CHAPTER 56 — PERCY AND WYCLIFFE

THE FALLEN LIGHT — SEASON II

CHAPTER 56 — PERCY AND WYCLIFFE

The one-month camp had come to an end. And finally... They were back at the academy. The moment they walked through the gates, everyone looked around. They had left this place a month ago. But now everything looked different. The buildings were the same. The corridors were the same. The classrooms were the same. The training grounds were the same. What had changed... Was them. Nathaniel took a deep breath.

"Finally, civilization."

William looked at him.

"You weren't living in a cave at the camp."

Nathaniel nodded with complete seriousness.

"My soul was in a cave."

Charlotte laughed. Arthur was looking around. Marcus walked silently. As for Clara, she was right beside Percy. Percy was looking at the school corridors. It felt as though he had been away for a very long time. Yet only a month had passed. Nathaniel stopped in front of a door.

"I missed this place."

William looked at the door.

"The restroom?"

Nathaniel nodded.

"Specifically this place."

Arthur closed his eyes.

"Thirty days haven't changed a thing."

Percy laughed.

"I think it did."

Nathaniel turned to him.

"What?"

Percy pointed at Nathaniel's stomach.

"Your food capacity."

Charlotte burst into laughter. Nathaniel clutched his chest.

"My President."

"Is this how you welcome me?"

Percy shrugged.

"The truth hurts."

Clara nudged Percy's arm.

"You're not much different yourself."

Percy looked at her.

"I am perfection."

Clara:

"Right."

Percy:

"What was that tone?"

Clara kept walking.

"Nothing."

Percy watched her back. Then he ran to catch up.

"Clara."

"What?"

"What was that tone?"

"Nothing."

"It was definitely something."

Clara smiled.

"Prove it."

Percy went quiet. Nathaniel called out from behind:

"THE PRESIDENT LOST AGAIN!"

Percy turned around.

"Nathaniel."

Nathaniel instantly ducked behind William.

William:

"Don't use me as a shield."

Arthur walked past them.

"You picked the wrong person."

Nathaniel looked at Arthur. Then he smirked.

"Right."

Arthur understood immediately.

"No."

Nathaniel ducked behind him.

"The shield is right here."

Arthur:

"HEY MAN!"

The corridor filled with laughter.

They began touring the school once more. Their one-month absence was noticeable. The layout of some classrooms had changed. New students had arrived. Some students had transferred to other classes. And one of them... Was Arthur. A new list had been posted on the wall. Arthur stood in front of the list. The others gathered behind him. Arthur's eyes found the line. Class 1-A. Arthur. He didn't speak for a while. Nathaniel looked over his shoulder. Then he turned to Arthur.

"There's no escape for you anymore."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"From what?"

Nathaniel spread his arms.

"From us."

William:

"My condolences."

Charlotte:

"William."

William shrugged.

"Am I wrong?"

Percy stepped beside Arthur. Arthur was still looking at the list. Percy extended his hand.

"Welcome to 1-A."

Arthur looked at Percy's hand. Then he took it.

"Thank you."

Percy smiled. Arthur offered a slight smile too. Nathaniel cut in.

"Now hug."

Both of them looked at him at the same time. Nathaniel backed off.

"Okay."

"Just a suggestion."

Clara laughed. Charlotte pulled Nathaniel away.

"Come on."

Nathaniel:

"Where?"

"Before you get yourself into trouble."

"You're too late."

Arthur:

"Definitely."

The academy system was vast. It wasn't just a single school. There were three great academies in the world. The Sovereign Mage Academy. The Sovereign Noble Academy. And the Mage Academy. The three academies were not completely isolated from one another. Their systems were interconnected. Classes could be organized with a shared structure. Students could be transferred when necessary. And Arthur was now in 1-A. The principal of the Sovereign Mage Academy... Was Rowena. Awakened 5. While the principal of the Sovereign Noble Academy... Was Richard Green. Nathaniel froze upon hearing the name. Percy looked at him. Nathaniel pressed his lips together. William noticed immediately.

