"Mana," stated Kariah-Belle Nadire from her desk, floating upside down close to the dark-skinned man. He seemed to be standing midair but was standing on a platform made of energy.

"By manipulating one's life force, one can create an invisible energy..." caramel-skinned young lady continued, "this energy can be shaped by the user. The increase in one's attributes, the manifestation of powerful weapons, transformations, and wielding the elements are all just a few forms of crafting."

"Very good, Ms. Nadire," Professor Mar-Gin said. "Tell the class about black mana."

"When one continuously uses mana for deeds involving hatred, envy, greed, etc., it will resort to mana turning black. This will resort in every skill manifested by mana having a black hue or tint. This effect can be suppressed with an addictive drug known as Darklight. It does not stop the black mana from corrupting the mind, driving one to obsess over their darkest thoughts."

Kariah-Belle paused and thought of what her teacher wanted to hear. "If one refuses to take this drug, they eventually become a darkling, a creature who only knows destruction. Evil bears are a subclass of darkling. While the body is in search of carnage, the consciousness belongs to the Fallen Place. If someone can escape this void of darkness, then they become a Darkness Tamer and are able to utilize multiple dark craft along with a few other perks."

Mar-Gin nodded to himself as he listened to the curly-haired young woman speak. "As expected of someone who aims to sit on the council. Very well done. Mr. Col, finish for your classmate." He turned to face the Lax-Rim, and the energy platform danced with square patterns.

Before long, the young man answered, which earned a nod of approval from the professor. "Mana was given to us by Kul, the Goddess of creation and mana. With life force, there comes positive energy and negative energy. It is the combination of the two energies that gives life."

"Good, good, Mr. Col," the professor said. "I am pleased to see you've been keeping up with your studies. Who can tell me about the four light keepers?"

"The four lightkeepers are the heroes who saved mankind from the Darkness invasion seven hundred years ago," began another classmate. "They were gifted Kul's immense power to push back the Darkness. In the end, three of the lightkeepers gave up their piece of Kul so that the fourth could drive the Darkness from Lore. Kul's whereabouts remain a mystery. The descendants of the four lightkeepers are Stoneheart, Solaris, Felicity, and Nadire."

"Excellent, Zana. I'm pleased to see you all know your history."

Loud chimes rang throughout the university, signaling the end of class.

The young men and women formed their desks into a half-circle around the lower part of the spherical classroom. They then started to file out as classes were over for the day. As with the end of every week this year, Kariah, Lax-Rim, Mae Lu, Akio, and Jet stayed at their desks. Professor Mar-Gin looked them over. Kariah-Belle looked around at the remaining students, five of them in total. They all stayed behind for one reason: they were in the advanced course.

Each of them could skip Officer Knight to become Master Knights and earn a spot on a squad without having to complete the normal three years at the university.

"As you've no doubt heard, recruitment will be at the university by the end of the week to pick out potential candidates to fight for the four nations," Professor Mar-Gin said, causing the students to exchange looks. Kariah-Belle had heard rumors, but she thought that they were just that...rumors. "They will be personally taking you out on much more difficult missions than what this school assigns to the advanced students. This means you can showcase your talents and abilities for a chance to graduate even early in the year."

Kariah-Belle raised her hand slightly as she spoke. "Why so soon? We still have seven months left."

"I am not sure. My superiors do not wish to disclose any information until they have more evidence. However, this does not change that these coming weeks will be an important milestone in your lives. I expect you all to give it your best."

Kariah-Belle nodded.

"Couldn't give anything less," said Lax. His words rang true for them all.

**************

Kariah-Belle was still sore from her last mission three days ago. However, that didn't stop her from slightly bouncing as she walked. "Oh man, I can't wait to rock outside the capital again."

"Anyone worked up as I am?" asked Mae Lu, chuckling nervously. Her hair was shoulder-length purple with a bang that covered a bit of her left eye. Her almond-shaped eyes held purple irises.

"Kinda," said Kariah-Belle, grabbing onto Akio's shoulders as she bounced on her toes. She was a ball of anxiety and excitement. "But we've been training hard since the beginning of the year! I'm ready to eat!"

"Worst massage ever," her best friend muttered.

"Don't let your head get any bigger, Ri," Lax-Rim teased. "We may start to orbit around it."

She failed to hold in her laughter and said, "Shut up, you walking crayon." She was referring to his bright red hair.

