Realization

Elias lay on his bed, lost in thought about the discovery of his affinity for the Aura of Chaos.

Well, I'll have to get used to this new reality. It all happened in an instant...

After a moment of staring at the ceiling and thinking about all sorts of things, Elias got up and went to his desk. He turned on the hologram on his old watch, an outdated model but still functional. He started searching through virtual archives for information on the Aura of Chaos. He had never particularly been interested in this type of Aura before, after all, who would have thought he would have an affinity for it? Chaos users were rare and mysterious, their stories intertwined with inexplicable and often troubling events.

Elias chuckled inwardly.

What, am I going to become a legend or something?

Elias quickly discovered a common point among known users, their mental state changed as they became more powerful. This realization left Elias perplexed. Could he maintain his own sanity while exploring this new ability?

I'll deal with that later…

Unfortunately, after a lot of searching, he didn't find much about Chaos. It was a poorly documented type of Aura due to its rarity. What was generally known was that Chaos users could somehow interact with the very laws of the world.

That's vague...

Closing his eyes, Elias tried to reconnect with the fleeting sensation he had felt when touching the Aura crystal. This crystal was not ordinary, it was a rare specimen, found only in extremely hostile areas near Aura rifts. These crystals had the unique ability to stimulate an individual's Aura, particularly effective when used on adolescents like Elias, to promote rapid development towards powerful Aura mastery.

Instead of a simple physical sensation, Elias felt a subtle energy emanating from his Chaos Aura. It was like a pulse in phase with the fundamental laws of the world, a force that defied established order and embraced disorder as a natural component of existence. It was both fascinating and intimidating...

Argh, I can't grasp it. I feel like there's something I'm missing...

After a moment of deep silence, he sighed.

"Why didn't I inherit a simpler type of Aura?"

he murmured quietly. But deep down he knew that each type of Aura was complex in its own way. Chaos, with its unpredictable and devastating potential, was no exception.

Let's see what they say about the test…

After returning from the Aura test, Elias had gone straight to his room. His father and sister had decided to leave him alone for a while so he could sort out his thoughts. As a result, he had completely forgotten that the news of the test was probably making headlines worldwide.

[The Appearance of the Seventh Chaos User!]

[A Generation Blessed by the Aura?]

[First in History! Two Double Affinities Discovered in One Test!]

[The Domination of the Valenwood Faction?]

Well...

"I really don't want to compete with these geniuses..."

Elias knew very well that just because he had an affinity for Chaos didn't mean he had become some kind of prodigy. He had no chance against those who came from factions. They had been trained all their lives, put in the ideal environment from the start. Elias, on the other hand, was just an ordinary kid. Chaos, though very rare, was still just another type of Aura... right?

Speaking of ordinary people... That guy, Seth, right? He doesn't come from a faction either...

"Elias ! Can you come here for a minute?"

Suddenly, his father's voice called from downstairs.

Elias went down to join him. Downstairs, his father wore a warm smile, though tinged with contained emotion.

"Elias, I've received an important message."

his father began in a calm voice.

"The three major Aura academies have expressed their desire to recruit you. It's a rare honor, especially since this year, all three have agreed to choose you."

The news surprised Elias a little. He knew that the academies were required to recruit anyone who showed a particular affinity with the Aura, but it still felt strange to him, this sudden change in his daily life. He listened silently to his father, aware of the importance of every word.

"I'm proud of you, son."

his father continued with evident sincerity.

"You have the choice between the Rising Sun Academy, the Scarlet Winds Academy, and the Eternal Moon Academy."

Elias pretended to think, even though he had already made his decision before this conversation. He knew why he would choose the Eternal Moon Academy, but decided to keep this reason secret for himself. He responded carefully, measuring his words.

"I will choose the Eternal Moon Academy,"

he finally announced.

"Selene Lumen, the Aura Master on the verge of becoming legendary, leads this academy. Her renown and expertise greatly contribute to the academy's reputation."

However, this explanation was only part of the truth. The real reason Elias had chosen the Eternal Moon Academy was that it boasted of having had three Chaos users as students. Elias hoped to find answers there and better understand his own power.

His father nodded with a mix of pride and relief. Elias knew that his father was hiding his deep emotions behind this calm facade. He respected this choice of concealment, aware that his father above all wanted his success and happiness.

Dad is really emotional...

Elias chose to say nothing, respecting his father's feelings and keeping his thoughts to himself.

His father spoke up.

"Well! News like this calls for a celebration, doesn't it? I'll prepare your favorite dish, just wait a bit..."

Elias laughed.

"Let it go, Dad. If Mom were still alive and tasted your cooking, she'd faint!"

His father laughed in return.

"You used to say she'd die. Is this your way of telling me I've improved?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

Elias knew he had to join the Academy in two weeks and planned to use this short time wisely.

Days passed, and one fine morning, Elias was having breakfast with his father and sister. He suddenly decided to speak up.

"So, what weapon should I choose, according to you?"

"..."

"..."

Elias frowned.

"What?"

His father cleared his throat.

"Uh, nothing, it just came out of nowhere."

Aria, on the other hand, had eyes that sparkled.

"A sword!"

"A sword, huh... I thought about it, it's not bad, that's true. But seriously? Isn't that a bit too generic?"

"What? Because you think you're the protagonist or something?"

"..."

Elias had nothing to say for once.

Ethan spoke up.

"There are many martial arts compatible with a sword, so it's not a bad choice."

"Yes, that's true."

In fact, Elias already knew all this, but he still wanted to have his family's opinion.

"It's tomorrow, huh..."

During these two weeks, Elias had done a lot of research, both on the Academy and on his Aura. His connection with his Aura had become more fluid, but it still eluded him in some way.

His father brought him out of his thoughts.

"Yes, it's tomorrow, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just enjoy it."

"I guess."

The day passed quietly, and the long-awaited day finally arrived.