12th September, 1507

"Every relic has its risks or limitations. For example, the Guard talisman and Swift cloak have a use limit" Aldric explained, his voice commanding the attention of the attentive students gathered in the classroom as they sat at their desks.

Outside the tall windows, sunlight bathed the room in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the polished floor. Beyond the glass, the verdant expanse of the forest stretched out, a tranquil backdrop to their academic pursuits.

Elise, seated at the front, raised her hand, her curiosity evident in the furrow of her brow. "How do we use our relics? I tried using mine, but nothing happened," she asked in curiosity.

Aldric paused, considering her question before reaching into the drawer of his desk. With a deft motion, he retrieved a small white bag, its contents obscured from view. Without a word, he emptied the bag onto the desk, revealing a collection of small white stones nestled within.

"To activate a relic, a Lexarch utilizes what we term 'soul energy'," Aldric elucidated, "This energy is stored within your Mind Core, but it is currently in a sealed state. This is where these soul stones come into play," he continued, gesturing towards the scattered white stones on the desk before him.

"When you break a soul stone, it releases a pure essence that your body will naturally absorb. Once absorbed, your soul energy will become active and from then on you can command this energy according to your will. However, with each use of a relic, a portion of this soul energy is depleted. When fully exhausted, you can either replenish it using additional soul stones or allow it to regenerate naturally."

Aldric gestured, which then prompted the students to approach the desk one by one, each eager to claim their own soul stone. With a sense of anticipation, they reached out and selected a single stone, their fingers closing around it with a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

Following Aldric's instructions, the students then proceeded to break their soul stones, the crisp sound of fracturing stones echoing in the classroom. As the stones shattered, a fine white powder emerged, swirling gently in the air before being absorbed into their bodies like ethereal mist.

Seren with his gaze fixed intently on his Mind Core, witnessed the transformation firsthand. Within the depths of his consciousness, he observed as a white ethereal energy began to swirl around the Luminar crystal, its movements graceful and hypnotic. With a sense of determination, Seren willed this energy into the relic.

When he opened his eyes, a dim light emanated from his palm, casting a soft glow that danced across his skin. Seren's heart swelled with emotion, a sense of awe and wonder washing over him as he realized he was finally tapping into a Lexarch’s power.

As the students experienced the activation of their relics, a mixture of emotions washed over the classroom. Excitement and wonder danced in the eyes of those who successfully wielded their newfound powers, their spirits buoyed by the thrill of mastering something beyond the ordinary.

However, not all reactions were jubilant. Some students, like Susie, experienced disappointment as they encountered the specific limitations of their relics. Susie, with her Sentry Pendant, found herself faced with a daunting requirement: to bind a soul to hers by taking the life of an animal or human. The souls that are bound will then obey every command of Susie, but they don’t offer any offensive or defensive abilities and the best way to utilize this relic is to use the souls as reconnaissance. The weight of having to take another’s life hung heavy on Susie's shoulders, casting a shadow over her excitement and leaving her grappling with conflicting emotions.

In the midst of their varied reactions, the students found themselves confronting the reality of their chosen relics, each one presenting its own challenges and sacrifices.

Clap

As the sound reverberated through the classroom, drawing the students' attention back to Aldric, he proceeded to outline the structure of their life at the academy. With methodical precision, he divided their curriculum into three distinct segments: theory, practice, and experience.

"In theory classes, you will delve into the principles and intricacies of being a Lexarch." The students listened intently, their focus sharpening as they absorbed the information.

"For live practice sessions, you will have the opportunity to apply what you've learned in a controlled environment, engaging in sparring matches and exercises to hone your skills."

Aldric's voice remained steady as he elaborated on the final segment of their curriculum. "Every two weeks," he explained, "You will venture to the bottom of the second peak of Chimera Vale Mountain for hunting or missions assigned by the academy registrar." The mention of real-world challenges drew murmurs of anticipation from the students, their imaginations ignited by the prospect of adventure.

Throughout the lecture, Aldric introduced the basic facilities of the academy, from the training grounds to the library and dormitories, ensuring that the students were familiar with their surroundings. Despite the length of the lecture and the complexity of some of the information, Aldric's authoritative demeanor and clear explanations kept the students engaged, even if some details sailed over their heads.

"Alright, that will be all for today," Aldric concluded, his tone firm as he issued his final instructions. "Make sure to arrive promptly for class at 9 tomorrow, and exercise caution with your relics. With power comes responsibility, and you will be held accountable for any unintended consequences of misuse".

