The Training Grounds

Upon arriving at the training grounds, the students found themselves in awe. The space was vast, lined with racks of weapons, sparring dummies, and an assortment of training equipment. The air carried the crisp scent of steel and sweat, a silent promise of the grueling trials ahead.

A deep voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the murmurs of the gathered students.

"Oh great, it looks like you all finally arrived."

The speaker was a tall, well-built man with dark navy blue hair, a short beard, smooth black skin, and piercing ocean-colored eyes. His presence exuded confidence, and the female students found themselves taken aback by his striking appearance.

"I know it's your first day here, but try being early next time, okay?" he continued, his voice carrying an amused yet firm tone.

"Yes, Instructor!" the female students answered in unison, their enthusiasm apparent.

The man sighed before introducing himself. "Welcome to the Pennsylvania Royal Academy. My name is Joshua Akintola, and I will be your training instructor for the remainder of your years here."

A hush fell over the students as they absorbed his words.

"Some of you may have noticed that a few of your classmates are missing, while some faces here are unfamiliar," Joshua went on. "That's because the non-gifted students have been separated from you. It's for their own safety."

Then his tone grew colder, sharper. "To be honest, whether you're gifted or not, you're all going to suffer under my training just the same."

A wave of nervous energy rippled through the crowd.

"Before we begin, does anyone have any questions?" he asked, scanning their faces.

A student hesitantly raised their hand. "Um, Instructor Joshua, what exactly is a monarch?"

Joshua blinked in surprise. "What? Hasn't your history instructor already explained that to you?"

"No, she didn't," the student replied.

Joshua frowned. "Wait, isn't your history teacher Miss Seo-Yeon?"

"Yes, she is."

He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Of course she is. And let me guess—she told you to ask me?"

"She said you'd be happy to explain," another student chimed in.

Joshua muttered under his breath, "That woman... why can't she go a single day without making my life more difficult?"

Shaking off his frustration, he took a deep breath. "Alright, since she decided to dump this on me, let's start from the beginning. First, did Miss Seo-Yeon at least teach you about ethereal force and the ethereal core?"

"Yes, she did," the students answered in unison.

"Good. That makes my job easier."

Joshua began pacing. "Your ethereal core determines your strength, and it evolves through different stages. Right now, all of you are at the beginner level, which means your cores are blue."

He gestured as he continued. "The next stage is yellow, the intermediate level. After that comes green, the expert stage. From there, things get a little more... interesting."

The students listened attentively as he went on. "The fourth stage, red, grants the title of Administrator. Beyond that is the Void Black stage, which earns one the title of Grand Patriarch. And finally, the Indigo-colored ethereal core marks the level of a Monarch."

A murmur of awe passed through the students.

"Oh! So that's why Miss Seo-Yeon said the heads of the four grand imperial houses were special!" one student exclaimed.

Joshua nodded. "Exactly. Those who reach the Monarch and Patriarch stages are among the strongest beings in existence. The title of 'Grand' is added to emphasize the significance of their power."

A hand shot up. "Instructor Joshua, what stage are you at?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "I have a Void Black ethereal core, meaning I hold the title of Grand Patriarch of Frost."

"Grand Patriarch of Frost? What does that mean?" another student asked eagerly.

Joshua crossed his arms. "It means my abilities allow me to control ice itself, and a bit of liquid substances like water."

A collective gasp of admiration came from the female students. "That's so cool!"

Joshua chuckled. "Every Grand Patriarch or Monarch has a unique title based on their abilities. For example, your history teacher, Miss Seo-Yeon, is the Grand Patriarch of Flamescion. Due to her ability to manipulate the concepts of flames".

The students stood in awe, astonished by the sheer power of their teachers. It was one thing to hear about the strength of seasoned warriors, but to witness it firsthand was something else entirely. Their admiration burned into determination—they wanted to reach that level themselves.

"Moving forward, the ultimate phase of the ethereal core is the pure white stage," Instructor Joshua declared, his voice calm but commanding. "Reaching this phase grants one the title of Grand Herrscher—an existence wielding power so vast and overwhelming that they stand at the very precipice of nigh-omnipotence."

