Ether, the primordial element of the universe, the source of all things. Some Ilnolians believe that the Great Creator is a direct creation of this element, the very first in the universe. Others, however, think that he represents a conscious and intelligent form of ether itself.

  During the creation of the Ilnolians, the Great Creator granted some of them the power to use this element, which manifests in three distinct forms. The first, used by magicians, requires the pure and raw form of ether, making their manipulation very close to that of the Great Creator. The second, employed by the Entities, requires a refined and fluid form of ether. Depending on their Domain, the ether in their magical circuit varies. Finally, the third form, used by elementalists, is freer and wilder. They can either draw from the surrounding ether to unleash their element or rely on their own magical circuit to gain better control over it.

  In Ilnolia, except for humans, Entities, and certain minor beings, all humanoid species are connected to one or two Elemental Sources. In rare cases, some individuals can master one or two elements and are then called elementalists.

  Dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halflings are all linked to the Earth Source but are also respectively connected to the Sources of Fire, Water, Light, and Wind. Other beings, linked to a single Source, are all elementalists, generally more skilled in their mastery of the element.

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  Dong

  As soon as the bell signaling the end of the class rang, the first-year students immediately stopped their physical exercises. Exclamations of "Finally, it's over!", "About time!", and even a "I can't take it anymore, I want to go home!" from Princess Sylaria could be heard.

  — You were perfect, keep this up until the end of your studies, and you’ll become almost as strong and attractive as me, Aldric declared enthusiastically.

  However, after such a class, the students were not really in a condition to respond positively to their professor’s overflowing energy.

  — Well, for this final hour, you will divide into three groups. One will go with Professor Caria for magic class, another with Professor Darius for elementalists, and the rest will stay with me for combat mastery, added Aldric.

  Professors Luth and Sylvia gave way to Professors Caria and Darius, and the students hurried to group themselves according to the instructions. Thirty-one students formed the magicians’ group, nineteen the elementalists’ group, and fifty the combat mastery group.

  The students in the combat group then equipped themselves with a training weapon of their choice before entering the arena to engage in duels or practice target shooting. Under the watchful eye of Professor Aldric, who assessed his recruits' abilities, he assigned them different exercises depending on the types of weapons they used.

  As for the magicians and elementalists, they left the academy to go to a clearing away from the main grounds. There, they positioned themselves at a safe distance from one another.

  The magicians’ exercise involved sitting cross-legged and sensing the flow of surrounding ether. They had to capture a small portion, take control of it, and gradually increase this amount without exceeding the threshold of loss of control. Once they reached this limit, they would restart the exercise.

  The elementalists’ exercise was similar, but they could not maintain control of the ether as long as the magicians. They had to capture a certain amount of ether, briefly take control of it to give it direction, then release it in that direction like an arrow being shot. The goal was to repeat the exercise while increasing the amount of controlled ether with each attempt.

  Linhart and Sarra, Prince Lorian’s companions, were part of the combat mastery group, while Lorian and Sylaria attended the magic class.

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  Meanwhile, Elwyn and Loyd continued their fight, but this time, with their restriction bracelets. For the first time, Elwyn truly felt the pain associated with prolonged physical training. The Nephilim of Life, too accustomed to the regenerative and healing influence of his Domain, had never experienced long-term suffering. He accumulated scratches and bruises in a duel with Loyd, who was perfectly adapted to his environment, even though he too was weakened by his bracelet. Loyd struggled to predict his opponent’s attacks as effectively as usual, and his own strikes seemed weaker than before.

  — This is really not the same with these things, Loyd remarked between two parries.

  Elwyn exhaled after being pushed back by his opponent.

  — Yeah, it’s harder to move. I even feel tingling everywhere you’ve hit me. It’s… unpleasant.

  — That’ll teach you to move faster, Loyd replied with a teasing smile before launching another assault.

  Elwyn saw the attack coming straight at him. He hurriedly stepped back to regain a defensive stance but failed to notice the tree just behind him and caught his heel in its roots. He stumbled backward and crashed onto the ground. Loyd then approached him, looking amused.

  — You forgot the rule about always keeping an eye on your surroundings, he said with a wide, mocking grin.

  Elwyn attempted a sweeping kick with his right foot to trip Loyd, but the latter noticed his movement and jumped back to avoid it.

  — Nice try.

  — Thanks, at least I gave it a shot, Elwyn replied as he got back on his feet.

  The fight resumed with even greater intensity, but Elwyn still couldn’t gain any advantage over Loyd, who seemed to take mischievous pleasure in teasing him after each loss.

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  On Arimélia and Professor Ezekiel’s side, things continued. The half-dragoness had taken her draconic form for the final hour of class, but the professor remained unfazed by this extremely rare transformation. Before doing so, Arimélia had removed her shoes, as in this hybrid form, her arms and legs became fully covered in black scales, and her feet and hands transformed into powerful draconic limbs capable of crushing anything in their path.

