Joy took a short, deep breath. "Well, I think I have scared most of you enough for one day," she said to the class. "I will be ending the class now. You can rest or do whatever you normally do when you're free. Remember, you will be having combat training with Silas later."
Everyone in the class, including Bryce, was still thinking about Level 5 demons. But the moment combat training was mentioned, Bryce's thoughts shifted back to getting stronger. To him, there was no point in thinking too much about distant threats while remaining weak in the present.
The students began to leave the classroom. Bryce stayed seated, waiting for everyone else to leave before standing up.
Slowly, the room emptied. Then Gabriela stood from her chair.
"It was nice meeting you, Bryce," she said with a smile. "I guess we'll be seeing each other often and I'm really looking forward to that."
With that, she walked out of the classroom.
Now Bryce was the only one left, aside from Joy. He stood up, but before he could leave, he heard her voice.
"Can I see you for a moment, Bryce? I won't waste your time, so don't worry."
Bryce wasn't in the mood to talk, but he had no choice. She was his instructor, someone who would teach him things he didn't know. Staying on good terms with her mattered.
He walked over slowly and stood in front of her.
"I'm glad you're here with us," Joy said calmly. "I'll do my best to teach you with everything I have. Just feel comfortable in this class."
She continued, "You came late, which means you're behind and have missed a lot. But I'll try my best to help push you forward. If you have any questions at all, I'm always available."
She paused before adding, "The same goes for combat training. I'll speak with Silas, your instructor, so he can keep an eye on you. Though I'm sure he would do that even without me asking. He's a good instructor. Follow him well, and you'll learn."
Bryce listened and understood, but he didn't reply. When she finished speaking, he nodded once and walked away.
After leaving the classroom, Bryce wasn't sure what to do. Combat training wouldn't begin for a while.
He didn't want to return to his room, he wasn't in the mood, so he decided to walk around the building.
There were still many things he didn't understand, many questions unanswered. Maybe exploring the academy would give him some insight.
He wandered through hallway after hallway, slowly getting used to the layout. Most of the rooms were empty. The walls were cracked in places, but the structure still felt solid.
He eventually came across a staircase leading upward and decided to take it. There were barely any people on the upper floor, which he preferred.
After walking for some time, he reached a large door.
This room, he sensed, was at the center of the building.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
At the center of the room stood a massive machine, firing a beam of blue light straight up through the ceiling.
Bryce wasn't sure what it was doing but he knew what it was.
It was energy.
So much of it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
A voice spoke from behind him.
Bryce turned quickly.
It was Silas, the combat instructor.
Because Bryce had been so focused on the energy, he hadn't noticed when Silas entered the room.
The situation felt awkward. Bryce wasn't expecting anyone and didn't know what to say, so he remained silent.
Silas walked slowly until he stood beside Bryce. "This is energy in its purest form," he said. "It powers the force field that engulfs the entire citadel, preventing creatures from the other world from entering."
Bryce listened carefully.
"It's so strong that it can't be broken from the outside," Silas continued. "It can only be broken from within, right here to be exact, by a force as powerful as the one who created it, or by a force that completely negates the energy."
"Who made it?" Bryce asked.
It was the one question that kept repeating in his mind.
"The founder of this academy and the citadel," Silas replied. "Very little is known about him. But it's rumored that he was the first Enlightened One… and the strongest."
"The strongest Enlightened One," Bryce murmured.
The idea of someone possessing that level of power lingered heavily in his thoughts.
"I'd love to say more," Silas added, "but I think that would be better left to Joy." He glanced at Bryce. "And I should ask, what are you doing here of all places?"
"I was just walking around, getting familiar with the building," Bryce replied.
Silas nodded. "That makes sense. You're new here. Still, this area is somewhat restricted. Students don't usually come here."
"I'll leave now," Bryce said.
"I'll be training your class soon," Silas replied. "So we'll see each other again. You're in good hands. With my training, you'll grow stronger and learn to master your power."
What he said made little sense to Bryce because he wasn't even sure if he had power yet, he hasn't tried manipulating energy.
But that was the least thing on his mind. So he slipped his hands into his pockets, turned around, and walked out of the room, heading down to the floor below.
Now, all he could think about was the strongest Enlightened One, who he was, and how he had reached such overwhelming power.
Bryce made his way to the training grounds, the same place where he had watched Zhen and Jace fight. He figured it would be where combat training took place.
When he arrived, his assumption proved correct.
The students were already gathered there. To his surprise, Joy was present as well. The training ground looked different this time. Various pieces of equipment were set up across different sections.
Bryce walked quietly to a corner where no one else stood. It was clear they were all waiting for Silas.
"We meet again, Just Bryce," Gabriela said as she walked up to him.