The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over Eldoria Training Academy. The circular stone building stood at the heart of the village, its courtyard filled with the sounds of students training—blades clashing, fire roaring, and the occasional burst of wind or lightning.
Aiden walked through the academy's entrance, feeling the weight of unspoken judgment from those around him. The students sparred with their divine gifts while he remained powerless, a spectator in a world of warriors. He had gotten used to being ignored, but the silence always stung.
"Aiden, you're late."
He turned to see Instructor Rhyder, the academy's combat trainer. A former soldier, Rhyder was a towering man with grizzled silver hair and a scar running down his cheek. Despite his strict nature, he had never treated Aiden with open disdain—though he rarely expected much from him either.
"Sorry," Aiden muttered.
Rhyder sighed. "Get into formation. You might not have Awakened, but that's no excuse to slack on physical training."
Aiden nodded and took his place among the students.
"Alright, listen up!" Rhyder barked, pacing before the class. "Today, we're focusing on real combat. Strength alone doesn't win battles—strategy, endurance, and precision do. Powers make you strong, but skill makes you victorious."
Aiden's heart sank as he saw the pairings form. The students instinctively avoided him. Not out of fear, but because sparring against someone without powers wasn't worth their time.
"Looks like no one wants to be your partner again, Aiden." A familiar, mocking voice rang out.
Aiden turned to see Darius Vael, a top student and son of a noble warrior. With lightning coursing through his veins, Darius was a natural prodigy, and he never missed a chance to remind Aiden of his powerlessness.
"You could always just hold the training dummies for us," Darius sneered.
Aiden clenched his fists but said nothing.
"Enough," Rhyder interrupted. His eyes scanned the students before landing on Elara, who stood in the shadows with her arms crossed. "Elara, you're his partner today."
She stepped forward, smirking. "Fine by me."
Darius scoffed. "No need to go easy on him."
Aiden met Elara's gaze as they took their positions. Her violet eyes weren't filled with pity, but expectation.
"Show me something," she whispered before lunging at him.
They started to head towards the training grounds, a place with mana overflowing every now and then due to the regular training sessions. Elara stood in front of Aiden. They looked at each other with determination in their eyes.
"Both sides ready, FIGHT." Darius announced.
Elara moved like a phantom, her shadow abilities allowing her to vanish and reappear in the blink of an eye. Aiden barely had time to react before she struck. He ducked, dodged, and countered with pure instinct. No powers, just skill.
She was faster. Stronger. But Aiden refused to fall easily.
As the fight continued, some students actually stopped to watch. It was rare to see someone without abilities hold their ground against a gifted warrior.
Aiden landed a clean counterstrike, knocking Elara back a step. She grinned. "Not bad."
But before he could press forward, shadows wrapped around his legs, and in a flash, she was behind him—her dagger pressed against his throat.
"Match over!" Rhyder announced.
Elara released him, stepping back. Aiden breathed heavily, frustration creeping in, but Elara simply patted his shoulder.
"You lasted longer than most," she said. "Maybe one day, you'll actually beat me."
Darius laughed from the sidelines. "Doubt it."
Aiden exhaled sharply. One day, I'll prove them all wrong.
High above the mortal realm, beyond the clouds and the reach of men, two figures watched in silence.
"We won't be able to hold on to that power inside him anymore. We need to awaken him as soon as possible."
"It is only a matter of time before the incident, don't worry."
And with that, the heavens fell silent once more.