CHAPTER TWENTY : THE FIRST LESSON.
955 Words
The training arena was silent.
Unlike the academy's regular combat halls, Professor Kael's private training chamber was hidden beneath the eastern tower.
There were no spectators.
No applause.
No encouragement.
Only cold stone walls covered with scorch marks from students who had trained there before.
Olivia stood at the center of the arena, nervously rubbing her palms together.
Professor Kael entered without saying a word.
The heavy iron doors slammed shut behind him.
He walked to the middle of the room and stopped.
"Attack me."
Olivia blinked.
"...Professor?"
"I said..."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"Attack me."
She swallowed.
"I don't want to hurt you."
Kael sighed.
"That sentence alone tells me exactly why you're here."
He slowly folded his arms.
"Again."
"Attack me."
Olivia hesitated before extending her trembling hand.
A small flame flickered into existence.
It danced nervously above her fingertips.
She took a deep breath.
The flame shot toward Kael.
Before it could even reach him—
He casually raised one hand.
The fire dispersed into harmless sparks.
Olivia stared in disbelief.
"Again."
She launched another.
Then another.
Then another.
Each one disappeared effortlessly.
Kael hadn't moved a single step.
Ten minutes later...
Olivia was breathing heavily.
Sweat dripped from her forehead.
Kael looked exactly the same.
Not a wrinkle on his uniform.
Not a single drop of sweat.
He looked...
Bored.
"Is that all?"
Olivia gritted her teeth.
"No."
"Good."
"Because that was embarrassing."
Her cheeks flushed.
"I..."
"I was trying."
Kael interrupted.
"No."
"You were hoping."
"Hope has never won a battle."
His words stung.
He suddenly pointed toward three stone pillars at the opposite end of the room.
"Destroy them."
Olivia nodded.
She inhaled deeply.
Fire erupted from both hands.
The flames rushed forward—
Then spiraled out of control.
One pillar exploded.
The second remained untouched.
The third burst into flames before collapsing onto the floor.
The fire continued spreading across the arena.
Olivia's eyes widened.
"No..."
"No, stop!"
The flames grew even larger.
Panic filled her chest.
"I'm losing it!"
Instantly—
Kael stomped his foot.
An invisible shockwave rippled across the room.
Every flame vanished.
Silence.
Only smoke remained.
Olivia dropped to her knees.
"I'm sorry..."
Kael looked down at her.
"Why did you lose control?"
"I..."
"I don't know."
"Wrong."
He crouched until they were eye level.
"You do know."
"You simply refuse to admit it."
Olivia looked away.
Kael's voice softened—not with kindness, but with certainty.
"What were you thinking about?"
She stayed silent.
"Answer me."
"I..."
Her voice cracked.
"I kept thinking..."
"...what if I hurt someone again?"
Kael nodded.
"There it is."
He stood.
"Your fire obeys your emotions."
"The moment fear entered your mind..."
"...your flames stopped listening to your commands."
Olivia slowly lowered her head.
"So..."
"...I'm the problem."
"No."
Kael replied immediately.
"Your fear is."
He walked toward a wooden table in the corner of the room.
On it rested a single candle.
He carried it to the center.
"This..."
He lit the wick.
"...is your next lesson."
Olivia looked confused.
"...A candle?"
"You will extinguish its flame."
She frowned.
"I can do that."
"No."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"You will extinguish it..."
"...without burning the candle."
Silence.
Olivia stared at the tiny flame.
"What?"
"Fire is not destruction."
"It is control."
"If all you know how to do is burn..."
"...then you have learned nothing."
He stepped back.
"Begin."
Olivia reached toward the candle.
A tiny stream of fire escaped her fingertips.
WHOOSH!
The candle exploded into pieces.
Wax splattered across the floor.
Smoke filled the room.
Kael closed his eyes.
A long sigh escaped him.
"...This is going to be a very long week."
For the first time...
Olivia laughed.
A small, embarrassed laugh.
Even Kael allowed the faintest hint of a smile before his expression returned to stone.
"Again."
The lesson had only just begun.
Omar rounded the corner and stopped.
Wyatt stood in the middle of the corridor, waiting.
"I've been looking for you," Wyatt said.
Omar's expression hardened.
"I wasn't looking for you."
Wyatt smirked.
"Still acting like the throne already belongs to you?"
"It does."
The smile vanished from Wyatt's face.
He stepped closer.
"Careful, cousin. Confidence has buried many kings."
Omar didn't flinch.
"And jealousy has buried even more."
The air between them grew heavy.
Wyatt leaned in just enough for only Omar to hear.
"When I take what's yours..."
"...don't call it betrayal."
"Call it destiny."
Omar met his gaze without blinking.
"You'll have to get through me first."
Then Wyatt smiled—a cold, dangerous smile.
"...That's exactly the plan."
He brushed past Omar leaving nothing but silence
- Writer