"Don't you dare."

Nathaniel nodded.

"I didn't say anything."

William:

"You thought it."

Nathaniel:

"Is thinking forbidden?"

Arthur looked at him suspiciously.

"What did you think?"

Nathaniel couldn't hold it in.

"Wall Green."

Silence. The corner of Percy's mouth twitched. Clara looked at Percy.

"Don't laugh."

Percy held his breath. Nathaniel continued.

"You saw the guy."

"He's like a wall."

Percy couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst into laughter. Clara finally laughed too. Arthur shook his head. William looked at Nathaniel.

"One of these days, I'm going to leave you alone."

Nathaniel:

"You won't."

William:

"Why?"

Nathaniel:

"You love me."

William didn't hesitate for a second.

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"False."

Nathaniel clutched his chest.

"Everyone is breaking my heart today."

After they finished touring the school... News arrived. Holar Jun was gathering the students. Everyone reassembled. Percy took his place beside his friends. Clara was right next to him as well. Galahad was there too. Elizabeth was watching the students. Eleanor had also arrived. Holar Jun stepped forward. The hall slowly fell silent. Holar looked over everyone.

"A decision has been made regarding the new term."

The students paid close attention.

"Classes will not begin immediately."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. Holar continued.

"A one-week break has been granted."

Voices instantly flared up. Most of the students cheered in joy. Nathaniel cheered by reflex as well. Then... He slowly turned to his friends. Percy was looking at him. William was looking at him. Arthur was looking at him. Charlotte was looking at him. Marcus was looking at him. Even Clara was looking at him. Nathaniel's smile vanished.

"Wait a minute."

William nodded.

"Yes."

Nathaniel:

"We were already gone for a month."

William:

"Yes."

Nathaniel:

"Now another week?"

William:

"Yes."

Nathaniel threw his head back.

"I WANT CLASSES, MAN!"

Percy couldn't hold back his laughter. Arthur laughed too. Nathaniel looked at Holar.

"Our esteemed savior."

Holar raised an eyebrow.

Nathaniel:

"I want math."

Part of the hall laughed. Even Holar smiled faintly. Then he became serious again.

"There is an important reason for this break."

Everyone quieted down. The expression in Holar's eyes changed.

"The Resonance technique."

The faces of the camp group turned serious. Galahad looked at Percy. Eleanor was also listening silently. Holar continued.

"The technique will no longer remain solely here."

"It will be transferred to the schools."

"It will be evaluated by the Council."

"After that, it will be distributed to the world."

Even the professors in the hall fell silent. The meaning behind this was immense. Extremely immense. Resonance... Was no longer just their private method. It would be handed over to the development of humanity. There was pride on Galahad's face. He had said this himself before. This method had to be taught. It had to reach the other academies. Humanity had been granted an opportunity to grow. Eleanor had thought the same thing. And especially... Holar Jun. Percy's name would not be revealed. Holar hadn't wanted that. Percy... Shouldn't be famous... He should be a child. To chase after power... He had long years ahead of him. But his childhood... Could only be lived once. Holar had chosen this before. He was choosing the exact same thing again.

The Council. In the world, the weight of this word was different. The Council wasn't a school board. It wasn't a simple body that governed academies. Nor was it bound to a single country. The Council... Was where the future of the world was discussed. Humanity's fate was debated here. Major war decisions... World-spanning threats... The shared future of the academies... The defense of humanity... The direction of Orin research... Great decisions affecting the world... Were handled here. The Council consisted of seven people. They... Were called the Seven Pillars. Because these seven people... Were considered the pillars of the world. For now, four of them were known. The First Pillar... Rowena. Principal of the Sovereign Mage Academy. Awakened 5. The Second Pillar... Richard Green. Principal of the Sovereign Noble Academy. The Third Pillar... Eleanor Leyvar. The world's second strongest warrior. Half-Step Interplanetary. And the Fourth Pillar... Holar Jun. The First Awakened. Savior of humanity. The world's strongest. The Monster. Interplanetary Level 2. The remaining three Pillars... Had not yet been revealed.

