Kael woke up with his entire body screaming. Every muscle, every joint, every fiber of his body demanded a rest he would not give. The call bell had just rung, marking the second day of training, and he had already learned that complaining wouldn't change a thing. On the battlefield, no one cared if your legs hurt or your back was stiff. There was only life or death.
Sergeant Brok gave them no time to think. After a brief morning assembly, the recruits were immediately taken to the training field for a session even harsher than the day before. A seven-kilometer run this time, not five. A hundred push-ups, not fifty. And then rope climbing exercises on a high wall with ropes slippery from the morning dew.
"CAN YOU STILL BREATHE?" Brok yelled as he ran alongside the thinning line of recruits. "CAN YOU STILL THINK? GOOD! THAT MEANS YOU CAN STILL RUN FASTER!"
Kael maintained his position in the middle of the pack. He didn't try to lead, but he didn't let himself fall behind either. A simple strategy he had learned from years of training alone. Conserve energy, keep the rhythm, and never stop moving.
Beside him, Erik ran with heavy but steady breaths. The blonde youth had natural speed, Kael could see it from the way his legs moved, but his endurance still needed to be built.
"You... how... can you?" Erik grunted between his breaths. "I haven't... seen you... fall... even once..."
"Training," Kael answered shortly. "Every day. Since that incident."
Erik didn't ask further. He knew that every spoken word was a wasted breath, and breath was life in a training session like this.
The third day brought something different. After the brutal physical training in the morning, the recruits were gathered in a large hall for a theory session. This was a part Kael hadn't anticipated, but he immediately recognized its importance.
The instructor today was not Sergeant Brok or Captain Aldric. A middle-aged woman in a dark blue robe stood at the podium, her eyes sharp but not cruel like the military instructors. Behind her, a large chalkboard displayed a complex diagram that Kael recognized from the books he read in the Millbrook library.
"Good afternoon, recruits," the woman began in a calm voice that was clearly heard by everyone in the hall. "I am Magistra Clara, and I will teach you about Aether."
Kael felt his body tense. This was a topic he had studied on his own for years, but there were always limits to what could be learned from dusty books in a remote village.
"Some of you may already have an affinity with Aether," Clara continued, her eyes scanning the entire hall. "Some may not. It doesn't matter. What matters is that you understand what Aether is and how it works."
She pointed to the diagram behind her. "Aether is the fundamental energy that permeates all aspects of life in Teranthos. It is not merely mana or magic power. It is a substance that follows predictable and quantifiable laws."
Kael listened intently. The books he read had given him a foundation, but Magistra Clara's explanation was far more structured and profound. She explained the four sources of Aether: Solar from the sun, Lunar from the moon, Stellar from the stars, and Terrestrial from the earth's core.
"Light Aether comes from the Solar source," Clara said, and Kael felt something vibrate in his chest. "The power of healing, protection, and purification. The most effective power against the darkness of demons."
After the theory session, the recruits were taken to a special courtyard for practical exercises. Instructors brought small crystals glowing with different colors, each representing a different type of Aether.
"You will try to sense your affinity," Clara instructed. "Hold this crystal and concentrate your mind. If you have an affinity, the crystal will react."
One by one, the recruits stepped forward to try. Most got no reaction, a sign that they were at the Awakening level or had no affinity at all. Some got a weak reaction, the crystal glowing faintly when they touched it.
Marcus Valerius got a strong reaction. The crystal glowed with a yellowish-orange light when he touched it, indicating an affinity with Fire Aether.
"Very good," Clara nodded in satisfaction. "Fire Aether is a highly useful power in combat. With proper training, you can produce lethal fire attacks."
Marcus stepped back with a satisfied smile on his face. He looked toward Kael with an expression that clearly implied a challenge.
Kael's turn arrived. He stepped forward and took the crystal Clara offered. Ever since the incident in Greenwood, he had felt something inside him, something that vibrated whenever his emotions peaked. But he had never tried to consciously awaken it in front of others.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. In the darkness of his mind, he searched for that light. The light that had appeared in his dreams, the light that had once protected him from shadows, the light that had been a part of him for thirteen years.
The crystal in his hand began to vibrate.
Kael opened his eyes just as the crystal exploded with a blinding golden light. The light was so bright that several recruits were forced to cover their eyes. Clara squinted for a moment, her eyes widening as she realized what she had just seen.
"Light Aether," Clara whispered in a barely audible voice. "And its quality... is extremely pure."
The hall was silent. All eyes were fixed on Kael, who was still holding the crystal that now only glowed faintly in his hand. He didn't understand why the reaction was so strong. To him, Light Aether was just something that was always there, like breath or a heartbeat.
"Kael," Clara called with a calmer yet authoritative voice. "After this session, I want to speak with you privately."
In the back row, Marcus looked at Kael with an unreadable expression. His anger from the defeat two days ago was still evident, but now it was mixed with something else. Unease, perhaps. Or fear of something he didn't understand.
