Arrival at the Obsidian Nexus Academy
Screeeeeeeeeeeech… shhhh-clunk… hissssssss…
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek… krrrrrrr… hissssss…
Screech—grind—clank… hissss.
The train groaned to a halt, steam hissing into the cold air. Doors slid open, and the students poured out in a rush of chatter and nervous energy.
Before them stood a massive gate humming with concentrated essence. The insignia of the Academy was carved across both halves — incomplete when closed, whole only when the gates met. Between the divided symbol shimmered a barrier powerful enough to rival a Monarch-level veil.
> "The great gate of the Obsidian Nexus Academy,"
murmured one student, eyes wide in awe.
Standing ahead of them was a tall, broad man in a dark military coat. His very presence silenced the crowd.
> "My name is Rual," he announced, voice booming.
"Third in command of the Umbra Army — and your combat instructor."
Silence fell like a blade.
> "Did he just say Umbra Army?" whispered Chris, stunned.
"No way… I thought that was just a rumor," muttered Hans.
"The third in command… and he's teaching here?"
Rual's gaze cut through the murmuring students.
> "I'm not here because I was ordered to," he said evenly. "I came of my own accord. Behind these gates lie your future, your downfall, and your death.
Get stronger and you'll survive. Form teams — but trust carefully. Not everyone beside you is your ally."
His words settled deep, heavy with truth. Eyes darted, measuring each other for threat and promise alike.
> "From this moment," Rual continued, "the assessment begins."
Shock rippled through the ranks.
> "Wait—now?"
"We haven't even entered yet!"
Rual ignored them, turned, and pressed his palm against the gate. His essence flared — the colossal doors glided open with a thunderous hum.
> "Your first class," he said without turning, "is a little touch of history. Don't be late."
And with that, he walked away.
---
The Search for the "Class"
> "Wait, he didn't even tell us where the class is!"
"Should we look for a room labeled 'History'?"
"Don't be silly — this is the Nexus Academy, not a workshop!"
> "This is part of the test," said Vex quietly.
"He wants to see how we think."
Realization sank in. Within moments, groups split and scattered across the sprawling academy grounds.
The Nexus Academy was vast — nearly ten times larger than the dorms. At its center stood a colossal tower labeled Library, flanked by the Infirmary and a sprawling Combat Zone the size of a stadium.
Thirty minutes later…
> "We've been walking for ages!" complained Chris.
"Still nothing. There's not a single classroom labeled 'History'."
> "Any luck with you guys?" asked Oscar.
"None," said Jane flatly. "It's like it doesn't exist."
"It's history, how could it not exist?" Chris groaned.
Then he noticed two familiar figures walking up — Zerathos and Vex. Zerathos held a slim book under his arm.
> "Where have you two been?" Oscar asked.
"Got bored thirty minutes ago," said Zerathos, shrugging.
"So I decided to look around."
> "You didn't even try?" Chris exclaimed, eyes wide.
"No point," said Zerathos calmly. "A school like this wouldn't make history a mandatory class unless it mattered to combat."
Vex added,
> "I just went to the library and picked up a copy of Disappearing Techniques for him. They don't force attendance for anything except combat and IQ classes."
> "We tried to tell you," Zerathos added simply.
Chris froze — then exploded.
> "Wait, WAIT, WAIT—so we wasted thirty minutes walking in circles while you two were chilling in the library?!"
Crackles of lightning danced across his hands as his aura spiked.
> "Calm down, Chris, you'll cause a scene!" Malen grabbed him by the collar.
"My sweet, sweet points," Chris muttered, deflating. "Lost on the first day…"
"You're dramatic," Oscar sighed.
"Dramatic?! I'll show you dramatic!" Chris lunged at Zerathos and Vex.
Before he could reach them, Oscar and Malen pinned him down.
> "Traitors! They're plotting!" Chris ranted.
"He's lost it," said Malen dryly.
"Yeah, but damn—where's this strength coming from?" Oscar muttered, straining.
> "The power to succeed," said Marik with a smirk.
"Knock him out already," sighed Jane.
Oscar obliged with a sharp smack to the back of Chris's head.
> "Okay," Zerathos said calmly. "Now, let's go."
"Do you even know where we're going?" Malen asked.
"Of course. I had a little tour earlier," said Zerathos, leading the way.
