Kael opened his eyes.

  It was dark.

  Not dim.

  Not shadowed.

  Just dark.

  He couldn’t see his hands. Couldn’t tell if he was standing or floating. There was no floor beneath his feet—at least none he could feel.

  His breathing quickened.

  “…Hello?”

  No answer.

  He raised his hand and pushed mana forward.

  Fire sparked to life.

  The flame burned bright in his palm. Hot. Real.

  But the darkness didn’t move.

  The fire didn’t light anything. It didn’t reveal distance or shape. It only showed itself—like the flame existed alone, cut off from the rest of the world.

  Kael frowned.

  “Still trying to force it.”

  The voice came from behind him.

  It was familiar.

  Kael turned.

  There was no one there.

  “…You’re me,” the voice said.

  The sound stayed behind him—like whatever spoke was always just out of sight, turning when he turned.

  Kael stared.

  “What? I fainted.”

  “I know.”

  “So this is… what? A dream?”

  “Call it whatever helps you stay calm.”

  Kael tightened his grip on the flame.

  “But… you died.”

  Silence.

  “Yes.”

  Kael swallowed. “Then why are you here?”

  “Because you’re close to doing something stupid.”

  The voice continued.

  “You’re thinking of giving up and sticking to the forcing-mana method—because it’s easier than the one you found.

  Or maybe you just can’t control your thoughts.”

  “You’re so focused on rejecting me that you forgot we are the same.”

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  “No. We’re not,” Kael said.

  “Yes, we are. Reject me all you like—but you can’t change the truth.”

  Silence.

  Kael looked down at the flame. It wavered.

  “I don’t want to be like you.”

  “You don’t want to be like me—but you deny the fact that we are the same.”

  “If you think we’re not, then prove it.”

  “But remember—

  the journey of improvement begins with accepting what you are.”

  The darkness pressed in—not physically, but enough to make Kael feel smaller.

  “You still have time.”

  “Then tell me how to fix it,” Kael said, desperation breaking through his voice.

  “The answer is in front of you,” the voice replied.

  “Accept. And change.”

  The flame flickered.

  “Sit there,” the voice said.

  “And feel how loud your head is.”

  The darkness closed in.

  Kael felt himself falling.

  “No…!”

  Kael woke up with a shout, gasping for air.

  “What happened, son?”

  His mother was sitting beside him.

  “Did you have another bad dream?”

  Kael hugged her tightly.

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “Don’t worry. Everything is okay. It was just a dream.”

  She smiled softly. “Come—let’s have dinner.”

  The next day, he went to the academy.

  Mira was already there.

  “Hi, Kael,” she said with a smile.

  He walked over and sat beside her.

  The class began, but instead of starting the lesson, the instructor made an announcement.

  ‘There will be no regular classes until next week. The mana test will be held then—consider this an opportunity for everyone to train.’

  The room filled with whispers and gossip.

  “Silence,” she said.

  The lecture started.

  “You can create any spell with your mana,” the teacher explained.

  “The more powerful the spell, the more mana it consumes—and the more strength and control it requires to pull it off.”

  After class, they headed to the academy grounds to train.

  But Mira looked troubled.

  “Mira,” Kael asked gently, “is something bothering you?”

  She hesitated, then spoke.

  “Next week we have the spell test again, but I’m still having trouble with my water-style magic. It’s better than before, but I can’t control it properly or master it yet. And this is essential for learning healing magic…”

  “Show me the spell,” Kael said.

  She hesitated.

  “…Okay.”

  She closed her eyes and pushed her mana forward.

  A small drop of water appeared. It began to grow—but before it could become large enough to fit in her hands, it burst.

  She opened her eyes and frowned, lowering her head.

  “Tell me,” Kael said softly. “What do you think about when you create this spell?”

  “I imagine water forming in front of my hand—the way the teacher told us to.”

  Kael thought for a moment.

  She’s doing it the same way I did. Trying to create water from nothing. It works—but it takes far more effort and control to truly master.

  “Try this,” Kael said.

  “Do it again, but this time, imagine the air around you coming together—cooling down and turning into water.”

  “…Okay,” she said, though she didn’t sound very hopeful.

  She closed her eyes again and focused.

  This time, a water sphere formed—slightly bigger than her hands.

  It was calm. Stable.

  She opened her eyes and stared at it in disbelief.

  Then she let go. The water fell gently to the ground.

  “I did it!” she shouted, jumping in excitement.

  The students around them turned to stare.

  Mira froze, embarrassed—then took a breath and calmed herself.

  “Thank you, Kael,” she said, smiling brightly.

  “It’s still not perfect,” she added, “but I promise I’ll train harder.”

  Next Chapter : Beyond Power