Villain: The Last Dawn

That night, Lila sat at her desk, the soft glow of a candle illuminating her notebook as she scribbled down her thoughts. Her handwriting was neat, but her words were full of emotion, like she was telling a story to someone close.

"Today, I had training with my friends… At first, I thought Alex would say no to training me. You know, with his personality and all… but surprisingly, he agreed. I didn't expect that… although, there were some embarrassing moments. Huuu… oh, and it was all because of Sophia! Ugh!... I've gotta tell you about her. I haven't yet. She's the friend I met during the survival test. In just a few days, we became really close. She's not one to talk much, but she's a kind person… well, except when she's calling me out on stuff.

And oh, I can't forget today! Alex beat Leon so badly... I don't think he'll be able to join class tomorrow. Poor Leon... Hahaha…"

She chuckled softly to herself as she wrote.

Writing in her diary had become a ritual. It was her way of feeling connected to her parents, as if she were telling them about her day, sharing her thoughts and experiences, as though they were still right there listening.

When she finished, she sighed, closed the notebook, and set it on her nightstand. Slowly, she crawled into bed, closing her eyes and drifting into sleep.

The next morning, Lila woke up and got ready for class. Usually, she would walk to school with Sophia, but today, she was alone. Today's class was alchemy, and it was a solo one. The others didn't take this class, so she would be by herself.

The day after the incident, things were slowly returning to normal. The Hunter Association, the local government, and the academy had all been working hard to calm everything down. Classes had resumed, and students were slowly getting back into the swing of things.

Lila joined the flow of students heading to their classes. Her feet moved with a mix of anticipation and nervousness—alchemy was a subject she'd been excited to explore.

As she walked through the academy halls, she eventually reached the alchemy classroom. It was a smaller room, and it was set up with individual desks for each student, each desk filled with tools and equipment for their practical experiments.

Lila walked to her desk and settled in, preparing for the class. She looked around, noticing that there were only a few other students here. The classroom felt a bit emptier than the usual lecture halls, but it was comfortable.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open, and the teacher walked in.

Dr. Ulruk was a short, old man with thin, graying hair that looked as if it had been slowly fading for years. His glasses sat low on his nose, making him look perpetually like he was squinting at something. Despite his age, there was an air of wisdom about him, and his wrinkles seemed to tell stories of decades of experience in alchemy. His lab coat was worn and stained with a few colors that spoke to his life's work.

"Good morning, everyone," he said in a voice that was raspy yet surprisingly firm for someone his age.

"Good morning, teacher," the students chorused.

Dr. Ulruk nodded, his eyes gleaming with knowledge. "Alright, let's get started." He adjusted his glasses and began his lecture.

"As you all know, alchemy is the delicate art of manipulating and enhancing mana to create potions and elixirs. But you must also understand that it's not just about mixing ingredients. The core principle of alchemy revolves around the concept of mana transference—the ability to transfer the energy of mana into the material world and vice versa."

He raised a hand as though emphasizing his point. "To create a potion, we are not just adding liquids and powders together. We are channeling mana, manipulating it to bond with these materials on a molecular level, reshaping them into something entirely new. That's why precision and control are so important."

Lila nodded quietly, but most of the other students looked a little lost. Their eyes darted between Dr. Ulruk and their notes, trying to keep up with the complex explanation.

"Now, this is where the theory gets tricky. Mana is like a conduit—a bridge between this world and the aether. You can use mana to change a material's structure, to heal wounds, or even to create entirely new substances. But here's the catch—without control, without a clear understanding of how mana interacts with the world around it, you'll end up with disastrous results."

Lila's hand shot up, surprising both Dr. Ulruk and her fellow students.

"Yes, Miss…?" Dr. Ulruk asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lila cleared her throat, feeling a bit nervous but determined. "Professor, you mentioned that mana interacts with materials on a molecular level. But is there a specific threshold at which the mana can no longer bond with the material? Like, can you overload a substance with mana, causing it to lose its natural properties?"

There was a brief silence. The other students exchanged uncertain glances, unsure if they'd even understood the question fully. Dr. Ulruk, on the other hand, paused, his expression thoughtful.

"That is a very complex question," he said slowly, clearly impressed. "Most students, even experienced alchemists, rarely consider the concept of mana overload in such specific terms. But yes, you are correct. Mana has a limit on how it can bond with any material. Once you exceed that threshold, the material loses its intrinsic properties and becomes unstable. In fact, you could cause a material to become volatile, even dangerous, if the mana is improperly channeled."