Rumors were already spreading about the student who attacked his teammates on day one.
---
The Lecture: Essence, Sigils, and the Axis
The group eventually entered a large, circular classroom housing over two hundred students. Its design mixed old and new — glowing bulbs, a floating screen, and a single elderly man standing near the podium.
> "Good. Everyone's here," he said. "Let's begin with the basics: Essence, Power Ranks, our System of Power, and a little touch of history.
My name is—well, names don't matter. Listen closely."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
> "Essence is the source of life. Drain someone's essence, and they become a walking corpse. But there's a difference between draining essence and destroying the core."
He tapped the board, and the word appeared in bright light:
> "The Newborn."
> "Who can tell me what that means?"
A blond student raised his hand.
> "Name's Steven. A Newborn is someone who hasn't reached Initiate stage — like a child who can speak but can't yet read Essence."
> "Excellent," said the teacher, clapping. "You've saved me five minutes."
He turned to the board again.
> "There are two primary ways to drain essence:
1. Through Artifacts or Tools — the best of which are made by the House of Gravemont.
2. Through Rituals, the most traditional and safest method."
An image of a gun-like tool and a glowing orb appeared. Zerathos's hand twitched at the sight.
> "The orb," the teacher continued, "is the heart of it. The absorber. Dangerous, but efficient. Now, the ritual uses something far more elegant — something called a Veil Sigil."
---
The Veil Sigil
> "A Veil Sigil," he said, "is a manifested convergence of essence and intent, drawn from the invisible currents of the Veil — the barrier between our realm and the Aether Beyond."
The lights dimmed slightly as holographic sigils spun above the board.
> "Unlike ancient 'magic circles,' a Veil Sigil is alive. It responds to your emotions, your stability, your clarity.
No two are ever identical — it's your essence signature, your weapon, your mark."
> A Veil Sigil is composed of three layers:
1. The Core Glyph — anchors your essence, determines stability.
2. The Resonant Runes — define nature: offense, defense, summoning, sealing.
3. The Outer Array — the boundary of range, time, and control.
> "Understand this," he said softly, "and you understand the soul."
---
The Forbidden Art — The Veyraxis
A pause. Then a voice rose from the back.
> "Sir," said Zerathos. "Isn't there another way to absorb essence?"
The class fell silent.
> "Another way?"
"Is he challenging the instructor?"
Far at the back, a student with a red glove smirked.
> "Still the same Zerathos," he muttered. "Never changes."
The teacher exhaled slowly.
> "I didn't want to go there… but it's a valid question."
He sat down, eyes shadowed.
> "Yes. There is another way — the forbidden path.
One can absorb essence directly from others.
It's faster… but it corrupts your growth."
He paused, letting the words settle.
> "When you steal essence, you steal your future.
And if you go further — if you attempt to absorb life force itself — that's no longer a crime. That's a taboo."
The board lit again, this time with words that pulsed faintly with power.
---
⚜️ The Veyraxis — Axis of Return
Classification: Forbidden Essence Art
Tier: Transcendent (beyond Rank 9)
Domain: Life • Death • The Veil
Origin: Pre-Veil Era — fragments kept by the Keepers of Lirath
Status: Lost / Theoretical
---
Overview
> The Veyraxis, or Axis of Return, is said to be the only Essence Art that manipulates both life and death without destroying the user's core.
It does not create life — it reverses it. It pulls essence through decay, or forward into dissolution.
> In essence:
Veyraxis governs the rhythm of return — from life to death, and from death to life.
---
Nature of Power
To wield the Veyraxis is to anchor one's essence between creation and void — to exist as a paradox, neither living nor dead.
It grants:
1. Essence Reversal — restoration through decayed essence.
2. Entropy Command — the collapse of another's essence stability.
3. Temporal Drift — detachment from time; echoes of one's existence may linger across moments.
4. Veil Vision — the ability to perceive the soul in its true form.
> "Some call it myth," said the teacher quietly. "But myths have roots."
He sighed, rubbing his temple.
> "That's enough for today. See you all tomorrow."
And with that, he left.
---
Echoes After Class
The students filed out, buzzing with murmurs and unease.
None realized that what they had heard today — about the Veyraxis, the Axis of Return —
would one day alter the fate of nations.
---