Most families have certain traits within their branch. For the Col branch, it was his bright red hair, close combat prowess, and an affinity for fire craft.

"At least I don't have a wrecking ball for a head."

The two went back and forth hurling insults as they often did since their days at the orphanage.

Jet and Mae chuckled while Akio gave a forced smile, an indication she was amused.

They stopped at the vending machines that held a variety of snacks and goodies. Kariah-Belle, of course, went for the Ryamarian pastry snacks. They always helped calm her nerves.

"Mmmm." The cream, chocolate, and strawberry filling made her taste buds dance.

Kariah-Belle noticed Lax-Rim gazing at Akio. She wished her childhood friend and best friend would have babies already. She would take care of them as if they were her own.

"Hey, Jet, Lax-Rim. Would you mind helping us in the club dojo, please? It will only take a minute," called a blonde young woman from down a corridor. Her skin was an ivory tone with light scars on her arms, legs, and face, just like she and other Knights who put in the work. Ianna is a bio human of the Felicity branch and ranked second among second years.

"Gotta go, guys," said Lax-Rim.

"As co-president, I must answer the call," Jet told the girls, then walked after Lax-Rim.

Mae Lu and Akio told Kariah-Belle they have to check in with their clubs too. They offered Kariah-Belle to accompany them until they began preparations for today's assignment. However, the brown-skin girl declined, saying she wanted to stop by the dance studio before practicing her swordplay.

"After that, I'm going to take a quick shower."

"You mean marinate?" Mae Lu asks, giggling at her tendency to take longer showers than necessary. This earns a half-smile from Akio.

Kariah-Belle crossed her arms. Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help but smile. "Ooo blah, whatever. Later, ladies," she said, giggling.

The three hugged and went their separate ways.

"Kariah-Belle!" called Gravin, her dance partner. He and the other dancers began clapping as they gathered around her. "We heard you and your team made it to the recruitment exams. Congratulations!"

"Thanks, guys." Kariah blushed a bit from all the praises, but it was welcomed.

"Is it true? You guys beat an evil bearer?" asked Synthia, another dancer.

"Yup, sure did."

"Wow, you're so brave. Just looking at images is enough to make me anxious," joked Gravin. He would be participating in the qualifying exams later in the year.

"Brave? Ha! I almost peed my pants a few times. Those things are terrifying."

"Yet you faced one and survived. You're a Nadire all right. Three cheers for Kariah-Belle!"

Kariah began giggling while they cheered. "Thanks, guys. Appreciate the support. Now, are we gonna dance or what?"

When Kariah-Belle made it to the gym, a few students were already inside the small spherical chambers along the wall.

"Hey, Kariah," Monty called her attention once he noticed her arrival. "How about a three-man free for all?"

"Yeah!" said Manty, Monty's twin sister. The two were placed in the advanced class of another professor along with Ianna. "We were thinking of a three-way brawl in a forest area?"

They both were of the Drakon race, a race of dragon/human hybrids. For the most part, they were humanoid, with skin and hair. Their scales covered large portions of their body. Stonehearts like Akio have some Drakon DNA in their genes.

Monty had sandy brown scales that resembled rock covering his brown skin. Manty's scales resembled her brothers, and her skin was pale. Both had stormy gray eyes.

Kariah-Belle would often spar with them as they were both single digits in ranking among the second years. Manty ranked at 7th and Monty 5th. Their team also defeated an evil bearer.

"Now, how do you expect me to say no to a three-way brawl?" Kariah-Belle said, taking her bag over to a long white wall. Numbers appeared, and she punched in a few and a locker flung open. She grabbed her sword before placing her bag inside.

"We didn't, Ms. Future Councilwoman!" Manty said, laughing. "I'll set up the simulation!"

Within a few seconds, Manty finished setting the conditions of the simulation. The three entered one of the many large spheres scattered within the room.

It looked as though they were in a rainforest, with an overflow of lush plants and tall evergreen trees everywhere.

Kariah-Belle looked up at a large moon. She closed her eyes and let the breeze made of ones and zeroes ruffle her hair and danced on her skin. Here, everything felt real. From the trees to dirt. It has become the norm for games and is used as a training method.

Kariah-Belle readied herself. A sudden loud bang echoed from a distance. She ran into the forest. Laughing with joy, she looked for her two opponents. She'd have one last good warm-up before leaving the capital again.

She conjured mana and formed a hull as she ran into the virtual forest, laughing with glee.