Chapter 5: Soul academy

Chapter 5: A Lone Wanderer After the intensity of his first class at Soul Academy, Ifenna couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. Despite Kaiara’s kind offer to join her and the others, he politely declined, needing time to clear his mind. The Academy’s sprawling grounds were vast, with paths leading to hidden gardens, training fields, and serene lakes. He had no idea where he was heading, but that was the point—he just wanted to walk and think. The light in his palms earlier had unsettled him. No element, no clear affinity. Just raw energy. What does that even mean? he thought, frustration welling up inside him. He watched students training in pairs, showcasing their mastery of fire, wind, water, and earth. They looked confident, in control, everything he wasn’t. Lost in thought, Ifenna wandered deeper into the Academy grounds, where the neatly kept paths gave way to a more overgrown area, with tall trees casting long shadows. The sounds of laughter and power demonstrations faded away until he found himself in a quiet clearing, far from the bustle of the main campus. Suddenly, a voice startled him. "You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind." Ifenna spun around to see a tall boy leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed. He had dark skin, short curly hair, and a relaxed smile. There was something about his posture that put Ifenna at ease instantly. "I guess I do," Ifenna admitted, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Just trying to figure things out." The boy straightened up and took a few steps forward, his expression shifting to one of understanding. "First day, huh? Let me guess—things didn’t go as smoothly as you hoped?" Ifenna chuckled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Yeah, something like that." The boy extended his hand. "I’m Manasseh. I’ve been at the Academy for about a year now." "Ifenna," he replied, shaking his hand. There was a firm but friendly grip. "A year, huh? I guess you’re used to all of this by now." Manasseh shrugged, sitting down on a nearby rock. "Used to it? Sure. But it doesn’t mean I’ve got everything figured out. This place throws challenges at you every day." Ifenna sat down across from him, feeling oddly comfortable. "I couldn’t even summon an element. Just… light. It felt like everyone else had control over something except me." Manasseh raised an eyebrow. "Light, huh? That’s not a bad thing, you know. It just means you’ve got something unique. And usually, that means potential." "Potential?" Ifenna frowned, unconvinced. "All I feel is lost. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing here." Manasseh leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Listen, most people here are born with a connection to a specific element—fire, water, whatever. It’s like their soul naturally aligns with it. But for others, their connection is deeper, more complex. Maybe that’s where you fall." Ifenna considered his words. "So, how am I supposed to control something I don’t understand?" Manasseh grinned. "I can help with that." He stood up and walked over to a patch of earth, kneeling down and placing his palm flat on the ground. A moment later, the earth beneath his hand shifted, forming a small mound. "Earth is my element. But it took me weeks to even feel the connection, let alone control it. Soul energy isn’t something you just use—it’s something you build a relationship with." Ifenna watched, intrigued. "How do I build that relationship?" Manasseh stood up, brushing the dirt off his hands. "It starts with knowing yourself. Your soul and the elements aren’t separate—they’re reflections of each other. The more you understand who you are, the more control you’ll have over your powers." Ifenna nodded slowly, absorbing the advice. "And what if my element isn’t one of the usual ones?" "Then it’s your job to discover what it is." Manasseh smiled again. "Here, let’s start small. Try to summon that light you mentioned." Ifenna hesitated but stood up, holding out his hands. He closed his eyes, feeling for that familiar warmth inside him. Slowly, the glow returned, soft at first, then growing brighter. He opened his eyes to see the light dancing between his fingers, still formless but alive. Manasseh watched closely. "There it is. Now, don’t try to force it into something. Just let it be. Feel it. Understand it." Ifenna breathed deeply, focusing on the light without trying to control it. For the first time, he didn’t feel the pressure to make it look like fire or water. It was just energy, pure and bright. "Good," Manasseh said, nodding. "You’ve got raw energy. That’s your starting point. Now, with practice, you’ll figure out what form it wants to take." Ifenna let the light fade, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. "Thanks, Manasseh. I needed that." Manasseh clapped him on the shoulder. "No problem. We all need a little help sometimes. Just remember, power isn’t about looking like everyone else. It’s about finding your own path." Ifenna smiled, feeling lighter than he had all day. Maybe he didn’t have all the answers yet, but he had taken his first step toward understanding himself. And that was enough for now.