The world outside the Order's branch was wrapped in a cold grey fog, thick enough to hide the early evening sun. Kresor blinked against the sting of the wind as Kael led him toward a strange vehicle parked beside the iron steps a horse-cart, yet not a normal one.
It was built from polished black metal instead of wood. Brass pipes ran along its sides, releasing faint hisses of steam. Four mechanical horses iron-boned creatures with glowing blue eyes stood at the front, their legs shaped like a perfect blend of gears and sinew. Every step they took sent soft clinks into the fog, like metal rain.
Kresor stared at them with dry lips and wide eyes.
They looked alive.
And yet… not. One of the horses raised its head and exhaled a puff of warm steam that brushed his cheeks.
Kael glanced back at him with a small smile."Don't worry. They're gentle unless you anger them."
The agent standing beside Kael, Sergeant Ryth chuckled under his breath."They've bitten nobles," he said. "Twice."Kresor swallowed. "I… don't think that helps." Ryth shrugged. "Not my job to help." Kael shot him a sharp look. "Be kind."
"Trying, sir."
Kresor climbed into the metallic horse-cart after Kael. The inside was warmer than he expected lined with dark velvet seats, bronze lanterns, and a faint scent of oil and mint. The roof was curved like the belly of some old ship, with tiny gears embedded along the beams, ticking quietly. As the door shut behind them, the world outside turned into a blur of fog and faint lights. Kael sat across from him, coat buttoned, posture relaxed but eyes sharp. Ryth sat beside Kresor, arms crossed, boots muddy from patrol.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
The cart moved forward with a soft jerk, the mechanical horses pulling them through the dark streets. Gas lamps flickered outside, painting thin golden lines across Kresor's face. The roads echoed with distant whistles, steam pipes roaring, the clang of factories working late.
Kresor hugged his arms around himself.
This world felt too big.
Too loud.
Too strange.
Kael noticed his silence. "How is your chest?"
Kresor hesitated. "…It feels… heavy."
"Pain?"
"No. Just… cold."
Kael held his gaze for a moment."That cold will make sense someday."Ryth scratched his jaw. "Sir, with respect… should he be near the Academy in this state? He nearly blew up a street."
Kresor stiffened.
He knew the agent wasn't wrong. Kael didn't break eye contact with him as he answered."If we leave him untrained, he will explode another street. Or himself."
Kresor lowered his head. A tiny silence grew between them. Not hostile just thick with worry. Kael leaned forward."Kresor, listen carefully. You are not a threat because you're dangerous. You are dangerous because you don't know yourself yet."
Kresor's voice cracked."…Is that supposed to comfort me?"
A soft smile touched Kael's lips."In time, yes."
Ryth snorted. "You talk like a prophet."
Kael tapped Ryth lightly with his cane. "And you talk like someone who wants latrine duty."
"Apologies, sir."
The tension faded.The cart moved deeper into the city past iron towers, the glow of chrono-lamps, and bridges that curved like ribs over the river. Everything felt old yet alive, covered in brass veins and steam clouds. Kresor finally whispered, "Where… where are we going?"
Kael answered gently."To the East Aether Academy. The second-largest branch of all our divisions. You will learn there."
"…Learn what?"
"Aether control."
"Aether theory."
"Aether discipline."
The last one made Ryth grin."I'm betting he'll fail discipline."
Kael ignored him."And, if your Purity allows it, combat."
Kresor hugged himself tighter.
Combat.
He couldn't even defend himself from a drunk carpenter.
"How do you know I can do any of that?" he whispered.
Kael didn't blink."Because you survived an awakening that should have killed you."
Kresor went silent. Outside, the fog thickened. The mechanical horses trotted faster, their hooves striking sparks across iron rails. Kael rested his cane across his knees."Kresor, I must tell you one thing before we arrive."
Kresor looked up.
Kael's voice softened, almost like a confession."The Academy won't treat you kindly at first. You will be watched. Tested. Feared. Some will call you a monster." Ryth nodded grimly. "Some already do."
Kresor's fingers trembled.
Monster.
That word again. Kael reached out and placed a steady hand on his shoulder."But if you let me guide you, none of that will break you. I am not here to use you. I am here to protect you." Kresor didn't know why, but hearing that almost made tears rise in his throat. Kael leaned back as the horse-cart turned sharply, then slowed.
"We're here."
❖
The East Aether Academy rose from the fog like a cathedral built by engineers instead of priests. Iron arches met marble walls. Brass statues lined the front courtyard, each shaped like a past Aetherion swords raised, armor layered with gears, flowing cloaks of carved metal. Clockwork birds perched on lamp poles, ticking as their tiny wings fluttered with whirring sounds. Students in dark-blue coats walked across the grounds, books under their arms, silver badges shining on their collars. Kresor stared at everything like a child seeing color for the first time.