A collective gasp rippled through the students. "Wow..."

Joshua let the moment sink in before continuing, "However, let me be clear: even becoming an Administrator is an incredibly difficult feat. Reaching the highest level is nearly impossible."

The air grew heavy with uncertainty. Joshua folded his arms. "You would have to be a born monster or be beyond even a genius to achieve these higher stages and titles. To put it into perspective, there are only seven Grand Herrschers across all four races."

Murmurs spread among the students. Joshua sighed, offering a small smirk. "Don't look so discouraged. I'll be here to push you beyond your limits, to help you grow and reach the highest possible stage your core will allow."

A student raised a hand. "Instructor, what exactly will you be teaching us?"

Joshua grinned. "I'll be focusing on one of the two methods used to refine and strengthen the core."

"And what method is that?" another student asked.

Joshua's grin widened, almost predatory. "Simple. I'll be training your bodies to withstand and control the ethereal force within your beginner's core."

A chill ran through the class. Some students gulped. Others shifted uncomfortably. Joshua's tone was casual, but the way he said it made their stomachs churn.

"Oh, don't look so terrified," he chuckled. "Think of the bright side—if you train your physical body enough, you'll all be able to release your aura."

Before anyone could ask what he meant, the air itself seemed to thicken. An invisible weight pressed down on them as Instructor Joshua activated his own aura. The effect was immediate.

One by one, students collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Their limbs felt like they had been chained to the earth itself. The pressure was overwhelming—suffocating.

Joshua observed them with mild amusement. "This," he said smoothly, "is Aura. The ability to manifest a portion of your ethereal energy externally."

Groans of discomfort filled the air. A few students attempted to move, only to fail miserably.

"Oh, stop whining," Joshua scolded. "If I hadn't held back, you would have died instantly."

Then, he spotted something surprising—two figures, barely holding themselves up. Jupiter Cavendish and Xavier Ashford.

Joshua's smirk returned. "Interesting," he mused to himself. "The black-haired boy must be Jupiter Cavendish... and the one near him, Xavier Ashford—the younger brother of those two prodigies, Aleksander and Violet."

After a few more agonizing seconds, Joshua withdrew his aura, allowing the students to breathe normally again. Coughs and relieved gasps echoed across the training field.

"Alright," he barked. "For your first lesson, give me twenty-five laps around the field. No breaks."

The students froze.

"NOW!" Joshua clapped his hands, releasing a burst of wind that sent some stumbling. "Unless you'd rather feel my aura again?"

Without hesitation, the students took off running.

But just as Xavier was about to start, Joshua placed a hand on his shoulder. "You must be Xavier Ashford. Nice to meet you."

Xavier smiled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too, Instructor."

Joshua's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "I imagine the world must look quite different to you, being raised alongside two prodigies."

Xavier's smile faltered. "Why does everyone only talk about me as Aleksander and Violet's younger brother?"

Joshua chuckled. "Because your sister, at just seven years old, already reached the expert green core stage. And your brother... well, he's a borderline monster. The first living being in history to be born with a pure white ethereal core."

Xavier blinked. "Wait, what? I never knew that."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's surprising. Your brother is someone nations would fight wars over, a born Grand Herrscher of unparalleled potential."

A thoughtful silence stretched between them before Joshua spoke again. "I wonder what stage your core is at."

Xavier hesitated. "I... I don't know. I don't think I'm as talented as my siblings."

Joshua narrowed his eyes, his gaze shimmering with ethereal energy as he examined Xavier's core.

What he saw made his stomach drop.

Nothing.

Xavier had no ethereal core.

Joshua's entire body stiffened. His breath hitched. His mind raced.

How was this possible?

Xavier tilted his head. "Instructor? Are you okay?"

Joshua quickly masked his shock, forcing a chuckle. "Ah, it's nothing, Xavier. You should get started on those laps."

Xavier nodded. "Alright, Instructor!" With a bright grin, he ran off to join the others.

Joshua watched him go, his fingers twitching.

His thoughts screamed at him.

What... what kind of creature is he?

How can he exist without an ethereal core? Is he even human?

His jaw clenched. He had to report this to Principal Cedric immediately.