Chapter 3
last update2025-05-21 02:27:00

Morning came all too soon for Kael, who had barely caught a wink of sleep. The excitement coursing through him had kept him awake, his mind racing with anticipation. Today was the day he had dreamed of for as long as he could remember—the day his life would change forever. The thought of it sent a surge of adrenaline through his veins, fueling his every move. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the chance to turn his lifelong dream into reality. He could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on him, but instead of fear, it filled him with an overwhelming sense of purpose. Today, he would prove himself worthy of everything he had ever hoped to become.

“Kael, are you awake?” His dad knocked on his bedroom door.

“Yes dad, just packing.” Kael replied as he packed some clothes into his traveling bag. He had bath early in the morning and done all his chores, it might be the last time he ever does anymore in the house if he manages to pass the tests he would face at the choosing ceremony.

“Alright. I've made breakfast if you're up for it.” His dad said as he walked back into the kitchen to set the table for breakfast.

Kael zipped up his traveling bag and slung it over his shoulder, taking a deep breath. He paused for a moment, glancing around his small bedroom. The familiar surroundings—his simple wooden bed, the small desk cluttered with parchment and quills, and the worn-out bookshelf filled with tales of adventure—seemed almost foreign now, as if this room belonged to someone else. Someone he was leaving behind. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter, and he wasn’t sure when, or if, he would return.

He walked to the living room, the weight of the bag pressing down on his shoulder like the weight of his impending journey. He set the bag down gently by the door and turned to face the dining table where his father was already setting out breakfast. The smell of fresh bread and warm porridge filled the room, mingling with the scent of morning dew that drifted in through the open window.

Kael’s father, a sturdy man with strong hands and a kind face, looked up as Kael entered the room. He was already seated, waiting for his son. “Sit down, Kael. You’ve got a long day ahead of you.”

Kael nodded and took his place at the table. His father had prepared a simple meal—bread, cheese, and porridge—but it was made with the same care and love that had nourished him all his life. As he picked up a piece of bread, he realized that this could be the last time they shared a meal together like this. The thought added a bittersweet tinge to every bite.

They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments before his father spoke again, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “Kael, before you go, I want you to remember something.”

Kael looked up, meeting his father’s eyes. There was a seriousness there that made him set down his fork, giving his full attention.

“You’ve got a gift, son, but you have to be careful with it. Your abilities... they’re powerful, but they’re also dangerous. You remember how you got that scar on your left eyebrow?”

Kael’s hand instinctively went to the small, jagged line that ran through his eyebrow—a permanent reminder of the first time he had used his ability. He nodded, a somber expression crossing his face.

His father continued, his gaze never leaving Kael’s. “I know you’ve learned a lot since then, but you have to respect what you can do. Don’t take it lightly. There are very few people in the entire kingdom who have abilities like yours, and even fewer who can control them.”

Kael’s thoughts drifted back to that fateful day. He had been younger, full of curiosity and eager to explore the strange power that had begun to manifest within him. It was called Temporal Rift, an ability that allowed him to manipulate time within a limited area for brief moments. The first time he had tried to use it, he had been in the workshop with his father. The world around him had slowed to a crawl, objects moving as if through thick syrup. Excitement had bubbled up within him, but his inexperience had led to a loss of control.

Time had snapped back into place with violent force, sending shards of wood and metal flying through the air. One of those shards had caught him above the eye, leaving a deep cut that had scarred over time. The pain had been intense, but it was the fear in his father’s eyes that had haunted him the most. From that day on, Kael had been more cautious, more aware of the power he wielded.

“It’s not just about passing the tests today,” his father went on. “It’s about understanding what you’re capable of, and knowing when to use it—and when not to. I’m proud of you, Kael, more than you’ll ever know. But I also need you to promise me that you’ll be careful. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you, but it’s one that could be cut short if you’re not mindful.”

Kael swallowed hard, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions. He nodded solemnly. “I promise, Dad. I’ll be careful.”

His father gave a small, approving smile and reached across the table to squeeze Kael’s hand. The moment was broken by a knock on the door, and Kael’s father stood up to answer it.

Sir Fred stood on the doorstep, his tall frame and grizzled appearance making him a formidable figure. His face, marked by years of battle and hardship, softened slightly as he saw Kael. “Ready to go, lad?” he asked in his gravelly voice.

Kael’s father stepped aside to let Sir Fred in. The older man nodded respectfully to Kael’s father before turning his attention back to Kael. “It’s a long ride to the city. We should get moving if we want to make it before noon.”

Kael stood, suddenly aware of the finality of the moment. He picked up his traveling bag and slung it over his shoulder once more, giving his father a long, hard look. “I’ll see you soon, Dad.”

His father nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Take care of yourself, Kael. And remember what I said.”

Kael smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He stepped forward and hugged his father tightly, feeling the strength and warmth in the older man’s embrace. When they finally parted, Kael turned and followed Sir Fred out the door.

The morning air was crisp and cool as they stepped outside, the sun just beginning to rise over the distant hills. A carriage waited for them on the road, its dark wood gleaming in the early light. Sir Fred helped Kael load his bag onto the carriage before they both climbed inside. The coachman gave the reins a flick, and the horses began to move, the carriage rolling steadily along the dirt road that led to the city.

As they traveled, Kael’s thoughts wandered to the life he was leaving behind. The small village where he had grown up was already fading into the distance, the familiar sights and sounds replaced by the steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves on the road. The reality of what lay ahead began to sink in. The Choosing Ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it was also fraught with danger. Only a handful of people in the kingdom possessed abilities like his, and fewer still were chosen to serve the King in the Shadow Corps.

The Shadow Corps was a secretive organization, known only to a select few. They operated in the shadows, carrying out missions that were vital to the kingdom’s security. To be chosen was an honor, but it was also a responsibility that few could bear. Kael knew that the tests he would face today would push him to his limits, both physically and mentally. But he was determined to succeed, to prove that he was worthy of the power he had been given.

The carriage ride was long and quiet, the landscape changing from rolling hills to dense forests, and finally to the bustling outskirts of the city. As they neared their destination, the city walls loomed large before them, towering over the surrounding landscape. The city itself was a sprawling metropolis, a hub of commerce, culture, and power. Kael had only visited the city a few times in his life, and each time he had been awed by its sheer size and grandeur.

The carriage passed through the gates, and Kael watched as the streets filled with people going about their daily lives. Merchants peddled their wares, children played in the alleys, and soldiers patrolled the streets, their armor glinting in the sunlight. The city was alive with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet village Kael had left behind.

Sir Fred, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally spoke up as they approached a large, imposing building near the center of the city. “This is it, lad. The King’s Academy. It’s where the Choosing Ceremony will take place.”

Kael looked up at the building, his heart pounding in his chest. It was a massive structure, its stone walls adorned with intricate carvings and banners bearing the King’s crest. The entrance was guarded by soldiers, their stern expressions a reminder of the seriousness of the occasion.

The carriage came to a stop, and Sir Fred climbed out, extending a hand to help Kael down. “Remember what your father said,” Sir Fred advised, his voice low and serious. “This is your chance, Kael. Don’t waste it.”

Kael nodded, his determination renewed. He took a deep breath and followed Sir Fred toward the entrance, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. This was the moment he had been waiting for, and he would not let it slip through his fingers.

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