Chapter 13 — A Morning in Dominion Nexus
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The first rays of twin suns filtered through the towering spires of Galactus Academy.
Golden beams stretched across the crystal windows of Cyrus's dorm, bathing the quiet room in soft, warm light.
The room itself was simple.
Minimalistic. Neat. Organized.
A small desk, one perfectly arranged bed, a bookshelf filled with volumes he had already memorized, and a single glass orb floating silently at the center — a monitoring tool the Academy assigned to all students.
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Cyrus sat on the edge of his bed, his sharp eyes slowly opening as the internal clock within him clicked with precision.
> 4:45 AM.
On schedule.
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Without a word, he stood up, his bare feet making no sound on the polished black floor.
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First, the body.
Cyrus tied his hair back with practiced ease, donned his training attire, and quietly exited the dorm.
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The Workout
Outside, the air was cool and pure.
The grounds were almost empty — most students still asleep or unwilling to rise so early.
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He began his morning run.
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The track was long, winding around multiple training zones, gardens, and floating bridges that connected the sprawling campus structures.
His pace was steady — not rushed, not sluggish.
Controlled breathing.
Calm heartbeats.
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One mile.
Three miles.
Six miles.
Each step echoed with discipline, not desperation.
By the tenth mile, beads of sweat clung to his skin, but his breathing remained calm.
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> Even in a world of magic, discipline of the body holds value.
A body that obeys without hesitation becomes a useful tool.
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Finishing his run, he moved directly to the meditation grounds — a small circular platform surrounded by floating petals of silver lotus trees.
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He sat cross-legged.
The soft hum of nearby magic crystals pulsed gently in the air.
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His breathing slowed further.
His mind emptied.
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> Observe. Detach. Control.
Emotions off.
Awareness on.
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For thirty minutes, Cyrus sat in silence, eyes half-closed, filtering stray thoughts like static dust in still air.
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When done, he opened his eyes with calm precision.
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"Begin the day."
Cyrus muttered in a flat, steady tone, more to himself than anyone else.
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Breakfast
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The academy's dining hall was beginning to fill.
Dozens of students, nobles, and scions of the great families crowded around enchanted tables as food was conjured through intricate magical displays.
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Cyrus moved with smooth efficiency.
He filled his plate:
High-protein synthetic meat.
Grilled skyfish fillets.
Mixed greenleaf vegetables soaked in energizing elixirs.
A glass of memory-enhancing crystal water.
Balanced. Functional. Efficient.
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Sitting alone, he consumed his meal slowly, methodically.
Every bite measured.
Every nutrient calculated.
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His sharp eyes glanced around the hall, observing as students engaged in idle conversations, power displays, and petty rivalries.
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> Their games are loud. Predictable.
They haven't learned subtlety yet.
Good.
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Class Session
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The classroom hummed with gentle arcs of floating light screens as the instructor — Professor Myren, a tall, slender man in layered academic robes — began today's lesson on Dimensional Law Manipulation.
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Cyrus sat in the third row, hands folded neatly on the desk, eyes fixed on the board.
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While the professor spoke, floating diagrams of dimensional rift theory spun around the room.
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"Dimensional breaches, if left unstable, may attract invasive species from collapsed realms. As you've read, stabilizers require precise quantum calibration..."
Professor Myren said in a dry academic tone.
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Most students scribbled notes or watched blankly.
Cyrus, however, analyzed every word, cross-referencing theories against classified archives he'd previously accessed.
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> Multiple realms collapsing recently.
Possible correlation with dungeon instability Adrien mentioned.
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His mind quietly assembled patterns as the lecture continued.
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Noon Break
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As the class ended, Cyrus calmly stood, gathered his belongings, and exited the hall.
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Students murmured as they passed him, many watching the lone boy whose family had fallen — yet whose presence was becoming impossible to ignore
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He ignored them all.
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Then... it began.
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At the far end of the hallway stood three robed figures — bearing the crests of three different Great Houses.
House Valthorne — The Mind Kings.
House Nocturnis — The Silent Blades.
House Drakonis — The Lords of Times
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Their appearance was not random.
This was... an invitation.
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The lead student, a tall young man from House Valthorne, stepped forward, his voice composed, polite — yet sharp.
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"Cyrus Aurelius."
he said in a smooth diplomatic tone.
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"The Houses extend their interest in... your potential.
If you have time, we would request your audience shortly."
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Cyrus's eyes remained steady.
> Ah... The first move.
So the families are finally testing the water.
Predictable... and expected.
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He offered a subtle nod.
"Very well."
Cyrus replied in a neutral, faintly formal tone.
"Lead the way."
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Without another word, he followed.
The first meetings were about to begin.
The games of Dominion Nexus had begun to stir.
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End of Chapter 13