Part 4: Mana Core Disruption
Location: Arkalis Academy – Internal Testing Chambers
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[Scene 1 – The Calm Before the Storm]
After a long training session, Arshan was taking a short break. Sitting on a stone bench in the academy's garden, he closed his eyes. A cold breeze brushed his face, and subtle mana vibrations could be felt in the air.
Zayana's soft voice echoed in his mind.
Zayana (gently):
> "Your performance didn't just impress Professor Veyron — even the Academy's higher council took notice. But Arshan... the faster you grow, the more impact you're having on this world."
Arshan opened his eyes, tired yet focused.
Arshan:
> "I'm just learning. If people are already judging me from one training session, then maybe this world isn't as simple as it looks."
Zayana:
> "Exactly. That's why I want you to stay alert. Not everyone inside the academy is your friend."
Arshan (slightly smiling):
> "Zayana, you're going to make me paranoid."
Zayana (teasing):
> "Paranoia is sometimes the only way to survive."
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[Scene 2 – Mana Core Diagnostics Lab]
The next day, Arshan received a message:
> "Student Arshan, report to Mana Core Diagnostics Lab – Chamber Delta."
Chamber Delta was a restricted zone, where only selected students were allowed for testing. Due to the intense mana flow and potential overload risk, it was considered dangerous.
When Arshan arrived, an old-looking professor was waiting — someone he had never seen before on campus.
Professor Gael (sternly):
> "You're Arshan? Your mana surge analysis came up abnormal. This test is mandatory. Sit down."
Arshan (hesitant):
> "Abnormal? But I—"
Gael (interrupting):
> "No discussion. Just follow instructions."
Zayana whispered inside his mind.
Zayana:
> "Be careful, Arshan. I can't verify if this test is officially authorized. Something's off."
Arshan (mentally):
> "Should I get out of here?"
Zayana:
> "No concrete threat yet. Stay alert. I'm trying to trace the source."
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[Scene 3 – The Test Begins]
Gael pulled out a device — a metallic orb glowing with blue and violet mana. He placed it in front of Arshan.
Gael:
> "Place your palm here. Concentrate. Let the orb read your mana pulse."
Arshan placed his hand. The orb lit up... flickering softly at first, then rapidly turning unstable.
Zayana (alarmed):
> "That's not a diagnostic scan — it's a disruptive surge! Arshan, pull your hand away!"
But the orb latched onto his mana signature. Arshan's body began to tense. Raw energy surged through his veins.
Arshan (gritting teeth):
> "What... is this?!"
Gael (smirking):
> "Let the instability rise. Let's see how the system's puppet handles real interference."
Suddenly, the orb glitched. Zayana initiated an emergency override.
Zayana (forcefully):
> "System protocol breach! Emergency extraction initiated!"
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[Scene 4 – Internal Memory Flash + System Lock]
Arshan's vision blurred. Distorted images flashed — a burning tower, a blood-soaked battlefield, a stone pillar with a lone boy standing — eyes exactly like his.
Unknown Whisper:
> "Don't go back... you'll remember everything..."
Zayana (shouting internally):
> "His memory lock is unraveling! Arshan, resist! If you phase into that memory—"
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[Scene 5 – Rescue]
A loud boom echoed through the chamber — Veyron entered, releasing a massive sealing wave that shattered the orb.
Veyron (furious):
> "Who authorized this test?!"
Gael vanished, leaving behind a glowing teleport glyph.
Arshan collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
Zayana (soft):
> "You're safe, Arshan... you resisted..."
Veyron (cold and controlled):
> "This was an attack. I'm done watching silently. I will clean this academy myself."
Arshan:
> "I saw something... something old... something I had forgotten…"
Zayana:
> "Those memories were locked inside you — possibly tied to the Drift or corruption. I'll protect them now."
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[Scene 6 – The Secret Council Gathers]
In a hidden wing of the academy, a group of cloaked professors and students sat in a circle.
Unknown Figure:
> "The orb failed. Arshan resisted. Veyron intervened."
Cloaked Girl:
> "But the memory fragment activated... there's more hidden inside him."
Unknown Figure:
> "Prepare Phase 2. This time... we break the mind, not the body."
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Next Part Title: "Shadows in the Academy"