In a place forgotten by time, veiled in eternal darkness, the very air hung thick with ancient secrets. Not a single light dared pierce its shadows, as if the space itself rejected illumination. At the center of this forsaken void stood the four kings—rulers of distant lands—cloaked in silence and obscured by the dark. The stillness was suffocating.
Then—footsteps.
Measured. Slow. Heavy.
A figure emerged from the gloom, his presence alone causing the kings to shiver as though death itself had entered the room. He walked forward, the sound of each step echoing like a drumbeat in their ears. Without a word, he tossed something before them—a severed human head, blood still dripping.
The kings dropped to their knees in unison, pressing their foreheads to the cold floor.
One of them dared to speak, voice trembling like dry leaves in the wind. "M-my lord… we did exactly as you commanded…"
The figure advanced.
His aura crushed the air around them, invisible yet unbearable. The kings gasped as pain wracked their bodies, though he hadn't laid a hand on them. None dared raise their eyes. Without a word, he ground the head beneath his boot until the skull cracked and blood seeped across the stone.
And just like that—he turned and disappeared into the dark.
Yet the fear did not leave with him.
The kings remained bowed, bodies trembling, unable to forget the weight of his presence.
Meanwhile, at the Academy...
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the corridor as students filed toward the special training wing, chatting nervously among themselves.
"Hey, Leon," Finn said, catching up with him. "Do you know what this training is about?"
Leon pushed his glasses up, thoughtful. "Since it's with Darius-sir, probably something mental. He's always into those mind-over-matter things."
Finn groaned dramatically. "Of course it is! They know I'm the weakest in mental control… Why not start with something easy like sparring?!"
Leon chuckled under his breath. "Because that would be too kind."
Just behind them, Isla walked quietly, her fingers brushing the edge of her sleeve. Her thoughts weren't on training. Instead, her mind kept replaying the moment Leon had grabbed her hand the day before.
Her cheeks turned pink.
"Hey," Fanny said, waving a hand in front of Isla's face. "Earth to Isla."
Isla snapped out of it. "H-Huh?"
"You okay? Your face is super red. Are you sick or something?" Fanny leaned closer, squinting suspiciously. "Should I drag you to the medical room?"
"No! I mean—I'm fine!" Isla stammered. "I-it's not a fever. Really."
Fanny gave her a look but decided not to press. "Weirdo," she muttered with a grin.
They soon arrived outside a sealed training room. A spider crawled lazily across the wooden door, and Leon's eyes narrowed. He said nothing.
Moments later, the door creaked open. Darius stepped out, arms behind his back, his expression unreadable.
"Good morning, sir!" the class greeted in unison.
Finn, ever eager, blurted, "Sir! What are we doing today?"
Darius smiled—thin, controlled. "Very simple," he said. "You will sit in this room and meditate for thirty minutes. But," he raised a finger, "you are not allowed to use your powers. If you can remain calm, centered, and still for thirty minutes, you pass."
"That's it?" Finn blinked in disbelief. "Thank you, sir!"
"You're welcome," Darius said.
But Leon frowned. Something's off…
He glanced at Isla, who gave a subtle nod. She sensed it too.
Still, Fanny and Finn rushed in with wide grins, followed by the rest of the students. Leon and Isla stepped in last, cautiously.
Once everyone was seated inside, Darius's voice rang through the doorway. "Do not use your abilities. Do not disturb others. I will unlock the door in thirty minutes."
With that, the door shut—and locked with a click.
Outside, Darius's smile twisted into something darker. A quiet chuckle escaped his lips.
Inside, the students sat cross-legged on the floor, some yawning, others already closing their eyes.
Leon inhaled slowly, trying to ignore the gnawing unease in his gut.
Why warn us not to use our powers if it's just meditation?
Minutes passed.
Finn smiled smugly. This is the easiest training ever. Just sit and do nothing? Piece of cake!
Then—something brushed against his nose.
He opened his eyes.
A cockroach sat on his cheek, twitching its antennae.
"WAAAAAAH!" he screamed, flinging it across the room.
Everyone's eyes flew open.
From the corners of the room, more bugs appeared—cockroaches, lizards, even snakes slithering from cracks in the walls.
Screams erupted.
Isla jumped to her feet, clinging to Fanny.
Leon stood slowly, eyes scanning the chaos. "This… this isn't just a test of meditation…"
Students panicked, running to the locked door, pounding on it.
Finn ran in circles, brushing off insects, his face pale with horror. "GET THEM OFF MEEEEE!"
One by one, students began breaking the rules, summoning flames, wind, and force blasts to fight off the crawling swarm.
But it was endless.
Leon's fists clenched. So this was the real test… to keep our minds calm even in disgust and fear…
Finn, now covered in lizards, screamed louder than ever and charged at the door.
Outside, Darius stood with his ear to the wood, smiling. The screams pleased him.
Then—
BOOM!
The door exploded outward, and Darius was thrown backward, pinned under the splintered remains.
Smoke filled the corridor as students poured out, gasping for breath, some vomiting on the floor, others in tears.
Finn collapsed face-first into the grass outside.
Leon and Isla, shaken but still composed, ran to Darius.
His green blood oozed from under the door. With a hiss, he healed himself, pushing the debris aside and standing upright.
Leon stepped forward, cautious. "Sir… are you okay?"
Darius adjusted his collar. "Yes. Who was the genius who blew the door?"
Leon gave a weak smile. "Um… Maybe let's not focus on that part?"
Fanny clutched her stomach, groaning. "Sir… what the hell was that?!"
Darius looked at them all, expression unreadable.
"That… was your training."
Leon frowned. "Meditation… with snakes and roaches crawling on us?"
"You were told not to use your powers," Darius said calmly. "That was the test. To stay focused. To master your mind—no matter the discomfort."
He walked to the center of the courtyard, voice rising.
"Everyone has failed today's training. We'll repeat the session tomorrow. Be prepared."
Groans echoed across the yard.
Fanny fell to her knees. "Please no…"
Finn, still half-conscious, muttered, "I'd rather fight a dragon…"
Darius turned, just before heading back inside.
"Oh, and one more thing—"
He smiled darkly.
"Tomorrow's challenge will be... worse."
Silence fell like a stone.
The students exchanged horrified glances. Even Leon paled.
What could possibly be worse than this?