"Speaking about Felix," Vera said, her tone turning sharp. "What do you plan to do about your new grudge with his group?"
Ezra closed the book in front of him. He leaned back in his chair, fingers laced behind his head, resting his skull on his palms.
"I plan on joining Veda," he said plainly.
"That's a good choice." Her voice stayed steady. "Especially since he wants you. Felix's group is strong, and only my little brother's group can match his numbers, not his strength. But if you join him, that balance will shift."
Ezra smirked. "Those two seem like the main contenders for the heir position. Aren't you worried about them?"
Her expression twitched — irritation first, then amusement. She tilted her head, finding his provocation oddly cute.
"Oh, Ezra, oh, Ezra," she said, smirking. "My little brother has nothing on me nor Felix. He'd rather die than be in the same room as me." She crossed her legs, the motion slow and deliberate. "True, they have more people, more brute strength. But this program tests both strength and mind. Don't forget that."
"So, you're planning ahead," Ezra said, smiling faintly. "Waiting to pounce."
"You could say that." She smiled back. "And you…" she pointed at him; her tone soft but confident. "You're hiding your strength until the end."
"How strong do you really think I am?" he asked, standing up. He spread his arms a little, showing his slim frame. "Look at me. I'm not even fit." He dropped back into his chair and met her eyes, trying to make her see reason.
Vera studied him quietly. His body really didn't look impressive — lean, maybe even fragile. But she could tell from his posture that he wasn't lying. Ezra trained daily, doing push-ups, sit-ups, and all kinds of drills from memories of his past life. Yet a fit body could never form in weeks, especially with classes and study taking most of his time. Instead, he worked on balance and body control, combining it with instincts gained from the combat experience of his past life. It made him quick and steady minded, enough to survive against kids still learning how to fight and just engaging in their first combat experience.
"Dodging arrows isn't much of a feat," Vera said after a while, her tone calm. "A lot of the top kids here could do it if they tried. Plus, those shooters from my side were amateurs. But the real story isn't that."
Ezra blinked.
She leaned slightly forward; her eyes fixed on him. "You faced Felix and his lackeys alone. You still went and trailed him to his main group and still managed to escape when they tried to jump you. And…" she raised a finger "…you killed two Silverback Dire Wolf flankers by yourself."
Ezra's lips parted, but no words came out.
She chuckled softly. "I told Gena and her friends to get close to you if they found you, when I sent them to search for you again, was to try and befriend you. I wanted them to observe your behavior and mindset. Who knew Gena would actually succeed?"
His eyes widened. "You have spies in every group, don't you?"
Vera stood and stretched, her hair brushing her shoulders.
"That's why I'm falling for you," she said, walking closer. "You catch on fast. We'd make an invincible couple you know." She smiled and glanced at the books scattered across the table.
"Oh, before I go…" she turned slightly, her tone light "…what you're planning to do before the third trial is the best decision you'll ever make."
Ezra blinked, trying to process everything. "What do you mean…"
"Be careful, though," she interrupted, walking toward the exit. "You could get yourself killed if you make a mistake."
She stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder. "Don't hate Gena. You might think she's untrustworthy, but she barely told me anything. That means she values your partnership." Her lips curved faintly. "Bye, my Ezra."
She disappeared between the rows of shelves, just as more students entered the library.
Ezra sat frozen for a few seconds before sighing.
"That girl…" He rubbed his face, remembering the first time he met her. "…She's dangerous."
Sweat ran down his temple. Then he laughed quietly, shaking his head. "She's very dangerous."
He slumped forward and groaned before reopening the book.
As the hours passed, he read in silence, focusing harder to clear his mind.
***
Evening came. Night fell. Students returned to their rooms. The next day would be the last day of rest, and then the trial that would decide who became Alchemists.
Ezra slept early that night. He had finished all three books in one day and from information he got from the books he read and from Vera, he planned something new, something risky.
Morning light filled the hall. The place buzzed with voices. Groups huddled together — Veda and Priscilla lecturing their members, Felix and Vera lounging like royalty.
Ezra ignored the noise, sticking to his routine: exercise until noon, a cold shower, then lunch. After that, he returned to his room.
He spread his blanket on the floor, removed his shirt, and sat cross-legged. The room was quiet from the noise that was outside due to the soundproof walls keeping the noise away.
He closed his eyes. His breathing slowed. He focused.
From Vera's words, he understood something — the baptism meant they already carried Cognis inside them, but without realizing it. They couldn't use what they couldn't feel, but with meditation won't it be possible to tap into that energy without the addition of an elixir?
He focused deeper, tracing the rhythm of his heartbeat. The flow of blood. The pulse behind his eyes.
He sank into himself like he was moving through a tunnel.
He didn't know how long it took, but then…something stirred.
A wave rippled through his mind, faint at first, then stronger. He leaned forward slightly; teeth clenched.
A white warmth, streaked with black sparks, surged from his mind and instantly spread through his veins. His body jolted. Veins swelled; small cracks of blood surfaced along his arms.
"Ahh—" He gritted his teeth. "This energy… Cognis."
The pain was sharp, but he refused to break. "I can't lose focus now," he thought. "This is only the start. The next step… the Star Pattern."
His muscles tightened. His breath grew ragged.
He remembered from the three books he read — The Awakening of Cognis, The Growth of Cognis, and The Star Formations of an Alchemist.
Cognis wasn't gentle. It was violent, raw. It was the will power of the mentality and knowledge of one's mind even Alchemists never dare to joke with it, while as for normal humans, even sensing it could melt the brain or cause severe brain damage. Only newborns could survive its presence naturally. That's why the nobles ensured all their newly born babies undergo the baptism of Cognis. If adults or teens tried the baptism, death would only be their reward. Even if one managed to pass the baptism he or she would need an incredible amount of physical willpower, and luck.
The Star Pattern on the other hand, acted as a seal — a container for the energy, to prevent its turbulent nature from running wild and damaging the body. Later it became a means for defining an Alchemist level since the more stars you had meant the more powerful your Cognis had become.
He pictured it in his mind. The image of the first Novice Star.
Sweat rolled down his neck. His fists tightened until blood dripped from his knuckles.
Hours passed, his breathing turning shallow. Then, the pain began to fade. The violent flow calmed.
The energy now moved inside him — not wild, but controlled. The Star glowed in his mind Realm, half-formed yet stable.
A faint smile crossed his face. "Half a star…" he whispered weakly.
He fell backward onto the floor. His vision blurred. Sweat and blood mixed across his skin.
But before he lost consciousness, he smiled again.
It was worth it.
Then everything went dark.