Familiar Faces

The First Lesson Begins

The moment the instructor entered the classroom, the energy in the room shifted.

Students straightened in their seats, conversations died down, and an almost imperceptible tension filled the air.

Fenix leaned back slightly, observing his classmates.

Most of them were focused, composed, disciplined.

These weren't just random Awakeneds—many of them had already experienced combat training before even arriving at the Academy.

As the instructor—a tall, older man with a sharp gaze—cleared his throat, the lesson began.

"Before we begin today's lecture, I'd like to acknowledge something." His gaze swept across the room. "Many of you here are not just Awakeneds—you are representatives of powerful legacies. Names that shape the world. Names that hold weight."

Murmurs ran through the room.

Fenix frowned slightly. 'What is he getting at?'

The instructor's eyes sharpened.

"I see many of you already recognize each other. But for those who don't, allow me to introduce the current heirs of the Fragments."

The atmosphere grew heavier as the instructor began to name them one by one.

 The House of Vaelstrom – The Fragment of Creation & Order

A prestigious family known for their influence over law, structure, and the balance of power. Their aspect of Order was one of the most revered abilities in existence.

Lorien Vaelstrom – A young man with short platinum hair and piercing golden eyes. His posture was impeccable, and he carried himself with the quiet authority of someone used to being in control.

The House of Drakar – The Fragment of War

A warrior clan, known for their unrivaled battle prowess, military strategy, and sheer brute strength.

Garrick Drakar – A broad-shouldered beast of a man, with scarred arms and fiery red hair. His aura alone made it clear—he lived for the battlefield.

The House of Evern – The Fragment of Destiny

A mysterious lineage, deeply connected to fate and probability. Many believed that their bloodline influenced the course of history itself.

Celica Evern – A composed young woman with long silver hair and violet eyes. She had an air of serene confidence, as if she already knew how things would play out before they even happened.

The House of Strathos – The Fragment of Time

A family known for their mastery over time-based abilities. It was said that they had glimpses into the past, present, and possible futures.

Dain Strathos – A tall and slender figure, with dark blue hair and calculating gray eyes. He carried an old pocket watch, which he occasionally flipped open and stared at—as if it held all the secrets of the world.

The House of Arventis – The Fragment of the Ocean

A noble family whose power was tied to the sea and the vast depths of the unknown. Their control over water was said to be unmatched.

The instructor's eyes flickered to a familiar face.

"And last but not least… the House of Arventis."

Fenix barely had time to process before Sylis turned her head slightly toward him.

"Wait," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "You too?"

Sylis smirked. "Surprised?"

Fenix scoffed.

"Should've figured. You carry yourself like someone important."

Sylis chuckled, but said nothing.

Unlike the others, she didn't seem particularly interested in flaunting her status.

The instructor continued.

"These five families have shaped history, holding fragments of godly power. They are the pillars of strength in our world."

The weight of those words settled over the classroom.

Fenix exhaled slowly, absorbing everything.

He was surrounded by the strongest bloodlines in the world.

These weren't just ordinary students.

They were future leaders, generals, and powerhouses.

And he—an unknown Awakened with a Mythical rank—was sitting right in the middle of them.

He could feel the gazes of others flickering toward him, as if sensing something different.

And in the corner of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder…

'If they knew what I had inside me, would they be afraid?'

Class had barely begun, but Fenix had already learned something valuable.

And judging by the slight smirk on Sylis's face, she knew he was processing it.

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.

"So, you're one of them. One of the elites."

Sylis gave him a side glance, unfazed.

"Does that change anything?"

Fenix considered that for a moment.

"No."

She let out a soft chuckle. "Good answer."

Before they could continue, the instructor's voice boomed across the room.

"Now that introductions are done—let's begin the real lesson."

Fenix sat back, rolling his shoulders.

This year just got a whole lot more interesting.

The instructor stood before the class, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered students.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's begin your first real lesson."

He tapped the podium, and behind him, a large holographic display flickered to life.

A massive, golden figure appeared—a godly entity, its form ever-shifting, wreathed in divine light and shadow.

"In the beginning, there was only one."

The image of the entity pulsed, radiating an overwhelming aura, even in the illusion.

"One being. One presence. The True Creator of our world."

Fenix frowned slightly, watching as the image of the god began to distort.

The instructor's voice grew heavier.

"But creation itself is a burden even a god cannot bear alone."

The golden figure shattered into five distinct shards of divine energy, each glowing with a different hue.

A blinding white light—representing Creation & Order.

A blood-red ember—the manifestation of War.

A shimmering silver glow—the essence of Destiny.

A deep blue pulse—a fragment of Time.

A swirling oceanic force—the Fragment of the Ocean.

Each piece, now separate, radiated its own unique presence, yet the absence of the whole left something… unnatural.

"From one, five were born."

The instructor stepped forward, his voice steady.

"These five fragments of divinity were never meant to exist apart. Yet, their separation became the foundation of all power in our world."

The holographic projection shifted, showing the five fragments descending onto the world, merging with different bloodlines, choosing their bearers.

"Each fragment found its own inheritors—individuals, families, and warriors who embodied their essence. And through generations, these legacies have shaped everything we know."

The display zoomed in, revealing the ancient symbols of the five noble houses—Vaelstrom, Drakar, Evern, Strathos, and Arventis.

"Each of the noble families present in this room—" the instructor's eyes flickered toward the heirs, "—are direct inheritors of these fragments, safeguarding a piece of the Creator's original power."

The weight of his words settled over the class.

For many, this was already common knowledge.

But for Fenix, it was a revelation.

"So… the Fragments aren't just powerful artifacts," he murmured under his breath. "They're literal remnants of a god."

Fenix's gaze remained locked on the image of the shattered god.

Something about it… unsettled him.

There were five fragments, yet deep inside, something told him there was more to the story.

Because he had absorbed something too.

The Fragment of Chaos.

Something that wasn't listed among the five.

Something that shouldn't exist.

Fenix clenched his jaw.

'If these fragments are the foundation of power… then what the hell did I take into my body?'

The instructor continued.

"Through history, these Fragments have shaped war, peace, and civilization itself. Each bearer held immense power, often tipping the balance of the world itself. But with great power came great conflict."

The holographic display changed, now showing ancient battles—wars fought between those who wielded the fragments.

"Not all sought balance. Some sought dominion."

The class watched as empires rose and fell, blood staining the earth, the sky torn asunder by divine clashes.

Fenix's fingers instinctively curled into a fist.

Something about these images… felt familiar.

The flames.

The destruction.

The chains breaking.

It reminded him of what he had seen in his Trial.

And it left him with more questions than answers.

As the lesson continued, Fenix couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something crucial.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Sylis watching him.

He turned his head slightly. "What?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You look deep in thought."

Fenix exhaled. "Just trying to piece everything together."

Sylis tapped her fingers against the desk. "Let me guess. The part that's bothering you is the same part that's bothering me."

He narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what part is that?"

Sylis leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "If these fragments were meant to be five pieces of the Creator… why does it feel like something's missing?"

Fenix didn't answer right away.

Because she had just voiced the exact thought gnawing at him.

'There's something they're not telling us.'

But before the conversation could go further, the instructor's voice cut through the air once more.

"Now then… let's see how well you all fare in a practical setting."

Fenix and Sylis exchanged glances.

The lesson was over.

And the real test was about to begin.