Sai opened his eyes with the first rays of sunlight piercing the high dormitory windows. The haze of morning light spilled into the room, outlining the familiar silhouettes of Lars's bunk, the lockers, and his own storage space. He felt the weight of last night—the training session with Aella, every movement, every strike of her words and instructions, as if carved into his muscles and consciousness.
Sai slowly got up, feeling his arms, shoulders, legs—his muscles ached, but the inner fire hadn't died. He remembered Aella's words: "The strong aren't those who feel no fear, but those who act in spite of it." His heart tightened—the fears he'd carried since childhood, the fear of losing everything that remained, the fear of monsters, of shadows, of himself… all these fears were now tools, not shackles.
He quietly left the room, trying not to wake Lars, and headed to the cafeteria. On the way, he passed the first groups of students hurrying to morning classes. The rustle of footsteps, quiet conversations, the smell of freshly baked bread and hot coffee filled the corridors. To Sai, it all seemed strangely ordinary—a world where people studied, talked, argued about magic and power, and yet no one was afraid to step beyond the familiar.
Sai sat at one of the tables and took out his notebook. Last night's training had left a mark not only on his body but on his mind. He began making notes—every movement, Aella's advice, the sensations from the maneuvers and reactions. His fingers trembled, but the inner tension kept him focused.
"I have to get stronger…" he thought. "I have to understand if life is worth living at all… And how I can protect those who would be left without me."
Suddenly, Lars approached with a breakfast tray.
"Listen," he began with a slight smirk, "you're all pale today. Did last night's session with Aella knock you out so much you thought you'd fall asleep right on the bunk?"
Sai smirked back but didn't reply. He didn't care. Inside, a thought boiled: every day at the Academy was a chance to fix something, a chance to become stronger.
"You going to classes today?" Lars continued. "There are new lessons; the professor says it'll be about the history of the Last War and the cataclysms, and also… they say there are new magic techniques."
Sai nodded.
"I'll go."
---
The first lesson began in a vast auditorium, its walls covered with white panels carved with runes. The lecture was given by Professor Darian—a senior instructor of magical history. She had a stern, almost impenetrable gaze, and her voice, though soft, held every student's attention.
"Today, we will examine the events preceding the Last War," she began. "How the use of nuclear weapons by superpowers destroyed the familiar order and altered the physical world, triggering cataclysms. The appearance of monsters from the sky, and later—portals from which demons and creatures humanity had never seen before began to emerge."
Sai listened intently, each phrase seeming to cut his skin, leaving a chill in his chest. He saw memories in his mind—his past, his childhood, his family, who had perished during one such cataclysm—and understood: every new piece of knowledge wasn't just study material; it was part of his path, part of the world he had to protect.
"Pay attention," the professor continued, "the Will of Shadows is one of the most dangerous forms of magic. It is forbidden in our world, as it harbors destruction and chaos. The strongest monsters retain remnants of this will, and they are sent to special classes for control. Even the angels, who descended here in attempts to restore order, lost."
Sai involuntarily remembered the night training, the trembling revolver, that strange sensation he'd felt when something inside the weapon seemed to react to the presence of danger. He felt a slight tremor in his hands but didn't allow fear to take hold.
"Questions?" Professor Darian scanned the auditorium with her gaze.
Sai raised his hand.
"I'd like to know… how exactly does the Will of Shadows affect a person when it awakens?" he asked cautiously.
The professor nodded, as if assessing his level of understanding.
"The Will of Shadows affects the mind and body simultaneously. It amplifies instincts, fears, emotions, turning them into power. But most people cannot withstand its influence. You must understand: only a strong spirit can direct it, while a weak one perishes instantly."
Sai nodded, taking a deep breath. His heart tightened again from the memories, from the feeling that the world was vast, dangerous, and every step in it could cost him his life.
---
After the lecture, Sai headed to the library to prepare for the next magic lesson. He saw other students sharing notes, arguing about correct spells and methods. He tried not to get distracted, but his attention constantly returned to one thought: "Every piece of this information could be useful in a fight. And if I'm not strong, no one will save me."
He found several old treatises on magical forms of energy, including limited mentions of shadows. The pages were neatly bound, but one looked torn out. Sai frowned, flipping through the books.
"Just as I thought…" he muttered. "They always hide something."
---
After classes, the lunch break arrived. Sai went out into the Academy's inner courtyard. Sunbeams broke through the clouds, illuminating the neat alleys, flowerbeds with rare plants, and the tall columns of the buildings.
He sat on a bench and took out a small piece of bread and some water. He didn't feel like talking, and Sai enjoyed the silence. But his gaze fell on the revolver in his pocket again—for a moment, it seemed to glow faintly. He froze.
"Not now," he said quietly to himself. "It's too early."
At that moment, Aella stopped beside him. She was calm, but her eyes held their usual cold observancy.
"You're still too cautious," she said. "But I see progress. You've learned not to be afraid, but fear still controls your movements."
Sai nodded.
"I understand."
"Good." She leaned slightly closer. "Sai, remember: strength appears when fear and resolve are in balance. You must act, even when you're afraid."
He nodded again, feeling his heart beat faster, yet calmer. She smiled.
"And by the way… your surname?" she suddenly asked.
Sai tensed slightly.
"I already said…" quietly, but confidently. "My grandfather is Asher. I'm adopted."
Aella froze for a second.
"Asher…" she whispered, as if remembering something. "Alright. Be careful, Sai. It's important."
---
In the evening, after all his classes, Sai returned to his room. Lars was already asleep. He set down his bag, took out the revolver, and examined it in the lamplight. The metal seemed ordinary, but he felt a slight warmth.
Suddenly, a weak black spark shot from the revolver, and then, like smoke, began to take shape. A small, black dragonling with horns, eyes reflecting the moonlight, lightly shook its wings.
Sai froze, his heart pounding. This was the first awakened form—his personal Echo-monster, which had been waiting for the moment to manifest.
He couldn't move, couldn't speak. The room was silent, only the soft whisper of the wind outside the window and the quiet crackle of the dragonling's wings.