The following morning came too quickly. The sun had barely risen, and the streets of Dravos were already alive with the noise of the day. Eryx, however, was far from focused on the usual chaos. His mind buzzed with the strange conversation he'd had with Malcor the night before, the man who claimed to know the truth about his magic—and his father.
Eryx's heart still beat a little faster when he thought about what Malcor had said. The Academy. The place where only the most powerful mages were trained, a place that might hold the key to his power. But why had Malcor chosen him? Was it really his magic that set him apart, or was there something more? Something that even he didn't understand?
He walked through the slums in a daze, the familiar streets feeling less familiar than ever before. The bustling market, the crowded alleys, the cries of children playing—none of it seemed to matter anymore. A life that had once been his reality now felt like a cage.
As he passed the old market square, a group of kids his age ran past him, laughing and shouting. They didn't see him, didn't care to, and he didn't mind. There were days when he longed to be like them—carefree, innocent—but he had never been that way. Even as a child, Eryx had always felt the weight of something heavy pressing on him.
It wasn't just the slums, though. It was the magic.
Every step he took felt like a battle to suppress it. Every heartbeat, a reminder that it was there, stirring beneath the surface. It was a force he didn't know how to control, a wild energy that he feared would consume him if left unchecked.
When Eryx reached the outskirts of the slums, where the city's edge gave way to the wilderness beyond, Malcor was waiting. The older man stood still, his posture regal, as though he were part of the very landscape itself. His dark cloak billowed around him like it had a life of its own, and his eyes glowed faintly in the morning light.
"You're late," Malcor remarked, but there was no real accusation in his voice. It was a statement, not a criticism.
Eryx said nothing, his eyes scanning the ground nervously as he approached.
"I see the doubts are already clouding your mind," Malcor continued, his voice like a soothing wind, calm but unyielding. "But remember, this is your choice. The path you take from here will determine everything."
"I know," Eryx said quietly, the weight of his words settling on him. "But… I don't understand. Why me? Why now?"
Malcor gave him a piercing look, the kind that seemed to see right through him. "Your magic is not an accident, Eryx. It is tied to something far older than you, far older than even the Academy. But to understand it, you must first accept that you are not like the others. You were never meant to be ordinary."
Eryx frowned, unsure of what to make of the cryptic words. "So, what now?"
Malcor extended his hand toward the dense forest ahead. "Now, you begin your training. We start with the basics. Control. Focus. Without those, no amount of power will save you. You'll be as lost as the streets of Dravos."
Eryx hesitated. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "I'm ready."
Malcor gave a small, approving nod. "Then follow me. We'll begin at the heart of the forest."
The forest was a world away from the slums—quiet, still, and full of mystery. The trees towered above them, their twisted roots crawling through the earth like ancient serpents. There was a strange energy here, unlike anything Eryx had ever felt. It was as though the magic was alive, pulsing in the air, waiting for him to reach out and grasp it.
Malcor led him through the dense underbrush, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Finally, they reached a clearing, where the sunlight pierced through the canopy in sharp beams. In the center of the clearing stood a large stone altar, covered in ancient runes.
"Do you know what this is?" Malcor asked, his voice low and almost reverent.
Eryx shook his head, unsure.
"This is a Source Stone. An artifact from the Order of the Celestial Spire," Malcor explained. "It is tied to the very essence of magic itself. And today, you will learn to connect with it."
Eryx felt a knot form in his stomach. "How do I connect with it?"
Malcor smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing as if weighing something. "It's simple, but not easy. You must let go. You must stop fighting yourself. Reach out, feel the magic that flows through you, and allow it to guide you."
Eryx frowned, uncertainty flickering across his face. He had no idea what Malcor meant by that. He had always been so careful with his magic, always kept it locked inside. The idea of just letting go was terrifying.
But there was something about the Source Stone, something ancient and compelling, that made him want to try.
He stepped forward, cautiously approaching the altar. The air around him thickened, his pulse quickening as his magic stirred in response to the presence of the stone. His hand hovered over it, but he was afraid to touch it. What if the magic was too much? What if he lost control?
Malcor's voice broke through his thoughts. "Trust yourself, Eryx. Trust the magic inside you."
With a deep breath, Eryx placed his hand on the stone.
The moment his skin made contact, something inside him snapped.
A rush of power flooded through him, wild and untamed. It was like a torrent of energy that coursed through his veins, lighting up every corner of his being. The world around him blurred as the magic surged, swirling in his chest, his limbs, everywhere.
It was intoxicating. It was overwhelming.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped.
Eryx staggered back, gasping for air. His body felt like it had been set on fire, every nerve in his body vibrating with energy. He blinked rapidly, trying to steady himself.
"Control," Malcor's voice echoed in the distance. "Focus, Eryx. The magic is yours, but only if you claim it."
Eryx stood there, chest heaving, his mind reeling. He had never felt anything like this before. But despite the fear that clawed at his heart, a part of him was exhilarated.
"I did it," he whispered, still in shock.
Malcor nodded, his expression unreadable. "You did. But this is only the beginning. The true test lies ahead. Can you control it? Can you wield it without letting it consume you?"
Eryx looked at the Source Stone, his heart pounding in his chest. This was just the beginning. But he could feel it deep inside—he was ready for whatever came next.