The Solar Heir

Chapter 3: The Soulless

The next morning, gentle sunlight filtered through the lush green leaves in the Minh Tinh Garden—a quiet garden nestled deep within the Western Citadel. This was a place where students often came to practice lessons on breathing and learning to control their primal power. The atmosphere was serene, with tall trees reaching skyward, casting a canopy of peaceful and fresh air over the garden.

Duong sat in the center of a circle with his classmates, trying to regulate his breathing according to Professor Linh's instructions. The first lesson of the "Primal Power Control" class was learning how to control one's breath, aiming to create a profound connection with the inner source of power within each person. Around him, students closed their eyes, concentrating on each breath in and out.

"Breathe in deeply... feel the abundant energy from the air... Let the energy from the surrounding space seep into your body," Professor Linh’s voice was gentle yet clear in the stillness of the environment. "Exhale slowly... release all pressure, all tension, and retain only the pure strength within."

Duong tried to focus. He closed his eyes and felt the raw, cold air infiltrate his chest, then exhaled slowly, as though the weariness within him gradually dissipated. Duong began to feel a strange sensation inside, as if something was gently moving within him.

Minh Tinh Garden was surrounded by dense trees, with a small stream trickling in the distance, creating a sense of peace and calm. The scene around him was so tranquil that Duong slowly relaxed, letting himself blend into the environment.

Suddenly, the silence of the garden was shattered by the shrill sound of an emergency alarm. The alarm echoed repeatedly, reverberating through the peaceful space, startling every student in the garden, causing them to open their eyes.

Duong jumped to his feet, his eyes wide, his heart racing. Around him, his classmates were also looking around anxiously, confused and alarmed. Professor Linh immediately stood up, her face tense but calm, signaling for the class to stay put. "Everyone, stay calm, don't panic!" she commanded, her gaze sharp.

Before anyone could ask more, loud noises like heavy footsteps stomping on the ground echoed from afar. Duong turned his head and saw a crowd approaching through the trees. At first, Duong thought it was just a group of people, but then he noticed something strange—the way they moved was lifeless, like zombies in human form, slow yet threatening. Their eyes were empty, and their faces were pallid. These were not human beings.

“They… What are they?” a fellow student stammered.

Professor Linh clenched her fists, her eyes tense. “Those are the Soulless... people who were slain and controlled by the Dark God’s faction.” Her voice was low and serious. "They are no longer human. They are empty shells, manipulated by dark magic."

The Soulless drew closer, and Professor Linh immediately ordered the older students and other professors to protect the younger ones. "Upperclassmen, prepare for battle! Younger students, stay behind and stay safe!" she shouted, her eyes fierce, raising a glowing silver staff.

The upperclassmen quickly formed a line in front of the younger students. They raised their hands, summoning their powers. Flames burst from the hands of some students, blazing red and bright in the space. Others concentrated their minds, creating invisible shields to block the Soulless’s attacks.

The darkness around them was so thick that the light of magic was absorbed. Their skin was wrapped in a dark veil, devoid of any sign of life, impervious to ordinary magical attacks. Flames from the students’ magic flared brilliantly but were quickly swallowed by the dense darkness, leaving no trace. The Soulless kept advancing, slowly moving toward the first-year students, each step leaving a trail of blackness, withering the grass and trees instantly.

“Flame Summon!” one upperclassman shouted, raising his hand as a swirling red flame stormed toward the Soulless. The sound of roaring flames filled the air as the fire engulfed the enemies. Yet, the Soulless continued to move forward, their bodies charred black but showing no sign of pain or fear, as if they had only one goal: to capture Duong.

“Mental Arts, High-Level Shield!” another professor commanded, and immediately, the space around the younger students began to blur, as if an invisible barrier was enveloping them. The powerful mental shield protected the students, but outside, the upperclassmen were still fighting fiercely against the Soulless.

Flames continued to be unleashed, with columns of fire lighting up the sky, halting the enemy’s advance. But the Soulless kept coming, relentlessly, as though they didn’t tire. The dark magic controlling them made the battle more challenging than ever.

Duong stood at the back, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt helpless, unsure of what to do. While he was still overwhelmed with confusion, a Soulless suddenly broke through the defenses, charging straight toward him. Duong panicked and stepped back, but before he could react, a powerful column of fire erupted from somewhere, incinerating the attacker right before his eyes.

