Initium Novum: Dracones #1

Elements

School seemed to be different than he originally thought, at least this school was. Or maybe it was because Zar’s knowledge of school overall, was limited. What he heard from the kids in his old village, school barely consisted of anything practical, yet here they were, outside for over two hours since the day started. Looking at the rest of the periods left they weren’t going to be heading inside for a while.

At this time, it was Affinity manipulation; it was directly after the General knowledge class. So the teacher simply dragged them to the field from then. To understand the fundamentals the teacher spoke long taking up most of the time but made sure the students understand the important points.

“Surely, the fundamentals should have been understood by you. But for the school’s sake, I will go over it once more.”

The students nodded, affirming her statement was clear.

“In our world, amongst these continents, some of us control the elements. This depends on our bloodline and basically if the Gods bless us with powers. Naturally, races that were once considered one finally became… diverse, we could no longer mix with any non-powered beings….. like the normal.... human- people  yada yada yada….. I forgot this is not history class.” The students mentally faced palm.

Ah!! It is easy for the mind to wonder.

“Continuing, whatever I was previously saying you will learn that in history or somewhere else-” She waved her palm dismissing what she was saying before . “It has long since been known that the fundamental elements are four; water, fire, air, and earth, and the majority of our race's population have these elements under their control. Others have what we call the derived elements; metal, flowers, heat…. and others. The minority controls these; however, not all have the potential to control the derived elements on a large scale. Most times the amount of elements a user is able to control is one, fortunate users are gifted more than one and need to work harder than normal.”

The woman walked around the students, pausing in her last sentence. She glared at some unfortunate student, who has yet to realize the piercing gaze as she chatted with the person beside her. “You, Pyris what was the last thing I said just now?” Ms. Larnian interrupted the chattering girl.

Pyris froze at her name being called before relaxing again and answering diligently. “Teacher, you said fortunate users are gifted more than one and need to work harder than normal …. teacher….” Miss Larnian nodded her head as if approving what the girl just spoke but this was the opposite of what she said next.

“You are wrong… girl, the last thing I said was to tell me the last thing I said just now. I want to see no more talking from you in my class if it not necessary. Detention later, for you and what’s her face aside of you.” The teacher stared fixated at the bluenette eyes turning sharp and glaring. You can say this discipline was well deserved but for some odd reason Zar felt… angry… it was faint, dimmed, not really there. The emotion was foreign and not something the boy would usually focus on. Usually, he wouldn't be getting angry at anything only annoyed. However, the emotion swelled in his heart and stayed there.

Zarmeideus was confused but he ignored the feeling continuing to listen to the teacher.

“Basically, me telling you this suggests that in this class you will be learning to use your powers. Our goal for this semester is to achieve control and we start at this moment, please everyone take a seat.” With no actual chairs, the dusty ground would have to do for now. Luckily Meliane brought his official physical gears just yesterday. It consisted of some baggy stretchy trousers and a plain black shirt with the school emblem on it. The students sat on the ground distancing themselves from each other but didn’t stray too far.

The woman continued to walk around observing the students and their expressions; actually, this was for no reason at all and at this point the woman could be labeled as eccentric.

“Students… I want you to feel… feel your core of power, feel that thrumming of energy getting louder, more erratic. Find where our elements circulate, you have to search if you don’t get it this time you can try at our next class but for now, focus..."

It was like her voice had changed, calm and soothing made the mass of students drowsy. So different from her sweet evil voice that always racked their nerves.

Zar’s eyes closed, he was relaxed and he hated it. This new drowsiness caused the feeling of his surroundings dull; the body heat of others, their breathing or presence were gone while his mind swam and everything blurred, before he completely passed out in an upright position.

 His conscience entered black space before the feeling of floating around in the abyssal mind came, there was nothing. No feel of anything solid and time spent felt like minutes, just there before he felt a pull. His conscience body was pulled across the empty abyss, going nowhere in particular.