  — Come on, young lady, show me how well you control this form, Ezekiel said mockingly while tossing her a new training sword.

  — Understood, professor. I’ll do my best, Arimélia responded with a hint of apprehension in her voice before charging at him, who was already adopting a defensive stance.

  _________________________

  Shortly before the bell rang, Professor Ezekiel dismissed Arimélia, who was unable to maintain her transformation for the full class duration, then headed toward the two nephilims.

  — Elwyn, Loyd, before you leave, keep your bracelets on and go to the infirmary.

  — Why? asked Loyd.

  — To prevent Elwyn from using his healing powers right now. If the other students see that you don’t even have a single scratch, they might start asking questions, Ezekiel explained.

  — Understood, professor, Elwyn replied.

  — So that’s why you wanted us to use the bracelets for the last hour, Loyd remarked.

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  Professor Ezekiel simply nodded in response before heading back toward the academy.

  — Well… Want to race to the academy? Loyd suggested.

  — And lose again? No, thanks, I’d like to catch my breath a bit, Elwyn replied.

  Shrugging, Loyd and Elwyn left the clearing at a leisurely pace, heading toward the infirmary.

  Once inside the academy, they spotted Arimélia sitting on a stone bench bordering the path leading to the Grand Library. She seemed to be resting her arms and legs, and her dark complexion carried an expression of fatigue.

  — Hey, how are you? asked Loyd, signaling their presence.

  Arimélia sighed.

  — It didn’t go too well for me… And you? How did it go? she asked, a hint of disappointment in her expression.

  — I could have kept going until dinner, considering how bad he is, Loyd replied, teasing Elwyn.

  Elwyn let out a slight exhale, rubbing the backs of his hands, now red and covered in scratches from the blows that had disarmed him.

  — Are you hurt? Arimélia asked, a slight concern in her eyes.

  — Oh, nothing serious. We were just on our way to the infirmary, Elwyn reassured her.

  A glimmer of relief appeared in the half-dragoness’s gaze, and the two nephilims bid her farewell before continuing on toward the Grand Library. Inside, they headed for the second door to the right of the entrance, where a metallic engraving read "Infirmary."

  Loyd took the initiative and knocked on the door.

  Knock knock

  — Come in, answered a soft, masculine voice.

  Loyd opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Elwyn.

  Inside the infirmary, the space was both spacious and intimate. The dim lighting, primarily provided by chandeliers adorned with magical engravings, cast a warm, orange glow, creating a soothing atmosphere. A faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, adding to the feeling of serenity.

  Ten beds were arranged in the room, five lined up against each wall. Each was separated by a delicately decorated partition, allowing privacy when needed. Next to each bed stood a small wooden table, matching the rest of the furniture, meant for personal items or medicinal remedies.

  At the far end, a large bay window let in sunlight, illuminating the neatly arranged medicinal plants on the windowsill. Their variety brought a touch of life to the room, reinforcing the sense of calm.

  — What can I do for you? asked the gentle voice.

  Both nephilims turned to their right, where a man sat behind a large desk cluttered with documents, a mortar in use, and dried herbs.

  The man was a dark elf, his skin darker than Arimélia’s, with a slight violet hue. His long white hair was swept back, revealing his pointed ears, and his eyes, devoid of pupils, were completely white. He wore a long white tunic that contrasted with his dark complexion, along with a well-maintained leather apron. Thick pants and high leather boots completed his attire. Around his right index finger, a silver ring set with a square-cut éthérite gleamed, while a silver necklace adorned with a tree of life pendant rested on his neck.

  — Professor Ezekiel told us to come here for treatment, Loyd answered.

  The elf lifted his head and observed Loyd, then Elwyn, before pausing on their restriction bracelets.

  — Ah! He had informed me of your visit. There’s no one else here besides me, so you can remove your bracelets. I will attend to you shortly, he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

  The two nephilims exchanged glances and unfastened their bracelets at the same time, slipping them into their uniform pockets. The moment they did, they both felt an immense sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted.

  Elwyn, in particular, felt his body immediately warm up, his injuries and muscle pains vanishing in an instant. He suddenly felt light and free.

  Loyd, impressed, watched Elwyn recover so quickly.

  "Instant regeneration! So this is the power of the Domain of Life..."

  — Still as impressive as ever. Even after all this time spent around your kind, I remain in awe of your healing speed, the dark elf remarked as he approached.

  — Thank you, I suppose… Elwyn responded.

  — No need to thank me. I am Quevdorl, at your service, oh great healer, the dark elf added, bowing respectfully before Elwyn.

  — I am Elwyn, and I am also at your service, healer Quevdorl, Elwyn replied with a polite smile.

