The First Spark

The dormitory was quiet, save for the soft creak of wooden beams and the distant hum of Aether crystals glowing faintly in the halls. Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring down at the pendant in his hands. The events of the day replayed in his mind—the mocking laughter of the Aether Class students, the humiliation of being unable to produce even a spark of Aether, and the small glimmer of hope Aria had given him.

The pendant felt warm against his skin, its surface smooth and unremarkable. Yet, there was something about it—something that called to him. Kael clenched it tightly, his knuckles whitening as he focused on the faint hum he had felt earlier.

"What are you?" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

The pendant didn't answer, but Kael felt a subtle pull, as if it were drawing the Aether in the air toward him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, faintly, he felt it—a spark of warmth in his chest, a flicker of light behind his eyelids.

Kael's breath hitched as a small orb of light appeared above his palm, its glow weak and unsteady. It flickered like a dying ember, but it was there—undeniable proof that he *could* manipulate Aether. His heart raced with a mix of disbelief and exhilaration. For the first time in his life, he felt a surge of hope.

The light faded as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Kael in darkness once more. He stared at his hand, his mind racing. The pendant had done something—something he didn't fully understand. He slipped the chain over his neck, letting the pendant rest against his chest. The cool metal felt reassuring, a tangible reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight.

---

The next morning, Kael woke to the sound of a bell ringing in the distance. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and glanced over at Aria's bed. She was already gone, the sheets neatly folded. Kael quickly dressed and made his way to the courtyard, where the Mortal Class students were gathering for their first lesson.

The instructor, a stern woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes, stood at the front of the group. Her robes were a deep gray, marking her as a high-ranking member of the Mortal Class. She surveyed the students with a critical gaze, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Welcome to your first day of training," she said, her voice crisp and commanding. "I am Instructor Mara, and I will be overseeing your progress. Let me make one thing clear: the Mortal Class is not a place for the weak-willed. If you cannot keep up, you will be expelled. Understood?"

The students murmured their assent, and Kael felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. He glanced around at the others, noting the mix of determination and apprehension on their faces. They were all in the same boat, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling that he was the only one who truly didn't belong.

"Today, we will begin with the basics of Aether Manipulation," Instructor Mara continued. She held up her hand, and a small orb of light appeared above her palm, its glow steady and bright. "This is the simplest form of Aether Manipulation—channeling Aether into a visible form. You will each attempt to do the same."

Kael's heart sank. He had tried this countless times before, and each attempt had ended in failure. But he couldn't back down now. He clenched his fists and focused, trying to summon even the faintest spark of Aether.

Around him, the other students began to glow as they channeled Aether into their hands. Some produced small orbs of light, while others struggled to create even a flicker. Kael closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration. He could feel the Aether in the air, a faint hum that seemed just out of reach.

"Focus, Kael," Aria whispered beside him. "You can do this."

Kael took a deep breath and tried again, pouring every ounce of his willpower into the task. For a moment, he thought he felt something—a faint warmth in his chest, a flicker of light behind his eyelids. But then it was gone, leaving him with nothing but frustration.

Instructor Mara's voice cut through the silence. "Time's up. Those of you who failed to produce a spark will report to the training grounds for remedial exercises."

Kael's heart sank as he joined the small group of students who had failed. He could feel the eyes of the others on him, their expressions a mix of pity and disdain. But he held his head high, refusing to let them see how much it hurt.

The remedial exercises were grueling, consisting of endless drills designed to strengthen the body and mind. By the time they were finished, Kael was drenched in sweat and his muscles ached with exhaustion. But he refused to give up. He would keep trying, no matter how many times he failed.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kael found himself back in the dormitory, his body weary but his mind restless. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring down at the pendant he had discovered in the Aetherial Forest. It was a simple thing, made of a dull, unremarkable metal, but it had saved him once before. Maybe it could help him again.

Kael clasped the pendant in his hands and closed his eyes, focusing on the faint hum of Aether in the air. This time, he felt something different—a subtle pull, as if the pendant was drawing the Aether toward him. His breath caught in his throat as a faint spark of light appeared above his palm, flickering like a dying ember.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.