Nyxen Solis

Just like that, two more months flew by.

The time had passed in a blur—long days of training, preparing, and waiting. His uniform had arrived not long ago, tailored to fit him perfectly. Now, standing in his room, he ran his hands over the smooth fabric, tracing the golden embroidery that adorned the sleek black material.

The academy's logo was embroidered over the left chest, a mark of prestige. But what stood out most was the golden button fastened to the right clavicle—its weight light, yet its significance still a mystery to him.

His mind drifted back to the moment during the tailoring process, when something unexpected had happened.

An addition.

He had been given the option to customize his uniform.

"You may add one personal modification if you wish," the tailor had said.

He had paused then, the words catching him off guard. From what he understood, the uniforms were standardized. There shouldn't have been any reason for him to receive special treatment.

"Do all students get this option?" he had asked.

The tailor hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering, "Not usually."

That answer stuck with him.

Why was he different? Was it because of Raella Saint? Because of that golden button?

He didn't have the answers. But in the end, he chose.

A black cape.

One that draped over his back, extended across his shoulder, and covered his left arm.

He ran his fingers along the fabric now, feeling the texture. It was lightweight but sturdy, moving effortlessly as he adjusted it. He couldn't see how it looked on him, but he had imagined it—how the dark cloth would fall over his frame, how it would shift with his movements.

Did it make him stand out? Maybe.

Did he care? Not really.

However, It felt right.

And if nothing else… he was sure it looked cool.

With that decision made, he put the finishing touches on his uniform, running his fingers over the embroidered details.

Today was the day. The day Eden would officially move into the academy.

Everything was packed—though there wasn't much to bring. Just the essentials. A few sets of clothes, bedding, toiletries, and his practice sword. He never needed much, and his father had always been the same.

Just as he was about to step outside, his father called out.

"Wait a moment, Eden."

Eden paused, turning towards the familiar voice. He heard rustling, then the soft sound of footsteps approaching.

"I didn't want to send you off with nothing."

Eden felt something being pressed into his hands. A small bag—light, yet carefully wrapped.

"I got you something. A parting gift."

There was something in his father's tone, something warm yet weighted with meaning. Eden swallowed, his fingers tightening around the bag.

He reached inside and felt soft, silky fabric beneath his fingertips.

Pulling it out, he frowned. The cloth was thin and smooth, almost weightless in his hands.

"What is it?"

His father chuckled, the sound carrying a mix of fondness and amusement.

"It's a blindfold. Try wrapping it around your eyes, then inject some mana into it."

Eden hesitated for only a second before following the instructions. The moment he let his mana flow into the fabric, the cloth moved on its own, adjusting and wrapping snugly around his head. It tightened just enough to stay secure, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

His breath hitched. This wasn't just a blindfold—it was enchanted. A mana-woven artifact.

His father's voice softened.

"I got this for a few reasons."

"First… I wanted to help with your appearance. We don't want people staring at your eyes now, do we?" His father let out a small sigh. "You don't realize it, but your eyes—they carry something different now. Something unnatural."

Eden stilled. He hadn't thought about that.

"Aether is not something anyone should see, Eden. If the wrong people find out, they might try to take you… experiment on you."

The thought was daunting. 

"This blindfold will keep you safe. Keep your secret hidden. And…"

There was a brief pause. Then his father chuckled again, a familiar warmth in his voice.

"…It just looks cool. With your cape and uniform, you're quite the sight."

For a moment, Eden said nothing. The weight of his father's words settled in his chest—not just the warning, but the care behind them.

A slow chuckle escaped him as well. Then, with no hesitation, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his father.

"Thank you."

His father stiffened for just a moment before patting his back, his voice a little rougher than before.

"Go make me proud, son."

Eden nodded, adjusting the blindfold.

"I will."

With that, they gathered his things and stepped outside. The academy awaited.

As they stepped through the grand entrance of the academy, the sheer scale of the institution became apparent. The dormitories loomed ahead, towering structures designed to house the elite students of the academy. Eden, assigned to Dorm Number 1, was placed alongside his fellow Class 1 students.

Navigating through the pristine halls, Eden allowed his father to guide him toward his designated room. Room 1001. It was conveniently located near the entrance, a placement that made Eden suspect the academy was subtly accommodating his blindness.

After retrieving the key, he struggled for a moment to find the keyhole, his mana perception off at the moment. Eventually he found it, turned the handle, and stepped inside—only to sense the faint presence of another. It seemed his roommate had moved in before him.

