DAMON HOUSEHOLD
"Lady Maria, where are you heading to? It's the middle of the night."
Maria turned around, wrapped in a thick black cloak.
"The library. I still have work to do."
Lisanna sighed. "Again?"
Maria smiled faintly.
"Are the children asleep?"
"Yes, ma'am. Though Cassandra is still awake."
"Of course she is."
"And when will you be back, my lady?"
"A week,Maybe two."
"A week?" Lisanna raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe, that's not very reassuring."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVccw8Nv2S
"It wasn't meant to be."
Maria took a step toward the door.
"Take care of my little gem while I'm gone, Lisanna."
"I always do."
Maria's voice suddenly rose.
"Cassandra, my dear, you should be sleeping instead of eavesdropping on our conversation."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73rb1uK8Sw
_____
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmTcfNsIDR
CASSANDRA'S ROOM
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikOjUXzmwL
Cassandra's eyes widened.
"How did she know I was awake?"
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.
"She can't use Detection, Can she?"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksSkD3DFmj
_____
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUzHStAr5H
"What a troublesome child," Maria muttered.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcQ21dWyIT
She opened the door, "I'm off, Lisanna."
"I'll take good care of the children."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4HhyP1IWL
"I know, you will "
The door closed behind her.
_________
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZJjBwgR0w
DAMON'S HOUSEHOLD
The golden rays of the sun spilled over the horizon, filtering through the massive branches of the ancient oak tree that stood at the estate's training ground.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYAFng2meI
The morning air hummed with life, the distant crowing of a rooster and the persistent buzz of mosquitoes seeking one last meal before the heat of the day.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4N7frPwyy
One such intruder landed on Cassandra's arm.
Before it could sink its proboscis into her skin, Lisanna's hand blurred through the air, catching the insect between two fingers with terrifying precision.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp4wp3lful
"Mischievous little bloodsucker," Lisanna murmured with a satisfied smirk as she crushed it.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NRD29CDUh
"Erase."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxzpoNwNMo
She turned her attention to Cassandra, who remained buried in a deep slumber. Leaning down, Lisanna brushed her cool fingertips across the girl's cheek.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ3iOvYqXK
"Wake up, honey. Time for your bath before the water goes cold."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gR0lpr9gz
Cassandra groaned and stretched lazily. Reaching out blindly, her hand landed squarely on Lisanna's chest, giving it an absent-minded squeeze.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve1GQ9rMqs
Lisanna didn't flinch. Instead, a playful chuckle escaped her.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1caKTqklkC
"Well, if you were that curious about the competition, Cassandra, you could've just asked for a closer look."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNtUZkgi0K
Cassandra's eyes snapped open.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6tlqSWqZt
She sat upright and immediately glanced down at her own chest, her expression darkening.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV6Qh7IWH5
"Why are mine still so small? It's not fair."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2P3CrwM8v
Lisanna smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Cassandra's ear.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReN9oViOjo
"Patience, little bird. They'll grow when the time is right. You're only sixteen. Give your body a chance to catch up with that sharp brain of yours."
Cassandra let out an exaggerated groan.
Lisanna laughed and headed for the door.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFstufxNrqQ
"The hot water's already drawn. Take your bath quickly. Breakfast will be ready soon."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIcqRDRDvY
Leaving the girl to her grumbling, Lisanna crossed the hallway and headed toward the boys' quarters.
_____
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sRPesOGsU
THE BOYS ROOM
She knocked once, then pushed the door open to find Phobos sprawled across his bed, his snoring loud enough to rattle the windowpane.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ENja4TQTq
Lisanna sighed, a mixture of affection and exasperation on her face.
She sat on the edge of the bed and ran a gentle hand over Phobos head.
"Phobos, Aristo, time to rise."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAuXDrlAXQ
Phobos's hand twitched.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCFhrNDxwG
Instinctively, he reached out, his palm brushing against Lisanna's chest.
He didn't pull away; instead, his fingers closed in a subconscious squeeze,Lisanna froze
Her smile didn't fade, but its temperature dropped by twenty degrees.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBfWw0PfYd
Phobos's eyes fluttered open.
" Why's the pillow this warm and soft"
For a moment, he looked dazed, feeling the unexpected softness beneath his hand. Then, his gaze traveled upward, meeting Lisanna's fixed, amused stare.
The blood drained from his face instantly. He recoiled as if burned, his back hitting the headboard.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUxQZlyiUc
"Phobos." Her voice was sweet, syrup poured over a razor blade.
