"Okay, it's time then." Ren walked towards the board to erase his nigh perfect drawings...Well, at least in his eyes.
"We'll talk about your curriculum for the coming days for some time, and then you all are free to go." Ren said, still erasing his marks of shards.
"They are indeed mythical huh." Galen muttered with his eyes lowered, fixated at his thighs.
"Think we can get one?" asked Matt in an absent minded tone.
"I hope so" nodded Galen.
Zeill didn't seem to hold much thoughts about shards. Most of what Mr. Ren spoke, he already knew. What made him feel astonished were the words Mr. Ren spoke towards the end.
He fought Umbra. Zeill was quite shocked by this information. What he knew, or atleast what he had learnt all these years, was that shards were rare, and even rarer were their wielders.
To have fought one, that too 'Umbra'... a man known across lands for his battle prowess, made Zeill access their teacher more.
He didn't say he was unable land a hit, just that it was difficult. He held his own skepticism. Did he say it like that to save his image?
Zeill glanced at him, now strolling towards the podium, and was unable to ascertain his thoughts. Mr. Ren didn't seem to carry an oppressive aura, at least not like the one he felt from that middle aged man. The one of the Vedris clan.
Listening to Mr. Ren's voice, he let his thoughts take a nap at his subconscious mind, and started to pay attention.
Ren spoke for a good while, briefing them about their schedules and curriculum for the upcoming days. As for additional information, he told them to keep a lookout at their dorm's notice board.
Their first day was relatively short, after nearly an hour the class was dismissed. Walking out of their class, the previous groups formed once again and went out to tour the campus.
Zeill had already had his fair share of touring. So, waving goodbye, he went back towards his dorm. There was quite a lot of information he wanted to sort through today.
Halfway down the lane, he realized, there was one place he hadn't visited.
So, turning back, he walked toward the library. Although the theme of round buildings was prevalent, this was the only one with a dome on its head.
Entering the gate, he was stopped by a middle aged man sitting in the chair. Asked to show his card, Zeill realised there was none, so he told the man his purpose for visit. Fortunately for him, he was allowed in.
'It was grand', was what he thought. 'Lined with books on all sides.'
Located at the center of the hall, there was a staircase leading downwards, with another adjoining it that ascended. With a good amount of spacing left near the area of staorcase, rest of the hall was a cradle of bookshelves stacked with books.
To the right of the entrance, a librarian's desk was located. Approaching it, he noticed a skinny man with sunken eyes scribbling something down. Asking the man about the reading area, he was told to head downstairs.
Down the stairs lay a massive hall with books lining the circular walls and rectangular tables filling up the space. It looked spacious, Atleast 200 seats. Zeill mused.
Walking to the front of the hall, he saw an old lady sitting behind a table.
"Excuse me" he said politely to the lady.
She looked up from her book and pointed at a square shaped object. Not understanding her gesture, he replied "Sorry, I am a new student."
"Don't have the card?" she inquired.
"No." bit nervously he accepted.
"You can not borrow any books without your card." She said in a expressionless, flat voice.
Unable to borrow, he inquired about the next best option "Can I read while I am here?" not letting her speak he hurriedly added "I will return them when I move back."
Taking a moment to stare at the youngster in front of her, she replied with a nod.
"Want anything particular? Or just looking for something interesting." she inquired.
"Anything related to Luminers will work." Zeill tried to sound as humble as he could.
"Go towards the third shelf on the right." she pointed at the shelf with her finger. "You will find plenty of books there." After guiding him, she went back to reading the unfinished book.
Walking over to the bookshelf, he started going through the books.
The Stars Amongst Luminers
The Saviour
Power Structure
Ascend or Perish :The price of failing.
His gaze lingered on the last one, 'Ascend or Perish'. Being intrigued by the title, Zeill pulled it out from the shelf and went to the nearest table to read.
Walter Reilson, was written at the bottom of the book. Author? Skimming past the introduction, he flipped the pages and stopped at the first chapter.
'Division Of Luminers.'
Giving the chapter a quick read, he matched it's content with his learnings.
It mentioned the categorization of Luminers into 5 stages based on their control over aether:
Stage 1- Resonants/ Neo-Luminers
The first step to becoming a luminer was resonance. It was the moment one attunes to aether and begins sensing it. In the process, if the body successfully synchronizes with aether, you become a luminer.
In the initial part of this stage, most one could do was internal application of aether. With further advancements, reinforcement of the body and external application of aether were learnt.
Zeill nodded to himself, this part was a common knowledge.
Stage 2- Aetherbounds
A luminer at this stage can fully channel aether throughout their body at will. The limitations of partial reinforcement was lifted, and now they can deliberately manipulate aether in their body to a much higher extent. refining their control over aether and their abilities.
Stage 3- Emanants
Aether is no longer confined within the body. An Emanant is able to radiate it outwards, forming an aura. It was a distinct presence that a luminer carried.
Is our vice principal an Emanant? Was it his aura he deliberately released? Zeill mused. Or could he possibly a Herald?
Stage 4- Heralds
The surroundings itself responded to Herlads will. They could directly control the aether surrounding them. It marked a significant shift in the powers of a Luminer, able to exert control over their surrounding aether, they were able to create a domain- an area completely under their command.
Zeill had heard of them before. To shape aether outside their body, able to dominate an entire battlefield. He dreamed about himself being one, but he knew...Only a few ever reached it.
Stage 5 - Exalted Luminers
When attunement with aether reached it's peak, something awakenes. A trait, a force, an ability unique to its wielder- one that merges with the very core of their being. No longer a skill, it becomes a part of who they are.
Zeill frowned slightly, Exalted? That was new.
He flipped the page.
Stage 6
The entire page was left blank.
He frowned his brows. That was it? Nothing about stage 6.
Leaning back on his chair, Zeill exhaled softly.
He had learnt quite a lot today.
First it was the Vedris clan... then the information about shards...then he realised he was unable to see through Mr. Ren and now, a new stage and an empty page.
Putting everything else at the back of his mind, he focused his thoughts on the last completed stage, Exalted.
What kind of power did one need to reach thatlevel? Well, he wasn't even a luminer yet, so it was a thought for the future.
There was still a lot in the book, but he found his appetite filled. Closing the book, he tapped on the table... There was a much to think about, and even more to learn.
Walking back to the shelf, he inserted the book at its's rightful spot and moved out of the library.