I thought we were going to fight—gloves on, fists flying. But no. Now we were playing chess.
"I object!" I snapped, dragging her attention sharply to me.
"No, you don't. Sit down. We're doing this," she said, firm and commanding.
"No. I'm not playing chess," I said, voice steady.
Theryn stepped closer, her eyes cold and sharp as a freshly drawn blade.
"Let's settle it. One game. You win, I back off. You lose—" she leaned in, voice low and deadly, "—you stay away from Fae."
I blinked once, then laughed. "You're serious?"
"As serious as the Saintess's reputation."
Fae groaned from behind her. "This is ridiculous."
"It's perfect," Erelya whispered, her eyes glittering with wicked anticipation, like she was watching a gladiator match.
With a flick of her wrist, Theryn conjured the board—obsidian and white marble gleaming between us. The pieces shimmered softly, restless, eager to begin.
I cracked my neck and took the black side. "You sure about this?"
She settled into her seat with practiced grace. "More than you are."
The room fell quiet. A few students lingered at the door, pretending not to watch. Even Celeste paused mid-step, eyes narrowing with interest.
Fae sighed, folding her arms. "I should've just gone alone."
Erelya hovered beside me, a tiny, smug coach. "Opening with e4, or are we going with your usual 'punch it till it breaks' strategy?"
"Shush," I muttered, focusing.
The game began.
Her moves were sharp, precise—a strategist grounded in discipline.
Mine? Pure chaos, wild improvisation.
She took my knight.
I cornered her bishop.
We moved silently, the soft click of pieces the only sound. It wasn't just a game anymore—it was pride, tension, something deeper.
Halfway through, she raised an eyebrow. "You've studied."
I smiled. "Not really. I just hate losing."
She smirked. "You will."
Erelya leaned in, whispering in my ear. "Her defense is tightening. One wrong move, and you'll be choking on your own pawns."
"Gee. Thanks for the support," I muttered.
The endgame loomed.
She sacrificed her rook. I hesitated.
That was my mistake.
She slid her queen into position.
Check.
My eyes widened.
One final move.
Checkmate.
Silence swallowed the room like a held breath.
Theryn stared at the board, lips pressed tight.
I stood, slowly pushing back my chair.
"What now?" I said, offering the faintest smile.
She said nothing. Just rose, stiff as a statue, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve.
"You'll keep your word," she muttered, then turned and walked away without a backward glance.
Fae sighed. "I expected you'd lose."
Erelya landed on my shoulder, annoyed as hell. "Damn, you lost."
"Yeah, I can't play chess," I said, flicking her wing gently.
Fae sighed again, but I caught the faintest trace of a smile tugging at her lips.
"…Annoying," she whispered before walking off.
After the loss...
After that humiliating loss, I didn't feel like doing anything. No motivation, no energy. I just dragged myself into my massive, empty room and collapsed onto the bed.
Even Erelya didn't try to mess with me that night.
---
The Next Morning
For some reason, I woke up early. The sun hadn't even fully risen yet, its pale rays slanting through the tall windows of my room. I got ready for school like a machine—washed, dressed, bag slung over my shoulder and left just like that.
"I'm starving," Erelya grumbled, her voice echoing faintly inside my head like a pouty whisper.
"So am I," I muttered back.
I glanced at her as she floated beside me in her tiny, glowing form. How could something so small be such a bottomless pit?
She'd eaten so much yesterday, I wasn't even sure she digested it. It was more like the food just... vanished into thin air.
"You've really got to tone it down," I sighed as I walked into class.
The room was still noisy—students chatting, laughing, throwing paper balls like children in rebellion. Chaos, as usual.
"Hey… anyone sitting here?" said a voice behind me.
I turned and came face-to-face with the most smug-looking bastard I'd seen all day.
"Yeah. It's free," I replied, pointing at the seat beside me.
"Thanks." He sat down smoothly, his presence oddly confident.
"I'm Zayen. Zayen Orik," he said, extending a hand casually.
I blinked.
Who the hell is this guy? I hadn't seen him around since I arrived.
Before I could ask anything, the teacher walked in.
"Settle down, everyone," he said, slamming the register on the desk.
Class went on. Not that I paid any attention. My mind was foggy. And Zayen? He straight-up slept through the whole lecture—arms folded, head tilted back, mouth slightly open. Like he couldn't be bothered.
"Hey! You!"
A shout snapped through the room as we packed our things.
Oh great—new kid initiation.
Zayen didn't even flinch. A few thugs circled him like hyenas, their grins wide and hungry.
"Are you deaf or just dumb?" one of them sneered, slamming a hand on the desk.
BANG.
"Touch that table again," Zayen said calmly, eyes still closed, "and I'll break your fingers."
His tone wasn't threatening—it was fact. Matter of fact. The air shifted.
Before anything could escalate, the door swung open and the next teacher stepped in.
"Enough. Everyone, to the Mystical Training Hall. Now."
---
The Mystical Training Hall
The hall was massive, like a temple of stone and crystal. Mana shimmered faintly in the air, alive and pulsing beneath our feet. Students spread out across the polished floor.
"Today, we'll be identifying your elemental affinities," the instructor said, clapping his hands. "Release your mana. Let's see what nature has given you."
"Since you've manifested Aether before, you might have access to all elements." Erelya said.
"Seriously?" I asked.
"Yeah, but just stick with fire," Erelya advised from behind my shoulder. "You've got the most control over that one."
I nodded, but before I could even prepare myself, a surge of energy exploded from one end of the room.
A flaming cyclone twisted into existence, hot and howling. Students backed away with gasps as a lone figure stood at its center.
"Damn…" Erelya muttered. "That's the new guy. He's got some real talent… for a human."
Zayen stepped out of the swirling flames like he'd done it by accident. Casual. Effortless.
One by one, the others followed with their own displays. Vaelen summoned a wind vortex so strong it cracked tiles. Celeste conjured a massive icicle that slammed into the floor like a frozen spear.
Then it was my turn.
"Sir… is it okay if I damage the room a bit?" I asked, stepping forward.
The instructor rubbed his temples. "Hah… Just try not to bring the whole place down. Your classmates have already ruined most of it."
"Thanks."
I walked toward the center, the crowd parting with anticipation.
"You're not gonna use that, are you?" Erelya asked cautiously.
"No," I said with a grin. "Only a fraction of the real thing."
I raised my hand slowly and took a deep breath.
Haiki no Tobari: Homura no Kanmuri – Han Bakuhatsu.
(Dominion Veil: Crown of Embers – Partial Explosion.)
BOOM.
I slammed my fist into the ground in a single, clean strike.
The floor erupted in a wave of crimson light and fire, forming a shockwave that blasted outward like a cannon. Heat shimmered in the air. Cracks spiderwebbed across the stone floor. Smoke and sparks curled into the air like dancing spirits.
The room went silent.
Everyone stared. Even Vaelen. Even Celeste.
And Zayen? He looked like a kid at a fireworks show.
"Ha! That was awesome!" he said, grinning like a maniac. "Damn, man—you've got style."
Yo!
If you laughed, gasped, or yelled at any point—vote, drop a power stone, and smack that collection button like it owes you money.
Seriously though, thanks for reading. You're awesome.
Now go drink water or something.
Kael's chaos continues next chapter~
– Excalibro ⚔️