"I—I—" Phobos stammered, his throat bone-dry. He turned frantically toward the lump of blankets in the next bed. "Aristo! Hey! Aristo,Help me!"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv5IzHS7vt
A muffled groan came from the pile of sheets. "Unless the house is literally turning to ash or breakfast is being served on a silver platter, do not speak to me,"
Aristo muttered, pulling the blanket tighter.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTT7Aot349
Phobos looked back at Lisanna.
She hadn't moved.
She was still smiling that terrifyingly kind smile.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7moj9jH8M
"Good morning, Phobos," she said softly.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBitq4zBv7m
"It's time for your bath, But before you go... tell me, what exactly were you dreaming about just now?"
Phobos's jaw worked silently, but no sound came out.
With a final mocking pat on his knee, Lisanna stood and swept out of the room.
The moment the door clicked shut, Aristo sat up, a wicked smirk plastered across his face.
"So"Aristo began, his eyes gleaming. "Did you actually touch her? Or was that my imagination?"
"It wasn't on purpose!" Phobos hissed, clutching his head. "My hands... they just moved! It was an instinct!"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAlP9QEh7m
Aristo laughed, leaning back against his pillows.
"Oh, morning instincts. That's a classic, good luck using that as a shield when she decides to accidentally skip your portion of bacon."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7bK0Y10XH
"You could take the blame for me," Phobos pleaded.
"Tell her you pushed my arm or something"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hMB5ontcW
"I'd love to be a hero, brother," Aristo grinned, "but I happen to enjoy warm baths, I want to live to see tomorrow."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PeULzzBQt
"You're on your own, brother"
( Betrayal)
____
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcKMJXVx8q
"Time for breakfast. Get dressed quickly, you're already running late."
A few minutes later, the three siblings gathered around the dining table.
Breakfast was simple, toasted bread, scrambled eggs, grilled sausages, and fresh fruit slices.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNw9xCKi1K
"Thank you for the food," they said in perfect synchronization.
Lisanna smiled proudly, watching them eat.
"Lady Lisanna, where are Mom and Dad?" Aristo asked.
" I can't see them anywhere within the estate"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn7mEyK0fC
"Your mother is at the Great Library," Lisanna replied.
"Your Dad went fishing. Or maybe he's at the market. He's still somewhere in the capital."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdCoWlkUf0
Cassandra blinked.
"What does he even do at the market?"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGk87fdFB5
Lisanna opened her mouth.Then closed it again.
"...Eat your breakfast, Cassandra"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqE3klqnx1
"Lady lisanna, but that doesn't answer the question."
"Exactly, I know, eat you're running late."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFzvQoi687
____
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiQf5rgjSj
Far from the estate, Maria sat alone between towering shelves of books.
Several thick tomes lay open across her table, surrounded by loose notes and scraps of parchment covered in neat handwriting.
Maria turned another page, books after books.
" Here she is again, what does it even mean, how long have you been living for mother"
The world around her had long since ceased to exist.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbCRKcYaFN
___
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyynAqgrrhp
Meanwhile, Damon wandered through the marketplace with a fishing rod resting across his shoulder.
"Another quiet morning, Damon?" an elderly woman called from a fruit stall.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VfJ28cG2Y
"Quiet?" Damon laughed. "I spent three hours trying to catch a fish, The fish won at the end, those creatures are a pain"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWObKdj7Tkq
The old woman snorted.
"So no fish again, and again, you always come back without a single fish."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADB0zDhSCn
"You're terrible at fishing, just give up already"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf1Mu6vKlQ
"I know I'm terrible at fishing, but giving up is impossible, an Artemis never gives up"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rCxDKdKnc
"Then why do you keep fishing ? "
Damon grinned.
"It gives me an excuse to come here and hear everyone's gossip."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiM6sKdHHl
The elderly women around the stalls burst into laughter.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa6302iOCp
Ever since being replaced twelve years ago by Xandros Bladestorm, Damon had become a familiar sight throughout the capital. Most days he could be found by the river with a fishing rod or wandering the marketplace trading stories with anyone willing to listen.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiJEf5WsmP
While Maria buried herself in books and Damon drifted wherever the day carried him, the responsibility of raising Aristo, Phobos, and Cassandra rested largely on Lisanna's shoulders.
