Astel's gaze landed on the instructor who had helped him enter the trial.
He was a tall, older man, but somehow exuded the aura of someone young and full of life.
Christopher had been looking over the children participating in their trials. He was a head instructor at the London Bastion's school for gifted children.
This facility had been built to nurture young talents to aid in the endless fight against the World Inversions. Children were admitted once they began showing potential for awakening and stayed until they had successfully awakened.
However, not everyone could stay after the fact.
Since it was a top-of-the-line institution offering some of the best training in the world, it wasn't something regular people could afford.
Astel was one such case. Now that he had awakened, he would be let go — unless he could pay the tuition.
The young boy with blonde hair stared at the tall instructor with a dumbfounded expression, seemingly not understanding his words.
A voice resounded in his head.
"Come with me, Astel."
The boy flinched at the name — Astel. He was confused. His body began to move on its own, walking behind Christopher.
It was a strange sensation.
He hadn't told himself to walk… but neither had he resisted it. He felt alienated from his own body.
As he walked through the big, open halls of the training center, he looked around in awe.
The tall, colorful windows made the place feel like a church. The arched ceiling above him stretched toward the sky. He couldn't help but compare the building with those back at the castle.
He frowned.
'Where is the castle? What about Captain Gareth… or my parents? Where is everything? And why do they keep calling me Astel?'
They walked until they reached a small door labeled:
"Working Staff Only."
Inside was a compact kitchen, a resting area with some comfortable-looking chairs, and a large table with documents scattered across it. The instructor pointed at a leather couch. At the same time, a voice echoed in Astel's head.
"Take a seat."
Astel grabbed his head with one hand and looked around swiftly, searching for the source.
Then, a voice reached his ears — this time aloud, with a slight chuckle.
"Sorry, Astel. It's a habit. Now, why don't you sit down?"
Astel looked at him warily… but for some reason, he felt a warm feeling in his chest. He didn't know why, but he felt like he knew this man.
Before he realized it, he was already sitting.
The leather couch was incredibly soft and comfortable, and the moment he sank into it, he relaxed.
"First of all, let me congratulate you again on conquering your first fragment. It's not a feat everyone manages to achieve."
Christopher paused for a few seconds. "Ah, right—would you like something to drink?"
Astel thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Coffee or water? Ah, children don't usually drink coffee… Water?"
Astel shook his head and opened his mouth. Quiet, almost inaudible words came out.
"Coffee sounds great."
Christopher blinked, dumbfounded, before snapping out of it and pouring two cups of black coffee. He added sugar and milk to Astel's cup to make it more palatable.
"So, Astel. Tell me how you're feeling. Do you have any questions?"
Astel took a sip. He almost spat it out, but forced himself to swallow, a disgusted expression curling across his face. After a few moments of silence, he looked up at Christopher and asked:
"Where are my parents? Where am I?"
He paused. "I feel like I should know… No, I feel like I do know the answers, but I can't recall much."
Christopher took a slow sip from his own cup before replying.
"That's normal, Astel. People are usually confused by the memories of their trials — especially the first.
You're at the National Educational Institute for Gifted Children. You're at school. And you've just returned from conquering your first fragment."
He smiled. "If you don't mind, would you tell me what you remember?"
Astel sank deeper into the couch, thinking for a moment.
"Why do you keep calling me Astel?"
Christopher took another sip.
"Because it's your name. I know it must be confusing right now, but things will go back to normal soon. For now, why don't you tell me what happened during your trial?"
Astel took another small sip of the coffee. His reaction was less extreme this time, but he still couldn't hide his aversion to the bitter taste.
"I… I remember that I went to the castle to become a knight…"
He explained the events of the trial, stopping often to think, sometimes unable to recall things — especially near the end.
"Then I told the captain I would go back and rescue Mom, but… I… I'm sorry. I don't remember much after that."
Christopher quietly listened, sometimes sipping his coffee, nodding, and jotting things into a small notepad. He stared at the notepad in his hands for a few moments before raising his head to look at Astel.
"Thank you for sharing that with me, Astel. Your experience will help many."
He smiled, then stood and walked to the large table.
When he returned, he was holding a plate full of baked cookies — something Astel hadn't seen since he was admitted to the institution.
Astel's eyes lit up. Christopher gave a small nod, gesturing.
"Eat as many as you want."
Astel reached for the cookies, biting into one with pure joy. A genuine smile bloomed on his face, making him almost forget everything else.
As time passed, his memories of his current life started to slowly replace the ones from his trial — without him noticing. He still remembered what had happened… but he began to see himself as Astel, more than Riven.
Christopher took a bite of a cookie and said, "Astel… I have some bad news."
He hesitated.
"Now that you've become a fragmenter, you'll have to leave the school — unless you can pay tuition. And… I know you won't be able to afford it. I'm sorry."
Astel's smile faded. His head lowered.
"I can recommend you a free school where a friend of mine teaches. I don't want you to give up on your dreams because of money."
Astel didn't move. As if he hadn't heard the words. He muttered under his breath.
"I want you to teach me… You… You promised to help me become a hero. You promised."
As he finished speaking, tears streamed down his cheeks.
Christopher walked over and knelt in front of him, placing his hands gently on the boy's shoulders.
"Astel, you will make a great hero one day. I know it. I'll always be here for you… But you can't stay at this school. I'm sorry."
Astel broke down, crying.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
Christopher pulled him into a hug and spoke softly into his mind.
"Become strong, Astel. Stronger than anyone."
After a few moments, he added:
"You've already taken the first step toward becoming a hero. What's a few more steps?"
Astel wiped his tears and runny nose, nodding fiercely.
"I'll show you. I'll become the strongest person you've ever seen."
Christopher smiled.
"You should go. Your mom is waiting for you. And remember — you can always come to me."
Astel nodded. He grabbed his cup and downed the rest of the now-cold coffee in one gulp.
'How do people drink this stuff?' he thought, grimacing.
He set the cup down, grabbed another cookie, and stuffed it into his mouth. Then, with a bright grin, he ran toward the door.
"See you, old man!" he called, before disappearing from the room.