Private Session

At dusk, Kaeleen made his way to the academy's west wing, where Seraphis Morvane's private chamber was located. The hall seemed isolated from the rest of the school, wrapped in an eerie silence, and the darkness here was somehow deeper than in any other part of the building. The door, a heavy structure of dark wood, creaked as it opened, revealing a room dimly lit by crystal lamps casting a faint purple glow.

Seraphis stood in the center of the room, dressed in his usual dark robe, his gaze fixed and penetrating.

"Welcome, Kaeleen," he said, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper. "Here, there are no spectators, no distractions. This space is yours to explore the power within you."

Kaeleen swallowed, feeling a mixture of nerves and curiosity. He'd never had a private lesson before, especially not with someone as enigmatic as Seraphis.

"Thank you, Professor," he murmured, trying to sound confident.

"Let's begin, then," Seraphis responded without delay. "First and foremost, you need to understand that dark mana is a unique energy—one that reacts to the desires and emotions of its user. It's like a mirror of your inner self, amplifying everything within you. If you don't control it properly, it can consume everything."

Kaeleen nodded, recalling the basic exercises he'd attempted in his other classes. He felt he'd barely scratched the surface of his own power and wanted to avoid losing control again.

"Today, I want you to visualize the dark mana within you," Seraphis continued. "Close your eyes and feel the energy in your core. Don't fear it, but don't let it overpower you either."

Kaeleen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could feel the dense, heavy energy of dark mana swirling in his chest like a whirlpool of shadows seeking an escape. With each breath, it grew more tangible, and he attempted to guide it to his hands, following his teacher's instructions.

"Focus, Kaeleen," Seraphis murmured. "Keep your thoughts steady and don't let fear or anger interfere. Dark mana is easier to control in moments of calm, even though its nature is chaotic."

Kaeleen struggled to keep his mind clear, but the tension in his thoughts was hard to ignore. Memories of Ithan's mocking remarks, the pressure of being constantly scrutinized, and Luka's hostility filled his mind, creating a murky energy within him. In an instant, he felt the dark mana slipping out of control.

"Concentrate," Seraphis commanded, noticing the dark energy beginning to waver in Kaeleen's hands. "You cannot let negative emotions take hold. Dark mana is an ally, but only if you're its master."

Kaeleen took a deep breath and tried to focus again, visualizing his core as a place of calm in his chest. With effort, he managed to stabilize the energy in his hands, forming a small, dense sphere of darkness.

"Good," said Seraphis with a slight smile of approval. "You show promise, but remember, this is only the first step. True mastery isn't achieved in a single day."

Kaeleen nodded, exhausted but pleased to have maintained control, if only for a few seconds.

As he left the private chamber, Kaeleen walked through the academy's dark hallways, still reflecting on the intense lesson. Seraphis's warning echoed in his mind: Dark mana responds to your emotions. He understood that mastering it would be challenging not only because of the power itself but because of the distractions and external pressures he faced.

As he rounded a corner, he overheard voices. Recognizing Luka and Revan, he hesitated. They seemed to be talking with a group of first-year students, and Kaeleen tried to pass unnoticed but couldn't help hearing their conversation.

"That dark mana kid," Luka was saying with a tone of disdain, "he's dangerous. I saw him in class; he could barely control his energy. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt."

"Really?" one of the students asked, a mix of fear and curiosity in his voice.

"Yes," Revan replied, nodding gravely. "Not even Professor Seraphis can completely control him. He's only here because the princess took a liking to him, but honestly, he doesn't belong in this academy."

Kaeleen felt a knot form in his stomach as he listened. He knew some people didn't trust him, but he hadn't realized Luka was so intent on discrediting him.

"And what about his dark mana?" another student asked nervously. "I've heard it can cause serious problems if it gets out of control."

Luka laughed sarcastically.

"Exactly. If I were you, I'd keep my distance. You never know what a freak like him might do."

Kaeleen clenched his fists, feeling anger beginning to stir inside him. He wanted to confront Luka, to prove he wasn't a danger to anyone, but he remembered Seraphis's words: Keep your emotions in check.

Taking a deep breath, he chose to walk away silently, trying to ignore the mistrustful glances he could feel from those around him.

That evening, Kaeleen met with Elise and Borik in the dining hall. Both of them noticed the weary, troubled expression on his face.

"Everything alright, Kaeleen?" Elise asked, concern in her eyes.

Kaeleen nodded, though his mind was still elsewhere.

"I had my first lesson with Professor Seraphis," he explained, focusing on the present. "It was… intense. Learning to control dark mana is harder than I thought."

Borik clapped him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, friend. I'm sure with practice, you'll master it. You've got the talent; you just need time."

Elise smiled, nodding.

"We're here for you, Kaeleen. Don't let rumors or people like Luka get to you."

Kaeleen felt a wave of relief from his friends' support. He knew that mastering his power would be a long and difficult path, but with Elise and Borik by his side, he felt ready to face it.

The following day, during a magical combat class, Kaeleen and his classmates were assigned partners for drills. To his surprise, he was paired with Revan, Luka's inseparable companion. From the start, Kaeleen sensed the hostility in Revan's gaze, who clearly had no intention of cooperating.

"Hope you know how to keep control," Revan sneered, with a mocking smile. "Wouldn't want to end up like one of those people you… 'accidentally' hurt."

Kaeleen kept calm, though he could feel his dark mana responding to the taunt.

"I'm just here to train, Revan," he replied, expressionless.

But Revan didn't give him a break. Throughout the drill, he tried to provoke Kaeleen at every opportunity, launching mana attacks that felt harsher than standard training spells. Kaeleen defended himself, trying to remain calm, but he knew Revan was testing the limits of his control.

Finally, in a moment of distraction, Revan launched a spell that struck Kaeleen's arm, forcing him to stagger back.

"Oops," Revan said with a cynical smile. "I thought you could handle it. After all, you have that oh-so-special dark mana."

Kaeleen gritted his teeth, struggling to keep calm. He remembered Seraphis's and his friends' advice, and instead of reacting, he simply nodded.

"Don't worry, Revan. I'm here to learn, and I will—no matter how many times you try to stop me."

Revan looked taken aback by Kaeleen's calm response, but he shrugged and ignored him for the rest of the exercise.

That night, in his dorm, Kaeleen stayed awake, reflecting on the day's events. He understood that his journey would be difficult—not only because of the challenge of mastering dark mana but because of his classmates' hostility. However, his lesson with Professor Seraphis had taught him something vital: control over his power was the key to proving his worth and shielding himself from taunts.

"I won't give up," he murmured to himself as he stared at the shadows on the wall. "I'll master this power, and I'll show that I belong here, no matter what anyone thinks."

With that promise in his mind, Kaeleen closed his eyes, ready to face each challenge with determination and to prove his true potential in the world of Aether.