Kapitel 10: The First Lesson
Orin woke to the sound of muffled voices and the faint hum of energy coursing through the walls of Hachi Academy. The room was small but comfortable—a far cry from the hard earth and open sky of his mercenary days. A simple cot, a desk stacked with notes he hadn't yet read, and a window overlooking the sprawling academy grounds. The sky outside was a pale gray, the morning sun struggling to break through thick clouds.
The events of the trial still lingered in his mind like a fading nightmare. The beast's taunting voice echoed in his thoughts, but alongside it was the flicker of resolve he'd felt when he'd forced it back. For the first time, Orin believed he might have a chance at controlling it.
A sharp knock on the door startled him from his thoughts.
"Get up, Slain," a gruff voice called. "Orientation starts in ten minutes. Don't make me drag you there."
Orin sighed, recognizing the voice of **Instructor Korran**, one of the academy's taskmasters. From what he'd observed during his short time here, Korran didn't tolerate hesitation—or excuses. Orin quickly threw on the academy-issued training uniform, its black fabric adorned with the same sword-and-serpent crest he'd seen on the gates. It felt strange, restrictive, as though it didn't quite belong to him yet.
When he opened the door, Korran was waiting, his massive arms crossed over his broad chest. His face was weathered, his sharp gray eyes assessing Orin with the same scrutiny he gave to everyone.
"Good," Korran said. "You're not completely useless this morning. Follow me."
The academy grounds were vast, a blend of old-world stonework and futuristic architecture. Towering spires hummed with energy, their crystalline cores glowing faintly. Students of all ages moved through the corridors and courtyards, their voices filling the air with a mix of camaraderie and nervous excitement.
Korran led Orin to an open-air arena on the far side of the campus. The space was lined with training dummies, weapon racks, and shimmering barriers that seemed designed to contain whatever chaos was unleashed during training. A handful of other students were already there, standing in a loose circle around a central platform.
Orin's stomach churned as he approached. These were his peers—gifted, blessed, and blood hunters like him. Some carried themselves with an easy confidence, their postures relaxed but deliberate. Others looked as nervous as Orin felt, their eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.
A young woman with silver hair tied in a high ponytail caught his attention. She stood apart from the group, her arms crossed, her eyes scanning the crowd with quiet intensity. **Zeela Silvez.** Orin recognized her name from overheard conversations. She was already a legend among the trainees, known for her precision and her mastery of gravity manipulation.
To her left was **Wake**, a tall, muscular man with dark skin and a calm demeanor. Orin had noticed him during his trial—the phoenix blood that coursed through Wake's veins made him a force to be reckoned with. His very presence seemed to radiate an almost unnatural warmth.
Finally, there was **Hiroshi Starke**, a wiry figure leaning against the weapon rack, his hood pulled low over his face. He had an air of quiet cunning, his movements precise and deliberate. His reputation as a stealth expert preceded him.
Korran clapped his hands, pulling Orin's attention back to the group. "Listen up, initiates!" he barked. "You've all passed your trials, but that doesn't mean you're ready. You've only proven you're not completely hopeless."
A few of the students shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Your first lesson is simple: *control.*" Korran's voice was sharp, cutting through the chatter. "The power you have isn't a gift—it's a responsibility. You lose control, and people die. You lose control, and you die."
Orin's chest tightened. He didn't need the reminder.
"Today, you'll face each other in a controlled environment," Korran continued, gesturing to the arena. "This isn't about winning. It's about understanding your limits. Learning how far you can push without breaking."
He pointed at Orin. "You. Slain. Step up."
Orin's heart raced as he stepped onto the platform. The other students turned to watch, their expressions ranging from curiosity to mild disinterest. He could feel their eyes on him, weighing him, judging him.
"Your opponent," Korran said, scanning the group. His gaze landed on Zeela. "Silvez."
Zeela didn't hesitate. She stepped onto the platform, her movements fluid and confident. Her silver hair gleamed under the pale light, and her eyes locked onto Orin with an intensity that made his breath catch.
"Rules are simple," Korran said. "First to disable their opponent wins. No lethal force."
Orin swallowed hard as Zeela took her stance, her posture relaxed but ready. He could feel the weight of her experience, the precision in her movements. She wasn't just strong—she was in complete control.
"Begin!" Korran barked.
Zeela moved first, her hand snapping up as a wave of pressure slammed into Orin. He barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the ground where he'd been standing cracked and buckled under the force of her attack.
"Focus, Slain!" Korran shouted from the sidelines.
Orin scrambled to his feet, his pulse pounding in his ears. He could feel the beast stirring inside him, its voice whispering at the edges of his mind. *Let me out,* it urged. *She's too strong. You'll never beat her.*
"No," Orin growled under his breath. He forced himself to focus, drawing his blade and lunging toward Zeela.
She sidestepped easily, her movements almost lazy. With a flick of her wrist, the gravity around him shifted, pulling him off balance. Orin stumbled, barely managing to catch himself before she launched another attack. This time, a concentrated gravity well formed beneath his feet, pinning him in place.
"You're predictable," Zeela said calmly, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Orin gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling in his chest. He pushed against the gravity, his muscles straining as he fought to break free. The beast's voice grew louder, more insistent. *You're weak. You need me.*
"Shut up," Orin muttered, though he wasn't sure if he was talking to the beast or himself.
Zeela raised her hand for another attack, but this time, Orin moved first. He focused all his strength into his legs, pushing against the gravity well with everything he had. With a roar, he broke free, surging toward her in a burst of speed.
Zeela's eyes widened, just for a moment, before she brought up a gravity shield. Orin's blade slammed against the invisible barrier, the impact sending shockwaves through the arena. The force of the blow pushed Zeela back a step, but her shield held firm.
"You're learning," she said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Orin didn't respond. He could feel the beast clawing at the edges of his control, demanding to be unleashed. His vision blurred for a moment, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Focus, Slain!" Korran's voice cut through the haze. "Control!"
Orin closed his eyes, forcing the beast back into the depths of his mind. He steadied his breathing, his grip on the blade tightening. When he opened his eyes, his vision was clear.
Zeela lowered her shield, her expression shifting to one of approval. "Better," she said. "But you'll need more than that."
Before Orin could respond, Korran stepped forward, raising a hand. "That's enough!" he barked.
The tension in the arena eased as Zeela lowered her stance, the gravity around them returning to normal. Orin let out a shaky breath, his body trembling with exhaustion.
"You're not hopeless, Slain," Korran said, his tone gruff but not unkind. "But you've got a long way to go."
Orin nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. He knew Korran was right. The battle had been just a taste of what the Academy had in store for him. But for the first time, he felt like he belonged.
As he stepped off the platform, Orin caught Zeela's gaze. She gave him a slight nod, a gesture of respect. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
The road ahead was still uncertain, but Orin knew one thing for sure: he wasn't alone anymore.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein