NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: The place of beginnings
Chapter 22: "The place of beginnings"
Thrain returned to his quarters as the evening light painted the skies with orange and crimson hues. He opened the door to find the three Bijins lounging comfortably, their presence radiating an air of tranquility and beauty that made his austere room seem oddly inviting. Akane was combing her hair by the window, Emiri was reclined on a cushion flipping through a scroll she'd likely swiped from somewhere, and Hikari was casually tossing a fireball between her hands, her sharp eyes flicking to him as he stepped inside.
"You're back," Hikari said with a sly smirk, extinguishing the flame in her palm. "How was your first day at the academy? Are you already the strongest, or did you let them push you around?"
Thrain sighed, dropping into the nearest seat. "Neither, though I'd like to say it was productive. The truth is, the teachings are... unbearable. Anger, rage, brute force—that's what they push as the foundation of fire. It's ridiculous."
The Bijins exchanged amused glances before Akane spoke. "So, how do you plan to survive there, oh wise one?"
"I'll learn what I need," Thrain replied, his tone measured but firm. "But I won't be molded into what they want. I'll change that system eventually, whether they like it or not."
Emiri chuckled softly, closing the scroll and leaning back. "Change the system? That's bold. Even for a prince."
Thrain met her gaze, his expression serious. "Bold or not, it's necessary. What they're teaching is dangerous—not just to the students but to the people who'll one day rely on them. Anger is unstable, a tool of destruction. It's not how fire should be wielded."
Hikari tilted her head, her sharp features softening slightly. "You think you'll succeed where so many others failed? Where tradition has held strong for generations?"
"I don't think. I know," Thrain said, his voice low but confident. "I'm connected to something greater—something they don't understand yet. It's not arrogance; it's truth."
The room fell silent for a moment, save for the faint crackle of a fire in the hearth. The Bijins studied him carefully, their expressions unreadable. Finally, Akane smiled faintly. "Well, at least you're passionate about it. Just remember, there's nothing wrong with picking up a few tricks their way. It might even help you understand how to break them later."
Thrain nodded after a moment of thought. "You're right. I'll take what's useful, but I won't let it change me."
Emiri stretched lazily, her dark skin glinting in the firelight. "Sounds like a solid plan. And in the meantime, we'll be here. It seems we're yours until you decide to request separate quarters for us."
Thrain raised an eyebrow at that. "You're staying here? All three of you?"
Hikari grinned. "That's how it works, isn't it? We're bound to you now. Unless, of course, you'd prefer us somewhere else?"
Thrain hesitated, then shrugged. "No. I don't mind. It's... not the worst arrangement."
The Bijins chuckled, their laughter filling the room with warmth. For the first time since arriving at the academy, Thrain felt a small flicker of peace amid the chaos.
…
As they settled into the quiet of the evening, Akane broke the silence, her voice laced with curiosity. "So, about this connection we share—the telepathy and all. Is it because of the... intercourse? And why does it work like that?"
Her question caught the attention of the others, their curious gazes falling on Thrain. He stiffened slightly, not ready to reveal the truth about the Phoenix.
"It's... complicated," he said, evading. "Something about shared energy, I guess."
"But how does that explain everything?" Emiri pressed.
"It just does," Thrain replied, feigning weariness. When they tried to push further, he let out a dramatic yawn. "We'll talk more tomorrow. I need rest."
The Bijins exchanged glances before dropping the topic. Moments later, the room fell silent as they drifted to sleep, leaving Thrain alone with his guarded thoughts.
Thrain felt a surge of strength coursing through him, unlike anything he'd experienced before. It wasn't just power—it was clarity, a sense of evolution that resonated deep within. Yet, with this newfound strength came questions he couldn't ignore. The Phoenix. He had to see it again. Would it return to the place they first met?
Quietly, he slipped out of the bed he shared with the Bijins, careful not to disturb them. Their synchronized breathing filled the room, a reminder of their bond, but tonight, he needed solitude.
The night air was cool against his skin as he made his way to the spot—a secluded rock formation hidden among dense trees. Back then, it was his refuge, the only place he felt safe when he was powerless and forgotten. It was there, at his lowest, that the Phoenix had found him.
Now, he would return to it.
…
The spot was just as Thrain remembered—tranquil and untouched. The cool night breeze carried a crispness that filled his lungs, a refreshing contrast to the suffocating tension of the academy. The rustle of leaves and the faint hum of nocturnal creatures surrounded him, and for a moment, he felt like that boy who once sought solace here, broken and forgotten. But now, he was different. Stronger.
He waited patiently, hoping the Phoenix would appear. Minutes turned to an hour, and still, nothing. The peace of the place was undeniable, but he wasn't here for calm. Frustration started to creep in, and so, with a sigh, he decided to train. If the Phoenix wouldn't come, he'd hone what it had given him.
Thrain stood firm, closing his eyes as he centered himself. The blue flames within him stirred, and he focused on his unique sight—the ability to see energy in its rawest form. He strained, forcing his eyes open slowly, letting them burn as the shift began. A faint blue haze clouded his vision, growing sharper with every pulse of effort. He clenched his jaw as the strain intensified, his muscles tightening, his breath becoming deliberate. Then it happened—lines of energy surged into view, illuminating the space like glowing threads of life.
It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating. Energy swirled everywhere—the faint pulse of the trees, the soft hum of the breeze itself. Then, something sharper cut through the tranquility. A human form, glowing with unmistakable power. Thrain narrowed his gaze. The energy was familiar. Daelan.
Daelan didn't attempt to hide. It was as though he knew the moment Thrain had spotted him. He stepped forward, calm and deliberate, his energy lines vibrating with a steady intensity. Thrain said nothing, his gaze unwavering as Daelan approached.
The boy who once shied away from every gaze, every encounter, was gone. Now, Thrain was unreadable, a predator watching another predator approach. The silence stretched between them, electric and heavy, as Daelan finally stopped a few paces away.