Level of Prana

The room was shrouded in darkness before it was gradually illuminated by the faint light streaming in from the partially opened door, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The silhouette of the person inside appeared frantic, desperately trying to shut the door with trembling hands. She leaned against it, gasping for breath as if fleeing from an unseen pursuer.

The room remained silent except for the sound of the woman's labored breathing, a stark contrast to the tension that filled the air. Eventually, she mustered the courage to pull the lever of the lantern beside her, causing its flame to flicker to life. In the sudden light, Althea's fearful expression became visible.

Desperate to dispel the lingering fear, Althea rushed to switch on all the available lights in the room. The bedroom had a simplistic yet elegant design, with wooden furnishings adorned with captivating paintings and intricate carvings on the walls. These artistic touches added a sense of enchantment to the space.

Without wasting any time, she hurried into the bathroom, the soft glow of the hallway light trailing behind her. Althea turned on the faucet, and crystal-clear water flowed into the sink. The water in this school was renowned for its purity, having been tested and confirmed as safe for consumption by the general public. It offered a moment of solace and reassurance amidst the chaos.

As Althea splashed her face with the refreshing water, her reflection in the mirror revealed the disarray caused by recent events. Her mind was in turmoil, struggling to make sense of the cryptic words spoken by Alorian.

With the weight of uncertainty still pressing on her, Althea decided to indulge in a soothing bath. She prepared a bathtub, filling it with warm water that enveloped her in comfort. She undressed from her black attire, the fabric falling to the tiled bathroom floor.

She eased herself into the fragrant, steaming bathwater, feeling the tension in her body slowly melt away. With her knees drawn close, she took a deep breath, hoping the tranquil moment would provide clarity amidst the confusion that enveloped her.

"What is happened to him?" Althea whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the gentle sound of bubbling water. She continued to cleanse herself, both physically and mentally, within the warm embrace of the bathtub, searching for answers to the situation that had unfolded.

As Althea dried her hair with the soft towel, her room felt cozy and inviting. The faint scent of lavender from a nearby sachet filled the air, adding to the soothing ambiance.

She had wrapped herself in a pristine white nightgown, the fabric gentle against her skin, as she settled at her well-organized study desk. The wooden surface was adorned with various items, including the glowing lantern that cast a warm, warm light.

On the desk, a collection of books was neatly arranged, ranging from ancient tomes of arcane knowledge to modern textbooks. Althea, however, chose to reach for a small leather-bound journal, its pages pristine and waiting to capture her thoughts.

Her feather pen glided smoothly across the paper as she began to write:

On my second day at White Paradisaea School, I found myself engulfed in a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity.

Today, I had the extraordinary privilege of meeting none other than the Prince of Caeloria himself, Alorian. To my surprise, he revealed that he was the brother of my dear friend, Isvhara.

But the mysteries don't end there. Today marked the beginning of my training in sensing Prana, an energy that holds the secrets of magic. Through it, I briefly reconnected with my mother, who imparted information about the sacred necklace.

Yet, what truly bewilders me is the strange incident involving Alorian. During our conversation, he suddenly collapsed, leaving me in a state of shock. Upon regaining consciousness, he informed me that I had entered his dream.

He posed a question that lingers in my mind: "Did you see the same vision?"

Alorian, his features etched with desperation, continued to press her with questions. His voice quivered as he implored, "Did you see the expanse of snow? You witnessed Aliron's destruction, didn't you?"

Althea's attempts to respond were futile, her voice trapped in her throat. She felt a sense of helplessness as the situation spiraled out of control. The weight of what she might have seen in Alorian's vision bore down on her, leaving her trembling.

Suddenly, Alorian's actions escalated. He seized her shoulders, his grip firm. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, making her heart race. Tears welled up in her eyes as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. The garden, once a place of a spectrum of beautiful flowers, now felt like a confined space, suffocating her.

