The week began with a different air.The courtyards of Olympo shone under the morning light, but that wasn't what felt different to Vex. It was him.Something in his stride, in how he wore his uniform, even in how he breathed.It wasn't confidence just yet...But it wasn't the same uncertainty as before, either.
— Are you gonna keep walking that upright, or did your ego get stuck in your bracelet? —Elois asked as they headed down the stairs of Wing Three.Kaen walked ahead, adjusting the grip on his trident.— You've been training on your own? —he added without turning around.Vex looked at them, a bit surprised they noticed.— A little, —he admitted.Elois clicked his tongue.— So the quiet man of the room has secrets… Alright. But if you start getting all mysterious and attractive like Kaen, I'm going to start getting worried!Kaen scoffed softly.— Impossible. He needs at least seven more scars and one tragic backstory.They all laughed—short, but real. The sound felt different. Stronger. More sincere.
The classroom was circular, lined with glowing runes along the edges, and in the center stood Professor Mettal.Silver short hair, sharp gaze, and a voice that sliced the air like it was born to silence crowds.— Quiet. We don't teach you how to throw fire in here.We teach you how to avoid burning yourself alive.
She paced through the class, inspecting bracelets, visible runes, and the students who had already awakened their first connection.— A rune is a language. A living symbol.If you force it, it dies.If you listen… it speaks.
And so began the day's exercise: keeping your rune active using only controlled breathing.Many failed within seconds. Others couldn't activate theirs at all.Vex closed his eyes. Breathed the way Aric had taught him. From the center. From the core.The white rune trembled...and held.It didn't shine like the Caelum runes, nor did it burn like Ignis.But it was there.
Professor Mettal stopped in front of him. Watched him for a moment longer than the rest.She said nothing.But Vex felt it—he'd passed the first silent test.
Altair was waiting for him outside, leaning casually against a column, as if he already knew the result.— You're moving fast, —he said neutrally.— I'm trying to catch up, —Vex replied.— Don't, —he said. —Let them underestimate you.The invisible ones… they get closest without being feared.
Vex smiled.— And you? Were you always like this?— Only after failing the first time.That first loss teaches more than a thousand lectures.
The corridor in the north tower was empty. Vex walked in silence, mentally rehearsing his breathing techniques, when he heard footsteps up ahead.A figure turned the corner with the same flawless presence as always.Saria Rymot.Her eyes locked on to him instantly… and her expression shifted subtly. Not with surprise. With annoyance.She paused just long enough to glance at the practice sword on Vex's back.
— So now you're playing swordsman?Vex met her eyes for a second, then looked down.— I changed weapons.Saria clicked her tongue, half-smiling with disdain.— Doesn't matter what weapon you use.When you're mediocre, every blade rusts with you.And without waiting for a reply, she walked off, leaving him behind like he wasn't even worth the effort of extended contempt.
Vex said nothing.Didn't even sigh.He just thought:Someday…when my sword speaks for me…I won't need to answer anyone.
At sunset, Vex walked alone through the central garden. The sky had a copper hue, and the wind smelled like warm stone.He sat beneath a structure of living branches, breathed… and for the first time in a long while, he didn't think about how far behind he was.But about how far he'd come.
"Fire doesn't stand out when it starts.But when it burns…no shadow stands still."