A burning building stood alone, flames dancing like specters.
Hearing this, the poor fool saw as the building burnt, his heart driven by a desperate purpose.
A haunting melody drifted from within, a song that seemed to call out to Marl, echoing the fool's footsteps.
The lyrics were unclear, but the tune resonated deep within Marl's chest, making his heart ache with an inexplicable sorrow.
A figure, clad in tattered clothing, rushed into the burning building, muttering to himself: "For a fleeting moment's truth..."
The words seemed to be a mantra, a justification for the figure's actions, as he navigated the inferno with a sense of purpose.
Remembered the oath he made to the blackbird, a promise whispered in a forgotten moment.
The fool's actions seemed foolish, yet heroic, as he moved through the flames, the song growing louder, guiding him through the inferno.
Trying to save one who didn't want to be saved, and the fire consumed her, filling the fool with sorrow.
Playing a hero... when he's a fool.
Marl's eyes snapped open, and he sat up with a start, his chest heaving as if he'd been running. The dream's vividness lingered, and he felt a lump in his throat. "Why did he do it?" Marl thought,
"Why did he risk everything for someone who didn't want to be saved?" The desperation and sorrow in the fool's eyes still haunted him. Marl's grip on his blanket tightened, his hands hurting from the force of his clenched fists. He touched his face, and his fingers came away wet. Tears were falling, streaming down his cheeks.
But before his mind could settle and process the weight of the dream, he noticed the clock on the wall and realized he was late.
Marl hastily put on his robes, his movements swift and practiced. He "expertly" prepared for the day ahead, his mind still reeling from the dream. As he grabbed his bag, he muttered under his breath, "Damn it, just my luck to be late on the first day."
He bolted out the door, his feet pounding the ground as he rushed to his destination. In his haste, he didn't notice the person standing in front of him, and he accidentally bumped into them.
"Oh, sorry!" Marl exclaimed, as he stumbled backward, almost losing his balance. He looked up to see who he had bumped into, and his apology died on his lips.
The person he had collided with was a woman with pitch-black hair and pale skin, wearing simple yet elegant robes with a single star badge on her chest. Her expression was a mixture of surprise and annoyance, and Marl felt a twinge of guilt for his carelessness.
"Watch where you're going," she said coolly, her voice firm but not unkind. Marl nodded hastily, still trying to catch his breath. "I'm sorry, I was in a rush. I didn't see you there."
The woman's gaze softened slightly, and she nodded. "Just be more careful next time." Marl nodded again, feeling a sense of relief, and she quickly took her leave.
The girl with the pitch-black hair and pale skin quickly regained her composure and rushed off in the same direction as Marl. He followed, still trying to catch up on his lost time.
As she glanced to her side and saw Marl walking beside her, she looked startled. "Are you following me?" she asked, her tone cautious.
Marl shook his head. "No, my schedule says I have Combat class with Professor Xiao first thing in the morning. I was just trying to get there on time."
The girl's gaze fell to Marl's chest, and her eyes widened slightly as she noticed the single star badge on his robes, identical to hers.
"I can already tell I don't like you," she said, her expression unreadable.
Marl raised an eyebrow but didn't respond, instead focusing on finding the classroom. As they turned a corner, the sign on the door read "Combat Training - Professor Xiao".
Inside, they saw Professor Xiao, a man with a bobbed haircdut and small, piercing eyes. His robes were black with purple trim, and he exuded an air of authority. He glanced up as they entered, his gaze sweeping over the two students before nodding curtly. "Ah, right on time... almost. Let's begin."
Marl quickly entered the classroom, followed closely by the girl. As they scanned the room, they noticed that most of the seats were taken, but two spots remained unoccupied, side by side.
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly as she realized they would have to sit together. She hesitated for a moment before moving towards the empty seats, her expression still unreadable.
Marl followed, taking his seat without comment. The girl sat down beside him, her posture stiff, and her eyes fixed on the front of the classroom.
Professor Xiao began to speak, his voice commanding attention. "Welcome, students, to our first day of combat training. Today, we will be covering the fundamentals.
Professor Xiao cleared his throat and began to lecture, his voice confident and authoritative. "Welcome, students, to Combat Training. I am Professor Xiao, an enlightened Initiate, and I will be guiding you through the fundamentals of combat. As Seekers, you have already demonstrated a certain level of potential, and I expect you to build upon that foundation."
He paused, surveying the room with a discerning gaze. "As an enlightened Initiate, I have walked the path you are about to embark on, and I can assure you that it will be challenging. But with dedication and discipline, you will unlock your true potential."
Marl listened intently, his eyes fixed on Professor Xiao, while the girl beside him seemed to be paying attention, her expression still guarded.
Professor Xiao posed the question to the class, "What is the difference between a mortal and an enlightened?"
A boy in the back raised his hand, enthusiasm evident in his voice. "Is it because we have spiritual energy?"
The classroom fell silent, and some students snickered at the simplistic answer. The boy's face turned bright red as he realized his mistake.
Professor Xiao's expression turned stern. "No, even mortals have spiritual energy. It's that we are able to control the spiritual energy in our body, making use of it and that powers our unique abilities and cultivates our bodies."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Having spiritual energy is the difference between life and death in the enlightened world. It is our lifeline. It naturally restores over time, but your opponent won't give you that luxury."
Professor Xiao's eyes gleamed with intensity. "The essence of combat is not just about technique or strength, but about managing your spiritual energy, outmaneuvering your opponent, and seizing the initiative."
He clapped his hands together, a sudden spark of energy in the room. "Now, I want to test out your combat abilities. We're going to head out to the training grounds and spar. Let's see what you're made of!"
The students murmured among themselves, excitement and nerves evident. Marl stood up, his eyes locked on Professor Xiao, ready for the challenge. The girl beside him rose as well, her expression still unreadable.