This pull practically dragged his body, taking sharp turns; left, down, up, back to the left, circular motions. This pull was not in control; its navigation went everywhere and nowhere, what common people call haywire.

Zar growled in annoyance, the usual cool temper spiraling out of control.

This pull seemed invisible at a glance for the space was terribly empty and colours were a no show. Before, when he met all of the other energy threads the pull was similar except it was only a nagging in the head that made his thinking process stop and his mind numb.

That little pull from before could be ignored but will never be forgotten, that one was with the exception of being frantic and out of control as this one. Then he could actually see what direction to go because of the energy threads leading the way. But….. we can all see the problem here.

Now, it seemed the thing that the pull lacked the most was control; to initiate control, one needed dominance to reign over it someone to take possession of it. How would that work, he wasn’t even in his physical body at the moment.

Maybe….

In just a split second, as the pull dragged his body to make a full equilibrium the body let out an unbearable aura, the whole abyss shook under the pressure, and the energy pull quivered all while still holding on to the conscience of Zar. It no longer had a stronghold on him, it became soft allowing him to finally move on his own once again. Furthermore, the pull started to distance itself, and Zar immediately retracted his aura.

The action made the energy feel stronger again and before it could go back to the previous frantic state Zar spoke in a booming tone.

“It's best you behave.” He glared a little at the end, the thing felt as if it was….pouting before its spirits lifted again. The energy began to pull him forward and the scenery began to rapidly change from black to light blue. This time the pull was gentle and slow-paced.

Zar didn't know that would work, but it seemed like some physical traits can be used in wherever he was now. This energy thing was similar to an animal before now it was only on animals that he used this dominating thing and his aura to comfort or discipline them, maybe even rein then in. Now it worked on something in his mind maybe it could work on his race members... hnnn...

Either way, this pull was extremely obedient now like his little cublings were before they reached to this continent.

At this place, those little things were becoming more like little devils, since Meliane had to bring them wherever she went to do her job they caused endless trouble all over. Furthermore they only listened to him fully and some others they liked partially (which wasn't alot really-maybe one).

Only now, that blonde uncle was nowhere to be seen else the three cubs would be his responsibility each day.

Back to the present.

Zarmeideus walked a short distance before something other than scenery could be seen.

He was still too far to take the thing in all its glory, but it glinted from where he could see. It was extremely large and blue; capable of being compared to a storm, turbulent, disastrous. It emitted strong cold waves that he could feel from his far spot… that was simply incredible. At the same time the thing was familiar, the thought of that cold energy made his insides burn with need…

What was it? Why did it feel…. No... why did it make him feel... alive?

This feeling….. Zar could not describe. Maybe it was the same as jumping headfirst off a cliff for the first time knowing you have no way to break your fall and was only enjoying nature's gift to the hilt.

Thump thump.

The energy waves were not powerful as it was at the center, that was clear but feeling it from this far made his knees quiver and his body almost gave out. At the same time the feeling made all three hearts race.

Thump thump.

He was midly scared at this new feeling.

The boy held his chest, all while still walking, the energy waves continuosly got stronger the closer he got towards whatever it was in front of him. The waves slowed him down immensely becoming almost unbearable but the tug that carried him here also got stronger the same way how the waves became.

The ground that he walked on, was only plain before but now his feet tread on ice. The ice had no shape merely forming at where the energy was most controlled.

Mostly, the ice blocked his way often spiking the moment he walked to that point, but after so many near-felt-death experiences the fact that he was in his mind clicked and that the ice no matter how close they came to piercing him always bended to give him a path.

Zar was closer now, about only thirteen feet away looking at the large sphere- dome.... whatever.

Its height was formidable and so was its width, he couldn’t see around it.

This.... blue thing was it what the teacher was talking about, his core?

Zar only guessed that other cores were just as astonishing. Little did he know.

