READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 44: A Place Apart
Rui followed the Academy aide through a winding path that branched away from the main dormitory buildings. The aide, a young man with sharp features and a brisk stride, carried a bundle of keys and a glowing tablet that emitted faint golden light. The route grew quieter with every step, the hum of student chatter fading into the background until only the crunch of their boots on gravel remained.
"This is it," the aide said, stopping before a gated archway carved from black stone. A faint shimmer of mana danced across its surface, forming intricate runes that pulsed softly in the afternoon light.
Rui raised an eyebrow, his silver eyes scanning the gate. "This doesn't look like a dorm."
The aide smirked, unlocking the gate with a quick flick of his wrist. "It's not, at least not in the traditional sense. You've been assigned special accommodations, away from the main campus. It's… quieter. More private."
The gate creaked open, revealing a stone path that led through a grove of tall, ancient trees. Rui stepped inside, the air growing cooler and heavier with mana as he walked. The trees parted to reveal a secluded estate—a modest stone structure with a wide courtyard surrounded by high walls. A small fountain bubbled gently in the center, its water glowing faintly with mana.
Rui paused, taking in the sight. "This is… unexpected."
"The Headmaster insisted," the aide replied, gesturing to the courtyard. "The estate is outfitted with advanced mana stabilizers, reinforced training grounds, and a meditation chamber. You'll have everything you need to recover and train without interruption."
As Rui stepped closer, the faint hum of the estate's mana field resonated through his core. It felt like the entire place was alive, attuned to the flow of energy around it. He placed a hand on the stone wall, feeling the steady pulse of its wards.
"Everything here is designed to withstand high-level mana usage," the aide continued, handing Rui a sleek keycard etched with runes. "You'll also have access to private instructors and a direct link to the Headmaster, should you require guidance."
Rui nodded, his gaze lingering on the training grounds visible through the open archway to the side. "And the other students?"
"You won't have to worry about them," the aide said with a faint smile. "This place is off-limits to anyone without explicit permission. Consider it your sanctuary."
Inside the estate, Rui explored each room with quiet curiosity. The main hall was simple yet elegant, with high ceilings and polished stone floors. A spacious training chamber occupied one wing, lined with glowing runes that absorbed and dispersed mana to prevent overloading. The meditation chamber, located at the heart of the estate, pulsed with a calming energy that seemed to synchronize with his breathing.
In his private quarters, Rui found a desk stacked with scrolls and a bed draped in soft gray linens. A small window overlooked the grove, the light filtering through the trees casting dappled shadows on the floor. He sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a slow breath as the events of the past few days caught up with him.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Rui stood in the courtyard, the gentle hum of the mana fountain filling the air. His silver aura flickered faintly as he clenched his fists, the memory of his fractured arm still fresh in his mind.
"This place…" he murmured to himself. "It's not just for training. It's to make sure I don't break myself again."
He looked up at the stars beginning to dot the sky, resolve hardening in his chest. This solitude wasn't just a gift—it was a challenge. A reminder that his journey was far from over.
As Rui stood under the darkening sky, his gaze fixed on the faint glimmer of stars, an unbidden sensation washed over him—a strange, suffocating pull at the edges of his mind. His breath caught, and for a moment, the serene glow of the courtyard faded into shadow.
A memory surfaced.
He was small, barely able to keep his balance on unsteady legs. The room was cold and dark, the only light coming from faintly glowing runes etched into the walls. A shadowy figure loomed over him, their features obscured but their voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
"You will forget,"