Nyxen Solis

Nyxen had been up for hours, too eager to sleep in. Today was the day he'd finally meet his roommate—likely another one of Raella Saint's chosen disciples. The idea excited him. A fellow disciple meant someone strong, someone capable. A future sparring partner.

Wanting to make a good first impression, he took extra care tidying the room, smoothing out the bedding, and ensuring everything was in its proper place. He cracked open the window just enough to let in a light breeze, then turned on his oil diffuser, filling the room with the familiar, calming scent of the forest—earthy bark, fresh grass, and a hint of crisp morning dew. It was the scent of home, one that made any space feel more inviting.

With everything in order, he took a deep breath, adjusting his uniform before glancing at the door. His roommate would be here any minute.

Looking in the mirror he studied himself.

His long, wheat-blond hair cascaded down to his shoulders, most of it neatly tied back in a ponytail, with a few loose strands framing his face. His skin was unblemished, his nose sharp and sculpted like an ancient Roman statue. His lips, plump and red, contrasted against his fair complexion.

But his eyes—jet black, polished like obsidian—held his attention the longest. No dark circles, no wrinkles. Just two piercing voids staring back at him, shining with an intensity that felt almost unnatural.

He adjusted his uniform, wearing it for the first time as a statement of professionalism. The standard black fabric fit well, accented by a single golden button. However, one detail set his attire apart—his sleeves. Instead of extending to his wrists, they stopped just above his elbows. As a disciple, he had been given the option to modify his uniform, and he had done so with purpose. Tight sleeves restricted movement, and in swordsmanship, even the smallest constraint could dull precision.

Just then, he heard someone fumbling with a key outside the door. Reacting instantly, he dashed to the bed, snatching up the nearest book and flipping it open to a random page. He settled into a casual pose—one leg stretched out, the other bent, forming an A-shape. His back rested against the bedframe as he schooled his expression into a mask of indifference, eyes slightly narrowed in feigned nonchalance.

Unbeknownst to him, the book was both upside down and backward. Not that he had the luxury of noticing—whoever was outside took longer than expected to find the keyhole, the metallic clinks dragging on for a few seconds more than they should have.

The door opened and he was greeted by a young boy, most likely the same age as him. he had short black hair and sharp features. At the first sight of him Nyxen couldn't help but drop his nonchalant act. This was for a reason other than the weird blindfold. Just then a system notification popped up.

Dangerous presence detected nearby. With an arrow pointing towards the boy.

Without realizing it, he stared at the boy for a few seconds. Snapping out of his daze, he quickly straightened up and greeted him, introducing himself.

"Hi, my name is Nyxen. You must be Eden, right? I'm your roommate for this semester. I hope we can get along and become good friends!" He spoke with staged confidence, extending his hand for a handshake.

A second passed—one that felt much longer than it should have—before Nyxen realized his mistake. The boy hadn't reacted. And for good reason. He was wearing a blindfold—how was he supposed to see the gesture?

Just as Nyxen was about to awkwardly retract his hand, Eden reached out his own, holding it steady, as if expecting him to take it. Nyxen did, and their hands met in a firm handshake.

As Nyxen took his hand, the boy finally spoke. His voice was deeper than Nyxen's, yet smooth and somewhat soothing.

"Yeah, I'm Eden. Nice to meet you."

After the handshake, they both stood there for a few awkward seconds, neither quite sure what to say next.

Luckily just then a middle aged man walked in from behind Eden, with a couple bags. Dropping them near Edens closet. Looking back he introduced himself as Edens father. After a short introduction he left to grab the final bag, leaving the two boys alone.

Eden remained still, waiting in silence for his father. He didn't fidget, didn't shift—just stood there, expression unreadable. Nyxen, on the other hand, felt like he was going to lose his mind if the silence stretched on any longer.

Desperate to fill the void, he cleared his throat. "So, uh… what's with the blindfold?" He leaned back onto the bed, trying to sound casual.

Eden tilted his head slightly. "Ah, yeah. I probably should've mentioned that sooner." A soft chuckle escaped him. "My flaw took my sight. I'm blind."

Nyxen stiffened. He had heard of flaws that could be debilitating, but blindness? That was on a whole different level. He tried to imagine himself without sight and immediately felt a shiver of unease.

"Damn… I'm sorry for asking." His voice lowered, genuine regret creeping in. "That flaw—it really sucks, huh?"