She was the glue holding the Damon household together.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tSvAIoQs6
MYSTICA LYTHORIA
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3nS7seEco
Mystica Lythoria stood as the most prestigious academy in all of Daria.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYYQc1jT5W
For centuries, it had produced the kingdom's finest scholars, warriors, merchants, inventors, and mages. Graduating from its halls was enough to open doors across the continent.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74yDv8k71h
The academy accepted students from every corner of Daria, but earning a place within its walls was far from easy. Noble families, wealthy merchants, and influential figures competed fiercely to enroll their children there, knowing that a Mystica Lythoria education could shape an ordinary child into someone extraordinary.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eMW9uR4Hn
Its standards were brutal, its teachers demanding, and its reputation unmatched.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d23IgMg9n
Simply being a student of Mystica Lythoria was considered an achievement.
Remaining one was an entirely different challenge.
______
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv0WyifLNo
MYSTIC LYTHORIA: EAST GATE
Two black stallions pulled to a stop before the towering gates of Mystica Lythoria.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnnaWngFGI
Around them, the morning road was alive with arriving carriages and wagons.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiicecGa9U
Elegant coaches trimmed with silver and gold rolled through the entrance, their polished surfaces gleaming beneath the sunlight. Family crests adorned their doors, proudly displaying the wealth and status of the nobles inside.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKsKRfLtiq
Larger wagons arrived from distant provinces, carrying students who had traveled for days to reach the academy. Some stepped out in expensive uniforms and tailored clothing, while others wore simpler garments that reflected their hometown and state.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3RcJlLHtg
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4z1izhbYT
Children from every corner of Daria poured through the gates. Sons and daughters of nobles, merchants, scholars, craftsmen, and adventurers all gathered in one place, each carrying their own ambitions.
Laughter, conversation, and the rumble of wheels filled the air as the academy grounds slowly came to life.
Another day had begun at Mystica Lythoria.
" so many students this year, well, this is your stop, I'll be heading back home now" lady lisanna opened the wagon door, Cassandra, Phobos, and Aristo climbed down from the wagon.
"Have a good day!" Lisanna called.
"No promises," Phobos replied.
The wagon turned around and joined the flow of departing traffic, gradually disappearing down the road.
Meanwhile, the three siblings stepped through the massive gates of Mystica Lythoria.
Students flooded the academy grounds from every direction. Some chatted excitedly with friends, others hurried toward their classrooms, while a few stood staring at the enormous buildings in awe.
Cassandra glanced around at the sea of faces.
"Looks crowded."
"It's always crowded," Aristo replied.
"More people means more places to nap," Phobos added with a yawn.
" Back to school" Cassandra added.
_________
MYSTICA LYTHORIA
SENIOR CLASS 1
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYtoFJ5ulR
The atmosphere within the classroom was heavy, saturated with the scent of Dio energy.
Maya paced across the front of the room, the sharp click of her heels echoing against the stone floor. Her presence alone demanded silence.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPvkXAGNhC
"Congratulations on passing your exams," she said. "Welcome to Senior Class One. I am Maya, your class teacher."
Nobody spoke.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe0iLh54JZ
"Today, we will be reviewing the foundations of energy. Specifically, Dio, Eno, Magic, Techniques, and the stages of Dio."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKASfHWALnf
"Let's begin with the most important question. What is Dio?
Maya didn't wait for an answer.
"Dio is the original energy. The first energy known to mankind. Every living being possesses it as part of their very essence. Yet for most people, it remains locked away throughout their entire lives."
She continued pacing.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xDOD1dyGK
"Eno, on the other hand, is an energy crafted from Dio. It is weaker, safer, and easier to control, than Dio.
Most professions throughout the world rely on Eno. Builders use it. Healers use it. Artificers use it. Even common household tools are often powered by Eno, as we can see through technology and science, which have been advancing"
She stopped beside the board and drew a long glass-like tube.
"This is known as the Surge Vessel, just as you were taught in your previous classes."
The students quickly copied the diagram into their notebooks.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGtVsWw9e7
"The Surge Vessel is the internal container that stores both Dio and Eno, differently. Think of it as a glass bottle. The larger the bottle, the more water it can hold. The more you train, the more energy your vessel can contain."
She tapped the drawing with a piece of chalk.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAF9oeoC6u
"A stronger vessel allows you to store greater quantities of energy and withstand greater strain."
Maya turned back toward the class.
