Kael returned to his cramped little room, the only place he could call home in this slum. The room was bare, with just an old bed and a rickety wooden table. But tonight, it was no longer a refuge of despair, but a space for him to confront his own transformation.
He sat down, his gaze sweeping over his hands. Just moments ago, he had done the impossible. He had defeated Radek, the ruler of the slum, with a power that belonged to no known Source Core. The sensation of Primordial Energy still surged within him, stronger and more vibrant than ever.
However, the exhilaration quickly gave way to anxiety. This slum had a thousand eyes. The confrontation he just had would surely spread like wildfire. Rumors would soon reach the ears of those in power. Kael knew that a "cripple" suddenly possessing mysterious power would become either a threat or a valuable plaything in the eyes of the major factions.
He closed his eyes, trying to listen. The wind whistled through the cracks in the door, mice scurried in the walls, and even... a very faint sound, like someone lurking outside. Kael's senses had become far more acute. He could feel that presence, cold and filled with malice.
"Who's there?" Kael whispered, not moving.
There was no answer. But the sound remained, hidden in the darkness. Kael took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't keep hiding forever. Primordial Energy needed to be controlled, and he needed to understand this world better to survive.
He stood up, walking to the rotting window. Through a small gap, he looked out into the dark alley. There was nothing, just long shadows cast by dilapidated buildings. But he knew, he wasn't alone.
The next morning, Kael woke with a decision. He couldn't continue to be passive. He needed a safer place to train, and more importantly, he needed information. The Beacon Academy, the center for Arcania's cultivation prodigies, was the best place. It was a crazy idea. A cripple like him would never get in there. But now, he had an advantage.
With the knowledge of Primordial Energy from the ancient relic, Kael knew that Arcania's current Source Cores were weakened variants. If he could prove his potential, perhaps he would have a chance.
On the way to the Academy, Kael felt the scrutinizing gazes more acutely. Not just the curious stares from the slum dwellers, but cold, assessing looks from cloaked figures, hidden in the shadows. They were information brokers, or worse, agents of hidden organizations searching for anomalies.
As Kael approached the gates of Beacon Academy, the disparity between the two worlds became even clearer. The massive stone archway, intricately carved with ancient reliefs, flanked by towering Guardian Warrior statues. Students entered and exited in neat uniforms, carrying the aura of cultivators.
A tall, armored guard stopped Kael. "Hey kid, this isn't a place for you. Go back to your slum."
Kael looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm here to register for admission."
The guard and a few nearby students burst into laughter. "You, enroll? A Coreless one? What do you think this Academy is?"
Kael said nothing. He raised his palm. A vibrant stream of Primordial Energy, iridescent with the colors of everything, slowly gathered, forming a small sphere of pure energy. No incantations, no magical signs, just absolute purity.
The light from the sphere immediately drew attention. The laughter died. The guard stared, wide-eyed. The light from the Primordial Energy was unlike any Source Core he had ever seen. It carried an ancient, powerful, yet incredibly serene sensation.
From inside the Academy, a tall figure with hair as white as snow stepped out. It was Headmaster Eldrin, one of Arcania's most powerful mages, rumored to be able to sense even the slightest energy fluctuations. His sharp eyes rested on Kael's hand, where the Primordial Energy sphere glowed.
"You... who are you?" Headmaster Eldrin's voice was deep, but filled with utter astonishment. "This energy... I've never seen anything like it."
Kael slowly lowered his hand, the energy sphere dissipating. "My name is Kael," he replied, unwavering. "I've come seeking answers."
Eldrin's eyes narrowed. He no longer looked at Kael as a cripple, but as a living mystery. Something had awakened in Arcania, something even he had never encountered.
He turned to the guard. "Let him in."
The Headmaster's words stunned everyone. A Coreless one allowed into Beacon Academy? This was unprecedented!
Kael stepped through the Academy gates, feeling hundreds of suspicious, curious, and even hostile gazes following him. He knew this was just the beginning of a challenging journey. The world beyond the slums was vast, but also exponentially more dangerous. But he was ready.
Because now, Kael was no longer alone. He carried within him the echoes of a lost era, and the Primordial Energy waited to be fully unleashed.