For the second time that day, Vex opened his eyes…And this time, not because of a nightmare.
It was pain. A deep burn in his arm.A reminder, etched into living flesh, of what he had attempted.
The warm midday light filtered through the windows of the infirmary.And in front of him… a face.
— "Ah, at last the brave soul awakens! I welcome you with my dramatic blessings!" —exclaimed Elois, right in his face, arms crossed and wearing a ridiculous headband.
Vex flinched.— "W-Why are you so close?"— "Making sure you didn't turn into a statue. The way you were sleeping didn't help."
On the other side of the bed, Kaen silently flipped through a book titled "Energy Flow and Channeling in Longswords: Volume II."Without looking up, he muttered:— "You took a while to wake up."
Vex sighed, offering a half-smile.— "I'm… fine, I think."
From the back of the room, Aric's voice sliced through the air.— "No. You're not fine."
The Master stood from a chair, snapping his magical tablet shut.— "You have a tournament in less than 24 hours, and you decide to break your arm. Fascinating."
Vex tried to sit up, but pain reminded him he wasn't in a position to challenge anyone.Aric stepped up beside the bed.
— "I need to speak with him. Alone."— "Alone? My brother-in-arms is wounded—emotionally, too! My presence is vital to his psychological stability!" —Elois protested, standing with theatrical flair.— "Out," said Kaen, calmly.
Elois turned to him, feigning betrayal.— "Betrayed by my own squad…"— "We'll wait outside," Kaen added, glancing at Vex.
Once they left, the silence was heavy as stone.Vex swallowed.— "Aric… I need to tell you something."
And he told him everything.The dream.The figure.The sword.The cut.And how—without fully understanding how—he had replicated that movement.
Aric listened without a word. Not a single gesture. Only his gaze, hardened.
— "A technique that breaks rune mechanisms, splits a training sword… and shatters your arm."He was silent for a few seconds.
Zurath.That name crossed his mind like a swift shadow.A buried memory.
— "Tell me something," Aric finally said.— "Where did you learn that technique?"
— "I didn't. I just… saw it. In the dream."
Aric narrowed his eyes.— "I don't believe you."But there was no accusation in his voice.There was… acceptance.
Because even if he didn't believe it logically—he felt it in his bones.This boy was no longer just the lost villager from Terna.
— "What you did is a Grade 4 technique."Vex furrowed his brow.— "Grade… 4?"
Aric crossed his arms and began pacing slowly.— "There are five grades of awakened techniques. Classification recognized by the Global Alliance of Mystical Assessment."
— "Grade 5: Common techniques. Moderate damage. Suitable for general defense and combat."— "Grade 4: Require advanced energy control. Surpass the limits of an average human body."— "Grade 3: Techniques that alter the environment. Destructive impact, modification of matter or energy."— "Grade 2: Manipulation of greater forces—gravity, time, memory, soul."— "Grade 1: Classified as 'Humanity Threats'. Only seen in world-scale wars."
Aric stopped in front of him.— "Do you understand now?"
Vex nodded slowly, still in shock.— "Never try that cut again. Your body can't handle it yet.Neither your body, nor your mind, is ready."
He paused.— "But the fact that you did it… that already changes everything."
Vex didn't know what to say.Something stirred inside him. Something that had only just begun to awaken.
— "I'll give you a new sword," Aric said, turning to leave.— "More resistant.And you'll be fully healed tonight, thanks to the restoration seals."— "Just promise me one thing."
Vex looked him in the eye.— "Don't try to become someone else……before you understand who you really are."— "I promise."
Aric nodded.And left.
A few minutes later, Kaen and Elois returned.— "So? Are you possessed? Are you turning into a shadow beast? Are you growing a second arm?" —Elois blurted.— "He used a dangerous technique," Kaen explained bluntly. "Was it because of the guy from your nightmare?"
Vex nodded.— "It was him."
Elois' eyes widened.— "You're telling me you dreamed of a guy, and the next day you copied him to the point of breaking the floor… and your arm?Who does that without summoning circles or tutorials?!"
Kaen crossed his arms.— "It was reckless. But… interesting."
Vex smiled.— "All I know is… someday, I want to show that to Jeremy."
They didn't respond.But Kaen's gaze softened.
Hours passed.The assigned healer finally arrived with a tablet in hand.— "Arm regenerated. The seal has stabilized the tissue. You're free to go."
Vex left quietly. Walked to his room.Kaen was sitting, sharpening his trident.Elois was at his desk, rehearsing a "victory pose" in front of the mirror.
Vex looked at them.— "Tomorrow's the tournament."— "I know," said Kaen, without lifting his eyes.— "I'm ready," added Elois. "Or at least, if I die, I want to do it fabulously."
Vex sat on his bed.For the first time, he didn't feel anxious.Only certain.
— "Whatever comes… we face it together."— "As always," said Kaen.— "And cue the applause!" Elois exclaimed, pointing at the ceiling.
The magic lamp didn't react.But the three of them……laughed.
And that night,they would sleep without fear.Because they knew that the next day…was the beginning of something that could no longer be stopped.