chapter 2

"Clover Academy," Jenkins repeated.

Ethin's brow furrowed. "But why do I need to go there?"

"To learn, of course," Jenkins replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

"I haven't awakened any powers yet, though," Ethin said, worry creeping into his voice.

Jenkins's eyes locked onto Ethin's. "The Aurix keeps detecting aster within you."

Ethin shrugged. "But without an actual ability, it's kind of useless, isn't it?"

Jenkins's expression turned thoughtful. "Not necessarily, Ethin. The Aurix's detection suggests you have great potential within you. Clover Academy can help unlock that."

Ethin's curiosity was piqued. "And what makes you think I'll be any good at this?"

A warm smile spread across Jenkins's face. "You're not just anyone, Ethin. You're the son of a powerful Clover, and you bear the mark of the Clovera – the four-leaf emblem born into the skin of every true Clover."

Ethin's eyes widened as he glanced at the intricate, four-leaf design on his hand – the Clovera that marked him as a true descendant of the magical Clovers.

"You'll need to go there on your own," Jenkins said, handing Ethin a worn leather bag and a sword with an intricately designed hilt. "This sword once belonged to your father, so take good care of it."

Ethin's eyes widened as he took the sword, feeling an unexpected surge of connection to his father.

"Everything you need is in the bag," Jenkins continued. "There's food, water, and a teleportation token. However, the token can only be used at a specific location, which I've marked on the map in your bag."

Ethin nodded, shouldering the bag and gripping the sword tightly. He felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as he prepared to embark on his journey to Clover Academy.

"You should get going before the Nexus arrive," Jenkins said, his expression serious.

"What about you? Where are you going?" Ethin asked.

Jenkins smiled. "Don't worry about me, I've always got your back."

Ethin nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance.

"Remember to always wear your glove," Jenkins said as a final reminder. "It will help minimize your aster signature."

Ethin glanced at the glove on his hand, which had been with him for as long as he could remember. He had always worn it to conceal the Clovera mark on his hand, a habit that had become second nature to him.

Glancing up he notice Jenkins has gone, without a second thought board a bus

To the location on the map.

Ethin fell asleep in bus.After a long ride the bus stops.

Ethin's eyes snapped open as the bus lurched to a stop. The old driver, a gruff-looking man with a kind face, gazed at him with concern.

"Hey, boy, this is where your ride ends," the driver said, eyeing Ethin's swollen eye.

Ethin rubbed his eye, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Are we there yet?" he asked, looking around to see that he was the only passenger left on the bus.

The driver's expression turned serious. "This is as far as the bus goes, son. Beyond this point, it's not safe. There are...things out there that don't take kindly to strangers."

Ethin's grip on his sword tightened as he gazed out the window. The landscape beyond the bus was dense and foreboding, with twisted trees that seemed to reach out like skeletal fingers.

"Are you sure this is where you want to go, son?" the driver asked, his voice laced with concern.

Ethin nodded, shouldering his bag and standing up. "Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks for the ride."

The driver nodded, his eyes lingering on Ethin's face. "Be careful out there, son. There's more to this world than meets the eye."

Ethin nodded, taking a deep breath as he stepped off the bus .the sun burn in to his eye has has he step in to the desert, taking a deep breath Ethin brought the map out and check has location.

Ethin trudged through the scorching desert, the sun beating down on his back like a relentless drumbeat. He had been walking for three days, with no sign of the mysterious location marked on the map.

"He could have at least given me a hint," Ethin muttered to himself, frustration etched on his face. "I've been walking for days, and I still can't find it."

As he walked, the sand dunes stretched out before him like an endless sea. Ethin's canteen was almost empty, and his stomach growled with hunger. He had been rationing his food and water carefully, but he knew he couldn't survive for much longer without finding shelter and sustenance.

Ethin stopped to consult the map again, his eyes scanning the intricate markings and symbols. He had been following the map faithfully, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking in circles.

Just as he was about to give up, Ethin noticed a strange rock formation in the distance. It looked unlike anything he had seen before – a cluster of twisted, crimson-colored rocks that seemed to pulse with a strange energy.

Ethin's heart quickened as he realized that this might be the location he had been searching for. With renewed hope, he set off towards the rock formation, his senses on high alert.