THE TIMETABLE
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – DORM BLOCK C – ROOM 107 – 06:00*
The watch vibrates at exactly 06:00.
I open my eyes. The screen is already lit.
*[TIMETABLE SYNCHRONIZED – YEAR 1, SEMESTER 1 – WEEK 1]*
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_System activation detected. Neural sync confirmed. No voice command required._
Logan groans from the bed by the window. "Shut it off. I can feel it in my teeth."
Mikael is already stretching. Wind stirs faintly around his fingers.
"You're up early, Skilless."
I look at him.
"I have a name."
He smirks. "Right. Damien. Sorry. Habit."
The timetable expands on the watch screen. No table. Just clean blocks.
*WEEK 1-2 TIMETABLE – FOUNDATION PHASE*
*08:00 – 12:00 : CORE FOUNDATION BLOCK*
Mana Theory, Physical Conditioning, Beast Biology. Four hours straight. Instructor Silva starts with Mana Theory, Instructor Cross takes over for Physical Conditioning, Instructor Reed finishes with Beast Biology. No breaks.
*13:00 – 17:00 : COMBAT & SUPPORT BLOCK*
Combat Simulation, Weapon Fundamentals, Personal Class Selection. Four hours straight. VR combat first, weapons training after lunch, personal class selection in the last hour.
*15:00 – 17:00 : PERSONAL CLASS TRACK*
Three categories. Pick one from each.
*COMBAT TRACK:* Weapon Fundamentals, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Ranged Combat, Stealth & Infiltration the
*SUPPORT TRACK:* System Analysis, Mana Control, Healing & First Aid, Logistics & Supply
*SPECIALIZED TRACK:* Beast Psychology, Portal Mechanics, Artifact Handling, Tactical Command
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Portal Navigation: Locked until Week 3. Academy policy. No live portal entry until foundation phase is complete._
_Selection deadline: 18:00 today. No changes for 30 days._
_Skillless restriction: System Analysis locked. Mana signature required._
The watch flashes red.
*[ACCESS DENIED – SYSTEM ANALYSIS CLASS]*
Logan leans over. "Yeah, that's for awakened only. System Analysis is how you interface with mana-based tech. No mana, no access."
Mikael frowns. "That's stupid. If he's in the Academy, he should be able to take it."
"Academy policy. Not my rule," Logan says.
I close the screen. Don't argue.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Limitation: Confirmed. Adaptation required._
_Alternative: Hand-to-Hand Combat. No mana required. Pure physical._
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – CAFETERIA – 07:00*
The cafeteria is three floors of noise. Glass ceiling. Hundreds of students.
Awakened sit by rank. Level 5s with Level 5s. Level 4s with Level 4s. Level 3s huddle together. Level 1s sit alone.
We sit at a corner table. Me. Logan. Mikael.
The food is protein paste. Synthetic meat. Mana-infused water. No taste. All nutrition.
Logan pokes at his paste. "This tastes like wet cardboard."
Mikael eats normally. "You get used to it. Or you don't eat."
I eat. Slow. Methodical.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Nutrition: 2800 calories. Protein: 120g. Hydration: 2L._
_Maintenance required for physical output._
A group of Level 4 students walks past. One stops. Looks down at me.
"Skilless. You actually got a room with two proper awakened?"
I set my fork down. Look up.
"I have a name."
The Level 4 blinks. "Right. Damien. Whatever. You're wasting a bed. Room 107 was supposed to be for a Level 3 transfer."
Logan sets his fork down. "You got a problem?"
The Level 4 smirks. "Yeah. Don't get emotional, wind boy."
Mikael stands up. Wind coils around his arm.
"Try saying that again."
The Level 4 raises his hands. "Relax. Just saying."
He walks away.
Logan exhales. "First day and we already have enemies. Perfect."
I finish my meal. Stand up.
"Let's go. First class is in twenty minutes."
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – HALL A – 08:00*
*CORE FOUNDATION BLOCK – SESSION 1*
The hall is three hundred seats. Holographic projector at the front.
Instructor Silva stands at the podium. Hair grey. Eyes sharp.
"Today we cover the basics of mana. What it is. Where it comes from. How it interacts with the human body."
The hologram shifts. Shows a human silhouette with blue lines flowing through it.
"Mana is the energy released from Beast cores. It permeates our world since The Breach. Awakened can absorb it. Store it. Use it."
The hologram zooms into the chest. A glowing core appears.
"The Awakening Rite creates a mana core. Size determines rank. Density determines level. Control determines effectiveness."
She pauses. Looks out at the room.
"Skilless have no core. No absorption. No storage. No use."
Everyone turns to look at me.
