The rest of the morning passed in a blur.
Kai drifted through the lessons, his mind stuck on that glowing number — twelve percent. The other students' gazes still lingered on him, some mocking, others dismissive. Only a handful, like Soren, offered something closer to curiosity, but no one spoke to him.
He was the Prime Stone's wielder — the so-called chosen one.
And yet here he was, at the bottom of the ranking.
By the time the lunch bell chimed, Kai's head throbbed. He stepped out into the academy's sprawling courtyard, where floating bridges arched over crystalline lakes and students gathered in groups, comparing stones and practicing small bursts of elemental magic.
Kai found a quiet spot by a glowing tree and sat down, resting his head against its cool trunk.
"Tough first day?"
The voice startled him.
He looked up to see Soren standing there, carrying a tray of food from the academy kitchens — a mix of strange glowing fruits and bread that shimmered with stardust powder. Soren's scar caught the light as he offered a lopsided grin.
"Mind if I sit?"
Kai blinked, then shrugged. "Sure."
Soren plopped down beside him.
"Don't let the numbers get to you, man. I started at fifteen percent when I first arrived. Everyone's obsessed with power here. But half these guys wouldn't last five minutes in a real fight."
Kai managed a weak smile. "Yeah. Thanks."
A pause.
"You've… never summoned before, huh?"
Kai shook his head. "Not until yesterday. I didn't even know what this stone was until they dragged me here."
Soren whistled low. "Damn. That's rough. No wonder you looked like you were gonna pass out in front of Talon. Don't worry — he's a jerk to everyone. Thinks he's already the next Celestial Warden or something."
Kai exhaled a quiet laugh. "He's strong, though."
Soren shrugged. "Sure. But strength isn't everything." He picked up a star-shaped fruit, tossing it into his mouth. "Tell you what — tomorrow, we've got combat drills. Team battles. You and me, we'll stick together. Deal?"
Kai hesitated. No one had ever offered to watch his back before.
He nodded. "Deal."
Just as they settled into a quieter conversation, a sharp, rhythmic sound echoed through the courtyard — the clang of metal boots against crystal pathways. A group of older students in dark, gleaming uniforms passed by, their expressions cold and unreadable. The symbol of the Aegis Order glimmered on their collars — an elite division of Celestial Wielders, rumored to be enforcers of the academy's darker secrets.
Soren's face darkened.
"Stay away from them," he muttered.
Kai frowned. "Who are they?"
"The Aegis Order. They don't play by the same rules as the rest of us. Rumors say they answer directly to the Grandmaster. Most of them are obsessed with power… and control." Soren lowered his voice. "I've heard of students disappearing after crossing them. Don't let them take an interest in you."
Kai's chest tightened.
The tallest of the group — a girl with pale hair and a cold, hollow gaze — brushed past them, her eyes briefly locking onto Kai's wrist, where the Prime Stone pulsed faintly.
For a second, she smirked.
And then they were gone.
Soren let out a breath. "Yeah… like I said. Dangerous."
Before Kai could ask more, Lira Voss appeared at the courtyard's edge.
"Kai."
Her tone was clipped, serious.
Kai stood quickly, exchanging a glance with Soren.
"We need to talk," she said, her gray eyes flicking toward the distant horizon, where the academy's protective barriers shimmered faintly. "Something's happened."
Kai's stomach dropped.
"What is it?"
Lira didn't answer.
"Come with me. Now."
Soren's brow furrowed. "Is everything okay?"
Lira hesitated for a heartbeat. "There's been a breach. Outside the southern boundary. A mission team's gone missing."
Kai felt his pulse quicken. A mission team? Students?
Lira met his gaze. "Aren was with them."
The world tilted.
Aren.
Kai's first real friend here. The one who made him laugh during the awkward orientation, who helped him unpack his things in the dorm. The guy with bright eyes and an even brighter smile.
Gone?
"I… I need to help—"
Lira cut him off. "No. Not yet. You're not ready."
Kai's jaw clenched.
He didn't care.
He couldn't just sit here while his friend was out there, possibly…
He didn't even finish the thought.
Lira's voice softened. "I know how you feel. But rushing in will only get you killed. And Aren wouldn't want that."
Kai's fists tightened at his sides.
"Train harder, Kai. Make the Prime Stone listen to you. Because next time… it might be you out there."
The air hung heavy around them.
Without another word, Lira turned and disappeared into the crystalline corridors.
Soren placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "We'll get stronger, man. Both of us. You'll see."
But Kai barely heard him.
His gaze was already locked on the distant horizon — on the invisible barrier between safety and death.
And deep inside, something hardened.
He wouldn't be powerless next time.
He couldn't be.