The world around Duong seemed to blend into a chaotic swirl as he stood amid the battle. Shouts and cries echoed throughout the garden. Students from all grades 1 through 4 quickly retreated, dodging attacks from the Soulless. The young wizards of grade 5 used their Fire and Mind powers to protect the younger students.

Just as Duong sensed another enemy approaching from behind, a blinding white light burst forth from the center of the battle.

It was Professor Linh, her eyes gleaming with fiery light. She raised her hand high, chanting a powerful and commanding spell. From her palm, a fierce flame erupted, but it wasn’t an ordinary fire—it was white flame, radiating destructive power that made the entire space seem to tremble.

"My students, fall back!" Linh roared, her voice thundering like a storm. The students quickly retreated, leaving a wide open space.

The flame in Professor Linh’s hand swirled furiously, launching straight at the army of Soulless. The enemies could not react in time to her overwhelming power. The firestorm swept through, like a raging tempest, burning every single one of them to ashes in an instant.

The attack from the Dark God’s faction was utterly defeated. The younger students stood in silence, gazing at Professor Linh with awe and respect. She turned to her students, her face calm but filled with concern.

“You’ve all done well! And as you’ve seen... those beings were surely sent here by the Dark God’s faction.” Her voice was firm, though the tension in her tone was unmistakable. “They’ve discovered the Sun Flame.”

The entire garden fell silent, save for the whisper of the wind. All eyes turned to Duong, but he had yet to fully grasp the significance of what had just happened. He stood frozen, his heart racing, unsure why he had suddenly become the center of attention, and what this Sun Flame had to do with him.

After the intense battle in Minh Tịnh Garden, Dương and the first-year students were escorted back to Nhà Chung—the dormitory for first-year students at Trụ Tây. Night had fallen, but within Dương, everything still felt as chaotic and turbulent as the storm that had just passed. His mind was filled with images of the Faceless Ones, the shouts of battle, and the white flames erupting fiercely from Professor Linh’s hand.

Dương collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling, filled with confusion. "The Sun Flame?" he wondered. All eyes had turned to him at that moment, but he had no idea why he had become the center of attention. What lay ahead for him? And why had the Độc Thần faction attacked Trụ Tây just to capture him?

As Dương was lost in his chaotic thoughts, the door to his room quietly creaked open. A senior student entered, wearing a friendly expression but with eyes full of resolve and confidence. He looked at Dương for a moment, then smiled.

"Hello, Dương. I'm Phong, a fifth-year student. I heard about what happened, and I imagine you're going through a lot right now." Phong sat down on the edge of Dương's bed, his voice calm and reassuring.

Dương nodded silently.

“I understand how you feel. When I was in my first year, I faced similar challenges. But... what you just experienced isn’t an ordinary battle. I can see that you're special, and even though we don’t fully understand it yet, I believe the Sun Flame Professor Linh mentioned is directly connected to a power within you.”

Phong looked directly into Dương's eyes, his gaze unwavering. “I know it’s confusing, but remember, you’re not alone. We—the upperclassmen—are here to help you.”

Dương was surprised, but he also felt a sense of relief knowing someone understood and cared about him. "Anh Phong... have you experienced something similar?"

Phong chuckled lightly and nodded. "Yes, I was once chosen to compete in the 'Grand Magic Battle,' one of the toughest tournaments at Trụ Tây. That year, my team won the championship by combining the powers of Fire and Mind Magic. It not only helped me understand my own strength but also how to overcome challenges I couldn’t face alone."

Hearing this, Dương looked at Phong with admiration. "Anh Phong, so... how can I control my power, if it really is connected to the Sun Flame?"

Phong placed a hand on Dương’s shoulder and responded seriously, "The first thing you need to do is not be afraid of it. True power comes from understanding and mastering it, not running from it or letting it control you. Keep training, believe in yourself, and if you need help, I’ll always be here."

Dương could feel Phong’s sincerity and dedication, like an older brother guiding him through the chaos. He nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Phong was an outstanding student, someone who had won some of the most grueling competitions, and now, he was ready to help Dương on his journey to uncover the mystery of his own powers.

"I'll do my best, anh Phong. Thank you," Dương said, his eyes filled with determination.

Phong laughed heartily and gave Dương a light pat on the shoulder. "Good! We’ll figure out the truth behind the Sun Flame and your power together. But first, get some rest—you’ll need your strength for the days to come."

Dương smiled faintly, feeling for the first time that day that things weren’t as frightening as before. He was no longer alone.