Chapter 4: The Road Ahead
The hilltop was silent, the early morning air heavy with the weight of what Magnus had done. The sky was caught in the in-between—a pale gradient of soft blues and the first hints of amber, a contrast to the storm brewing within him. Magnus sat at the edge of the hill, his arms draped over his knees as he stared into the horizon, searching for something that wasn’t there.
Alex’s absence was a raw wound, and the hollowness inside him felt immeasurable. No matter how much he told himself it was for her sake, the grief didn’t lessen.
Nara stood a few feet away, watching him carefully. She’d seen this before—the moment someone took their first real loss as an awakened. The enormity of it always struck like a tidal wave, and Magnus was weathering it with the quiet intensity she had come to recognize in him. He wasn’t one to cry, shout, or lash out. Instead, his silence was heavy, contemplative, the weight of his thoughts almost palpable.
Finally, she broke the quiet, her voice steady and low. “You did the right thing, Magnus.”
His gaze didn’t shift. “Did I?” His voice was calm, but beneath it was the unmistakable tremor of doubt.
Nara stepped closer, kneeling beside him. “Yes. You gave her something she could never have had otherwise—a life without fear, without the burden of this world.”
He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “And what about me? What’s left for me after this? She was the only thing—” His voice caught, and he clenched his fists. “The only thing keeping me tethered.”
Nara let his words linger in the air before responding. “You still have yourself, Magnus. And now, you have a purpose.”
He turned to her, his expression sharp, questioning. “A purpose? To be what? A pawn in some fight I never wanted? To lose everyone I care about for the sake of a world that doesn’t even know I exist?”
Her eyes softened, but her voice was firm. “You’re not a pawn. You’re a protector. This isn’t about being seen or acknowledged—it’s about ensuring that people like Alex can live their lives without fear. You stand between them and the darkness they’ll never even know exists. That’s the price of being awakened. And yes, it’s unfair, but it’s also necessary.”
Magnus looked down, his fingers digging into the dirt. “Necessary.” The word tasted bitter in his mouth.
Nara rose, brushing off her robes. “This path was never going to be easy, Magnus. But that’s why you won’t walk it alone. There’s a place where you can find the tools, the understanding, and the strength to carry this burden—a place where you’ll learn to make sense of all this.”
He glanced up at her, frowning. “What place?”
“Eidolon Academy,” she said, a faint smile breaking through her usual seriousness.
Magnus stood slowly, his curiosity kindled despite himself. “A school?”
“Yes,” she replied, her tone carrying weight. “But not the kind you’re used to. Eidolon Academy is far more than just a school. It’s a sanctuary for the awakened, a place where they learn to understand their abilities and the role they play in maintaining the balance between worlds.”
Magnus crossed his arms, skepticism creeping into his voice. “And why haven’t I heard of it before? If it’s so important, why keep it a secret?”
Nara gestured to the shimmering landscape around them, the faint glow of the Essence Plane casting everything in an otherworldly light. “Because it exists outside the world you knew. Eidolon Academy is a nexus—a point where the physical realm and the Essence Plane converge. To ordinary people, it’s invisible, inaccessible. Only those who have awakened can reach it.”
Magnus furrowed his brow. “And what happens there? Is it just about training? Learning to fight?”
Nara smiled faintly. “It’s about much more than that. At Eidolon, you’ll study the nature of the Essence Plane, the laws that govern it, and the responsibilities of those who’ve awakened. You’ll learn discipline, strategy, and control. You’ll train your body, yes, but also your mind. It’s not just about power—it’s about understanding it and knowing when to use it.”
Her expression grew serious. “But make no mistake—the Academy isn’t a safe haven. It’s a crucible. It will challenge you in ways you can’t yet imagine. Only those who are willing to endure can hope to emerge stronger.”
Magnus’s mind raced, weighing her words. “What happens if I don’t go?”
“You’ll struggle,” Nara said plainly. “Your power is raw, unrefined. Without guidance, it will become unstable, and you’ve already seen what happens when souls go unchecked. The Academy will teach you control, how to wield your abilities without harming yourself or others. Without it, you’d be a danger—to yourself and to the people you care about.”
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His gaze dropped, the weight of her words pressing down on him. “So I don’t really have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” Nara said gently. “But you already know what the right one is.”
Magnus closed his eyes, his hands trembling. “Will it be different?” he asked quietly.
She tilted her head, studying him. “Different how?”
“The last school I went to…” He hesitated, swallowing hard. “It wasn’t a place for growth. I spent most of my time trying to avoid being noticed, trying not to make things worse. I was bullied, ignored, treated like I didn’t belong. Is this going to be the same?”
Nara’s expression softened, her voice steady. “No, Magnus. Eidolon Academy isn’t about fitting in—it’s about rising to your potential. The people there are like you. They’ve faced their own battles, their own losses. They’ll push you to grow, to become stronger—not just for yourself, but for the world you’re protecting.”
He opened his eyes, searching hers for reassurance. “And if I fail?”
Nara placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. “You won’t. Because you’ve already proven you’re capable of making the hard choices, even when it hurts. That kind of strength will carry you farther than you think.”
Magnus nodded slowly, the flicker of resolve in his chest growing. “Eidolon Academy,” he murmured, the name unfamiliar but intriguing. “It sounds… more than what I expected.”
“It is,” Nara said. “And it’s where your journey truly begins.”
As they started down the hill, Nara began to describe the Academy in vivid detail—its towering spires that seemed to touch the Essence Plane itself, its grand halls where knowledge and power intersected, and the diverse people who called it home.
The Ranking System
Magnus looked skeptical. “So, it’s not just a school. It’s some kind of battlefield with cliques and family drama?”
