Chapter 9

Night had fallen over the province, casting a quiet stillness over the household. Inside their dimly lit chamber, Cynthia and Ben sat together, the weight of the evening pressing down on them. Neither spoke for a long time. The only sound was the occasional crackle of the lantern, flickering beside them.

Cynthia exhaled slowly, her hands clasped together. "Ben…" she finally murmured, her voice laced with worry. "What are we going to do?"

Ben leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his brow furrowed. "We don't have much of a choice, do we?" His voice was low, almost defeated. "If we refuse, we risk everything. If we run… we'll never stop running. Sooner or later, someone else will notice him."

Cynthia lowered her gaze. She knew he was right. Kairos was different, and no matter how hard they tried to hide it, the world would eventually take notice. The thought sent a pang of fear through her chest.

"I just pray…" Her voice wavered. "I pray this doesn't ruin his future."

Ben reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. He could see the fear in her eyes, the same fear that gnawed at his own heart. He had always known this day would come, but he had never imagined it would be forced upon them so soon.

Then, Cynthia took a deep breath, composing herself. Slowly, she reached into a small wooden chest beside the bed, her fingers tracing over an item she had kept safe for years. When she pulled it out, the lantern's glow reflected off its golden edges—the token given to them by the province leader himself.

She held it up, her eyes softening. "We've always planned to use this for Kairos." A small, wistful smile crossed her lips. "It has always been my dream to see my son attend the school of nobles."

Ben's gaze lingered on the token, its presence both a blessing and a reminder of how far they had come.

Cynthia continued, her voice steadier now. "This token… it's the greatest honor of our lives. And if our son must go to a school, then we won't send him to just any school." She turned to Ben, her expression filled with quiet determination. "We'll make sure he goes somewhere that will truly protect him."

Ben studied her face for a long moment before nodding. "Then we'll do it," he said, resolve settling into his voice. "We'll give him the best chance we can."

Cynthia tightened her grip on the token, holding it close to her heart. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was just the beginning.

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The Noble Academy

The grand iron gates loomed ahead, towering over the gathered families. Embellished with intricate golden patterns, they bore the crest of the academy—a sigil of knowledge and power intertwined. The guards stationed at the entrance stood with disciplined stillness, their silver-plated armor gleaming under the sun. The parents and children, many of noble lineage, whispered among themselves as they approached.

The air buzzed with excitement and tension. Young boys and girls, all around Kairos's age, clung to their parents, some eager, others anxious. Their families—dukes, barons, high-ranking officials—walked with an air of refinement, their fine garments embroidered with house emblems. The scent of rare perfumes and polished leather filled the courtyard, blending with the crisp autumn breeze.

Kairos followed behind his mother and father, his steps measured, his expression unreadable. His father, a stern yet dignified man, walked with purpose, while his mother's gaze flickered between her son and the other children, assessing them silently.

At the gate, the procession came to a halt. A man clad in the academy's official robes stepped forward—a figure of authority, his gaze sharp as he addressed the gathered families.

"This is where you part ways," he announced, his voice carrying over the murmurs. "From this point on, only the students may proceed."

A wave of unease rippled through the younger ones, but their parents remained composed. It was tradition. The academy accepted no outside influence. No personal maids, no family retainers. From here onward, each student would rely solely on their own talents and intellect.

One by one, noble parents bid their children farewell, some offering firm words of encouragement, others lingering for a moment longer, reluctant to let go. Kairos's mother gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Remember what we taught you," she said quietly.

His father simply nodded, and without another word, they turned and walked away, disappearing into the departing crowd.

Now, left on his own, Kairos turned to observe the other children. Some stood confidently, chatting and laughing with ease. They carried themselves like future lords and scholars, already familiar with such grandeur. Others, less sure of themselves, shuffled awkwardly, clearly unused to being without their family's presence.

The academy's inner courtyard stretched wide before them, a masterpiece of architecture. Elegant stone pathways wove through manicured gardens, where ancient trees stood as silent witnesses to generations. Statues of past scholars and war heroes lined the walkways, their names etched into plaques beneath them.

Kairos found a seat at one of the long stone benches near the center of the courtyard. His sharp eyes took in everything—the effortless grace of the wealthiest children, the quiet determination of those less fortunate, and the unmistakable atmosphere of rivalry that hung in the air.

Before long, a deep, resonant sound echoed through the courtyard.

DONG! DONG! DONG!

A massive brass bell, hanging from an ornate tower at the academy's heart, rang three times, signaling the arrival of the new students' induction. Conversations hushed as all eyes turned toward the grand staircase leading into the main hall.

This was the beginning.

And for Kairos, it was a moment he would never forget.

The grand hall was a masterpiece of architecture, its vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate carvings that depicted the history of the world. Large crystalline chandeliers hung above, casting a soft glow that illuminated the vast chamber. Atop the podium stood an elderly man with long, flowing white beards, his presence commanding immediate respect. His robes were adorned with ancient symbols of knowledge, a testament to his authority as the academy's principal. The murmurs of the young students hushed as he cleared his throat, his deep, resonant voice filling the hall.

"Since the beginning of time, there was nothing," he began, his tone slow and deliberate. "The world as we know it came into existence through the delicate balance of opposing elemental forces. Five primordial elements—earth, air, fire, water, and aether—were once in endless chaos, each struggling for dominance."

A hush fell over the hall as the students listened. Some, like Kairos, leaned forward, absorbing every word, while others barely paid attention, whispering among themselves.

