CHAPTER 127: SEEN FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Kael sat quietly on the edge of his bed, the soft rustle of night wind brushing through the window.

There was a gentle knock, and then the door creaked open. A boy stepped in and it was Kael’s classmate.

In his hand, he held a small glass bottle, glowing faintly with a soft blue light. Inside swirled a magical liquid that shimmered like starlight.

He walked up to Kael and held out the bottle.

"This is for you," the boy said, his voice steady but a little distant. "It’s the Elixir of Body Control. Veyla asked me to give it to you."

Kael blinked, caught off guard.

"Eh? Oh... thanks," he muttered, taking the bottle and gently placing it on the table beside him.

The cool glass clinked softly against the wood.

The boy gave a slight nod, then turned to leave. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Kael replied, watching the boy go.

The door shut with a quiet click, and the sound of footsteps faded down the hallway. As the boy walked away, he muttered under his breath, too low for Kael to hear:

"How does someone like him get girls like Veyla and Cecelia to care about him...?"

Back in the room, Kael was still staring at the bottle, completely unaware of the boy’s envy. His eyes shifted between the glowing elixir and the moonlight pouring through the window.

"This is the first time I’ve seen something like this," he murmured to himself, curiosity piqued.

"Elixir of Body Control? What does it even do? I should probably try it... "

He held the bottle up to the moonlight, turning it slightly to watch the liquid swirl. There was something mesmerizing about it.

Still, he didn’t feel like he’d earned anything—not admiration, not help, not even kindness. He hadn’t asked for anyone’s attention. And yet...

People were beginning to notice him.

Veyla, Cecelia... others. For the first time, he could feel eyes on him not with pity, but something different.

Kael sat in silence for a while, his thoughts tangled. He wasn’t used to this feeling—being seen, being remembered.

His grip tightened slightly around the bottle.

"...I guess things really are starting to change."

He didn’t smile, but something in his eyes softened as he looked back out the window.

Then again Kael looked at the glowing blue liquid in the small bottle, turning it slowly in his hand.

"...Alright," he whispered to himself. "Let’s try this elixir."

He uncorked the bottle and brought it to his lips. The liquid was cool and smooth as it slid down his throat—but the effects came almost instantly.

A sudden warmth spread through his chest.

Then it changed—growing hotter and hotter until it felt like his entire body was burning from the inside out. His muscles tensed, and he clenched his jaw as the heat surged through him.

It wasn’t painful like a wound—it was different. It felt like something inside him was being burned away. The impurities in his body, the stiffness in his muscles, the exhaustion in his bones—it was as if the elixir was cleansing it all.

The burning sensation didn’t last long. Within seconds, the heat began to fade, replaced by a wave of soothing calm.

His limbs relaxed. The tightness in his shoulders and back vanished, and his breathing slowed.

A light drowsiness settled over him like a warm blanket.

Kael blinked a few times, struggling to stay awake. His body felt lighter—almost like floating—and before he realized it, his eyes closed on their own.

"...So... warm..."

He drifted off, falling into the deepest, most peaceful sleep he’d had in a long time.

The bottle, now empty, rolled slightly on the table beside him, its soft glow slowly fading.

The Next Day.

Morning sunlight poured gently over Ground One, the academy’s largest training field. The golden rays warmed the earth and shimmered off the students’ uniforms, casting long shadows across the wide space.

The field, which usually echoed with the sounds of training and sparring, was now filled with rows upon rows of students.

Hundreds of them stood assembled in neat formations—first-years, second-years, and third-years—all gathered in one place for a special announcement.

Kael arrived a little late.

He jogged lightly to his position, his hair still slightly messy from sleep. The deep rest caused by the elixir had knocked him out completely, and he had nearly overslept.

His body felt lighter, more refreshed than it had in weeks—but his mind was still catching up.

He slipped into line quietly, adjusting his uniform and tucking his hands behind his back. Around him, students murmured in hushed voices, unable to hide their curiosity about what was happening.

"Bet the principal’s just going to tell us to work harder," a first-year muttered behind Kael.

"Still," another replied with a smug grin, "at least we outperformed the second-years."

Laughter rippled softly through the nearby group.

Kael let their voices drift into the background. His eyes wandered across the sea of students, scanning the crowd lazily. Everyone was here.

It was rare to see all three years gathered at once. The scale of it made the field feel smaller somehow—so many bodies, so many faces, each student standing tall in uniform.

A few lines ahead, he spotted Edwin’s group. They were lined up with perfect discipline, as expected. Right in the center stood Elysia.

Her arms were folded neatly across her chest, her back straight, shoulders squared. She wasn’t looking around or chatting like the others—her eyes were fixed forward, calm and sharp, as if she were already listening to the principal even though he hadn’t arrived yet.

There was something quiet but powerful in her presence—focused, steady.

A little ahead of Kael, not far from Elysia, was Cecelia. She stood gracefully with her hands folded in front of her, her long hair catching the light.

Her posture was relaxed, but there was a subtle tension in the way her fingers gripped her sleeve. She didn’t turn back, but Kael knew she had sensed him.

He didn’t call out. He simply looked at her for a moment before turning his eyes forward again.

More students continued to gather, filling the field with restless energy. Conversations buzzed softly all around.

Then—suddenly, the noise stopped.

It was as if a silent wave had passed over the crowd. Every student fell quiet. Heads turned. Backs straightened.

Even the wind seemed to pause.

Kael looked up.

The reason for the silence stepped into view.