I don't move. Don't react.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Data: Accurate. Data: Incomplete._
_Skillless = 0% mana absorption. Confirmed._
_Alternative energy source: Unknown. Research required._
Instructor Silva looks directly at me.
"Mr. Pathfinder. You've been exposed to Dark Crest's mana density for six hours. How do you feel?"
I stand up.
"No symptoms. No headache. No nausea."
The room murmurs.
Instructor Silva raises an eyebrow. "Interesting. Either you have high natural resistance, or you're lying."
"I'm not lying, Instructor."
She nods once. "Sit down. We'll monitor you."
She steps back and Instructor Cross walks in. Same hall. No break.
"Alright, enough theory. Time to see if your body can handle what your mouth just said."
The floor shifts. Panels open. Obstacles rise. The hall transforms into a training ground.
"Five laps. 400 meters each. Under 12 minutes. Go."
Two hundred students take off.
I start running.
First lap is easy. Second lap burns. Third lap hurts. Fourth lap is agony. Fifth lap is silence.
I finish at 11:47.
Not first. Not last. Middle.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Performance: 11:47. Target: 11:30._
_Cardiovascular: 85% capacity. Muscular: 90% capacity._
_Improvement required: 17 seconds._
Logan finishes at 13:02. Breathing hard.
"I hate running."
Mikael finishes at 10:15. Barely breathing hard. Wind helping him.
"Too easy."
Instructor Cross walks past me. Looks at my time.
"11:47. Not bad for a Skilless."
I stop. Look at him.
"I have a name, Instructor."
He meets my eyes. Then nods once.
"11:47, Damien. Not bad."
The floor shifts again. The obstacles retract. Instructor Reed walks in.
"Now that you're sweating, let's talk about what you'll be sweating against."
The hologram shows a goblin. Green skin. Claws. Fangs.
"This is a Goblin. Blue-rank threat. Most common in Blue Portals."
The hologram rotates. Shows internal organs.
"Weak point: throat. Heart. Eyes. Core is in the chest. Size of a marble. Blue crystal."
She switches to a larger beast. Four meters tall. Armored.
"This is an Orc. Yellow-rank threat. Requires Level 4 minimum for solo engagement."
The class takes notes. I memorize.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Goblin: Speed 12m/s. Strength 80kg. Durability: Low._
_Orc: Speed 8m/s. Strength 500kg. Durability: High._
_Weapon requirement: Steel minimum for Orc hide._
Instructor Reed stops. Looks at me.
"Mr. Pathfinder. What's the weakest point of a Skilless in a portal?"
"Everything, Instructor."
The class laughs.
She doesn't laugh. "Correct. You have no enhanced senses. No enhanced reflexes. No enhanced durability. One mistake and you die. Remember that."
"I will, Instructor."
She nods. "Good. Survival starts with understanding your weakness."
The four-hour block ends. No one moves for a second. We're all drained.
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – VR ARENA – 13:00*
*COMBAT & SUPPORT BLOCK – SESSION 1*
The VR Arena is a dome. Dark walls. Holographic floor.
Instructor Rourke stands at the center. Level 4. Sword on his back.
"Combat Simulation. Real scenarios. Real pain. Simulated death."
He looks at us.
"You die here, you wake up with a headache and a failure mark on your record. You die in a real portal, you don't wake up."
The floor lights up. Terrain forms. Forest. Ruins. Cave.
"Today's scenario: Goblin pack ambush. Three goblins. One exit. Survive ten minutes."
Students pair up. Awakened with awakened. Skilless with skilless.
I stand alone.
Mikael walks over. "You want to team up, Damien?"
I shake my head. "I'll run solo."
He nods. "Don't die then."
The simulation starts.
Three goblins spawn. Green. Fast. Screeching.
The first one charges. I sidestep. Strike its knee. It falls.
The second one jumps from the left. I roll. Catch its arm. Snap it.
The third one hangs back. Throws a rock.
It hits my shoulder. Pain registers.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Damage: 2%. Mobility: 98%._
_Pattern: One aggressive. One flanking. One ranged._
_Priority: Eliminate ranged first._
I charge the third goblin. It screeches and runs. I cut it off. Drive my fist into its throat.
The first goblin is back up. I kick it in the chest. It flies back and doesn't get up.
The second goblin crawls away. I step on its neck.
*[SIMULATION COMPLETE – SURVIVAL TIME: 4:32]*
The arena lights up. Students start respawning.
Instructor Rourke walks over. "4:32. Not bad. Fastest time for a Skilless this year."
I nod. Don't smile.
Mikael walks up. "You didn't even use a weapon."
"I don't have one."
He tosses me a wooden training blade. "Take this. You'll need it for Weapon Fundamentals."