The steps of power known to humanity... Began with the Core.

CORE.

Twelve levels. It was the foundational stage of development. A person learned to perceive Orin. Learned to use it. Developed their Core. After that...

ADVANCED CORE.

Also twelve levels. Advanced 1 was an important threshold. A person chose their element here. Advanced 2 was another threshold. Age was no longer the deciding factor. If the necessary conditions were met... They could be sent to fight monsters. Percy was currently... Advanced 2. Element development progressed separately. Percy's understanding of the Fire Element... Was roughly five percent. To go out into real monster battles... Roughly twenty percent was required. After Advanced Core... Came AWAKENED CORE. It had five stages. Normal. Good. Epic. Legendary. Perfect. Every level was a massive leap in power. Awakened... Was Earth's natural development limit. At this level, perception began to shift. The rules of the world could be felt. Forces such as gravity could be perceived. After Awakened... Half-Step Interplanetary 1. Half-Step Interplanetary 2. Then...

INTERPLANETARY.

Nine levels. Holar Jun... Was Interplanetary Level 2. And beyond that... Was unknown. Holar Jun didn't know either. Nor did the world. Humanity's current knowledge... Ended right here.

The meeting ended. The students slowly dispersed. The one-week break had begun. Everyone was preparing to return home. Percy was about to leave too. But suddenly he stopped. He had spotted Professor Adrian Wycliffe. Wycliffe... Was Advanced 12. He was one of the respected professors of the academy. Students took him seriously. So did the other professors. But regarding Percy... He had a strange quirk. He permitted a lot of Percy's antics. He didn't really know why himself. Percy would do something. Wycliffe would look at him. Percy would do something else. Wycliffe would take a deep breath. Then...

"I should have asked for my retirement."

This sentence had become routine. Percy looked toward his professor. Just then, Holar was about to call out to him. Percy beat him to it.

"Grandpa."

Holar looked at him. Percy spoke respectfully.

"Could you give me a minute?"

Holar nodded.

Percy:

"Thank you."

Then he walked over to Wycliffe.

"Professor."

Adrian turned to Percy.

"Percy."

Percy looked at him for a few seconds.

"This evening..."

"Would you come to our house?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Your house?"

Percy nodded.

"Yes, professor."

Holar was watching them from afar. He understood why Percy was inviting him. Galahad understood as well. Eleanor understood too. Clara had already understood. The group of six also looked at one another. Percy... Genuinely cared about Wycliffe. Adrian remained quiet for a few seconds. Then he nodded.

"I will come."

Percy smiled.

"Thank you, professor."

Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"Is something going to explode?"

Percy looked at him.

"No."

Adrian relaxed.

Percy added:

"I think."

Adrian's face fell.

"Percy."

Percy started laughing.

"Just kidding, professor."

Adrian took a deep breath.

"I should have asked for my retirement."

Percy returned, laughing. Clara came beside him.

"He said it again."

Percy:

"I missed it."

Clara:

"It shows."

When evening came... The doorbell rang. Percy opened the door. Adrian Wycliffe stood before him. Percy bowed his head slightly.

"Welcome, professor."

Adrian stepped inside.

"Glad to be here."

Holar was inside as well. Eleanor was there too. Clara was beside her mother. Galahad had also come over. Percy led Wycliffe to the sitting area. Adrian sat down. Percy took a seat across from him.

Wycliffe asked directly:

"Resonance?"

Percy nodded.

"Yes."

Adrian's expression grew serious. Percy was serious too.

"Professor."

"Today, I want to show it to you."

Wycliffe nodded.

"I'm listening."

