The Ember Academy felt different to Kael. It was not because the academy had changed. Because Kael and the others had. They had gone through the Trial Grounds. Come out the other side.
Kael walked with his friends through the courtyard of the academy. Students were. Laughing around them. The atmosphere was lively which was a change from the silence of the Trial Grounds.
For students this was just a normal day.. For Kael and his friends it felt strange. Riven stretched his arms. Said, "I never thought I would be so happy to see all these noisy students again." Mira. Said, "You used to be one of those noisy students before the trial." Riven replied, "I used to be but now I am a survivor." Tarin said, "Barely a survivor." Lyra just smiled a little.
Kael walked beside his friends watching and listening. Everything seemed slower and more controlled here.. Kael could sense that there was more going on beneath the surface. There were things to learn, opportunities to take.
A man in academy robes came up to them. "You first-years have finished the Trial " he said. "You will get your evaluation results later. For now you can move around the academy freely." Riven grinned. "Finally we have some time." The man looked at him seriously. "Use your time wisely."
The man. Mira asked, "What do we do now?" Riven said, "We eat." Tarin sighed. "You always think about food." Riven said, "I almost died so I deserve a meal." Lyra looked around. Said, "There is something more important than food right now." Kael followed her gaze. Saw the academy market.
The market was full of life. There were shops, stalls and buildings. Students were walking around talking and bargaining. Kael said, "We need resources." Lyra nodded. Riven said, "First we eat then we get resources."
They went to the market. Miras eyes widened. "This is amazing " she said. There were rows of shops selling all sorts of things: weapons, scrolls, pills and formation arrays. Riven said, "Welcome to the place where your wealth determines your strength." Mira asked, "What do you mean?" Tarin explained, "Nothing here is free. We use Aether currency."
Kael asked, "What is Aether currency?" Tarin pointed to a stall selling glowing stones. "Aether currency comes in forms " he said. "There is Aether Dust, Shards, Stones and more." Riven picked up a piece of Aether Dust. "This is almost worthless " he said. He showed them an Aether Shard. "This is a little better. Still not great." Then he showed them an Aether Stone. "This is what most people use."
Mira asked, "How much does something like that cost?" The stall owner said, "One Aether Stone can buy a meal or half a basic pill." Mira was shocked. "Half a pill?" Riven laughed. "Welcome to reality."
They walked some more. Came to the Alchemy District. There were glass containers, herbs and pills everywhere. A young man was organizing rows of pills. Lyra asked, "What do you have?" The man said, "Basic recovery pills, minor Aether stabilization pills and breakthrough assists." Riven asked, "How much do they cost?" The man said, "One Aether Stone per pill."
Mira was shocked again. "One Aether Stone?" she said. The man said, "Yes it is expensive." Kael looked at the pills. Said, "I could make something like that." Lyra turned to him. "What did you say?" Kael said, "Nothing.". Riven said, "No you don't get to say that and then ignore us." Mira asked, "What did he say?" Tarin looked at Kael closely. Lyra was watching him too.
The stall owner said, "Everyone thinks making pills is easy but it is not." Riven said, "Kael might actually try to make one." They moved on to the Formation District. It was quieter than the areas. Students were testing their formations. The air was filled with glowing patterns. A girl was adjusting a formation. Lyra said, "She has good control." The girl asked, "Do you understand formations?" Lyra said, "Yes I do."
Riven asked Kael "Do you understand formations too?" Kael looked at a formation. Said, "It is not efficient." The girl was surprised. "What do you mean?" Kael pointed to a part of the formation. "The energy loop is losing stability." The girl adjusted the formation. It stabilized. She said, "You are right." Riven laughed. "This is getting ridiculous." Mira asked, "What can't you do, Kael?" Kael said, "I don't know how to cook."
They moved on to the Blacksmith District. It was hot. The sound of hammering filled the air. A muscular student was working at a forge. Riven said, "Now this is my kind of place." The blacksmith looked up. "Are you here to buy something or just watch?" Riven said, "It depends on how good you're " The blacksmith said, "I am better than you can afford."
Kael walked up to the forge. Said, "The heat distribution is uneven." The blacksmith. Turned around. "What did you say?" Kael pointed to the metal. "You are losing material strength." The blacksmith adjusted his technique and the metal stabilized. He said, "Huh." Riven said, "I'm done. I'm actually done." Mira looked at Kael like he was a monster. "This is not normal " she said. Tarin said, "No it's not."
Lyra was watching Kael closely. "This is interesting " she said. Kael stepped back from the forge silent again.. Something had changed. New paths had opened up. New opportunities were available.. Somewhere a hidden identity was starting to take shape. One that would not stay hidden forever.
For now Kael was another student.. That would not last. Not, for long.