The students rose from their seats, a collective murmur of acknowledgment rippling through the room. Bowing respectfully to Aldric, they began to file out of the classroom, their minds abuzz with the day's lessons and the promise of mastering their newfound abilities.

Outside, the evening air carried a sense of anticipation as the students dispersed with each of them eager to continue their studies or perhaps indulge in a bit of experimentation with their relics at home. Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavy on their shoulders, the allure of unlocking the full potential of their powers spurred them onward, their determination undiminished by the late hour.

As Aldric watched in silence as the students departed through the window, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"So, how was the first class?" A voice, brimming with confidence, broke the silence from behind him.

Turning around, Aldric's gaze met the figure of a man in his late twenties, leaning casually against the doorframe with an air of playfulness. Tall and elegant, with wavy hair cascading down his back, he exuded an aura of authority, dressed in a suit adorned with gems and symbols, topped with a resplendent golden cloak.

"The class shows promise," Aldric responded respectfully, his tone measured as he acknowledged the man's presence. "There are four ethereal grades and several apexes among the students, a much higher standard than the previous years."

The man, the principal of the academy, flashed a playful grin in response. "Even as the principal, it still makes me a bit jealous of you for being the one to teach this class," he remarked, joining Aldric by the window to observe the departing students. However, Aldric's demeanor shifted abruptly, his expression clouded with apprehension as he uttered the words that had unsettled him. "Orion said ‘the end is near’"

A solemn silence enveloped the room as the man absorbed the weight of Aldric's revelation. "...Did he say anything else?" he inquired with a heavy tone that failed to mask his concern.

Shaking his head, Aldric relayed the extent of Orion's cryptic warning.

The man's brow furrowed in thought before he spoke again, his voice tinged with bitterness as he recounted an ancient prophecy passed down through generations. "There is a prophecy, made by one of our ancestors" he began, his words carrying the weight of centuries-old lore, "that foretells of a terrible disaster befalling the Chimera Vale, brought about by a student from the academy."

Aldric was surprised when he heard this before skepticism colored his face, but the man's solemn assurance quelled any doubts. "I know it sounds absurd," he continued, "but this is what the prophecy dictates."

With a grave nod, the man prepared to depart, leaving Aldric with a final command. "Not a single word must leave this room," he instructed, his tone conveying the seriousness of the matter.

Aldric bowed respectfully, his commitment unwavering. "Yes, master," he affirmed, a sense of reverence underscoring his words as the weight of prophecy and uncertainty hung heavy in the air.

...

As Seren and Susie walked along the dirt path back to the village, the mesmerizing sunset cast hues of gold and pink across the horizon. The tranquil atmosphere was filled with the sweet melodies of chirping birds and the gentle caress of a breeze, inviting a sense of serenity and appreciation for the simple joys of life.

However, despite the beauty surrounding them, Susie walked with a conflicted expression as her gaze was fixed on the ground beneath her feet. Seren, attuned to his thoughts, sensed Susie’s inner turmoil. He knew she was grappling with the weight of a difficult decision, torn between her own ambitions and the moral implications of using her relic.

Breaking the silence, Seren said, "Go to Elder Luna and bring your severed arm back," he instructed calmly despite the gravity of his words.

Susie halted in her tracks, her eyes widening in disbelief at Seren's unexpected directive. "You found a way already?" she asked, a glimmer of hope mingling with her shock.

"Yes," Seren affirmed with a nod as his gaze met Susie's with unwavering resolve. "Bring back your arm and mentally prepare yourself for some excruciating pain," he cautioned.

Susie's mood shifted with her expression turning solemn as she absorbed Seren's words. With a silent nod, she acknowledged his guidance and steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead. As Seren resumed his leisurely pace, Susie tiptoed excitedly beside him, a sense of determination igniting within her.

...

As Seren settled into his home, his mind buzzed with contemplation with his thoughts consumed by the limitations of his conceptual creation ability. With a deep breath, he adopted a cross-legged position in the center of the room, his focus honed on unraveling the complexities of his newfound power.

‘There are some serious limitations to conceptual creation. First, I cannot create whatever concept I want; it must correspond to my current Lexarch rank. Second, I am restricted to manifesting only three weak concepts at present, with no guarantee of this limit increasing in the future. And finally, the process requires a significant investment of time and soul energy, rendering it impractical for use in the heat of battle’.

The weight of these constraints hung heavy in the air, threatening to stifle Seren's hopes of harnessing his ability to its full potential.

‘I should finish up my work before Susie gets back’. Seren thought with a sigh.

...