"But through a great cosmic event, or perhaps an entity beyond our understanding, balance was achieved," the principal continued. "From that balance, life emerged. The harmony of the elements allowed the birth of plants, animals, and humans. Yet, among us, a rare gift was granted to only a select few—divinity."

At the mention of the word, a few students straightened their posture. The principal's voice carried wisdom that demanded attention.

"Divinity manifests in three forms. The first is elemental—wielders of fire, water, wind, and other forces of nature. The second is beastform, granting the traits or power of mighty creatures such as chimeras, sphinxes, or krakens. The third is artifact-based—where a divine weapon or tool becomes an extension of one's soul."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the young faces before him. "Most of the time, divinity is inherited from parents. But in rare cases, a mutation occurs—an ordinary human giving birth to a child with divinity. This phenomenon is rare but not impossible."

A few murmurs spread across the hall, but they quickly died down as the principal continued. "Now, understand this—while you have been granted the opportunity to enter this academy, not all of you will remain here. A screening test will be conducted in one week. Those who failed, will receive a message for their parents to come and retrieve them.

A ripple of unease spread through the students. The reality of their situation set in. Some remained stoic, confident in their abilities, while others exchanged anxious glances.

"The path of power is not one of ease," the principal continued. "For those with divinity, training is a necessity. And all training follows three major stages. The first is Alpha Human, the initial stage of awakening one's potential. The second is Trans Human, where one transcends the limits of ordinary mortals. And the final stage… is Meta Human."

The room fell silent.

A confident-looking boy raised his hand, standing up. "I've never heard of Meta Humans before," he said, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

The principal let out a slow breath before answering, his gaze settling on the student. "That is because our province is small," he replied. "It is not surprising that you have never encountered one."

Then, his expression turned solemn. "But I will tell you this. The being we worship—the God of Life—is a Meta Human."

At those words, a wave of reverence swept through the hall. Without hesitation, every student instinctively lowered their heads, their hands clasped in silent respect.

With that, the meeting was concluded, and the students were dismissed, their minds filled with both wonder and apprehension for the challenges ahead.

Kairos followed the directions given to him, making his way toward the dormitories. The path was lined with towering stone pillars, each carved with intricate symbols representing the different forms of divinity. The air was filled with the quiet murmurs of students settling into their new environment, some chatting excitedly while others walked in contemplative silence.

Upon reaching his assigned building, he stepped inside, immediately greeted by the warm glow of lanterns that lined the hallways. The dormitory had a sturdy yet elegant design.

Kairos pushed open the door to his room and found that he was not alone. Two boys were already inside.

The first was a tall, broad-shouldered young man, likely around sixteen years old. His short, dark hair was slightly messy, and he had a confident, easygoing demeanor. He leaned casually against the bedframe, arms crossed, a slight smirk on his face. His deep-set eyes held a glint of amusement, as if he had already figured Kairos out at a glance.

The second boy was smaller, appearing to be around twelve years old. He had sharp, bright eyes and short, neatly combed auburn hair. Despite his younger age, there was something observant about him—his gaze was sharp, as if he was always analyzing everything around him. His posture was relaxed but alert, suggesting a mix of intelligence and caution.

The older boy was the first to speak. "Looks like we've got a new one." His voice carried an amused tone as he stepped forward. "Name's Darius. Senior student here."

The younger boy followed, offering a nod. "And I'm Leon. You must be Kairos."

Kairos gave a small nod in return. "Yes."

Darius chuckled. "Not much of a talker, huh? That's fine. We were just wondering how things went for you today."

Kairos responded simply. "It was fine."

Leon exchanged a glance with Darius before shaking his head with a small grin. "Well, let's hope it stays that way."

Darius' expression turned more serious as he leaned forward slightly. "Listen, since you're new here, let me give you a heads-up. That test next week? It's no joke. They're going to be cutting down the number of students by at least half."

Leon nodded in agreement. "A lot of kids think just getting accepted means they belong here. But that test is the real entrance exam. If you're not ready, you won't last."

Kairos absorbed their words, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he gave a small nod. "Thanks for the warning."

Darius clapped a hand on his shoulder with a grin. "No problem. Just don't get kicked out too soon. It'd be a shame to lose a quiet guy like you.

Kairos sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his open palm. His fingers flexed slightly as he thought about how far he had come. Just weeks ago, he never would have imagined himself here—inside an academy meant for the elite, surrounded by children of noble families.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his thoughts drifted to Ethan—the silver-haired boy who had unknowingly pushed him toward this path. If not for Ethan's arrogance, if not for that fight, Kairos might have never realized his own potential.

His mind replayed the fight in fragments. He hadn't done much—just moved. Moved before Ethan's fists could reach him, almost as if he could see where they would land before they even struck. It hadn't been conscious. His body had simply reacted, slipping just out of reach of every attack.

Was it instinct? Or something else?

Kairos exhaled slowly. He had no idea how strong Ethan truly was, nor did he know how he compared to the other kids in this academy. He had only faced one opponent, and dodging punches was far from winning a fight.

His fingers curled into a fist.

Soon, he would find out.

With that, the three of them settled in for the night, each silently preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

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Author's note:

How's the story unfolding for you so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Your feedback is the fuel that keeps me going, and I'm grateful for your love and support. Share your reactions, predictions, or feelings about the story, and let's keep the conversation going!