The students exchanged looks, their minds struggling to grasp the depth of what had just been said. They were all familiar with the basics of alchemy, but this was a level beyond what they had been taught so far.

Lila's heart raced. She hadn't been sure if the question would even make sense, but hearing Dr. Ulruk's response gave her a rush of excitement. She understood it—at least, part of it—and the teacher's praise was like a confirmation that she was on the right track.

Dr. Ulruk nodded to himself, pleased. "Very sharp, Miss Lila. I can see you've been studying." He glanced at the rest of the class, his gaze subtly challenging them. "Any more questions?"

The room fell silent. No one dared to speak.

Lila's cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

As the silence lingered, Dr. Ulruk gave a slight nod. He shuffled over to the blackboard and scribbled down some complex formulas. "Alright then, let's move on."

The other students breathed a sigh of relief, their attention shifting back to the lesson. But Lila could still feel the teacher's approval resting on her shoulders, and she couldn't help but smile quietly to herself. The thought of impressing Dr. Ulruk—and understanding something that most of her classmates hadn't even begun to process—filled her with a sense of pride.

Dr. Ulruk continued his lecture, his voice steady as he explained more about mana transference and the delicate balance needed to manipulate substances without triggering dangerous reactions. His words were a blur to most of the class, but Lila absorbed each one like a sponge. The more he talked, the more she felt her understanding grow.

As the lesson drew to a close, Dr. Ulruk suddenly stopped in front of the class, clearing his throat. "Now, I believe we have some practical work to do. But before we get started, I want to remind you that alchemy is not just about theory. It is about precision, care, and above all, respect for the materials you are working with."

He paused, glancing over the students. "One mistake can mean the difference between a success and... a disaster." His eyes lingered on a few students who had been distracted during the lecture. They straightened up, suddenly aware of the seriousness in his tone.

"Now," Dr. Ulruk continued, his voice returning to its usual briskness, "take out your equipment. We will be testing your basic potion-making skills today. No one gets to leave until you've completed your first successful potion. Understood?"

The class murmured a collective "Yes, teacher," as everyone quickly began to gather their supplies. 

As Dr. Ulruk demonstrated the first step of the potion-making process, Lila paid close attention. The others also closely following his movement.

Dr. Ulruk's hands moved with practiced precision, measuring out a special herb and placing it in a small vial of water. He muttered something under his breath, and the water began to bubble slightly, reacting to the herb as though the two were working together.

"Now, students, follow my lead," Dr. Ulruk instructed, "but remember, be careful with the mana infusion. You don't want to overwhelm the potion or you'll risk causing a negative reaction."

Lila nodded, feeling the weight of his words. Carefully, she repeated the process, the steps already making sense in her mind. She measured the herb with steady hands, mixed the ingredients slowly, and infused the potion with a controlled burst of mana, just as Dr. Ulruk had shown them.

As the potion began to glow faintly, Lila couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She looked around at the other students, most of whom had their own potions bubbling away, but none of them seemed to have the same glow or the same stability as hers.

"Very good, Miss Lila," Dr. Ulruk said, walking over to her desk. He peered into her vial and nodded, clearly impressed. "It's rare to see such a steady mana flow this early. Excellent control."

The others looked over, their faces a mix of curiosity and a little envy.

"Don't get too excited," one of the other students whispered to his neighbor. "She's just lucky."

Lila heard the comment but didn't let it bother her. She was used to this kind of thing. 

As the lesson came to a close, the rest of the students were finishing their potions, some with more success than others. Dr. Ulruk walked around the room, checking each student's work, and offering tips where needed.

"Alright, that will be all for today. Keep practicing, and remember, perfection in alchemy requires constant patience," Dr. Ulruk said as the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

Lila packed her things slowly, savoring the moment. She had done well today. As she stood to leave, she was stopped by Dr. Ulruk's voice one last time.

"Miss Lila," he called, causing her to pause.

"Yes, Professor?"

Dr. Ulruk regarded her with an assessing look, his eyes sharp. "You have potential. But don't get too ahead of yourself. Alchemy will test your limits. It will break you down before it lets you soar."

Feeling the weight of his words. "Thanks, Professor. I will keep that in mind"

With that, she gathered her things and walked out of the classroom.