A day began with a story.
Long ago, there was a warrior who wore pure white. His face remained hidden beneath a broad hermit hat, his figure moving silently from village to village, town to town. Legends whispered that wherever he wandered, the entire land would shine like a paradise. Even the depths of hell were said to be blessed by his presence. And so, they called him Hell's Blessing.
No one truly knew the man — not until the war finally erupted: the Great War I.
He fought against a black figure, eerily similar to himself. The opponent wore the same kind of hermit hat and robes, but everything he wore was pitch black. His face was hidden in darkness. Back then, there were not six kingdoms like today—there were only two. One that looked like Heaven, and the other like Hell. No one knew who these warriors were, nor the people of either side.
Even now, no one knows how the world transformed from that era into this one—nor anything about the white warrior. All that was remembered... was that they returned every thousand years.
Thud.
The sound of a book closing echoed in the quiet room, followed by the gentle sip of tea.
"Did you understand now, Kyota?" the wizard asked, setting his cup down with a soft clink.
Kyota frowned, absorbing the tale. "Is my power... darkness?"
The wizard chuckled softly. "Your parents only told me you had five elements," he answered. "Which means... they hadn't seen the black light within your mana orb. But they must have seen your elemental structure. I'm not entirely sure yet... but you might be an All-Elementalist and a Summoner. Or perhaps... an All-Elementalist and a wielder of darkness."
The wizard leaned closer, voice turning low.
"Have you noticed anything strange...?"
Kyota took a breath, thinking carefully. He couldn't trust so easily. He decided it was best to withhold some truths for now.
Out loud, he simply said, "No."
But inside, he recalled it vividly — the sight of not just the black light, but also a white one... shimmering deep within the orb.
The wizard narrowed his eyes for a moment, almost suspicious. Then he smiled and said, "Come. Let's take a walk."
Kyota agreed, and the two stepped outside. As he walked out the door, Kyota caught a glimpse of a girl peeking at him nervously from behind the frame. Their eyes met — and she quickly scampered away in a flustered panic.
Kyota chose to ignore it, focusing ahead.
They walked along a trail where Kyota could see the back of his home stretching into the distance. Ahead were the grand mountains he once climbed with his sister. And to his left, standing proud and tall, was the Northern Magic Academy.
The wizard led him even higher—until they nearly reached the clouds. There, he revealed a river... and in its center, a single stone slab sitting under a fierce waterfall.
The roaring sound of water crashing down filled the air.
Kyota could feel the vibration of it under his feet.
The wizard pointed.
"Sit under that waterfall. Right in the middle."
Kyota hesitated, reaching out to touch the water.
"...It's freezing," he muttered.
"Yes. Indeed it is," the wizard replied calmly. "But this will help you control your mana. Until you succeed... you will not be permitted to eat or study under me."
A heavy challenge.
Kyota steeled himself, mustering his courage, and stepped into the raging water. But the cold struck him like needles. Gritting his teeth, he tried to endure... but ultimately staggered back, gasping for breath.
The wizard simply nodded. "Let's wander some more."
Kyota, stubborn as always, declared, "Tch... I don't want food anyway."
But when he turned to say more—the wizard had already vanished without a trace.
Left alone, Kyota sighed and took the moment to admire the landscape around him. He even found a wild rabbit trapped between some rocks. With gentle hands, he freed it, watching as it hopped back toward its family.
Kyota collected fallen sticks, wood, and dried leaves, neatly stacking them aside.
Still bored, he decided to work out — realizing with a chuckle that there were no monster drops like in video games or isekai manga.
"This ain't a game," he muttered.
He did push-ups, crunches, pull-ups, squats... then collapsed onto the ground, taking a break.
Rustle.
Someone was hiding behind a tree.
Kyota narrowed his eyes. "Who's there?" he called out.
A girl panicked and tried to step back—but it was a slope. She slipped, falling helplessly. Kyota rushed toward her and saw her hanging onto a branch.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand. "Grab on!" he shouted.
But she stubbornly refused, glaring at him. "I don't need your help! Leave me and Grandpa alone!"
The branch creaked dangerously.
Kyota saw it—the moment she slipped. His body moved on instinct, just like that day with Rin. He didn't hesitate. He jumped forward and caught her in his arms.
They tumbled down the slope, but to Kyota's surprise, it wasn't a deadly fall. It was the same slope leading back to the lower pathway.
Still holding her in a princess carry, he noticed her leg was injured. Carefully, he tore a piece of cloth from his handkerchief and tied it around her ankle.
"You alright?" he asked, concern flashing across his face.
At first, she stayed stubborn, biting her lip.
( She lowered her head, trembling slightly. )
Finally, she whispered, "Nobody wants me... Only Grandpa does."
Kyota's heart ached.
He smiled softly. "That's not true. I want you... I want you to be alive. To be well. To live the life you want."
His voice was warm, and slowly, she lifted her gaze, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Come on," Kyota said, helping her to stand. "Let's get you home."
The evening began to fall. Kyota hadn't eaten breakfast, lunch — or anything at all. His stomach growled furiously as they returned to the house.
He had just sat down to eat when—
"No dinner for you," the wizard appeared out of thin air, smirking.
Kyota gawked. "Why?!"
"You were the one who said you could go without food, right?" the wizard teased.
Kyota grumbled under his breath. "Tch, fine, I don't want it anyway," he said, though his stomach loudly protested otherwise.
Growl.
The wizard chuckled. "You can eat... if you work for it. Become my student."
Kyota, desperate for food, agreed instantly.
"Deal!"
But before he could dig in, the wizard smirked again.
"Bath first."
Without thinking, Kyota trudged toward the bath, opened the door — and froze.
Inside was Yuki, completely naked except for a towel clutched desperately against her chest.
"KYAAAH!!" she screamed.
"UWAAH!!" Kyota screamed back, slamming the door shut and stumbling away in panic.
The wizard, who had clearly been peeking nearby, coughed loudly and said, "I... I was just passing by."
Kyota glared at him. "Really...?"
The wizard turned beet red, trying to act innocent as he hurried back to the table.
Meanwhile, Kyota collapsed onto the floor, his face pale with terror.
"I'm gonna get killed by her..." he muttered, feeling his soul leave his body.