A new journey

The soft morning light filtered through the window, illuminating Princess Selene's office. Kaeleen opened his eyes slowly, feeling a weight in his body, as if his very energy had left him. As his senses adjusted to the calm of the room, his memories returned in chaotic fragments: the training field, the fury, the uncontrolled power, Elise fainting on the ground… His heart began to race, and he sat up abruptly, looking around with a flicker of panic.

Across from him, Princess Selene sat in a chair, watching him with a serene expression, though her eyes held a mixture of concern and compassion. Her presence calmed him slightly, but confusion still clouded his thoughts.

"What…what happened?" Kaeleen murmured, pressing a hand to his head as he tried to clear his memories. "Why am I here?"

Selene regarded him in silence for a few moments before sighing and standing. She walked toward him slowly, her soft steps echoing in the room.

"I brought you here because…after what happened on the field, you needed rest and recovery," she began, choosing her words carefully. "Kaeleen, you lost control of your dark mana. During the trial, they attacked you and…" she paused, as if assessing how much to reveal, "you injured some of your teammates."

Kaeleen felt the weight of her words crush him. The memory of Elise on the ground, the faces of Ithan and Erik as his fury consumed him… It all returned to his mind with overwhelming force. A knot of guilt formed in his chest, and his gaze filled with worry.

"Elise…is she okay?" he asked, his voice trembling. The very thought that Elise might have been hurt because of his lack of control left him feeling weak.

Selene sighed gently and nodded. "Elise is fine. It was only a minor injury, and she's recovering well. You don't need to worry about her." Her tone was reassuring, but it didn't completely mask the gravity of the situation. "However, when you lost control, you also attacked other companions, and many now see you as…dangerous."

Selene's words hit him like a cold torrent. The thought that his loss of control had put him in this situation filled him with deep anguish. Kaeleen turned his gaze to the ground, unsure of what to say. Guilt wrapped around him, and his thoughts became a whirlwind of emotions. How could he even think of attending the Royal Academy after what he'd done? The image of others looking at him with fear and disdain etched itself into his mind, and he began to tremble, overwhelmed by anxiety.

"I…I have no future," he murmured quietly, unable to face the princess. "After what I did… I can't go to the Academy. I don't deserve to."

Selene looked at him in silence, her eyes softening. She took a step closer, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Kaeleen," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "I understand why you acted that way. You were protecting a friend, and although your anger was dangerous, it stemmed from a desire to protect. You can't blame yourself for that."

He looked up, surprised by Selene's words, though the knot of guilt remained. "I understand, Princess…but even so, I…couldn't control myself. My group didn't even win the trial, did we? We were losing when it all happened. Either way, I don't stand a chance of going to the Academy." His voice was heavy with sadness, and his gaze reflected the despair he felt.

To his surprise, Selene smiled faintly. "Actually, that's not entirely true." Kaeleen looked at her, confused, and she continued. "Your group wasn't disqualified. During the chaos when you lost control of your dark mana, the other groups were also affected. In the midst of the turmoil, your group was the only one that managed to avoid a complete impact. That advantage made you the winners of the trial."

Incredulity showed on Kaeleen's face. His group…had won? Selene's words sparked a glimmer of hope he hadn't even considered. Emotions mingled within him—relief, astonishment, but also shame for what he had done. A small smile began to form on his lips, though doubt and fear still held him silent.

Selene continued in a calming voice. "You and your team now have a place at the Royal Academy. Additionally, the top five from each group were selected as well. But…" she paused, and Kaeleen sensed a kind of tension in her words, as if a warning was coming.

"Due to the lack of control you displayed with your dark mana, you won't be entering the Academy as just any other student," the princess said, taking a deep breath and looking at him firmly. "You will be assigned to a special class, along with other students who are considered…challenging cases. In that class, you'll be under constant supervision and receive specialized training to help you manage your mana."

Kaeleen nodded, accepting the decision humbly. The reality of his actions and the consequence Selene implied weighed heavily on him, but at the same time, he felt a spark of hope. Despite everything, he still had the chance to attend the Academy, to improve, and to show he could control his power.

"I understand, Princess," he replied softly, bowing his head respectfully. "And…thank you. For giving me this opportunity." His words were sincere, and though his eyes showed lingering sadness, there was a new determination within them.

Selene smiled, patting his shoulder before returning to her seat. "Make the most of this opportunity, Kaeleen. You have great potential, and while your power may seem like a burden, it can also be a strength that makes you valuable. You just need to learn to control it."

The rest of the conversation remained silent, but Kaeleen felt a weight lift from his heart. He had made mistakes, yes, but the possibility of change, of proving his worth and controlling his power, filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.

The sun had barely risen when Kaeleen awoke the next day, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. He dressed in the uniform they'd given him, a garment that symbolized his entrance into the Academy and made him feel both proud and anxious. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but every fiber of his being was prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

As he left the hostel, he found Elise waiting by the carriage that would take them to the Academy. She gave him a warm smile, and he couldn't help but smile back, grateful to have someone like her beside him for this new chapter in his life.

"Ready for the big trip?" Elise teased, giving him a light shove on the shoulder.

Kaeleen nodded, his eyes shining with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "Can't say I'm not nervous…but yes, I'm ready."

They climbed into the carriage together, joining the other invokers who were already there, their faces full of excitement and curiosity. Some looked at him with distrust, others with a mix of respect and caution, but Kaeleen decided not to worry about those looks. He had surpassed his own limits, and he knew that his journey at the Royal Academy was only beginning.

With a final glance at the training camp, Kaeleen let the carriage carry him toward his future, his mind filled with promises of effort and transformation.