Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Dawn Training Chapter 102: Dawn Training Aiden had never been a morning person.

Waking up before dawn was already bad enough, but doing it for secret training that they didn’t know what is about?

Even worse.

Yet here he was, slipping out of bed as quietly as possible, careful not to make too much noise.

Across the room, Adrian was already pulling on his black leather jacket, looking far too awake for this hour.

Sevan was lacing up his shoes with a calm expression, as if this were just another normal school morning.

“Ready?” Adrian whispered, adjusting the collar of his jacket and using up some gel to slick back (to Aiden’s horror) his hair.

Aiden sighed and nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“As I’ll ever be.” The three of them moved silently, careful not to wake anyone as they left their dorm.

The castle halls were eerily quiet, save for the occasional flicker of torchlight casting long shadows on the stone walls.

The east wing wasn’t far, but every footstep felt louder than it should have in the stillness of the early morning.

“Think he’ll make us run laps?” Adrian muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Sevan glanced at him.

“If he does, then we’d better keep up.” Adrian scoffed.

“Like I’d have a problem with that.” Aiden wasn’t convinced.

He had a feeling this training would be anything but ordinary.

When they reached the east wing, Professor Anwar was already there, waiting in the dim light.

He stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he observed them approach.

“Good.

You’re on time,” he said.

Aiden straightened while Sevan gave a curt nod.

Professor Anwar glanced between them before turning toward the wall behind him.

With a flick of his wrist, the stone shifted, revealing a hidden passageway.

A cold draft blew past them as darkness yawned beyond the entrance.

“Follow me,” Anwar said, stepping inside.

Without hesitation, Adrian followed.

Sevan went next, his usual caution in his every movement.

Aiden took a deep breath and stepped into the shadows after them, knowing there was no turning back now.

The passageway was cold.

Not just from the draft that had swept past them but from something deeper like something ingrained in the very stone itself.

Aiden’s steps were steady, but he could hear the faint echo of their movements, the sound swallowed by the darkness that stretched ahead.

A soft glow flickered into existence as Professor Anwar raised his hand, conjuring a small orb of light that illuminated the narrow corridor.

“Stay close,” he instructed, leading them deeper into the passage.

Adrian, walking just behind him, turned his head slightly.

“So, where exactly are we going?

Some ancient hidden training ground?” Professor Anwar didn’t break stride.

“Something like that.” Aiden exchanged a glance with Sevan, who merely adjusted his cuff sleeves.

The walls of the corridor were rough, untouched by the refined craftsmanship of the academy above.

It felt old.

Like older than the school itself.

Eventually, the passage opened up into a vast underground chamber.

The light from Anwar’s spell revealed smooth stone floors, worn from use, and a series of karatula symbols carved into the walls.

“This place was used long before Genvah Academy was built,” Professor Anwar said, his voice echoing slightly in the open space.

“It has been repurposed for training those who need to learn beyond what the academy can offer.” Adrian whistled, stepping forward to inspect the carvings.

“And you’re saying we are those people?” Professor Anwar gave him a knowing look.

“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.” Sevan studied the karatula symbols carefully before looking back at Anwar.

“What exactly are we training for?” The professor’s expression didn’t change.

“To hone the power you had potential to use.” Aiden felt a chill run down his spine, though he wasn’t sure if it was from the cold air or the weight of Anwar’s words.

Adrian smiled cockily, cracking his knuckles.

“Well, whatever it is, I hope it involves punching things.” Professor Anwar’s lips curled slightly in amusement.

“We’ll start with something simpler.” With a flick of his wrist, the symbols on the walls began to glow, the entire chamber coming alive with magic.

“Let’s begin.” The chamber pulsed with energy, the glowing symbols casting shifting light across the stone walls.

Aiden rolled his shoulders, feeling the warmth of his fire magic stir beneath his skin.

Sevan stood beside him, his usual composed expression intact, while Adrian stretched lazily, looking eager for whatever was coming next.

Professor Anwar moved to the center of the room and gestured toward the far wall, where three circular targets appeared, etched into the stone.

Each was surrounded by faint karatula stones.

“Accuracy,” Anwar said.

“Control.

Efficiency.

Power means nothing if you cannot use it effectively.” Adrian tilted his head.

“So what, we’re just throwing magic at a wall?” Anwar ignored the comment.

“Aiden, Sevan, you will focus on precision.

Hit the center of your targets, not just with force, but with intent.

Adrian, yours will be different.” Adrian perked up at that, crossing his arms.

“Oh?” Anwar extended a hand, and suddenly, the shadows in the room stretched unnaturally, twisting toward Adrian’s feet.

“You will move through the darkness, strike where you are unseen, and return without a trace.” Adrian’s grin widened.

“Now that sounds fun.” Sevan eyed the targets carefully.

“Are there penalties for missing?” Anwar gave him a measured look.

“You won’t like the consequences if you do.” That was all the warning they got.

Aiden went first, summoning fire to his palm.

