Awakening.

After taking a shower and having a quick breakfast, Azhriel moved through the corridors of the academy, his steps were brisk and purposeful, as he made his way to the destination.

He was an orphan, his origins were shrouded in mystery that even he, himself didn't know. He had no recollection of how he had come to the academy.

However, the headmaster had taken him in and will grant him admission, when he will turn sixteen—despite his lack of mana that is. Quite, an anomaly in a place like this.

Though until then, he had not been allowed to live at the academy for free. To earn his keep, Azhriel had taken a part-time job at the academy library, a quiet place filled with knowledge. He managed the books and documents, and ensures that everything is in order.

Thanks to his sharp intellect and his knack for understanding complex topics easily, he often found himself assisting the professors with their research and administrative tasks.

As he walked through, the occasional greetings from some senior students and faculty were met with polite nods. Though he wasn't formally part of the academy's student body, his presence was familiar to many.

He had carved out a quiet space for himself in this world, even as he remained a enigma to those around him.

He stood before the entrance of the library, as his gaze swept over the vast space within.

Hundreds of shelves were stretched endlessly, filled with books of different ages, their dull cover worn yet proud. The air carried the familiar and crisp scent of aged paper and ink.

A grand chandelier hung in the middle of the room, as it casted a soft, golden glow that illuminated the tables and desks arranged beneath it, creating an atmosphere both warm and studious.

As he stepped inside, his eyes immediately landed at the librarian's desk, where a disorganized pile of books covered most of it and in the midst of the books, a figure laid slumped over, partially hidden by the stacks.

Sighing deeply, Azhriel walked closer to him, stopping a few steps away. "Wake up, Mr. Kyle. It's morning," he called out, his voice raised just enough to wake him up through the silence.

The figure stirred, groaning as the books above him shifted slightly. Moments later, a middle-age man with graying hair and a disheveled appearance peeked out from behind the books. His tired eyes brightening as he recognized Azhriel.

"Oh, thank the lords you're here!" Mr. Kyle exclaimed, stretching as he sat upright. "I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep again."

Azhriel shook his head with a faint smile. "Good morning, Mr. Kyle. Looks like you had another sleepless night."

"You could say that," Mr. Kyle replied, as gestured towards the towering pile of books around him. "These reports and requests just keep piling up, and I could really use your help sorting through them."

With a nod, Azhriel rolled up his sleeves, and moved towards them.

"Well, let's get started then."

Time trickled by as Azhriel worked, his hands moved methodically as he sorted, organized, and cataloged the seemingly endless pile of the books.

The comforting silence of the library only being broken by the occasional rustle of turning pages or the soft creak of shelves being filled.

Hours seemed to blur as he lost himself in the rhythm of his task, and before he realized it, the once-daunting pile of books was finally finished.

Mr. Kyle approached him, his face a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thanks, boy," he said, clapping Azhriel lightly on the shoulder. "This would've taken me twice as long without your help."

Azhriel gave a small smile, dusting his hands off. "It's no problem. Besides, isn't it part of my job?"

"Part of the job or not, you're a real lifesaver," Mr. Kyle replied with a chuckle. Then, he gestured toward the desk, where a small stack of neatly bound books sat waiting. "That stack there, is for delivery to the class professors. Think you could take care of it?"

Azhriel nodded, as moved and picked up the stack carefully. "Consider it done."

"Thanks, lad" Kyle said, already turning his attention back to another section of the library. "If only half the kids here were as diligent as you."

With that, Azhriel exited the library, the books balanced easily in his hands as he made his way down the corridor.

"Hey, you manaless scoundrel !"

Azhriel's quiet steps came to an abrupt halt, as the shout echoed through the quiet corner of the corridor. A firm hand clasped down on his shoulder, sighing he turned and looked at the brown haired boy.

"Is there a problem, David?" Azhriel asked, his voice was calm but cold, as his grey eyes meet David's brown with a steady, and unwavering gaze.

David sneered, as his lips curled with disdain. "Hah, what's with your goddamn tone, you fucking insect?"

Before Azhriel could respond, one of David's sidekicks stepped forward, his face twisting in anger. "You've got some nerve talking like that!" he yelled, as swinged his fist towards Azhriel.

But Azhriel didn't flinch. With practiced motion, he sidestepped and dodged the clumsy punch, his movements being fluid and precise.

David's sidekick stumbled forward, almost losing his balance, while Azhrael stood unmoved, with his expression unchanged.

"Are you done?" Azhriel asked, his tone even more colder than before. His eyes briefly flicked to the books in his hands before they returned to David and his lackeys. "Or do you want to waste more of my time?"

David's face flushed with anger, but his smirk didn't waver. "You think dodging one punch makes you special?. Heh, you're still just a useless brat."

With a big grin, David lunged forward. His fingers curling into a fist.

Azhriel could see the punch coming—he could track it's every movement, every detail—however his body was too slow to respond in time.

The blow connected squarely with his stomach, as a sharp pain bloomed instantly making him wince.

The force of the impact knocked the wind out of his lungs, as the books he had been holding fell from his grasp, scattering across the floor.

He flew backward, slamming hard against the stone wall with a dull thud. It was quite astonishing that just a simple mana strengthed punch had sent him flying.

Azhriel's form crumpled to the ground, as he clutched his stomach gasping for air. His gray eyes flickered with a dangerous glint despite the pain, however for the moment, he couldn't move.

David stood over him, grinning triumphantly. "What's wrong, bastard? Can't even defend yourself? You're nothing but a bug."

The sidekicks laughed annoyingly, as their mocking voices grated against Azhriel's ears. He slowly tried to push himself up.

"Maybe we should teach him a proper lesson," one of them said, stepping forward with a sneer.

David smirked. "Yeah, maybe that'll make him realize his place."

But even as Azhriel struggled to his feet, his cold eyes were locked on David, emotionless and unyielding.

Despite the pain, he didn't waver. Though, that didn't help him, as David and his sidekicks lunged at him.

Punches, kicks, jabs connected each more painful than the last. Blood flowed from his mouth and his joints swelled. But they were relentless as they continued to beat him.

However, in the next fleeting moment something changed.

A shimmering portal materialized in the corridor, flinching David and the others. As the portal swirled, a strange pull began to tug the air, as objects near the portal started to be sucked in it.

The sudden change startled David and his companions, forcing them to retreat several steps back, their eyes wide with confusion.

However Azhriel beaten couldn't. In a swift motion, he started drifting towards the portal.

In the next instant, Elaric and Elizabeth appeared as if teleporting.

Seeing the portal, Elaric's eyes narrowed before widening fully, as he recognised the mana signature of his student Cassandra in it. He stopped Elizabeth who was already moving towards Azhriel.

"But, Grandpa Azh.." she said her eyes wide with worry.

"It's fine, let him go." He said firmly, leaving no room for arguments.

And with that Azhriel drifted into the portal.