With a surge of adrenaline, Althea managed to break free from Alorian's grip. She stumbled backward, her breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. Without hesitation, she turned and fled from there, leaving Alorian alone in his anguish.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Alorian bowed his head, his dark hair falling like a shroud around his face. The weight of the uncertain future pressed heavily on his shoulders. The vision he had witnessed, regardless of its authenticity, had left him shaken to his core.

As he contemplated the chaos that lay ahead, he knew that he must confront his inner demons and seek a way to repair the damage done to his relationship with Althea. The unknown of their connection and the glimpses of the future demanded answers, even if it meant confronting the madness within him.

***

The spacious hall, filled with natural sunlight, created a serene and focused atmosphere for the students. The traditional architecture of the place added an air of authenticity to the learning environment.

The bird motifs adorning the corners of the hall's structure seemed to symbolize strength and wisdom, inspiring the students in their pursuit of knowledge.

The students were neatly arranged, sitting cross-legged in their respective groups. Those pursuing formal education were dressed in uniforms that reflected their commitment to a comprehensive curriculum.

In contrast, the temporary students, a smaller group, wore more casual attire, emphasizing the distinction between the two paths of education.

Alorian's disheveled appearance stood out amidst the well-groomed learners. It was clear that he had endured a sleepless night, and his occasional glances toward Althea revealed a sense of distraction as if his thoughts were preoccupied with something beyond the current lesson.

Althea, on the other hand, was a picture of determination. Seated a bit apart from Alorian, she was fully immersed in her studies. Her notebook was filled with meticulous notes, her pen gliding gracefully across the pages as she absorbed the knowledge imparted in the hall.

"Once you've received Prana, you can enhance the Prana within your body," said the bald old man, his steps gentle as he moved among the students.

His wrinkled eyes observed each of them, his fingers absentmindedly stroking his long, white beard. "We call it Awakened Prana."

"As you already know, Prana, mana, is a fundamental entity for manifesting magic," he continued, returning to the front. "But that doesn't mean you can use magic immediately after successfully receiving Prana."

"No, not yet," he emphasized, directing his gaze toward the students in black uniforms. "There are several levels of Awakened Prana, and magic is just one of them."

Althea's curiosity deepened, her face filled with fascination, while Alorian, still struggling with fatigue and drowsiness, buried his head between his bent knees.

"The first level is the Inner Level. It's the foundational stage, and it involves simple breathing exercises." He now moved closer to the group of temporary students, noticing one of them had fallen asleep. "It's essential for advancing to higher levels."

"The second level is the Physical Level," the master continued, pausing right beside Alorian, making him the center of attention, along with Althea. "Maximizing Prana's power to enhance both internal and external bodily resilience."

With a not-too-forceful kick, Alorian jolted awake, drawing laughter from the students, except for Althea, who appeared concerned for him.

"Forgive me, Master Savih," Alorian exclaimed, trying to regain his composure.

"It makes them immune to diseases and potential physical harm," the old master concluded as he stepped away from Prince of Caeloria, leaving behind an atmosphere of eager learning and an awakened sense of curiosity among the students. "However, this isn't an easy feat, and only a few can do that."

"The next level is the Raw Power Level; it's one of the manifestations of Prana with incredible destructive force," as the old man spoke, Alorian glanced in Althea's direction, catching her attention briefly before turning away. "Unlike magic, Raw Power is channeled solely in the form of physical attacks."

"And lastly, which some of you may be interested in, is the Magic Level," Master Savih now stood in front of all his students, back to where he started. "This level transforms Prana itself into different forms, different elements."

"This may seem widespread in the general population, does that mean this level is easy to achieve?" the old man closed his eyes, pausing in his explanation until he reopened them. "It's not that straightforward. Magic can only be executed when it aligns with one's inner emotions."

Althea widened her eyes, ready to jot down what Master Savih was conveying. The old man continued, "Fire is fueled by wrath, water takes shape from calmness, earth is formed through commitment, and wind arises from a heart of freedom."

"If you channel the emotions within yourself into the magic," the Master's expression becomes serious and he manages to smile "You will succeed."