CHAPTER 4: A NEW LIGHT
After the blinding surge of white light, Leornars awoke in an unfamiliar room. Its vintage decor spoke of ancient times—ornate carvings, dusty velvet drapes, and candlelight flickering in silence. Disoriented but silent, he stood up slowly, still covered in blood, expressionless. The blunt sword and glass fragment dropped from his grasp as he instinctively tucked the dagger he'd stolen into his coat.
A priestess in white and blue ceremonial robes stood before him, her expression gentle. She stepped forward and extended a hand with a warm smile.
Leornars stared blankly at her hand, then walked past without a word. She froze, visibly shocked, and a flicker of frustration crossed her face.
"…Where am I?" Leornars asked in a hushed voice, scanning the room. "Where's the exit?"
The priestess cleared her throat, quickly composing herself.
"Hero from another world," she declared boldly, "we, the citizens of the Kingdom of Durmount, summon you to fight for us—to vanquish the demi-humans of the Demon Empire."
Leornars turned to her with dead eyes and approached.
"I asked you… where is the exit?" he said coldly, stepping closer. She flinched, a drop of cold sweat trailing down her cheek.
Before she could answer, the stone doors creaked open. Several armored men entered, flanking a bishop in regal white vestments. The bishop's eyes settled on Leornars—his snow-white hair, those crimson eyes—and the man swallowed hard.
"We mean you no harm," the bishop began diplomatically. "But we do require your aid in the extermination of the non-human species that plague our world."
Leornars narrowed his eyes.
"And if I refuse?" he asked, voice low and icy.
The bishop gave a condescending chuckle, turning to leave. "You have no obligation to refuse."
The guards followed him out without another word.
Moments later, four maids entered. Without asking, they began escorting Leornars away.
"Clean him up," the bishop commanded from the hall.
Leornars was taken into a bathing chamber. When he emerged, the blood was gone, replaced with clean, modest clothing. His disheveled silver hair still hung over his eyes as he approached the clergyman waiting for him.
"Can I leave now?" he asked plainly. "I don't think I'm of any use to you."
The clergyman smiled thinly. "Let's first assess your mana capacity and magical capabilities. Then… we'll see."
"Magic? Mana?" Leornars repeated the words thoughtfully, as if tasting them for the first time.
He was led into another chamber—a domed room glowing faintly with ethereal energy. At its center stood a towering crystal, pulsing with a soft, inner light.