Kael woke up feeling strange.
Not tired… just different.
He looked at his hand. A black symbol was on the back of it—a small mark shaped like a half-moon with a line running through it. It looked like it was burned into his skin, but there was no pain.
"What… is this?"
He quickly covered it with his sleeve. He didn't want anyone to see it yet.
At breakfast, Mikaho sat across from Kael. She noticed he was unusually quiet.
"You didn't sleep, did you?"
Kael shrugged. "I slept fine."
"You're lying."
Zehr sat beside them with his tray full of food. "Guys! Today's the big day! Argon's special training. Who do you think he'll pick? Me, right?"
Lian sat down too. "You? You almost fainted during Sky Simulator."
Zehr looked offended. "I was acting. For dramatic effect."
Everyone laughed. Even Mikaho. Kael smiled a little, but his mind stayed busy.
That mark… it felt like something ancient.
Soon, all students were called to the training field. Argon stood in the center. The sky was cloudy, and a light wind passed through the field.
"You will now face your first true test," Argon announced. "But only ten will move on."
He snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, ten large wooden crates were rolled into the field. Inside each crate was a special training bot—designed to mimic demon strength and movement.
"Each of you must defeat one," he said. "Without help. Without mercy."
Kael tightened his grip on his training sword.
One by one, students stepped forward and fought.
Some passed. Some failed.
When it was Kael's turn, he walked forward silently. His heart was calm, but his hand burned slightly.
The bot lunged forward.
Kael dodged quickly. His movements were faster than usual. His reflexes sharper.
He hit the bot's weak spot in seconds.
Clank.
The machine shut down.
Argon watched closely, saying nothing.
Later that evening, Kael stood near the fountain outside the dorms. He unwrapped the cloth around his hand and stared at the mark again.
"What are you?"
The moonlight reflected off his skin, and the mark glowed slightly.
Then, behind him, Mikaho appeared. "I saw your hand earlier. What is that?"
Kael stayed quiet for a moment. "I don't know."
Mikaho sat beside him. "Maybe… it's a part of who you're becoming."
Kael looked at her. Her words, though simple, stayed with him.
"Maybe," he whispered.
That night, Argon stood on top of the academy tower.
He spoke to someone hidden in the shadows. "He has the mark. Just like the old legends said."
"Then we must act before he remembers who he is," the voice replied.
Argon nodded. "Yes. Before the island burns again."
Next Episode Preview:
Tension grows as Kael begins to see strange dreams—places he's never been, faces he doesn't know. Meanwhile, a student disappears, and the academy hides the truth. Shadows are moving closer, and Kael's mark begins to change.