"It's beautiful…" he breathed.
Kael smiled faintly."Then you will fit in."
Ryth gave a low whistle. "Lucky brat. My first time here, I vomited."
Kael glared.
"I'm helping him bond with tradition," Ryth said defensively.
Kresor couldn't help a small laugh. It felt strange in his throat, like a rusted hinge trying to move again. The cart stopped. The mechanical horses froze mid-step, steam flowing from their joints. Kael stepped down first."Kresor, come."
Kresor followed, boots crunching on the gravel path.
Inside the main hall, the ceiling rose like the inside of a clock tower giant gears turning slowly above, their motion humming across the marble floor. Golden lamps floated mid-air, held in place by rings of Aether. Kael led him to a quiet corridor. Portraits of old masters lined the walls, their painted eyes following visitors like silent judges.
"This is where new students begin," Kael said. "Before you can enter the academy, you must pass the Purity Aptitude Exam."
Kresor froze."An… exam?"
He had never even finished school.
Kael placed a reassuring hand on his back."You will not take it today. You will prepare first."
Kresor exhaled shakily.
Kael signaled a guard."Fetch Seren Greylune."
The guard nodded and hurried off. Kresor tilted his head. "Who is that?"
"A senior" Kael replied. "He will teach you the basics."
"Why him?"
Kael's eyes softened."Because he will not fear you."
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor. A tall young man approached, wearing the academy uniform with casual confidence. His hair was sandy-gold, slightly messy, and his smile carried the warmth of late sunshine.
Seren Greylune. He stopped in front of Kresor and offered his hand."You must be the new kid. I'm Seren." Kresor shook his hand slowly. "…Kresor."
Seren grinned. "You look like someone who needs sleep. And food. And answers. Usually in that order."
Kresor actually smiled."Maybe."
Kael nodded approvingly."Seren, take him to the beginner training field. Show him what he needs to know before the exam." Seren saluted playfully."As you command, Captain."
Kael turned to Kresor."I will return later. Do not push yourself."
"I won't," Kresor said.
Kael walked away, his coat trailing behind him like a shadow. Kresor watched him leave with a strange ache in his chest gratitude mixed with fear. Seren nudged his shoulder gently.
"Come on. Let's start with breathing before you pass out on the floor."
❖
The beginner training field was a wide courtyard hidden behind the main hall. Lanterns hung from metal arches, glowing with amber light. Wooden dummies stood in rows. Sand covered the ground, soft under their boots.
Seren stretched his arms."Alright, Kresor. First lesson: Aether isn't magic. It's breath."
Kresor blinked. "Breath?"
"Yep. Everything begins with how you breathe. You control Aether the way lungs control air." Keren stood behind him."Breathe in slowly. Hold.Then out."
Kresor followed the rhythm.
In.Hold.Out.
Seren nodded. "Good. Now again."
As Kresor breathed, the familiar pressure returned to his chest a cold pulse, deep and strange. He clenched his fists. Seren noticed."You okay?"
"…It's happening again."
"What is?"
Kresor placed a hand over his ribs."That cold feeling. Like something is trying to wake up."
Seren frowned."Don't force it. Just let it pass."
But it didn't pass. The pulse grew stronger. Kresor's vision blurred.The air around his fingers shimmered faintly, like heat rising from boiling water. Seren stepped forward quickly."Hey hey, look at me. Slow down."
Kresor gasped."I I'm not doing anything!"
"I know. Breathe with me."
Seren grabbed his shoulders, grounding him.Their breaths synced. Slowly, the cold pulse faded.
Kresor sagged forward, shaking."…What was that?"
Seren exhaled."I don't know. But the power inside you isn't normal." Kresor looked up fearfully."Does that mean I'll fail the exam?"
Seren ruffled his hair gently."No. It means you'll surprise a lot of people."
Kresor didn't answer. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
They continued training basic stance, posture, focus drills. Nothing fancy, but each movement felt harder than it should. Like something inside him resisted every breath. An hour passed. The sky outside darkened.
Seren wiped sweat from his forehead."Let's try one more exercise before we stop. Close your eyes."
Kresor obeyed.
"Imagine a small flame," Seren said softly. "Right in the center of your chest. That flame is your Aether."
Kresor pictured it tiny, silver, flickering in the dark.
"Good," Seren whispered. "Now, lift your hand slowly"
Kresor raised his palm.
Something stirred.
Cold.Old.Alive.
A faint silver light flickered across his skin barely a spark, more like a ghost of light. "Seren… something's" Then it happened. For one heartbeat, a glowing sigil ancient, forbidden, sharp as a blade flashed across the back of Kresor's hand.
Seren's eyes widened.Color drained from his face.
"Kresor," he whispered."What… what did you just become?"
Kresor stared at his trembling hand. The sigil was gone. But the cold inside him wasn't. Not anymore.
It was awake.