A New Beginning

Chapter 10 – "A New Beginning"

The morning after the admission test at the "Magical Sanctuary," Hossam awoke to the sound of a distant metallic bell ringing. The day was filled with anticipation and anxiety as he awaited the results of his test. Despite feeling confident about some parts of his performance, doubts lingered. Sitting on the edge of his stone bed in the simple room assigned to him, he pondered how things might turn out.

"I'm a bit nervous about the results," he muttered anxiously.

After dressing, he made his way to the main assembly courtyard. The sun was shining brightly, its rays reflecting off the sanctuary's walls, making the place seem alive. Upon arrival, he noticed a large crowd of students—some familiar faces from the tests and others who seemed to be seniors. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the results.

The Results

One of the officials stepped forward and began calling out names one by one, announcing those who had been accepted into the "Magical Sanctuary." With each name, the tension grew until Hossam finally heard his own. His heart leapt with joy—he had been accepted! Relief and excitement coursed through him as he realized the real challenge was only just beginning.

"Finally, I've taken my first step on this path," he said proudly.

After the results were announced, the new students were divided into small groups to begin their first tour of the sanctuary. Hossam was placed in a group led by a senior student named Kyle. Tall and sharp-featured, with a commanding presence, Kyle spoke with confidence. "The sanctuary is not just a place of learning; it's a community that thrives on balance between body and spirit," Kyle explained as he guided them through the halls.

They stopped at the Meditation Hall, a serene space with dim lighting and carefully placed magical stones that radiated calm energy. "This is where we enhance our spiritual strength—meditation is the foundation of mana control," Kyle explained. The hall exuded a mix of tranquility and inner energy, with some students deeply immersed in meditation.

Next, they passed through the training grounds, where students were engaged in intense training that blended physical combat with magic. Massive stones floated in the air, manipulated by spells, while warriors worked to control them using both their physical and magical abilities. The group continued exploring the sanctuary with Kyle as their guide, and after some time, the tour ended. The newcomers returned to their assigned rooms to prepare for the first day of their academic journey.

The First Day

The following day, Hossam and the other new students were summoned to the main training courtyard. The vast space was centered around a small tower used for various challenges. One of the chief instructors, a middle-aged man named Master Eric, stepped forward. Known for his strict demeanor and extensive knowledge of magical combat, he addressed the group.

"Your first lesson here is understanding balance. Without balance between your body and mana, you won't survive battles. Magic must become a part of you, not just a tool," Eric declared in a loud, clear voice.

The training began with rigorous physical exercises. The students were tasked with running long distances and lifting enchanted weights that were imbued with spells to make them heavier. Hossam felt exhausted after a short while but refused to give up. He knew that excelling here required both strength and endurance.

As he pushed through the training, Hossam noticed some other students outperforming him, especially in physical strength. Doubts crept into his mind—was he truly fit to be here among these skilled warriors with remarkable physical and magical abilities? But each time his thoughts wavered, he reminded himself of his long journey and the accomplishments that had brought him this far, reigniting his confidence.

Mana Control

At the end of the training session, Master Eric assigned the newcomers a task: practice mana control. The exercise required them to channel magical energy precisely toward a target without dissipating it prematurely.

Hossam struggled with this task at first. His mana was chaotic and unstable—a result of his earlier encounters in the forest, where his reckless use of magic had only left minor scratches on the wild creatures. Determined to improve, he worked hard on the exercise. Though the initial attempts were frustrating, repeated practice brought gradual improvement. The exercises were exhausting but essential for building a solid foundation.

The Break

During the break, Hossam sat in a corner to enjoy a light meal. There, he met another student named Ivan, who was also new but seemed more at ease.

"Hey, you look a bit tense. It seems like you're not used to the sanctuary yet. Don't worry; take your time. Here, talent and speed don't matter as much as perseverance," Ivan said with a reassuring smile.

Hossam looked into Ivan's eyes and felt a strange familiarity in his demeanor. It reminded him of his childhood friend, Abdulrahman, whom he could no longer see after crossing into this world. A wave of nostalgia washed over him, but he took a deep breath to dispel the thoughts of his past. Smiling back at Ivan, Hossam decided to focus on the present.

The two laughed and began discussing the training sessions and the challenges they might face in the future.

Hossam also met another student—a cheerful girl named Mirai.

"Hi, I'm Mirai. It's nice to meet you," she said in a friendly tone.

She was enthusiastic about learning more about magic. "I want to become stronger, not just in magic but in using it to enhance my physical abilities," she said passionately. Mirai spoke about her plans to excel in every test and earn a high rank among the students.

Impressed by both Ivan and Mirai, Hossam decided to befriend them. The three spent the rest of the break chatting about their lives before joining the sanctuary, and time flew by quickly.

Meditation Practice

Later that day, Hossam headed to the Meditation Hall. Although physically exhausted, he understood the importance of meditation in restoring energy and improving mana control. Sitting in a meditative position, he tried to calm his thoughts.

The mana flowing within him was still unbalanced, but with each breath he took, he felt a slight improvement. Recalling Master Eric's advice about the importance of balance between body and spirit, Hossam realized the road ahead was long. However, he was determined to face it.

By the end of the day, Hossam was physically drained, yet his heart brimmed with excitement for what lay ahead.

To be continued...