After pausing and openly staring at the rippling surface of the core, Zar finally raised his leg to take the remaining steps. His hand raised on its own accord already waiting to feel what this core was to bring him.

Thump thump thump.

The sound of his hearts became louder, like it was directly at his ear and the anticipation in him grew.

Only about an inch away from the glinting- pulsing surface the unexpected happened.

And just like a bad ending to a novel the space distorted the feeling of being drawn to the glinting blue sphere leaving his body. The core's power dimmed and he could no longer feel it. With a hand out stretched, the hand that never got to touch the core, Zar's body disappeared back to the abyssal space.

Whilst, the students physical face contorted at the sudden heat energy in the vicinity. The released energy disrupted the focused students, bringing some of them back to the dark space.

Ms. Larnian grew grim at the new developments. Being able to disrupt the ancient technique was already a large feat for this baby and was very dangerous (in a way).

However, what was more pressing was that the person already had some contact with there core. Because of this the heat element began to form although this type may not be the definite one.

The woman hastily began to utilize the technique to bring back the minds of the students. Altogether they slowly came from the unconscious state.

It was still not all of them, for later another energy moved and coiled around the first energy, enhancing the heat element giving it more shape and intensity. This one was formless, (as should all persons whose core's is used for the first time) but it was still just as powerful as the first energy.

Hnn... I am a little jealous. Ms. Larnian pursed her lips a bit.

Not for long did three other formless energies join the two. Further enhancing the heat element that crackles could be seen on the blobby energy created sphere. The formless is when only energy is released, it can't cause damage or act upon objects in this state but can increase the potency of elements.

Usually, energy only came out little by little getting the body used to these small spurts before a user could control it on a major scale. The less talented of the Draylian race would have to take two hundred years of their life to even brush that type of large scale power.

The large energy was just there in the middle of five crossed legged students, rolling with intensity and power gaining a stability than streaking everywhere on its own. The teacher, thankfully, was collected looking at the massive energy created by newbies and could not help praising them a little in her mind.

It was such a good thing that they weren't facing an elemental storm, just by looking at this uncompleted energy ball.... surely being in the midst of the elemental storm one would feel they are doomed.

Unfortunately, not everyone was relaxed at the sight of surging powers before them. Soon enough panic-struck in the students hearts and the desire to look to the teacher was present more than it had ever been. Some even felt the energies of these students rising -hallucinations, maybe? It was almost impossible for more power for to be released unless there was some enlightenment or other disaster.

Maybe....

It was unlikely..... at the moment.

The woman blocked the ball from of the others, knowing that babies were sensitive to energy. Later the children powers calmed and their minds broke from the ancient technique’s trance.

One by one, the lotus positioned students flopped and five pairs of eyes blinked rapidly their minds coming back to their bodies. They were exhausted after using this much power, it was simply astonishing. Especially cause it was there first time, amd as clearly seen, it had some large side effects.

Ms. Larnian was elated inside, having these students would surely make the other teachers skull go numb. Without a doubt the other students in her class may have little power but... they won't catch up to these ones.

The woman clapped her hands, the sound causing the students who have yet to use their energy snap out of the awe stares.

"Students, I hope you are excited to also awaken your element, as you've had a live example before your eyes. To see what to expect and what not to. Please work hard young ones and also be great in the future." The woman's voice was back to her sweet tone but the face showed no change in emotion and the eyes spoke of her true intentions.

“but…teacher, why are they all this powerful? …. Isn’t that a little unfair?”

That same boy who always seemed to ask foolish questions spoke, his name was Timurel.

And how do you expect us to live up to those guys!! All standing students seemed to think the same.

And so Timurel had a look of confusion on his face.

“Good question Tim-” the woman nodded her head but this was what they would call basic knowledge but it.was apart of her job anyway.

“Usually in your aetra group when one person possesses a certain amount of energy it reflects how another’s enegy level will be. In simpler terms, for you dear Timurel, the energy levels of all will be about the same maybe only a little less or a little more. So if one can move a mountain so can the other.”Ms. Larnian smiled sweetly.