That evening, Kael sat on the edge of his bed with a spinning mind. His meeting with Magistra Clara had opened up more questions than answers.
"I have never seen an affinity that strong in someone at the Awakening level," Clara had said in her office filled with ancient tomes. "Usually, the manifestation of Light Aether requires years of training to reach that level. But you... you can already summon it without guidance."
Kael didn't tell her about the incident in Greenwood. He didn't tell her about the golden flash that once appeared on his hands when his anger peaked, or about how the Light Aether had protected him in his dreams for years. He merely nodded and listened.
"There are two possibilities," Clara continued. "First, you possess an extremely rare natural talent. Second... something awakened your Aether much earlier than it should have been. Trauma, perhaps. Or a life-and-death moment."
Kael remained silent. Clara didn't push. She only gave him a book on Light Aether theory and told Kael to study it.
"You have immense potential," Clara said before Kael left. "But remember, Aether is not a toy. Without proper control, it can destroy you before you have a chance to use it."
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"Kael?" Erik's voice broke his train of thought.
Kael turned around. His friend was sitting on the adjacent bed, his face still showing fatigue from today's training.
"You're not sleeping?" Erik asked.
"Thinking," Kael answered.
Erik nodded in understanding. He had learned that Kael wasn't a man of many words, but he was always there when needed. That was a rare quality among people who preferred talking over listening.
"Today... about that crystal," Erik started carefully. "I've never seen anything like that."
Kael didn't answer. He didn't know what to say.
"But you knew," Erik continued, not as an accusation but as a statement of fact. "You knew you had that power before you touched the crystal."
Kael stared at Erik with a sharp gaze. "What are you trying to say?"
Erik raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Nothing. I just wanted to know. Everyone here has their reasons. I'm here because of my sister. Marcus is here for his family's glory. But you... you are different. You fight like someone fighting against something much larger than a mere physical test."
Kael fell silent for a moment. Then, for no clear reason, he decided to speak.
"My father was killed by demons," he said in a flat voice. "Thirteen years ago. In my village."
Erik didn't say anything. He just listened.
"Shadow Drakes. Creatures from the darkness. I watched them tear my father into pieces in front of my eyes." Kael looked at the dreary ceiling above him. "Since that moment, I knew. I would become a soldier. I would protect the people who couldn't protect themselves. And someday, I will find those creatures and end them."
Silence. There was no sound other than the snoring of other recruits from the far beds.
"I'm sorry," Erik finally said in a soft voice. "I didn't know."
"Why should you know?" Kael replied. "This isn't a story anyone needs to know."
"Well, maybe you don't need to," Erik conceded. "But now I understand why you fight like that. Why you never give up. Why your technique feels... alive."
Kael turned to Erik with a raised eyebrow.
"Technique," Erik explained. "Most of us train to master technique. To move correctly, to parry correctly, to strike correctly. But you... you move like every movement has a purpose. Like every strike is a promise."
Kael didn't answer. He had never thought of it that way. To him, training was a necessity, not a choice. Every day without training was a wasted day, a day where he didn't get stronger, a day where he failed to fulfill his vow.
"Thanks for sharing that," Erik said after a while. "I won't tell anyone."
"No need," Kael replied. "That story won't change anything."
Maybe it wouldn't. But that night, for the first time in thirteen years, Kael felt the burden on his chest become a little lighter. He had a friend. A friend who didn't judge, who listened without trying to advise, who was present without asking for anything in return.
The fifth day began with unexpected news. During the morning assembly, Captain Aldric announced a change in the training schedule.
"Today, you will train in teams," Aldric said in a loud voice. "War is not fought alone. You will learn to support each other, protect each other, and trust each other."
He began forming teams consisting of four people. Kael was grouped with Erik, a recruit named Thomas from the village of Thornfield, and a quiet youth named Joran.
"You will pass through five checkpoints in the training arena," Aldric explained. "Each checkpoint has a different challenge. The team that completes all checkpoints in the fastest time will receive a reward. The team that finishes last will receive a punishment."
Kael looked at his teammates. Erik with his speed, Thomas with his brute strength, Joran with his mysterious calm. This wasn't an ideal team, but that didn't matter. What mattered was how they worked together.
The training itself was brutal. The first checkpoint was an obstacle course that required a combination of speed and strength. The second checkpoint was a sparring session with instructors acting as enemies. The third checkpoint was a puzzle that required teamwork to solve a simple formation. The fourth checkpoint was an endurance test with a heavy load that had to be carried together. And the fifth checkpoint was a final test that demanded the team's complete abilities.
"FASTER!" Erik shouted as they approached the finish line. "WE'RE ALMOST THERE!"
Kael was carrying Thomas, who had slipped at the fourth checkpoint and injured his ankle. Thomas's weight wasn't a problem for him. The problem was time. They had passed four checkpoints with good time, but there was still one other team competing with them.
Marcus Valerius's team.
