catch up quickly!" Gil shouted as they left.
"Sorry for taking up your time with them." Egrid said quietly.
Free gave a small smile.
"It's fine. So, what did you want to ask?"
"Honestly, I don't understand your power. Its composition is different from ordinary curses. What exactly is it?" Egrid's tone was serious, his face filled with inquiry.
Free was also confused, as he didn't know the origin or type of his power.
"I don't even know what my power really is. I thought it was some kind of curse… but apparently not?"
Egrid touched his chin, pondering the type of power Free possessed, still unknown.
"How does your power work?"
"All I do is think of what I want to happen, and it becomes real. Something like that, maybe?"
"Wait… so you create your own curses? According to your imagination and will? And everything happens the way you want it?" Egrid, shocked, started sweating—not from heat, but from the excitement of discovering something new.
Free tilted his head, giving an ambiguous answer.
"I guess so."
Egrid walked to the window, gazing outside.
"I can draw a conclusion about the possible type of your power. Maybe it can manipulate local reality—or even concepts. From what I know, curses are limited to poisoning, spiritual damage, and such, still following subject-object rules. But your curse… seems to bypass all intermediaries…"
Free fell silent, processing Egrid's words.
"Does such a power even exist?"
"I don't know either. Manipulating reality and concepts isn't something normal humans can do, but that doesn't mean it's impossible." Egrid replied.
Their conversation stopped… neither continued speaking.
Egrid broke the silence,
"Well, that's all I wanted to ask. Take care, Free. Something may come, whether sooner or later."
"Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful," Free responded, leaving Egrid in the classroom.
'What will happen next? The world is getting stranger… is this a sign?' Egrid murmured while packing his things.
Free walked to join his friends waiting in the garden. Upon arrival, he looked for them and saw Gil waving from afar.
He approached them eagerly…
His friends looked at him curiously, aware of the conversation he had with Egrid, but they didn't ask. They knew Free didn't want to share. In the garden, they just played together, relaxed, and enjoyed their time.
Free remembered Egrid's warning. He looked at the blue sky filled with birds and clouds, clenching his fist and smiling.
'No matter what comes, I will do what I want. I have to accept that my power is still unknown. One day, I will uncover the secrets behind it. I must become stronger… until that time comes,' he thought. Then he returned to enjoying time with his friends.