The morning bell rang across Lunaris Academy. Students filled the corridors as they made their way toward their classrooms. Conversations echoed between the walls, mixed with the sound of footsteps and the occasional laughter. Cael walked among them with his backpack hanging from one shoulder. “Cael!” He turned. A boy hurried toward him, nearly running into another student along the way. “Morning.” Cael smiled. “Morning.” The boy caught his breath. “You almost left without me again.” “You were late.” “I wasn't late. I was... strategically delayed.” Cael stared at him. “That's just a complicated way of saying late.” The boy laughed. “Whatever.” They entered the classroom together. Lunaris Academy was one of the many schools where students learned the fundamentals of Core. At their age, however, most lessons focused on understanding the theory rather than becoming powerful fighters. Core control. Energy circulation. Affinity. Shell theory. And the history of the Return. Cael sat in his usual seat near the window. A few minutes later, the teacher entered. The classroom gradually became quiet. “Good morning.” “Good morning, Sir.” The teacher placed several data panels on his desk. “Today we're going to continue our lesson about Core development.” A diagram appeared on the screen. CORE RANK F → E → D → C → B → A → S The students looked toward the display. Cael did the same. “You already know that everyone who possesses a Core begins at Beginner Rank,” the teacher said. The diagram changed. “However, your Rank does not directly determine how strong you are in combat.” Cael paid closer attention. “Core Rank primarily reflects your Energy Reserve—the amount of energy your Core is capable of storing and developing.” Another diagram appeared. “Cultivation increases your Energy Reserve. When you reach the limit of your current Rank, you may attempt an Inner Trial.” A few students began whispering. Cael remained silent. “The higher your Rank, the more difficult the Inner Trial becomes.” The teacher paused. “And failure has consequences.” The classroom became quiet. “If an Inner Trial fails, the Core can be destroyed.” Cael looked at the diagram. Coreless. He had heard the word before. People without an active Core could still live normal lives, but losing a Core after investing years into cultivation was something no one took lightly. The teacher continued. “That is why you should never think of Rank as a simple number.” The diagram disappeared. “Strength without understanding is dangerous.” Cael wrote the sentence down. The teacher then changed the display again. This time, several different symbols appeared. Fire. Water. Lightning. Ice. Metal. And Wind. “Affinity determines the natural characteristics of your Core energy.” Cael glanced at his own hand. Wind. His Affinity had never seemed particularly impressive to him. He couldn't summon storms. He couldn't fly. At his current level, all he could do was manipulate small amounts of wind. The teacher continued explaining the subject. Cael listened quietly. For the first time, however, he began wondering something. If everyone started at Beginner... How far could he actually go? The bell rang before he could find an answer. The students immediately began packing their things. “Don't forget,” the teacher called out. “Next week, you'll begin your first practical Core assessment.” Cael stopped. Practical assessment? He had almost forgotten. His friend leaned over. “You ready?” Cael looked at him. “Probably not.” “Great.” “Why is that great?” “Because I'm not ready either.” Cael laughed. They left the classroom together. Outside, the school courtyard was already filled with students. Some were practicing basic Core control under supervision. A student with a Fire Affinity carefully maintained a small flame above his palm. Another student used Wind to move a lightweight training ball. Nothing extraordinary. Just students learning. Cael watched them for a moment. Then he raised his hand. A faint current of air gathered around his fingers. It wasn't powerful. It wasn't impressive. But it responded to him. Cael smiled. Maybe that was enough for now. He didn't know how far his Core would take him. He didn't know whether he would ever reach Master. And he certainly didn't know whether he would ever leave Blue Star. But for the first time, one thought quietly appeared in his mind. Maybe someday, I'll find out.

Chapter 2 : The First Step