Temporal Dominion

The walk back to the academy was quiet.

Lucian's mind churned with thoughts, each one heavier than the last. The vision of the dying forest, the cracking earth, the unnatural darkness—it wasn't just a distant glimpse into the future. It had felt real.

Like something inevitable.

Elara didn't press him, but he could tell she was just as troubled. She had always been confident, unshakable—but even she couldn't hide the tension in her posture.

As they approached the academy gates, the morning drills were already underway. Groups of students sparred in designated training grounds, their abilities clashing in bursts of power.

A third-year controlled shifting currents of wind, weaving through his opponent's attacks with supernatural agility. Another used kinetic force to enhance his strikes, sending shockwaves through the air with each punch.

Lucian had watched these displays his whole life. Admired them. Envied them.

Now?

Now he had something different.

Something unlike anything else in this world.

But was that a blessing—or a curse?

Elara nudged him. "We'll talk later. Try not to look so shaken, or people will start asking questions."

Lucian exhaled, forcing his shoulders to relax. "Yeah."

They split up before reaching the main halls—Elara heading toward her class, Lucian to his own. He barely paid attention as he moved through the corridors, his thoughts still lost in the remnants of that terrible vision.

Then—

A pressure settled in the air.

Lucian stopped mid-step.

The hallway blurred, reality distorting at the edges. A deep, suffocating weight pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe.

He blinked.

The world shifted.

For a split second—he wasn't in the academy anymore.

He was back in the clearing.

Back in the vision.

The trees around him withered. The sky darkened. The air turned ice-cold.

And then—

Something moved in the distance.

A silhouette.

Tall. Shadowed. Watching.

Lucian's breath caught in his throat.

He couldn't see its face. Couldn't tell if it was human or something else.

But the moment his eyes locked onto it—

The pressure intensified.

His mind screamed at him to run—but he couldn't move.

The figure raised a hand.

And whispered:

"You are not ready."

The world snapped back.

Lucian stumbled, gasping for breath. He was back in the academy hallway, students walking past as if nothing had happened.

Had it been a vision? A hallucination?

Or something far worse?

He pressed a hand to his temple, heart still racing.

This wasn't normal.

This wasn't just a side effect of his ability—this was something else.

Something dangerous.

He forced himself to keep walking, even as his pulse thundered in his ears.

But just as he turned the corner toward his classroom, a voice stopped him.

"Lucian Vale."

The tone was cold. Measured.

Lucian turned slowly, his mind still rattled from what had just happened.

Standing in front of him was a tall figure dressed in dark academy robes. A third-year student, his insignia marking him as one of the elite combat trainees. His piercing gray eyes were locked onto Lucian like a predator studying prey.

Lucian recognized him immediately.

Darius Caelum.

One of the strongest students in the academy.

Lucian stiffened. "What do you want?"

Darius didn't blink. "You've been… different lately."

Lucian's breath slowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Darius took a step closer.

"You don't belong here," he said quietly. "You never have. But now? Now there's something off about you." His gaze was unreadable. "Something wrong."

Lucian clenched his jaw.

"I don't know what you think you've noticed," he said, forcing his voice to stay even. "But I'm the same as I've always been."

Darius tilted his head slightly, studying him.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Lucian stood frozen for a long moment, his body tense.

His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

First the vision.

Then the presence in the clearing.

And now—Darius watching him.

Lucian exhaled slowly.

Whatever was happening to him…

It wasn't just in his head anymore.

Others were beginning to notice.

And that meant he was running out of time.