He took a steady breath before launching a small flame at his target.

It hit- but only barely.

The edges of the fire scattered, licking at the stone without much force.

“Again,” Anwar instructed.

Beside him, Sevan extended his hand, forming a stream of water.

He let it build before sending it forward, but his aim was just off, the water splashing across the stone instead of striking the dead center.

Sevan frowned, already analyzing his mistake.

Meanwhile, Adrian smirked before sinking into the shadows, disappearing completely.

For a moment, there was nothing until a sharp flicker of movement reappeared just behind the target.

Adrian emerged with a flourish, tapping the center with his fingers before vanishing once more.

“Show-off,” Aiden muttered, adjusting his stance for another fire strike.

Adrian’s laugh echoed from the darkness.

“Jealous?” Aiden ignored him, this time focusing on what he was supposed to do.

He took a breath, feeling the warmth coil inside him.

This time, when he released the fire, it flew straight and sharp, striking the center of the target with a satisfying thud.

Better.

Sevan, too, adjusted, narrowing his eyes as his water shot forward in a more precise arc, hitting the mark.

“Again,” Anwar ordered, and the three of them prepared for another round.

The chamber was alive with magic now, the air charged with the lingering energy of their attacks.

The targets remained untouched despite the repeated strikes- they were enchanted to endure the training.

Aiden flexed his fingers, feeling the residual heat from his fire, while Sevan rolled his shoulders, the moisture in the air shifting slightly around him.

Professor Anwar crossed his arms.

“You’re improving, but brute force alone will not serve you.

You must learn to wield your abilities with intent, as weapons, not as wild, untamed power.” Aiden wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Isn’t that what we’re already doing, professor?” “No.” Anwar gestured toward their targets, and with a flick of his wrist, they vanished.

In their place, humanoid training dummies emerged crafted from stone, with glowing runes carved into their bodies.

“Now, you will fight as if these were real opponents.” Adrian grinned.

“Finally, something with a face to hit.” Anwar ignored him.

“Aiden.

Fire is destruction, but it is also precision.

A blade of flame or a whip is more effective than a wildfire you cannot control.” He held up a hand, and before their eyes, a thin, razor-sharp line of light cut through the air like a sword.

“Try it.” Aiden gritted his teeth, flames curling around his fingers as he tried to mold them into something sharper like something more controlled.

The fire flickered and lashed wildly, like an unruly serpent refusing to be tamed.

“Too wild,” Anwar said, watching with his usual impassive expression.

“Fire is fluid, but it must obey your will.

A whip, not a flailing torch.” Aiden exhaled, trying again.

He stretched the fire outward, attempting to form a long, controlled line.

For a moment, it held- thin and flickering- but then the flames sputtered, breaking apart into chaotic embers.

Adrian snickered from the side.

“Looks more like you’re just setting the air on fire.” Aiden shot him a glare.

“Shut up.” Sevan, standing off to the side, tested his own control over water, attempting to shape it into a solid spear.

His first attempt was too weak- the water lost its form before impact.

His second was too forceful, the water splashing uselessly against the stone dummy.

Anwar stepped between them, studying their progress.

“Trial and error is necessary.

But you must learn faster.” He turned to Aiden.

“Again.

Focus on keeping the fire together, not just moving it forward.” Aiden inhaled deeply, summoning the fire once more.

This time, he pictured the motion- like cracking a whip.

He snapped his arm forward, and the fire followed, stretching into a thin, wavering arc before striking the dummy’s chest.

The impact was weak, barely scorching the surface.

But it was progress.

Anwar gave a curt nod.

“Better.

Now refine it.” As Aiden prepared to try again, Sevan focused on his water spear, this time compressing the liquid before release.

He hurled it forward, and while it struck the dummy, it splashed apart upon impact.

“Not enough weight,” Anwar commented.

“Water is adaptable, but it must have force to penetrate.” Sevan sighed, adjusting his stance.

“This would be easier if it weren’t the first- or second but I won’t call that in the dorm a first- time I was trying to turn water into a weapon.” Adrian leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“Yeah, well, welcome to our lives.” Anwar turned to him.

“You, too, Adrian need refinement.

Blending into shadows is one thing- attacking unseen is another.” Adrian grinned.

“I think I’m doing just fine.” Anwar flicked his wrist, and suddenly, the shadows around Adrian constricted, holding him in place.

Adrian’s grin faltered.

“Oh.” “You rely too much on instinct,” Anwar said.

“Instinct is useful, but it must be trained.

If your enemy knows how to manipulate shadows, then what?” Adrian struggled against the shadows before slipping free with effort.

He scowled, clearly frustrated.

“Again,” Anwar instructed, stepping back.

“All of you.

Adjust.

Refine.

Until your magic is an extension of you, not just a tool you wield.” Aiden clenched his fists, the fire reigniting.

Sevan steadied his breath, molding the water in his hands.

Adrian rolled his shoulders, eyes flickering with determination.