Marcus had formed his own team with other noble recruits. They moved with perfect coordination, the result of training together since childhood. At every checkpoint, they displayed impressive efficiency.
"There!" Joran pointed toward Marcus's team, who were also approaching the finish line.
Kael increased his speed. With Thomas on his shoulder, he ran faster than before. Erik and Joran followed closely behind.
The finish line was just a few meters ahead of them. Marcus's team was also close, perhaps separated by only a few seconds.
Kael didn't think about the possibility of losing. He only thought about how to win. One step, two steps, three steps. Every step brought them closer to the finish line.
They crossed the finish line.
The difference was less than a second. Marcus's team arrived right behind them, Marcus's face flushed with exhaustion and anger.
"TEAM KAEL WINS!" Aldric announced with a voice that echoed across the arena. "With the fastest time difference in basic training history this year!"
Kael lowered Thomas carefully. His teammate tried to stand on his injured leg, but Kael told him to stay seated.
"Well done," Erik smiled broadly, his breathing still heavy. "I didn't think we could beat Marcus's team."
"Teamwork," Kael answered shortly. "That's what the Captain said."
On the other side of the arena, Marcus stood with a dark expression. He glared at Kael with eyes full of unconcealed fury. The first defeat in the sword fight was humiliating enough for him. The second defeat in a team competition was an even bigger blow.
"This isn't over," Marcus grunted as he walked past Kael, his voice low but clearly heard. "I will show you who is stronger."
Kael didn't answer. He didn't need to argue with words. On the battlefield, words meant nothing. Only actions mattered.
The sixth day brought something unexpected. Kael was training alone in the backyard of the recruit complex when he saw a familiar figure standing near the main gate.
Impossible.
Kael blinked, making sure he wasn't seeing things. But no, the figure was indeed real. Golden-brown hair simply braided, sharp yet soft green eyes, and an elegant but unassuming posture.
Princess Elara Valdoria.
Kael didn't move. He just stood in place, holding his wooden sword loosely, as the royal princess walked into the recruit complex with two guards behind her. No carriage, no grand procession. Just a young girl walking with a clear purpose.
"What's going on?" Erik appeared beside Kael, his eyes also fixed on the princess's figure.
"Don't know," Kael answered in a low voice.
Then Elara turned her head, and her eyes met Kael's. Once again, just like the first time they met on the streets of Valdoria, something flickered between them. An acknowledgment that couldn't be explained with words. A pull of destiny that couldn't be ignored.
Elara smiled, a small smile that couldn't be interpreted. Then she continued walking, disappearing into the main building of the complex.
"You know her?" Erik asked with a tone of disbelief.
"No," Kael answered. "Not really."
"But she looked at you. She smiled at you."
"For no reason."
Erik looked at Kael with an unreadable expression. "No one smiles for no reason, Kael. Especially a princess."
Kael didn't answer. His mind returned to the gaze of those green eyes, to the small smile that seemed to hold a thousand secrets. There was something in Elara's gaze that made him uncomfortable, like someone who could look into his soul without permission.
On the night of the seventh day, Kael sat on the roof of the barracks building, looking out over the illuminated city of Valdoria in the distance. This place had become his hideout for the past week, a place where he could think without interruption.
Seven days had passed. Seven days of brutal training, insults from Marcus and his cronies, and the pressure to keep pushing forward. Seven days of learning about Aether, about teamwork, about what it meant to be a soldier.
But tonight was different. Tonight, there was a rumor circulating among the recruits. News from the border.
"Demon attack at Thornwood fort," Erik had told him earlier. "Twenty soldiers fell. Two hundred civilians evacuated."
Thornwood fort. Only three days' journey from Valdoria. Close. Too close.
Kael looked toward the north, where the sky seemed slightly darker. It might just be his imagination, or perhaps there was something real out there. A darkness that kept moving, kept devouring, kept threatening.
"Father," he whispered into the night wind. "I will become strong. I will protect them. I promise."
The broken sword fragment around his neck felt cold, but its presence provided comfort. Thirteen years had passed since that day in Greenwood. Thirteen years of accumulating resolve, hatred, and hope. And now, he stood on the brink of something much larger than he had ever imagined.
The night bell rang, signaling bedtime for all recruits. Kael stood up from his seat and looked at the city once more. Lights shone in every window, life continuing as if there were no threats out there.
Someday, Kael would ensure that this life continued. That families could sleep soundly without fear of night attacks. That children could grow up without witnessing the death of their parents.
That was his promise.
With renewed resolve, Kael stepped down from the roof and returned to the barracks. The first week was over. Many more would come. And he would be ready for all of them.
Somewhere in the royal palace, a princess stared at the moon with distant thoughts. Somewhere in the darkness, the demon army continued to advance. And in the Valdorian recruit complex, a young man with an unexplained Light Aether closed his eyes to sleep, unaware that his destiny had begun to move faster than he realized.
Tomorrow, the second week would begin. And with it, a test greater than anything he had ever faced.
— To be continued in Chapter 8 —