Percy began to explain. Energy was utilized. Then it dispersed into the surroundings. However, it didn't disappear completely. It maintained its existence in different forms. The Resonance method... Aimed to reuse this energy. Yet the energy was not absorbed directly. It had to be purified. Core affinity was also crucial. As affinity rose, the process became easier. At low affinity... The process progressed more slowly. Percy demonstrated every stage. Wycliffe watched attentively. He didn't interrupt even once. When the explanation finished... Adrian closed his eyes. The first attempt began. He felt the energy. He tracked its dispersion. But his Core didn't respond. Adrian opened his eyes.

Percy:

"Again."

Wycliffe tried again. He was more careful this time. He tracked the energy. He felt the dispersing Orin. He attempted the purification. He directed it to his Core. Still nothing. Adrian frowned. Percy waited calmly. The third attempt began. This time... A tiny change occurred. Wycliffe's eyes snapped open. Percy had noticed immediately.

"You felt it."

Adrian slowly nodded.

"Yes."

Percy smiled.

"Keep going."

Wycliffe closed his eyes once more. Minutes passed. Then more time passed. Advanced 12. Adrian had been stuck here for a long time. He knew the limit of his Core. But now... He was seeing a new path. He felt the energy again. Separated it. Purified it. Directed it to his Core. This time... His Core responded. Wycliffe's breathing shifted. Galahad straightened up. Eleanor watched intently. Holar's eyes sharpened. Percy was feeling it too.

"Professor."

Adrian didn't answer. Percy smiled.

"Keep going."

The energy moved again. Once. Twice. Thrice. Wycliffe's aura trembled. The boundary of Advanced 12... Was truly shaken for the first time. Adrian gritted his teeth. Orin condensed around him. Holar stood up. Galahad stood up too. Eleanor didn't take her eyes off him. Clara looked at Percy. Percy was watching Wycliffe alone. Adrian pulled once more. Purified it. Took it into his Core. And... The boundary shattered.

BOOM!

A wave of Orin filled the room. Clara's hair blew back. Percy shielded his face with his arm. Galahad smiled. Eleanor's eyes widened. While Holar... Watched silently. Wycliffe's aura transformed. Advanced 12... Was left behind.

AWAKENED 1.

Adrian opened his eyes. He didn't say anything for a long time. He looked at his hands. Then he looked at his surroundings. His perception had shifted. He felt the world differently. Holar finally spoke.

"Awakened 1."

Galahad laughed.

"He made it."

A huge smile lit up Percy's face.

"Professor."

Adrian looked at him.

Percy:

"Congratulations."

Wycliffe looked at Percy for a long time. Then he shook his head.

"I came to a student's house."

Percy started laughing.

Adrian continued:

"I arrived as Advanced 12."

He looked at his hands.

"I am returning as Awakened 1."

Percy laughed even harder. Adrian looked at him.

"And you are laughing."

Percy:

"I'm happy."

Adrian went quiet for a few seconds. Then he smiled too.

"Thank you, Percy."

Percy's laugh softened.

"You're welcome, professor."

Galahad ruffled Percy's hair.

"My little brother."

Percy tried to fix his hair.

"Bro."

Galahad messed it up again.

Percy:

"BRO."

Eleanor laughed. Wycliffe watched them. Then he looked at Holar.

"I really should have asked for my retirement."

Holar smiled.

"It's too late now."

Adrian:

"That's what I was afraid of."

After a while... Clara was left alone with her mother. Eleanor looked at her daughter. Clara wanted to say something. But she wasn't starting. Eleanor noticed this.

"Clara?"

Clara looked at her mother.

"Mom."

"Hm?"

Clara stayed silent for a few seconds.

Then she asked:

"Can we talk about Percy?"

A smile appeared on Eleanor's face. Clara immediately frowned.

"Don't laugh."

"I didn't laugh."

"You smiled."

Eleanor:

"Is smiling forbidden?"

Clara:

"Right now, yes."

Eleanor pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

"Alright."

Clara sat down beside her mother. She looked at her hands for a while.

"Mom..."

Eleanor waited. Clara finally spoke.

"I like Percy."

The expression on Eleanor's face softened.

Clara continued:

"You already know this."

