Xeris rested his chin against his hand, his gaze unfocused as the instructor spoke.
He was seated in the back of the classroom, his right hand supporting his chin as he listened.
It was now the middle of the third week since they had started classes. Classes had transformed from exciting displays involving Aris and Myr to detailed lectures that focused on the profundities surrounding them.
"The start of next week will mark the fourth week since you all have been attending the second Institution of Halcyon." The instructor spoke, "By now, all of you should have the basic knowledge surrounding Myr and Aris. Therefore, the first examination will be held."
A moment of silence fell over the students before chatter and discussion quickly ensued following the announcement of an exam.
Xeris waited patiently for her to continue speaking, paying no mind to those around him.
The instructor smiled, "There is no need to be overly concerned, this is just a gauge that will be used to track all of your progress while you continue to learn and develop here. A physical evaluation will accompany two written examinations."
This test will give them a lot of insight into the students here. Unlike the physical evaluation, they were required to teach us a certain amount on Aris and Myr because we lacked any understanding of these concepts. This test will show which students show any promise of succeeding.
They will likely have a cutoff percentage, after which they will discard students who have not grasped the basic concepts. This makes sense, as students start developing and awakening their Aris, using Myr, etc. The cost to support them will increase.
This must also be why Fenric has not yet started his physical training for the other students. They want a proper baseline for these students without investing any extra resources.
This was true: the Institution could easily support a few hundred students with meals and clothing. Myr, however, presented a greater financial challenge. To nurture worthwhile students, Halcyon Sect consistently pruned its resources, retaining only those deemed valuable.
These tests are nothing more than the so-called Virtuous Halcyon Sect, making excuses for discarding the weak. A strong image brings them benefits. And for benefits, even virtue becomes a mask.
The lecture concluded. Xeris left soon after with the others.
In the past few days, he had made substantial progress in training with Fenric. Xeris had already been in excellent physical condition, excelling in athletics back on Earth. However, his diligence and consistency led him to continue developing these skills.
Without consistency, nothing changes. If a seed doesn't receive enough water, how can it grow? Water must be applied consistently over a long period of time; too much, and one risks drowning; not enough, and one will wilt.
"Hey, look, it's Kaelric!" someone said.
"I heard he has already been allowed to pick out his first Myr!" said another student.
Xeris looked up to see a student walking towards him. This person had bright blond hair that caught the light like polished metal, and his grin carried the ease of someone who had never been denied anything. A faint white Rank 1 aura permeated, unrestrained from his body.
Kaelric's eyes washed directly past Xeris, stopping on something in the distance.
If Xeris was a shadow, Kaelric was the light.
People naturally prefer light, even fearing shadows. However, when a light becomes too bright, the shadows would become their refuge.
Xeris turned back to the window he was staring out of, taking in the brief moment of silence that surrounded him.
Kaelric passed Xeris, walking towards a class that had just finished its lecture.
The crowd of students quickly noticed Kaelric, some stopping, trying to introduce themselves and talk to him.
He laughed at them, pushing them aside lightly, making his way through the crowd.
Saela Veyne had just finished her last class of the day when she suddenly felt a hand clasp her shoulder.
A strong feeling of irritation quickly swept throughout her body. She struck the hand away from her shoulder, turning sharply.
Kaelric stared at her, slightly shocked, before an amused, arrogant smirk replaced his surprise.
"Wow, you really are cute when you get mad." Kaelric laughed, "Why don't you come hang out with me? I will teach you all about the Aris."
Saela had a repulsed expression on her face before turning away.
Kaelric's smirk was replaced with disbelief for a moment before he forcibly turned her back around.
"Did you not hear me clearly? I said –"
"Don't touch me again," Saela spoke calmly. However, she had a dark gaze.
Kaelric's face twisted in disgust, "I don't like your attitude."
"Then go talk to someone else," Saela stated.
Kaelric's gaze flickered down to the pages that were grasped in Saela's hands.
Saela noticed, attempting to move the pages away; however, Kaelric had already reached out, snatching them.
He held them up, inspecting them as if they contained an unappealing odor, before tossing them onto the ground.
Xeris turned away from the window.
His gaze was attracted over toward the scene before him.
The crowd around the two had spread out – no one wanting to get involved.
Xeris started walking over. As he got closer, a few people glanced at him.
The crowd dispersed further to make room for Xeris as he walked.
At this moment, Saela glanced over, seeing Xeris coming towards her. Her expression had not changed; however, a subtle curiosity had arisen within her.
Kaelric, seeing her gaze shift, also looked over. Seeing that Xeris was approaching, his eyes narrowed.
However, to everyone's shock, Xeris did not even glance at the two standing there, making a scene. He continued to walk, indifferent to the situation.
He stepped directly onto the papers scattered across the floor as he passed, leaving a mark.
Kaelric released his grip on Saela, staring at Xeris, annoyance evident on his face.
The students in front of Xeris were slightly shocked, but when they saw Xeris walking towards them, they started to move.
"Hey!" Kaelric shouted at Xeris. The students froze again.
Xeris sneered inwardly but didn't turn. His eyes were like black voids, impossible to look into for long. The student before him faltered under his gaze, breath shallow.
"Move," Xeris spoke.
The word alone carried enough force. The student stepped aside quickly, and Xeris walked past without a sound.
Kaelric's annoyance had amounted to anger.
When one wishes to be seen, silence wounds deeper than any words.
At this moment, a few of the other students came over and started picking up the papers on the floor.
Kaelric watched as Xeris disappeared from view. Looking back, Saela had also slipped away.
He hid his disappointment beneath a smile, turning back to the crowd of students.
Xeris had made his way to a secluded room deep within the library, a small stack of books balanced in his arms.
With the exam approaching, he only needed a light review – just enough to ensure his placement remained secure.
Because of the library's checkout rules, he would have to stay here to read further. That suited him fine.
The room was dimly lit, shadows pooling between the shelves that lined every wall. He sat in a chair before a small wooden table, the faint scent of aged paper hanging in the air. The silence was heavy, the atmosphere carrying a somber stillness.
After an hour, Xeris finally set down the book he'd been reading. His eyes drifted toward the faint sound of footsteps outside the room.
A faint silhouette passed the frosted glass.
Soft footsteps. A pause.
Then the door eased open.
A girl stepped inside, her dark hair falling neatly past her shoulders, eyes just as black – steady, unreadable, yet striking in their depth. Her beauty was quiet, sharpened by the seriousness in her expression.
Xeris smiled inwardly.
So, she came after all.
Their eyes met.
Saela's eyes were deep and focused, dark yet alive with quiet determination.
Xeris's, in contrast, were like still water reflecting a starless night – empty, unfathomable, almost void-like.
Saela slowly approached Xeris, pausing in front of him before she spoke–
...