NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Igniting Control
Chapter 29: " Igniting control"
Thrain sat slouched against the wall, his legs stretched out on the ground, his gaze locked on Takamori. Across the room, the old man leaned against his desk, his presence as unsettling as the acrid smell of burnt wood still lingering from their clash. The silence between them felt heavy, broken only by the occasional sound of Takamori uncorking a bottle of harsh-smelling liquor.
"So," Takamori began, a sneer curling his lips. "You had your uncle step in to save you. That explains your cocky attitude, the confidence to waltz in here and speak of changing systems and kingdoms as if it's child's play."
Thrain blinked, momentarily lost at the word uncle. He sat up straighter, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean... uncle?"
Takamori raised an eyebrow, the smirk not leaving his face. "Don't tell me you don't know." He swirled the liquor in the bottle lazily before taking a long swig. The pungent smell hit Thrain even from across the room, it was strong, almost unbearable. Takamori exhaled sharply. "You're walking around with big dreams, speaking of change, and yet you don't even know the man who pulled you out of this mess?"
Thrain leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Explain yourself," he demanded, his voice low but firm.
Takamori chuckled, almost mockingly. "Daelan, boy. The mighty Onyx Sentinel. You really don't know? He's your uncle, your mother's brother." He paused, taking another swig, clearly enjoying the way Thrain's expression shifted from confusion to stunned realization.
"No," Thrain muttered, shaking his head slightly. "That's impossible. My father would've told me."
"Your father?" Takamori laughed, his voice dripping with disdain. "The king barely acknowledges you're his son, let alone sharing truths that might... strengthen your position. Royals don't share power, boy. They hoard it." He jabbed a finger toward Thrain. "Your ignorance is exactly why you'll never succeed in changing a damn thing. You don't even understand the systems you're trying to overthrow."
Thrain clenched his fists, his mind racing. Daelan... his uncle? It felt absurd, yet pieces of the puzzle started clicking together. The way Daelan intervened, his warnings, even his tone, it had a protective quality that was hard to miss in hindsight. But why hadn't anyone told him?
Takamori continued, his voice more deliberate now, like a predator circling its prey. "You think changing this academy's traditions is enough? You'd have to undo both kingdoms' systems, ours and the enemy's. Do you know how many have tried and failed? Better men than you, boy. And here you are, barely out of beginner lessons, dreaming of revolutions."
Thrain's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, letting the words sink in. He didn't trust Takamori, not for a second, but some of what the man was saying couldn't be ignored.
Takamori scoffed at his silence. "I've said enough. But mark my words, this place will eat you alive. You're no hero, prince. Just a boy playing with fire." He took another swig of the vile alcohol and leaned back, his eyes half-closed. "You'll burn out soon enough."
Thrain rose to his feet, his expression unreadable. Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door creaking shut behind him. His mind was a storm of thoughts, and for the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure what his next move should be.
…
Thrain made his way back to the field where his classmates were gathered, still immersed in their lesson.
"Did you hear? He went to the master's chamber and left with half the ceiling in ruins," some students murmured, their glances darting toward him. The rumors had spread like wildfire.
Thrain noticed, surprisingly, that no guards had intervened despite the earlier commotion. It made sense, Takamori likely used the green flames' telepathic ability to keep the incident contained, a subtle counter to the blue flames' power.
The substitute teacher clapped his hands sharply, silencing the chatter. "Focus! Back to sensing your mana. No distractions."
Thrain smirked to himself, thinking, "Perfect."
…
The substitute instructor took a deep breath, glancing at the students with an air of hesitation before speaking. "Since one of us was late or had… something important to handle, I'll go over the process again."
The students exchanged surprised glances, their murmurs barely contained. Instructors rarely repeated themselves, and even less often with patience. Usually, a lack of understanding was met with harsh words, or worse. But here, the prince seemed to be bending the unwritten rules.
Clearing his throat, the instructor continued, "The sun, in its way, is deeply connected to fire and to us. It's more than a source of heat and light, it feeds the flames within us. When the sun is strong and high in the sky, your mana replenishes faster. Your abilities grow sharper. At night, the opposite occurs , your energy dwindles. This connection is why we often train under the sun's gaze. For now, it will help you tap into your mana more effectively."
The instructor gestured upward toward the blazing sun. "Today, the sun is particularly strong, and its presence will aid you in feeling the flow of mana within you. Focus on it. Meditate. Close your eyes and turn your senses inward. Mana feels like… a river coursing through your body, warm and alive. Some describe it as a vibration, others as heat, but it's uniquely yours. With the sun's help, you should begin to feel it flowing soon."
Thrain sat cross-legged with the others, taking the instructor's advice. Closing his eyes, he allowed the sunlight to wash over him, and almost immediately, he could feel it. A familiar warmth spread from his core, radiating outward like ripples in a pond.
The sensation was sharper than usual, more potent. It wasn't surprising, he already knew he was different. But the way his mana surged back now, as if drawn directly from the sun itself, was undeniable proof of his uniqueness. The earlier exhaustion and depletion seemed to fade with each passing second, and he couldn't help but feel a small surge of pride.
Still, he kept his expression neutral. He didn't want to draw too much attention, though it was clear from the murmurs around him that others had already noticed his progress. Let them talk, Thrain thought.
He continued meditating, feeling his strength returning with a clarity that only deepened his resolve. "I'll master this power, he told himself. And then I'll reshape everything."
…
"This mode can also be used for replenishment," the instructor explained, his voice steady but tinged with unease as he avoided glancing in Thrain's direction. "By meditating under the sun, you can quickly restore your mana if it's depleted. It's like absorbing the energy back into yourself. Mana and flames, while not the same thing, are deeply connected. Mana serves as the fuel, without it, flames cannot exist. To summon flames, you must first delve into your memory, find a moment of pain, and channel that into anger. From that anger, the spark will ignite."
Thrain listened in silence until he could no longer. The explanation grated on him, too simplistic, too hollow. Without hesitation, he rose to his feet, the sound of his movements drawing all eyes to him, even those who had been quietly murmuring before. The instructor faltered mid-sentence as Thrain strode toward him, the weight of his presence silencing the remaining whispers.
"Or maybe not," Thrain said, his voice calm but commanding. He stopped just short of the instructor, who stiffened, his discomfort clear as he instinctively took a small step back. "I'll take over from here."
The class fell silent, save for the faint rustling of students adjusting their positions to watch. Even those meditating paused, unable to ignore the tension in the air. Thrain's bold declaration carried an unspoken challenge, leaving the instructor visibly uneasy under the collective gaze of the class.