I catch it.
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – BLOCK D – 15:00*
*PERSONAL CLASS SELECTION*
The registration hall is crowded. Ten terminals. Ten instructors.
Students line up. Select their classes. Confirm on their watches.
I stand at the *Hand-to-Hand Combat* terminal.
Logan stands at *System Analysis*.
Mikael stands at *Weapon Fundamentals*.
When it's my turn, the instructor scans my watch.
"Hand-to-Hand Combat. Confirmed. Instructor: Marcus Cole. Training Ground 4."
I nod. Step aside.
Logan's watch connects instantly.
"Access granted. Instructor: Dr. Elena Voss."
Mikael's watch connects.
"Access granted. Instructor: Captain Rourke."
I look at my watch again. System Analysis is still locked.
*[ACCESS DENIED – SKILLESS]*
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Restriction: Confirmed. No mana = No system access._
_Workaround: Observe Logan. Learn externally. Apply internally._
Mikael walks over. "You okay with Hand-to-Hand, Skilless? It's brutal."
I meet his eyes.
"I have a name, Mikael."
He raises his hands. "Right. Damien. My bad."
He claps me on the shoulder. "Good choice. If you can't use mana, you better be able to break someone's jaw with your bare hands."
Logan joins us. "System Analysis is going to be interesting. I can already see the Academy's network architecture. It's messy."
Mikael grins. "Can you hack our grades, Skilless?"
Logan freezes. Looks at me.
I don't say anything. Just stare.
Logan clears his throat. "Right. Damien. Sorry. I'll stop."
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – TRAINING GROUND 4 – 16:00*
*HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT – INSTRUCTOR COLE – LEVEL 3*
Twenty students. All Skilless or low-rank awakened who chose physical training.
Instructor Cole stands in the center. Scarred face. Missing left ear.
"Hand-to-Hand is for those who have no other option," he says. "No mana. No weapons. Just you."
He looks at me.
"Skilless. Step forward."
I step forward.
He circles me. Eyes assessing.
"You're lean. No muscle mass. No reach. You'll break if someone hits you right."
"Probably, Instructor."
He stops in front of me. "Show me your stance."
I drop into a stance. Feet shoulder-width. Hands up. Guard tight.
He nods once. "Not bad. Who taught you?"
"No one, Instructor. Self-taught."
He smirks. "Then I'll teach you right."
He throws a punch. Slow. Telegraphed.
I dodge. Left. Step back.
"Good. Again."
He throws another. Faster.
I block. Forearm to forearm.
"Better. Again."
This time he doesn't hold back.
The punch comes fast. Hard.
I duck under it. Sweep his leg.
He hits the ground.
The class goes quiet.
Instructor Cole sits up. Rubs his back. Grins.
"Not bad, Skilless. Not bad at all."
He stands up. Dusts himself off.
"From now on, you're my demonstration dummy."
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Observation: Instructor Cole = Level 3. Combat experience: High._
_Learning opportunity: High value._
_Risk: Physical injury. Acceptable._
---
*DARK CREST ACADEMY – DORM BLOCK C – ROOM 107 – 20:00*
The day ends.
The watch vibrates once.
*[DAY 1 COMPLETE. PROGRESS SAVED.]*
Logan is on his bed. Eyes closed. His watch is projecting a holographic screen. Code scrolling.
Mikael is cleaning his training blade. Wind drying the metal.
I sit on my bed. The black book is on my lap.
I try to open it again. No response. No light. No reaction.
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Status: Closed. Status: Inactive._
_Condition: Blood contact insufficient. Mana contact absent._
I close the book. Place it back in my bag.
Logan speaks without opening his eyes.
"System Analysis class is insane. The Academy network is connected to every watch. Every student. Every instructor. I could probably shut down the whole place if I wanted to."
Mikael doesn't look up from his blade. "Don't. We'd all die."
Logan grins. "I won't. Yet."
I look at my watch. The first three weeks' schedule is locked in. Portal Navigation is greyed out with a countdown.
*[PORTAL NAVIGATION – UNLOCKS IN 21 DAYS]*
*[POV: DAMIEN]*
_Objective: Survive three weeks of foundation training._
_Objective: Learn. Adapt. Improve._
_Objective: Be ready when Portal Navigation unlocks._
Mikael puts his blade away. Looks at me.
"You did good today, Skilless."
I sit up. Look at him directly.
"Mikael. I have a name."
He holds my gaze for a second. Then nods.
"Damien. Got it. You did good today, Damien."
Logan opens one eye. "You're stubborn, you know that?"
I lie down on the bed.
"Good night, Logan. Good night, Mikael."
The lights go out.