Nara chuckled. “That’s a simplistic way of putting it, but not entirely wrong. The Academy has a ranking system to determine each student’s standing and strength. It’s not just about family influence—though that helps—but about raw skill, discipline, and mastery of one’s abilities.”
She raised her hand, and shimmering symbols appeared in the air, forming a tiered structure.
1. Fledgling (Rank 5)
? For newly awakened individuals with limited control over their powers.
2. Adept (Rank 4)
? Students who have grasped the basics of their soul abilities and are learning to channel them effectively.
3. Vanguard (Rank 3)
? Mid-tier students who have mastered combat techniques and can hold their own in most battles.
4. Champion (Rank 2)
? Elites who have demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership. Often team leaders in missions.
5. Paragon (Rank 1)
? The top of the Academy’s hierarchy, these individuals are prodigies, often destined to become legends among the awakened.
“The ranking isn’t just for bragging rights,” Nara continued. “It determines the challenges you face, the missions you’re assigned, and even who you can rely on. Some people climb the ranks to prove their worth. Others… just want to survive.”
Magnus studied the glowing tiers, his mind racing. “So, I start at the bottom?”
“Yes,” Nara said, her tone firm but encouraging. “But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. Rankings change constantly. Your potential is as high as you’re willing to push it.”
Magnus frowned, his skepticism giving way to thoughtfulness. “And these families… they sound like they’ll be a pain to deal with.”
“They can be,” Nara admitted, “but not everyone there comes from a legacy. There are students like you, Magnus—people who had no idea about this world until the day they awakened. You’ll find allies, and you’ll find rivals. What you do with them is up to you.”
He took a deep breath, his shoulders squaring slightly. “If I’m going to do this, I’m not staying at the bottom. If this is my world now, I’ll make it work for me.”
Nara smiled, pride evident in her expression. “Good. Then you’re already on the right path. Let’s get you to Eidolon Academy.”
Magnus frowned, his skepticism giving way to thoughtfulness. “And these families… they sound like they’ll be a pain to deal with.”
“They can be,” Nara admitted, “but not everyone there comes from a legacy. There are students like you, Magnus—people who had no idea about this world until the day they awakened. You’ll find allies, and you’ll find rivals. What you do with them is up to you.”
He took a deep breath, his shoulders squaring slightly. “If I’m going to do this, I’m not staying at the bottom. If this is my world now, I’ll make it work for me.”
Nara smiled, pride evident in her expression. “Good. Then you’re already on the right path. Let’s get you to Eidolon Academy.”
Nara and Magnus continued down the shimmering path, the surreal landscape of the Essence Plane stretching endlessly around them. After their conversation about potential and growth, an air of quiet reflection had settled between them. But Nara, glancing at Magnus from the corner of her eye, decided it was time to break the silence.
“Magnus,” she began, her tone softer than usual. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to say.”
He looked up at her, a mix of curiosity and skepticism in his expression. “What is it?”
She stopped walking, turning to face him fully. Her silver eyes met his, holding an intensity that made him stand straighter, as if instinctively bracing himself.
“I believe you’re extraordinary,” she said, her voice steady but filled with conviction. “Even if you don’t see it yet.”
Magnus blinked, taken aback. “Me? Extraordinary? You’ve seen what I’ve done so far. Stumbling through fights, barely keeping myself alive… How’s that anything close to extraordinary?”
Nara smiled faintly, folding her arms. “That’s exactly why I know you’re remarkable. Despite having no training, no guidance, you’ve survived situations that would have broken most people. You didn’t back down. You didn’t give up. Even when faced with impossible choices, you acted with a sense of morality and courage that most seasoned warriors would envy.”
He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I still made mistakes. And I—” He hesitated, his voice faltering. “I couldn’t save Alex.”
“And yet, even in that, you showed a kind of strength that few possess,” Nara said, stepping closer. “You let her go, Magnus. Not out of weakness, but out of love. That’s a power far greater than any spell or technique.”
Magnus frowned, conflicted. He wanted to believe her, but the doubt clung to him like a shadow. “What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t live up to this… potential you keep talking about?”
Nara placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm but reassuring. “You will. And do you know why I’m so certain?”
“Why?” he asked, almost afraid of her answer.
“Because I’ve seen what you’re capable of,” she said, her voice unwavering. “Not just your strength, but your heart. You have the drive to protect, to fight for what matters, even when it costs you everything. That kind of resolve is rare, Magnus. And when it’s paired with your talent, your instincts, and your connection to your soul—you’ll become someone who changes the very course of this world.”
Magnus stared at her, stunned. Her words carried a weight he hadn’t expected, a sense of belief so absolute that it left him speechless.
“Eidolon Academy will challenge you,” Nara continued, stepping back. “It will test your limits and force you to confront parts of yourself you didn’t know existed. But I’ve seen enough to know you’ll rise to the occasion. You won’t just survive there—you’ll thrive. And one day, Magnus, you’ll look back on this moment and realize it was just the beginning of something far greater than you could imagine.”
He swallowed hard, his emotions a tangle of hope, fear, and determination. “You really think I can be… someone important?”
Nara nodded, her expression softening. “I don’t just think it. I know it. You’re not just a student walking into this world, Magnus. You’re someone who will shape it. And I, for one, am honored to walk beside you as you take your first steps toward that future.”
For the first time in what felt like ages, Magnus allowed himself a small, tentative smile. Her belief in him was overwhelming, almost suffocating in its sincerity—but it also lit a fire in him he hadn’t realized he needed.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “I’ll try not to let you down.”
“You won’t,” Nara said with a rare warmth in her voice. “Because I know you’ll never let yourself down.”