Eleanor nodded.

"I know."

Clara:

"He likes me too."

Eleanor nodded again.

"Yes."

Clara looked at her mother.

"You're answering very fast."

Eleanor smiled.

"Because it's quite obvious."

Clara's cheeks flushed.

"Mom."

"What?"

"I'm serious."

Eleanor held her daughter's hand.

"I'm serious too."

Clara relaxed a bit.

Then she asked quietly:

"What should I do?"

This time, Eleanor answered thoughtfully.

"What do you want to do?"

Clara went quiet. She thought of Percy. She thought of their arguments. She thought of their competitions. She thought of them teasing each other. She thought of the camp. She thought of him being by her side.

Then she answered:

"I want to be by his side."

Eleanor nodded.

"Then be."

Clara continued:

"I want to surpass him."

Eleanor smiled.

"I know that."

Clara:

"I will surpass him."

Eleanor:

"I know that too."

Clara thought a bit more.

"I want him to be by my side too."

Eleanor stroked her daughter's hair.

"Then for now, that is enough."

Clara looked at her mother.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Clara was surprised.

Eleanor continued:

"Both of you are seven years old."

"You don't have to figure out everything right away."

"You like each other."

"You care about each other."

"You want to spend time together."

"Enjoy that for now."

Clara listened silently.

Eleanor:

"There's no need to rush."

Clara nodded. Besides... They weren't going to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Not yet. They were too young for that. Clara leaned against her mother for a while. Then a smile formed on her face.

"Mom."

"Hm?"

"He said very beautiful things to me today."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

"Did he?"

Clara nodded.

"First he told me I gained a lot of weight."

Eleanor's expression changed.

"What?"

Clara immediately continued:

"He was joking."

"I didn't understand."

"When he saw I was sad, he noticed."

Eleanor kept listening. Clara's smile widened.

"Then he pulled me close again."

"Even if I weighed as much as a whole world..."

"He said he would carry me."

Eleanor smiled softly.

Clara continued:

"He said I was beautiful in every way."

Eleanor's smile grew wider. Clara immediately looked at her mother.

"That face again."

Eleanor:

"Which face?"

Clara:

"The mom face."

Eleanor laughed.

"I am your mother."

Clara:

"But that face is different."

Eleanor pulled her daughter close.

"Did it make you happy?"

Clara didn't hesitate for a second.

"Very."

Eleanor:

"Then what's the problem?"

Clara went quiet. Then she smiled bashfully.

"I guess there's no problem."

Eleanor stroked her hair.

"Good."

Clara remained silent for a few seconds. Then she leaned closer to her mother.

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"I'm going to surpass Percy."

Eleanor laughed.

"You've said that three times now."

Clara:

"Just so you know."

Eleanor:

"I know."

Clara:

"He said he'd help too."

Eleanor:

"Did he say that?"

Clara nodded.

"Yes."

"When I said I'd pass him..."

"He said he'd help."

Eleanor paused for a moment. Then she stroked her daughter's hair. Clara closed her eyes. There was a small smile on her face.

On the other side... Wycliffe was still inspecting his new level. Percy was sitting across from him. Galahad was beside them. Holar watched them silently. Adrian opened his eyes.

Percy asked immediately:

"How is it?"

Adrian looked at him.

"Different."

Percy leaned in closer with curiosity.

"How different?"

Adrian:

"Very."

Percy leaned in a bit more.

"How very?"

Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"Percy."

"Yes?"

"Can you be quiet for one minute?"

Percy thought about it. Adrian watched him.

Percy:

"No."

Galahad burst into laughter. Adrian leaned his head back.

"That's what I'm talking about."

Percy:

"About what?"

Adrian:

"Retirement."

Percy laughed. Galahad laughed too. The corners of Holar's lips curled up. Wycliffe looked up at the ceiling. He had arrived as Advanced 12. He had become Awakened 1. And yet... The hardest part of the night hadn't changed. Percy Grant was still sitting right in front of him.