"They are two ways to make use of this energy's, that are being stored, magic and techniques"
" Now lets look into the word magic "
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4raptOTfs
She picked up a small sheet of paper and drew a circle upon it. Within the circle she inscribed several symbols.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY4L7UB9Jk
"Magic is the use of symbols, formulas, and incantations to reduce the amount of Dio or Eno required to produce an effect."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHQzeaR0nN
A small spark of Eno flowed into the paper, it was activated.
The moment she tossed it into the air, a thick cloud of smoke erupted throughout the front of the classroom.
The students all watch as she explained
"This effect requires Fire, Water, and Wind elements working together. Creating it through Magic takes preparation, but consumes far less energy."
With a wave of her hand, the smoke dispersed.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMe7BSW6Z4
"Techniques are different."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM5Gee1jHz
The classroom grew attentive.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlaYzt5zLI
"A Technique is performed directly through the body. There are no symbols. No circles. No preparation."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZJbPY7N9o
She snapped her fingers.
A small flame appeared above her palm before vanishing.
"Techniques are faster."
The flame reappeared, then a thick smoke fill the room, with another wave of her hand it cleared.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmHmfa1ZLI
"But they consume more energy than magic"
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M4yaxHjEd
"Magic is slower but more efficient. Techniques are faster but more exhausting. A skilled practitioner learns when to use each"
Maya resumed walking.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G1N43Njbl
"Now we come to Dio itself."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uZYi70541
Her expression became more serious.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGgsyxT5Iy
"Many people train using Eno for years in hopes of unlocking their Dio. Some succeed naturally. Others never do."
She paused.
"And some experience what is known as a Dio Surge."
Several students shifted nervously.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBECyjNRMD4
"A Dio Surge occurs when Dio is prematurely awakened through intense stress, fear, anger, or life-threatening circumstances, but it rarely ever happen"
She pointed toward the board.
"The power gained is immense, when experiencing Dio surge"
Then her gaze hardened.
"The risks are equally immense."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5GucsBeNV
Maya raised three fingers.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNeWS1eCy4
"There are three recognized stages."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw7NykreO5
"The first stage is Unlocking, Once mastered, an individual enters the First Tier."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPGWkGn3qO
She lowered one finger.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9V2Uyriy
"This is where most practitioners stop. Not because they choose to, but because they eventually encounter a wall in their growth."
A second finger lowered.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SX9CE5ccM
"Beyond that lies the Second Tier. Individuals who reach this level gain access to far greater quantities of Dio and begin displaying abilities that defy conventional understanding."
The classroom remained silent.
Maya lowered the final finger.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BPYz1qhZI
"The Third Tier remains largely theoretical. Very little is known about it, and even less has been verified."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw97Pt8bmTC
She turned toward the Surge Vessel diagram.
"Which brings us to the final topic."
The chalk tapped against the drawing.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpxE7qrqf2
"Surge Vessel damage."
Several students immediately straightened.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1YVWGckJg
"Contrary to what the name suggests, your vessel does not literally crack like glass."
A few students looked relieved.
"Unfortunately, the reality is much worse."
The relief vanished.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGsxsmVsqb
"When a vessel becomes overloaded, damaged, or misused, the effects can include insanity, loss of control, permanent neurological damage, physical deterioration, or the complete loss of one's ability to manipulate Dio or eno."
The classroom fell silent.
Maya placed the chalk down.
"So before any of you start dreaming about becoming legends, learn how to walk before you attempt to fly."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMfGXBpWPu
A student raised his hand.
"Professor, if Eno is created from Dio, then where does Dio come from?"
Maya nodded.
"A sensible question."
She turned toward the board.
"Unlike Eno, Dio is not something you create through training. Your body creates it naturally."
The classroom fell silent.
"Every living being continuously produces Dio throughout its life. As long as you are alive, your body is generating it."
A few students exchanged surprised looks.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOJmdSHZ1W
"Think of a fruit tree," Maya continued. "The tree does not decide to grow fruit. It simply does so because it is healthy and alive."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN1Z66fdcc
She tapped the board.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlUkltgJtM
"Your body works in much the same way. A healthy body naturally produces Dio."
"Then why do we run out of Dio?"another student asked
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZYSmgtRCu
"Because producing Dio and spending Dio are not the same thing."
Maya folded her arms.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkoukU3cjb
"A farmer may spend months growing a field of grain, yet consume it all within a year. Likewise, your body produces Dio gradually, but a careless practitioner can exhaust it in minutes"
She tapped the Surge Vessel diagram.
"Your body continuously produces Dio. Some people can empty their reserves completely and recover them within seconds. Others may require minutes or even hours."
A student raised his hand.
