Sai woke with a feeling of weight on his chest, not born from fatigue. Nox lay beside him, wings twitching slightly, as if he too sensed that today would be special. Sai slowly got out of bed, his gaze sweeping the room. Soft light filtered through the blinds, painting the floor and walls in the warm hues of the morning sun.
"Today…" he muttered, "today we'll try something new."
Nox let out a quiet sound, almost like a soft chuckle. Sai smiled faintly. He couldn't precisely explain what he expected, but a sense of thrilling anticipation filled him.
When they stepped out of the dorm, the air felt fresh and cool, filling his lungs with every molecule. The Academy in the morning light looked even more imposing: white buildings with transparent domes, neatly laid stone paths, and green plantings that created a feeling of calm and comfort. But Sai knew this beauty concealed strict discipline and the dangers of training.
"Let's go, Nox," he said, and they moved towards the training field where Aella was already waiting. She stood with a combat sword in her hands, her movements graceful and precise, her gaze focused and cold.
"Well, my little student," she began, "today we will work on combined maneuvers with your magic. And don't hope it will be easy."
Sai took a deep breath, doubting for a moment. But Nox was by his side, and that gave him strength.
"Ready," he replied firmly. "We'll try."
Aella nodded and turned slightly towards him, observing his stance and breathing. "First, you must feel Nox. His energy, his reaction to your magic. Your task is to unite your movements with his."
Sai nodded, concentrating. He stretched his hands out in front of him and tried to sense the dragonling's energy—its subtle vibrations, its slightest movements. At first, nothing happened except for the faint trembling of Nox's wings. But then he felt a weak warmth, as if a stream of energy stretched from him to the dragonling and back, creating a soft, barely noticeable circle.
"Good," said Aella. "Now try to direct this warmth into a specific form. Don't think about magic, think about the goal."
Sai inhaled, closing his eyes. He imagined the energy taking the form of a shadow—flexible, soft, yet durable. He tried to channel it through his hands and Nox, creating a protective ring around himself.
"Excellent," Aella said, stepping closer. "See? This is the beginning of your Shadow Force awakening. But it's only the first step."
Sai opened his eyes and saw a small, dark silhouette, like smoke, enveloping him and Nox, reacting to every movement. The dragonling let out a soft hiss and shifted, as if saying, "I feel your energy."
"I… can I control this?" Sai asked quietly, feeling a tremor run through his body.
"Not fully yet," Aella replied, "but enough to protect yourself and react to threats."
The next few hours were grueling. Aella set increasingly difficult tasks for him: deflecting attacks, controlling the form, merging with Nox's energy. Every time he made a mistake, he heard the sharp ring of her sword, and his muscles burned with tension. All this time, Nox adjusted to Sai's movements, reacting to changes in his master's energy and body position.
"Breathe!" Aella shouted. "Don't watch the strikes, feel the flow!"
Sai slowly began to understand: the Shadow Force wasn't just energy. It was a reaction to will, to intent, to fear and resolve. Every movement, every moment of concentration was a key to controlling this flow.
By the end of the first half of the training day, Sai started to feel the energy becoming part of his body, how his breath and movements became one. He felt tired, but also an astonishing lightness: Nox's energy and his own had merged into a single whole.
"You're beginning to understand," Aella said, noticing his efforts, "that power doesn't come instantly. It requires patience, endurance, and understanding of oneself."
"I understand…" Sai murmured, "but it's still difficult."
"Difficult?" Aella smirked. "This is only the beginning."
After lunch, classes ended, and Sai remained on the field for the final part of the training. Aella prepared a simulation for him—a fight against a shadow opponent. The goal was simple: to teach him to react to aggression, manage fear, and use the Shadow Force.
When the simulation began, a dark, threatening silhouette appeared before him. Sai felt his heart clench with fear, but he remembered Aella's words: "The strong are those who act in spite of fear."
He raised his hands, and energy began to flow through him, connecting with Nox. The shadow wavered slightly, reacting to the flow of power, and Sai realized he was starting to control it. He took a step forward, and Nox shuddered softly, adjusting to his movement.
"Excellent!" Aella shouted. "You're starting to get it. Keep going!"
With every movement, Sai felt his confidence growing. He exerted more influence over the shadow, forcing it to mimic his movements and react to his intent.
"What is this feeling…" he thought, "as if Nox and I are one."
When the training ended, he collapsed onto the ground. Sweat mixed with dust, his muscles burned, his breathing was ragged, but his eyes shone. Nox crawled over and wrapped his paws around him, hissing quietly as if congratulating him on his success.
"I didn't think it was possible…" Sai exhaled, "but we did it."
Aella approached, sheathing her combat sword. "You held your ground. But remember, this is only the beginning. The Shadow Force requires constant control. Don't get complacent."
Sai nodded, looking at Nox, who was hopping slightly with joy. He understood that every day was a step towards strength, control, survival.
And only when he finally stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow, did he see it—a dragon, small, black, with horns, standing in the shadows of the training field.
"What…" Sai muttered, "what is that?"
Nox let out a quiet sound, as if confirming he saw the figure too.
The dragon shuddered slightly, spread its wings, and for a moment, the air around it shimmered with dark, iridescent light. Sai froze, his heart pounding. This was the first real encounter with a manifestation of power that would now forever be part of his path.
"It seems…" he said quietly, "something big is starting for us."