Читать книгу Universe Aeternov. Book two. The Shadow that Remembers the Light - Группа авторов - Страница 8

“They didn’t teach her how to be a warrior.

They taught her to be human, even in battle.”

1. AN INVITATION FROM THE STARS.

Alina stood at the edge of the Aeternum, holding in her hands a letter made of light and sand.

It didn’t arrive in the mail.

It grew out of her own chrono-code, like a flower from a crack in time.

“Alina Chronosandran, the daughter of Chronos and Sandran,

the bearer of the double code,

the keeper of hopes who do not yet know their name…

you are invited to the School of Bright Paths.

Not to get stronger.

And to understand: power is in choice.”

– Is this… a school?” “What is it?” she asked, turning to her parents.

Andrey smiled – the same smile with which he rushed to the child in 1978.

Inna looked at her daughter with eyes in which galaxies were mixed with simple earthly pride.

“This is not just a school, daughter,” said Andrey. – This is a place where they teach not to win… but to save. Even an enemy.

“They teach you to be a Super – Magician, a Soldier, a Kind-hearted and Affectionate Negotiator at the same time,” Inna added, and there was a slight irony in her voice. – In this universe, the strongest is not the one who knows how to kill… but the one who knows how to speak so that even the darkness listens.

2. ENTERING THE DIMENSION OF YOUTH.

The Source School was located in the Lotus Dimension, a space accessible only to those whose hearts had not yet been petrified by cynicism.

The entrance is through the Age Mirror.

• Teenagers (16—21 years old) – pass.

• Adults who are sure that they “already understand everything” hear only a whisper:

“You already know everything. And they’re still learning to believe.”

Alina took a step and found herself in a world where:

• the sky shimmered with sunrises and sunsets at the same time;

• The trees grew with their roots up, feeding on the dreams of the students;

• rivers did not flow with water, but with streams of knowledge and other people’s experience;

• The school building changed shape depending on what you are studying today.

An inscription made of living stars twinkled on the gate:

“They don’t make weapons here.

People who don’t need guns anymore are being made here.”

3. CURRICULUM: NOT JUST COMBAT

Alina quickly realized that this was not a superhero academy.

It is a garden of the soul, where every object is a path to understanding oneself and others.

Main disciplines:

• Chrono magic is not just moving through time, but the ability to hear its pulse.

“You don’t control time. You’re asking for it… until you save someone.”

• The martial arts of the universe – from hand-to-hand combat to the dance of Shaolin monks.

The main principle is: “Inflict a minimum of pain. Leave maximum dignity.”

• The art of reincarnation is not for deception, but to feel someone else’s pain.

“Become an enemy for a moment, and you’ll understand why he’s crying in the dark.”

• Invisibility is not for espionage, but for unobtrusive support.

“Sometimes the best help is not to interfere. Just to be around.”

• High Dialogue Courses (what were jokingly called “geisha of the universe”) are not about flirting, but about the art of conversation, which can:

o forces the enemy to lower his sword,

o reminds the tyrant of his childhood,

o forces the darkness to whisper: “Tell me more…”.

• Space policy and ethics of power – that saving worlds means hearing their pain, and not imposing your “salvation” on them.

• Super Mage, Kind – hearted Soldier, Affectionate Negotiator – the final comprehensive course, where:

o magic = empathy,

o strength = protection,

o words = bridges,

o victory = when no one remains the enemy.

4. THE FIRST LESSON: “WHY AREN’T YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

““At the first lesson in chronoetics, the teacher is an elderly Mechanic with eyes glowing with soft lamps,” asked:

– Alina, you are the daughter of Chronos and Sandran. You can erase the Chrono Shadow with a single gesture. Why don’t you do it?

She froze.

“I think, – Alina said softly, – that she’s not an enemy. She’s me… if no one loved me. If I just destroy her, I will destroy a part of myself. And I don’t want to kill. I want to heal.

There was silence in the classroom. Even the wind had stopped rustling in the overturned trees.

The teacher smiled.

“You’ve already passed the first exam,” she said. – Welcome to the School of Bright Paths.

5. TRAINING IN THE “GARDEN OF SILENCE”.

One night, Alina was training in the Garden of Silence, a place where time slowed down tenfold.

She practiced moving to any point in the galaxy using only the rhythm of her own heart.

But instead of distant stars… I found myself in 1978, on Budennovsky Street.

Young Andrey was standing there at the construction site, looking at the darkness ahead.

“Do you… see me?” “What is it?” she whispered.

– No, – he replied without turning around. “But I feel… that someone believes in me.” And that’s enough.

Alina began to cry.

And for the first time, she truly realized that

her strength wasn’t in a unique code.

Her strength lies in faith.