"What determines that?"
"Usage," Maya replied. "The more you properly use your Dio, the more efficiently your body learns to produce it."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRsnSQfVHp
Several students nodded.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqi3cuHwY
"Your Surge Vessel stores the Dio your body produces. The larger and stronger your vessel becomes, the more Dio it can contain."
Another student spoke up.
"So training doesn't create Dio?"
"No."
Maya shook her head.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm7ZoGtjQO
"Training strengthens your body, improves your control, and expands your Surge Vessel. The Dio itself is produced naturally."
She paused.
"Rest, proper meals, and good health all contribute to healthy Dio production. Exhaustion, illness, and injury can slow it considerably."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqLPuS4sW2
Maya placed the chalk down.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6R4NkQj2S
"In simple terms, your body produces Dio, your Surge Vessel stores it, and Eno is refined from it."
"Remember that, because everything else we teach you builds upon those three facts."
Maya turned toward the class.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5FYvTOsaU
"Open your textbooks to page six"
The sound of pages flipping filled the room.
She waited until everyone had found the page before pointing to a report printed near the center.
"As you all know, two moons appear in the sky at the end of every year. However, it wasn't always that way."
Her finger tapped the report.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr53lAxhEUK
"The man mentioned here was an astronomer who spent his life studying the stars. After consuming a Diochrome ,a stone of condensed Dio energy, he fell ill."
She paused.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYkQe5kz1W
"Whatever happened afterward changed the world. In his altered state, he created what we now know as the Red Moon."
The classroom fell silent.
"That is the level of power associated with the Second Tier. It is far beyond anything seen in the First."
Maya lowered her voice.
"As for the Third Tier, its existence remains unproven. Some researchers believe that at such a level, one might create far more complex things... perhaps even return the dead to life."
The classroom immediately erupted into whispers.
Before Maya could continue, the classroom door opened and another teacher stepped inside.
"Could I borrow you for a moment, Maya?"
"Sure."
She stepped outside. After a brief exchange, Maya returned with a new student following closely behind her.
The student who entered was striking.
Long white hair, still damp from the rain, flowed down her back like liquid silver. Rising from her head were two delicate white horns that looked almost as though they had been carved from glass.
The classroom fell silent.
"Another demi-human," a girl at the back muttered under her breath.
Maya gestured toward the class.
"Introduce yourself."
The girl tucked a wet strand of hair behind one of her horns.
"My name is Hesper. I'm from Fulton. Nice to meet you all."
As she made her way toward an empty seat near the back, she passed Cassandra.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Yet both understood something about themselves.
"Now shall we continue, moving on, let's see how good your cloning are, who would like to demonstrate" Maya sat down on the table waiting.
Noah's hand shot up instantly.
With his shock of green hair and matching eyes, he stole a quick glance at Hesper.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTCMPnAiBC
In his mind, a short, vivid imagination played out.
Noah, you're so smart and strong... I love you, Hesper would say.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTe0ZnXFrf
"Noah!" Maya's sharp voice snapped him back to earth.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7GvFPk2E5
He cleared his throat, standing tall. "Visualization, structure, and the infusion of Dio or Eno.
In other words, you craft the image in your mind and fill that construct with energy to bring it to life."
"Demonstrate," Maya said.
Noah walked to the front, a confident smirk playing on his lips. With Eno, he snapped his fingers. Two clones appeared, then ten.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiccxGJgFt
Determined to impress the newcomer, he pushed himself to his absolute limit. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he forced out more copies until twenty identical versions of himself crowded the aisles. He stood there, gasping for air, his reserves nearly dry.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRqI3r4Ho8
"An impressive quantity," Maya noted dryly. "But what of the quality? Can they take a beating? Hesper, check their stability."
"Yes, ma'am," Hesper replied, rising from her seat.
She didn't move from her spot. She simply flicked her fingers toward the crowd of clones. In a blur of motion so fast that only the top tier of the class, the elite few could track it, all twenty clones vanished instantly.
"What... what did she do?" Noah stammered, his hard work erased in a heartbeat.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnVDJz6fVm
Cassandra watched the space where the clones had been, her mind racing." The same technique from before, she whispered to herself. She compressed water into molecules, infused them with air, and expanded it into a nearly invisible thread. Making it transparent to the eye, using Eno, with Dio this is deadly"
_____
JUNIOR CLASS 4
In another building entirely, the lecture on Birth Elements was underway.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRrKEya1Ew
"Every person is born with a Birth Element," the teacher explained. "It is an innate force you are capable of wielding. Training doesn't grant you this power; it only determines whether you ever learn to master it. The primary elements are Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, though some individuals are born with mixed elements such as Lightning, Fog, or Ice as their birth element"
The classroom door opened and a young girl stepped inside. She had long white hair, blue eyes, two glass-like horns, and a pair of reading glasses.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡray5Vi4lQF
"Sorry for the interruption. I'm Zira. I've been told to come to this class."