Looking him up and down the boy was skinny, yet toned he exuded a faint aura and he could tell there was more to him than he put on, that and the system notification. What about him could possibly be so dangerous that the system would warn him? He hadn't even been warned when in front of Raella Saint, one of the strongest awakened in the world.

As the door clicked shut behind Eden's father, an air of finality settled over the room. The two boys were left alone, the quiet stretching between them like a taut string.

Naturally, Nyxen couldn't stand it.

"So, you don't talk much, huh?" he asked, flopping onto his bed with a grin.

"No." Eden's response was short, almost clipped.

"That's fine I tend to talk a lot." Nyxen laughed, stretching his arms behind his head and looking at the ceiling. "I guess I should properly introduce myself, huh? I'm Nyxen—Nyxen Solis. Grew up in the forest with my grandpa. Never met my parents, not even once."

Eden remained quiet. He wasn't the type to pry, but Nyxen didn't seem to need prompting to continue.

"Lived pretty deep in the woods, actually. No cities, no fancy schools. Just me, my grandpa, and the wilderness." His voice softened slightly, a hint of nostalgia creeping in. "He taught me everything—how to hunt, how to fight, how to read the wind. Said that a warrior shouldn't just swing a blade; he should know the world, understand it, move with it."

Eden tilted his head slightly. That kind of upbringing was… rare. "So your grandfather was your teacher?"

"Yeah, and let me tell you, he was strict as hell." Nyxen chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ever been forced to fight a bear before?"

Eden raised a brow. "…No."

"Lucky you. That was my first 'lesson' when I turned six."

Eden wasn't sure if he was joking.

Nyxen continued without missing a beat. "Anyway, I only came to the city recently, and let me tell you, that was a whole experience. Cars? Massive buildings? People everywhere? I swear, I felt like a wild animal let loose in a cage." He smirked, leaning back on his elbows. "But hey, turns out I'm pretty good at this whole 'civilization' thing. Second place in the entrance rankings, chosen disciple under Raella Saint."

That made Eden pause. "You're ranked second?"

Nyxen grinned, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Surprised? Guess I don't sound the part, huh?"

Eden had assumed Nyxen was strong—there was an undeniable presence about him, a kind of confidence that filled the room, something sharp and focused that suggested well-honed skill—but second place? He hadn't expected that.

Before he could dwell on it further, Nyxen's attention was drawn to something else—Eden's golden button, glinting faintly on his clavicle, the same one he wore himself.

"I see you have the golden button as well... You know Raella Saint is one of the strongest Awakened in the world, or at least that's what she said when she visited me. I wonder what it must've felt like being chosen by her, especially as someone who knew of her existence beforehand." Nyxen said, turning his head to look at Eden.

Eden didn't react the way Nyxen expected. Where a smile should've been, there was only a slight frown.

Eden tensed. He hadn't been sure before, but now it all made sense. The strange way Raella Saint had evaluated him, the way she and the other proctor had whispered among themselves. They had known something about him from the start.

Nyxen, oblivious to Eden's sudden change in mood, kept talking. "I told you my rank, so tell me yours. You must be crazy strong to be chosen, right? Top 10? Maybe top 5?"

Eden's expression darkened. He leaned back against the bed frame, his fingers tightening slightly. "…Rank 999."

Nyxen blinked. "Huh?"

Eden exhaled. "I'm ranked 999th."

The room fell into stunned silence. For once, Nyxen had nothing to say. His mouth opened, then closed, as if trying to make sense of the information.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

Nyxen stared at him, his brain scrambling to process how someone chosen by Raella Saint could be at the literal bottom of the class rankings. "…What the hell?"

Eden could feel the weight of Nyxen's gaze on him. The confusion. The disbelief.

Then Nyxen suddenly burst out laughing. "Okay, okay, I wasn't expecting that. Like, at all." He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "999? Seriously? That's almost impressive in its own way."

Eden remained silent.

Nyxen tilted his head, considering something. Then, with a shrug, he grinned. "Well, I guess that just makes you more interesting. You're a mystery, I like mysteries."

For the first time since their conversation started, Eden was caught off guard. He had expected mockery, doubt—maybe even frustration at being paired with someone so low-ranked. But Nyxen's reaction was… different.

"Guess we'll just have to see if that rank means anything, huh?" Nyxen smirked, leaning back. "I have a feeling you're not as weak as people think."

Eden didn't respond. But for a brief moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile flickered across his lips.