  Quevdorl straightened and turned to Loyd, who was waiting for his treatment. He pointed toward a stool placed near the entrance, and with a slight motion of his finger, the stool levitated toward Loyd before settling in front of him.

  — Have a seat. Given the extent of your injuries, if one can even call them that, this won’t take more than a few seconds.

  Loyd sat down, and Quevdorl made his ring glow before bringing his hand close to Loyd’s right arm. The éthérite shimmered, and as the healer’s hand passed over it, Loyd’s wounds disappeared. He repeated the process on the other arm and then on his legs, applying the same healing technique.

  — And done. You’re good to go, the healer announced.

  — That was fast, Loyd remarked.

  — That’s because there was hardly anything to fix. You’re quite skilled at avoiding hits during training.

  — That’s true, but at the same time, my opponent wasn’t that dangerous, Loyd replied with a smirk.

  For a brief moment, Quevdorl cast a dark look at Loyd, out of Elwyn’s sight, before responding in a friendly tone.

  — I see. But after all, no one is perfect. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

  — Yeah… sure..., Loyd replied, suddenly feeling uneasy.

  Quevdorl then turned to Elwyn.

  — By the way, Professor Ezekiel asked me to prepare a remedy for the half-dragoness, Arimélia. Could you deliver it to her?

  — Of course, have you already finished it? Elwyn asked.

  — I’m just about done. Can you wait a moment?

  Elwyn nodded, and Quevdorl returned to his desk to complete the preparation.

  Dong

  The final bell of the day rang, and moments later, an ethereal messenger delivered a note to Loyd. He scanned it quickly before preparing to leave.

  — I’ve got to go. The Divinity Ogme just summoned me, he explained.

  — I see, I’ll see you later then, Elwyn replied.

  Loyd bid farewell to his friend before leaving the room.

  Alone with Quevdorl, Elwyn sat on the stool, waiting patiently for the preparation to finish. He took the time to reflect on his training, analyzing what hadn’t worked and how to improve. Then, a memory from the previous day resurfaced, he needed to research Professor Ezekiel and the nature of a "dhampir."

  — Healer Quevdorl, may I ask you a question?

  The dark elf poured a whitish powder into a wooden cup, stirring it slowly.

  — That depends on the question. What can I do for you?

  — It’s about Professor Ezekiel. I learned that he is a dhampir, but I don’t know what that means. He told me to look it up in the library, but if I can avoid long research…

  The healer furrowed his brows, thinking, before stopping his work.

  — That’s a complicated topic… And you’re unlikely to find anything in the library.

  — Why not? Elwyn asked, surprised.

  — Because it involves forbidden and unnatural experiments, making it classified information. And it’s not exactly a subject the professor enjoys discussing.

  — I see…

  — But since it’s you, I’ll tell you, on the condition that you repeat nothing, understood?

  — Understood, Elwyn replied, his gaze focused.

  Quevdorl took a serious expression and, in a deep voice, began his explanation.

  — To summarize, wealthy individuals and insane magicians sought immortality through any means. They conducted various experiments on innocent people, attempting to merge them with creatures possessing regenerative abilities. Eventually, they captured a bat-like demon capable of regenerating by absorbing blood. Despite their efforts to acquire this power, they failed. They concluded that this ability was linked to the Darkness element. A magician then succeeded in creating a spell that fragmented the demon’s soul into multiple pieces and integrated them into his colleagues’ souls—but not his own. The process killed them instantly, but they later returned from the dead as abominations called "vampires", beings capable of instant regeneration and eternal life, as long as they consumed blood. Their brief experience with death granted them abilities tied to its icy grasp. They became incredibly strong and fast but were more vulnerable to sunlight. They terrorized and slaughtered countless people, feeding on their blood and fear.

  Elwyn’s expression grew darker with every word, his deep disdain for such detestable creatures intensifying.

  — And what do these abominations have to do with Professor Ezekiel? Elwyn asked, already suspecting the answer.

  — I was getting to that. These creatures managed to reproduce with mortals, giving birth to "dhampirs." They are weaker than vampires but are not affected by light or the sun, Quevdorl explained.

  — That’s… a rather grim story. I understand why Professor Ezekiel doesn’t like discussing it...

  — Indeed. Fortunately, your parents intervened. They were the ones who eradicated all those creatures.

  — Really?

  — Yes. This matter enraged the Divinity of Life so much that she decided to "purge all these blasphemers," with the help of her Guardian. Unfortunately, the magician who discovered how to fragment the demon’s soul was never found. He may be dead, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t pass on his knowledge.

  — I see… Thank you very much for your insight, healer Quevdorl.

  — Oh, it was my pleasure. But remember, you heard nothing from me, he replied, handing the cup to Elwyn.

  — I’ll take my leave, then. Thank you again for your help, Elwyn said before exiting the room.