The teacher smiled. "You're the transfer student I was expecting. Go ahead and introduce yourself."
"Hi, I'm Zira from Fulton. Nice to meet you all."
As the lesson resumed, peace reigned for exactly three seconds.
A shoe suddenly flew across the classroom and struck Phobos square in the forehead.
WHACK!
Phobos shot upright so fast that his chair nearly tipped over.
"I wasn't sleeping, Dad! I mean Professor!" he shouted. "I was using Detection to monitor the marketplace!"
The classroom erupted into laughter.
The teacher extended a hand. "Remain standing, Phobos. Throw back my shoe."
Phobos sighed dramatically, picked up the shoe, and tossed it back.
"One day, I'm reporting this abuse."
"And one day," the teacher replied, catching the shoe without looking, "I'll believe you were actually awake."
The laughter only grew louder.
Meanwhile, Zira made her way through the classroom and sat beside Phobos. Leaning closer, she lowered her voice.
"Is it normal for shoes to fly around here?"
Phobos yawned. "Only if you're me. Don't worry, though. Her aim is terrible. She usually misses."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloRpO0qnKG
The teacher slowly turned around.
Phobos immediately looked away.
"...I would like to officially withdraw that statement."
Several students burst into laughter.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4kr5xnK7g
A moment later, the teacher pointed toward the front of the room.
"Aristo. Come here."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BbDsE8WAf
Zira watched as Aristo stood and calmly walked forward with his eyes still covered.
She leaned toward Phobos again.
"Why does he cover his eyes? Is he blind?"
"Nah," Phobos replied. "He's shy around girls."
Zira blinked.
"So he covers his eyes?"
"Yep."
"That's ridiculous."
"I know."
"Then how does he see where he's going?"
"Detection."
Zira stared at him.
"Wait... he learned Detection because he's shy?"
Phobos nodded.
"Instead of learning confidence?"
"Apparently."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBo4aXGMuR
Zira looked at Aristo standing at the front of the class.
Then back at Phobos.
Then back at Aristo.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJRKQSbZ8C
"I don't know whether that's impressive or incredibly stupid."
"Trust me," Phobos said with a grin. "We've been asking ourselves that for years."
______
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlBd3vXW31
LUNCH BREAK
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation and clattering trays.
Cassandra weaved through the crowd before sliding into the seat directly across from Hesper.
"Still stalking me?" Hesper asked without looking up from her meal.
Cassandra chuckled. "So you noticed."
"It would've been harder not to."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshzOtgIFun
"I was curious about your technique." Cassandra leaned forward slightly. "The thread. You used Water and Air to make it nearly invisible."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4GGSmM6CZ
For the first time, Hesper looked up.
A spark of amusement flickered in her eyes.
"So you figured it out. I didn't think humans were that observant."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq5lalxauG
Cassandra smirked and gestured toward a nearby table.
"I'm not the only one. Koji figured it out. Logan too. Sakura definitely noticed."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqHhiMvOwZ
Hesper glanced over her shoulder.
Sure enough, the three students quickly looked away and pretended to be focused on their lunches.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XJTqKT4mx
"You've made quite an impression on your first day."
A faint smile appeared on Hesper's face.
When she looked back at Cassandra, her gaze sharpened.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nIwv92LIh
"So why are you interested in me?"
Cassandra's grin widened.
"Because you're strong."
Hesper raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"I intend to make you my rival." For the first time, Hesper looked genuinely surprised.
The surprise lasted only a moment.
Then a slow smile spread across her face.
"Interesting."
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0GsRRT4hV
There was something dangerous about that smile.
"Let's see if you can keep up, human."
Cassandra's eyes gleamed.
"Looking forward to it."
For a brief moment, neither looked away.
The tension between them was almost tangible.
At a nearby table, Koji glanced over and sighed.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5P1T0bRNF
"Those two are definitely going to cause problems."
"Big problems," Logan agreed.
Sakura nodded,"At least it'll be entertaining."79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6msEvI0cR
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.