“Also dear, this matching cannot be considered unfair, for bonding, there has to be some kind of resonance and resonance cannot happen with one's power level being the height of the clouds and the other's energy level is as low as dirt. Bonding with someone (with low enegy levels) whose body or hearts can’t handle the strain of too much energy or doesn’t even have the capacity for it is only asking for death.” A grim expression flashed across her eyes and her smile was more of a grimace.

“Before now, these foolish mistakes were commonly seen, in the ancient times. Back then if a person felt an inkling of connection to someone else they would bond and not think of consequences, as you should know energy from your luqi aetras can be somewhat borrowed and persons with weak constitutions could immediately die from the energy while a strong person borrowing it would never be enough and can cause damage to one of the hearts. But then miraculously, this dude just woke up one day and snapped his fingers ‘I made something only a god would, give me your praise and take the technique and stop killing each other else we’ll all go extinct.’ Then whoosh! The ancient technique walked into our lives to make sure we have perfect resonance with others.” The students were silent and felt this explanation was a bit wrong.

This ancient technique was used both for locating the energy mates and the energy core. As a woman with knowledge as a teacher and a person of an aetra group, she could definitely tell these five were aetras. A frown appeared when she noticed an anomaly.

Being diligent-ish she already remembered who was in what group from the list provided by the school and the faces and names from marking them for class. But anyway, from what she just told that student, the seven of the aetras should have awakened it at the same time,

Arael Deonte and Zarmeideus Loras’s energies didn’t come out like the others.

Eh! Whatever…maybe the others were a little stronger. The teacher thought before folding her arms behind her head. She gave up quickly and went back to her neutral expression.

Was this really how a teacher should act what kind of dung behavior was this, also can you please be careful of ruining your beautiful image. Dear Timurel could not believe a teacher of his dream school was like this.

As lazy and strange she seemed the woman's mind strayed to competitions between classes that she could win because of the ore mines she dug up. But then again the woman was no fool she could tell that those old council bastards will come knocking soon after sensing such impressive energy waves.

“Class dismissed everyone, see you in two days.” The woman left quickly. Zarmeideus being one of the first to come out of the trace, not because of the teacher retracting the technique off their minds but his body reacting on its own accord.

He witnessed the whole thing.

Having questions he wouldnt dare ask, he only thought about it.

The first energy to be released was from either Amaris or Acadius. Observing from far he looked at how the muscles of their bodies worked after letting out the energy but, he still could not pin point who it was first. But then if one was the first, then, one of the two would be the second energy. After that it would be Keanu, given his innocent, fragile look he wasn't expected to let out his power that quickly. Hiding his short frame behind the lithe Amaris, as if for protection. Second to last was the rough- but good looking dark brown haired- Haneul. Giving off a depressing aura (more so than Zar) He seemed partially upset about something, and lastly, Pyris as jolly as ever.

The energy mates were still distant from each other but a little closer-if that made sense- It seemed that Arael had her head sunk, her power was not revealed not even wisp-like. Just like his own, she putted a little distance between she and her brother. Maybe ashamed.

Haneul frowned at the obvious behavior, and saved what he wanted to say for later. Dragging her from the rest of the aetras leaving the others who still have yet to realize what transpired.

Acadius was staring into oblivion, he seemed out of it not noticing the stared he received as he walked out of the stadium. Amaris expression didn’t shift from her usual ferocious gaze,  Keanu clearly anxious at the stares given to him.

Hmmm…

Pyris, was speedy in leaving right after Acadius and Keanu left not even a care for her appearance. Zar proceeded to sit back onto the floor. His next class was in this same area so there is no reason to move.

His thoughts visited the impulse he felt to go towards that damned blue dome. Then he wondered if he could achieve going back there without the help of the ancient technique, feeling  he needed to go back there was already a non-written determination in his mind.