Chapter 2: Eliana
The sun dipped slowly beyond the horizon, setting Solkarion aglow in hues of fading amber and violet. The city shimmered under the weight of the closing day, its calm streets bathed in soft golden light. Kaeron couldn't stand the silence of his home anymore. Restless, with his thoughts still echoing from the night before, he decided to step outside for a walk.
Solkarion was unlike most cities in the Eisgrade region. Peaceful, balanced, and free of chaos, its people cherished order and unity. It wasn't overly populated, nor marred by poverty. The city moved at its own quiet rhythm—one where children grew up attending kindergartens, schools, then universities, before moving into careers that offered stability and meaning. The people here lived their lives in peace.
Overseeing this delicate harmony was the Sage Minister, the highest authority in Solkarion. More than a leader, the Sage Minister served as the heart of the city, someone bound by duty to protect and nurture the community. They managed city operations—from schedules to education, conflict mediation to urban maintenance. The current Sage Minister, a woman known for her wisdom and unwavering responsibility, had earned the respect of everyone. She was devoted to her city, and her actions made that devotion clear.
But not everything in this serene society was ordinary.
In this world, everyone was born with potential—an inner force known as a Xero Core. While the power resided in all, not everyone could awaken it. Some discovered it through grief. Others, through intense talent. For some, it came in desperation. And for a select few, it came early—a gift, or perhaps a burden.
Kaeron was among those few.
As he walked through the streets, quietly observing the rhythm of the city, a familiar voice cut through the fading quiet.
"Hey there, Unknown Boy!"
Kaeron blinked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he turned. "Eliana? What are you doing here? And what's with the name? That's not funny."
Before him stood Eliana—fair-skinned, radiant, always smiling. Her straight, silky hair fell gently down her back, and her outfit, though simple, carried an elegance that matched her playful charm. A white crop top, light overcoat, and matching pants made her presence luminous in the setting light. Around her neck, a necklace with a spade-shaped pendant glinted subtly.
"Unknown Boy is a perfect name for someone who's always lost in thought," she teased with a dramatic pose. "It fits you beautifully!"
Eliana was pure energy. Joyful, bright, and endlessly curious. She and Kaeron had been schoolmates for years. But more importantly, they were connected by something deeper—a bond forged within a secretive group known as The Forgotten.
The Forgotten was an academy, hidden from the eyes of the ordinary, where individuals trained to master their awakened powers. Within this world existed five fundamental paths, known as the Five Xero Cores, each leading into three distinct branches called Sub-X. In total, fifteen paths of power shaped the abilities of those who trained under the Forgotten's guidance.
Kaeron had joined the academy six months before Eliana. Both were gifted. Both were determined. And both had secrets yet to be revealed.
"I probably don't need to remind you, right? Tomorrow morning, eight sharp. Academy of the Forgotten. Don't be late," Eliana said, narrowing her eyes playfully.
Kaeron smirked. "Yeah, yeah. I know. You don't always have to remind me."
"Look who's talking. The king of lateness himself," she said, arms crossed. "And don't forget—tomorrow's important. Sensei Xavier won't be in the mood for your usual drama. And you know what happens when he's not in the mood, right?"
Her teasing voice dropped a notch, her tone darkening just enough to draw a chill.
Kaeron laughed nervously. "Y-Yeah. I get it. I'll be there on time."
He wouldn't be.
The next morning, Kaeron jolted awake.
His eyes darted to the clock. 9:02 a.m.
"I'm screwed," he muttered, springing out of bed.
Clothes flew, boots hit the floor, and in a blur of chaos, Kaeron bolted through the streets of Solkarion, weaving between market stalls and hover-trams, until the iron gates of the Forgotten Academy loomed before him.
He sprinted through the doors, heart pounding, sweat cold against his skin.
And there he stood.
In the entrance hall. Face to face with Sensei Xavier.
The man's expression was unreadable. The silence in the air was suffocating.
Kaeron swallowed hard.
"I'm… totally… screwed."