Chapter 51: Terrible Nightmare
The night hung heavy over the academy like a shroud, the silence punctuated only by the occasional hoot of an owl or rustle of leaves. But within Cheol Su's mind, a storm raged, his subconscious conjuring a world of chaos and peril.
He found himself in the midst of a dark forest, the trees looming like blackened sentinels in the eerie moonlight. Two shadowy figures emerged from the foliage, the glint of steel in their hands catching his eye. As the figures drew closer, their forms became clearer, revealing two evolvers, their faces twisted in sinister grins. The cold glint of daggers in their hands promised a swift and brutal end. Cheol Su stepped back, his heart racing as he realized the gravity of his situation. But before he could react, a third figure appeared, cloaked in a dark hood, a vial of shimmering liquid in hand.
The air seemed to grow colder as Cheol Su realized this was no ordinary evolver, but a poison master, a twisted mind capable of creating toxins that could fell even the strongest of warriors. The poison master stepped forward, his face obscured by the shadows of his hood, but his intent unmistakable. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the vial toward Cheol Su, the glass shattering against the ground in a cloud of noxious fumes.
Cheol Su's lungs burned as he inhaled the deadly vapors, his limbs growing heavy with each passing second. As he struggled to stay conscious, the two evolvers closed in, their blades glinting in the moonlight. As the evolvers advanced, Cheol Su's vision began to blur, his legs buckling under the weight of the poison coursing through his veins. He knew he had to act fast if he was to survive, but his body was slow to respond.
In desperation, he reached out with his mind, grasping for the power of his Rampage magic. But as he tried to summon the flames that had saved him so many times before, he found nothing but a hollow void. The poison had dulled his abilities, leaving him vulnerable and alone. As the evolvers drew near, Cheol Su knew that this was the end. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, his chest tightening with each labored breath. In his final moments, he caught a glimpse of the poison master's face, twisted with a grin of cruel satisfaction.
Just as the evolvers closed in, their blades raised for the kill, Cheol Su's world went dark.
He awoke with a gasp, the nightmare fading into the darkness of his room. For a moment, he was disoriented, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. As the last remnants of the nightmare dissipated, the familiar surroundings of his room came into focus. Cheol Su glanced around, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin. It had all felt so real, so terrifying.
He checked his arms and hands for any sign of injury, half-expecting to see the wounds from the daggers or the poisonous vapors. But his body was whole, unblemished.
"It was just a dream," he murmured, trying to convince himself of the reality around him. "Just a nightmare." As the realization of his safety began to sink in, the soft light of dawn crept through his window, bathing his room in a golden glow. Birds chirped a cheerful tune outside, their calls a stark contrast to the darkness of his nightmare.
Shakily, Cheol Su swung his legs over the side of the bed, taking a moment to steady himself as the nightmare's remnants still clung to his mind like cobwebs. He rubbed his eyes, clearing away the last traces of sleep, his mind turning to the day ahead. A neatly folded piece of paper on his bedside table caught his eye, a note from his sister. He picked it up, his fingers running across the familiar scrawl.
"Cheol Su," the note read. "I've left breakfast in the fridge. Don't forget to eat before your training! - Ji Yeon."
Cheol Su smiled at the brief message, grateful for his sister's thoughtfulness, even as the memory of his nightmare lingered in the back of his mind. With a deep breath, he rose from the bed, his steps steady as he made his way to the kitchen.