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The sun was still low in the sky when the clang of a large bell echoed through the boys' hostel. Keith sat up with a start, his heart pounding. For a moment, he forgot where he was—until the simple room, unfamiliar uniform, and the quiet murmurs of boys outside brought it all back.
Dawnfire Training Center.
The place where his life had been forcibly rerouted.
Today was the start of training.
He dressed quickly in the uniform left folded at the foot of his bed—black training gear with the silver wolf insignia of the Demon Hunter Association stitched on the chest. It fit snugly, and although it was just fabric, something about wearing it made the weight on his shoulders feel heavier.
Keith stepped into the hallway, where other boys were already gathering. Some looked eager, others nervous. A few glanced at him but didn't say much. Whispers followed him down the corridor—word of what had happened to him had spread.
He met up with Ethan at the base of the stairwell.
"Morning," Ethan greeted with a crooked smile. "Ready to get beat up today?"
Keith gave a half-hearted nod. "I guess."
Together, they walked to the training grounds. The center of the complex was bustling with activity. Boys and girls alike were gathered in groups, each wearing the same uniform, split into two separate formations. There were separate entrances to the girl and boy hostels, but today everyone trained together.
The main training hall was a towering structure, sturdy and ancient-looking. Its stone walls were covered in faint runes, and inside was a massive chamber lined with sparring mats, obstacle courses, and racks of wooden weapons.
Mistress Eleanor stood at the front, flanked by a group of instructors. She raised her hand and silence fell.
"Today marks the beginning of your path," she said, her voice sharp but clear. "Not everyone is born into the privilege of power. Here, you earn your place."
Her eyes swept over the recruits.
"All of you are here for one reason: to awaken your inner strength. The potential to harness Essentia lies within you. For most of you, this will happen naturally over the coming months. For some, it may take longer. And for a rare few…"
She paused.
"You may never awaken."
A quiet tension rippled through the crowd. Some exchanged uneasy looks. Others stood straighter, as if willing themselves to defy the odds.
Keith felt a cold knot in his stomach.
He didn't know if he had this 'Essentia' inside him. He didn't even fully understand what it meant. All he knew was that he couldn't go back. He had nowhere left to go.
"You'll be divided into groups," Eleanor continued, "and placed under the guidance of instructors who will oversee your physical, mental, and spiritual training. You will face yourselves before you ever face a demon."
A stern-looking woman with short silver hair stepped forward. "Group One, with me. Keith Valor, Ethan Raine, Damon Crest… Aria Solen, Lena Vale, Mira Grey."
Keith blinked. Co-ed training groups?
He followed the group as they were led into a smaller training hall. The woman introduced herself curtly.
"I am Instructor Kael. You will report to me for the foundation phase."
Without wasting time, she barked out orders for drills—running, climbing, push-ups, dodging, weapon handling. Keith had no time to think, only to move.
His muscles screamed. His breath grew ragged.
But he didn't stop.
Pain, after all, was familiar now.
When it came time to spar, Keith found himself paired with a girl named Aria. She was calm, quiet, with sharp eyes and steady hands. He held his practice sword awkwardly, while she moved like someone already used to fighting.
Their spar didn't last long.
Keith lunged. She sidestepped and swept him off his feet with one graceful motion.
Lying flat on his back, he let out a shaky breath. She offered him a hand.
"You're strong," she said softly. "But strength means nothing if you don't know how to use it."
He didn't answer, but took her hand.
Instructor Kael clapped once. "Enough for today. Dismissed."
Back at the hostel, Keith barely made it to his bed before collapsing. Every limb ached. But something inside him burned—not power, not Essentia… not yet.
It was a quiet resolve.
He didn't know how long it would take him to awaken. Maybe months. Maybe years.
Maybe never.
But he was still here.
And for now, that was enough.