Chapter three
748 Words
The Echo
Silence settled over the arena.
Thousands of students stared at Professor Halden.
An Echo.
For most people, the word existed only in history books.
For Explorers...
It was the greatest discovery imaginable.
Halden folded his hands behind his back.
"I know many of you have questions."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"So I'll answer the first one."
He looked toward the academy gates.
"No."
The students blinked.
"You will not be visiting the Echo."
Several disappointed groans echoed across the arena.
Ethan threw his head back dramatically.
"There goes my dream of becoming famous before lunch."
Lyra didn't even look at him.
"You've never been inside a dungeon."
"I was getting there."
"You got lost on the academy's west staircase yesterday."
"...That staircase moved."
"It didn't."
"It looked suspicious."
Even Aeron laughed.
Noah shook his head.
"I patched your bruises."
"I fought bravely."
"You fell."
"...Gravity cheated."
---
Professor Halden waited for the laughter to die down.
"The Echo is currently under the protection of the Explorer's Association and the Royal Army."
A glowing map appeared behind him.
Near Astravale, a section of forest shone crimson.
"The surrounding area has been sealed."
"Why?" a student shouted.
"Because three veteran Seekers entered yesterday."
Halden's voice became noticeably quieter.
"Only one returned."
The arena fell silent again.
Even Ethan stopped smiling.
"The survivor remembers nothing after entering."
A chill swept through the students.
"He recalls stepping through the entrance."
"Then waking up outside."
"His teammates..."
Halden paused.
"...were never found."
---
Aeron's eyes never left the glowing map.
An Echo that erased memories.
History that could swallow people whole.
His curiosity burned brighter than ever.
I want to see it.
The thought escaped before he could stop it.
Lyra glanced sideways.
"You have that look again."
"What look?"
"The one you get whenever someone mentions ancient ruins."
"I do not."
"You do."
Ethan nodded.
"You looked exactly the same when you found that broken statue outside the city."
"It was over two thousand years old."
"It was a rock."
"It was history."
"It was definitely a rock."
Noah smiled.
"I remember spending three hours digging it out."
"It was worth it."
"It wasn't."
"It absolutely was."
---
The practical evaluations finally began.
One by one, students stepped into the center of the arena.
"Clara Vens."
A girl raised her hand confidently.
A blue magic circle formed beneath her feet.
Water rose into the air, twisting into six elegant spears.
The crowd applauded.
"A Grade."
Next came a lightning user.
Then a beast tamer.
Then a swordsman whose weapon burst into flames.
Each performance drew cheers.
Each student demonstrated the power they had spent years developing.
Eventually...
"Victor Arclight."
The blond-haired noble walked into the arena with a confident smile.
He glanced toward Aeron.
Then smirked.
A brilliant golden aura surrounded him.
Light condensed into dozens of glowing blades that floated behind his back.
Gasps filled the arena.
"He's gotten stronger."
"That's at least B-Rank control."
"He'll definitely become Student Council President next year."
Victor lifted one hand.
The blades shot forward.
Every target exploded into pieces.
The instructors nodded in approval.
Professor Halden wrote something on his clipboard.
"Excellent control."
Victor bowed politely before returning to his seat.
As he passed Aeron...
He whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"You should've stayed home."
---
The evaluations continued.
Then...
Professor Halden looked down at his list.
"Aeron."
The whispers started immediately.
"Is he really participating?"
"With what?"
"He doesn't even have mana."
Ethan looked ready to stand.
Aeron gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay."
"No."
"It is."
He stood.
Every eye in the arena followed him.
Each step toward the center felt heavier than the last.
He could feel their expectations.
Not that he would succeed.
That he would fail.
Halden met his gaze.
"Do you wish to proceed?"
There was no mockery in his voice.
Only a simple question.
Aeron took a slow breath.
Then nodded.
"Yes, Professor."
The old instructor stepped aside.
"The arena is yours."
Aeron stood alone in the center of the massive training ground.
No glowing aura.
No elemental power.
No magical weapon.
Nothing.
Only silence.
From somewhere high above the arena...
The elderly janitor stopped sweeping.
For the first time that morning...
He watched without blinking.
And far beyond the walls of Astravale...
Deep within the sealed forest...
The newly formed Echo pulsed once.
As if it had sensed someone.
Someone...
Without a mana core.
- Writer
