The rain fell heavy in Mirewood. The sound of droplets on stone echoed through the empty streets, rhythmic and steady—like the ticking of a clock.
Julius sat on the windowsill of their guild hall, watching the storm, twiddling his fingers around the enchanted brass watch he always carried—his most precious treasure, gifted to him by Chronon. Lyra was inside, practicing her Ice-Make spells, determined to increase her control.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement.
A spark of light.
Snap!
A surge of electricity crackled through the air, and the watch was gone from Julius's hand.
"Hey!" he shouted, leaping off the window frame.
Down the alley, a boy in a hooded cloak dashed through puddles. His footsteps were silent, but the arcs of lightning trailing behind him gave away his path.
Julius's eyes narrowed. "Time Sense: Activate."
The world blurred. Time slowed.
He followed the spark trail like a predator, weaving through stalls and old barrels. He didn't attack—not yet. He was curious.
Finally, he caught up.
The thief had ducked into an old barn on the edge of town, panting. Lightning crackled from his palms like nervous sparks.
"Give it back," Julius said, stepping inside.
The boy turned, his face half-hidden beneath his hood. He looked about twelve—wiry, with sharp eyes and calloused hands.
"No," the boy snapped. "You don't deserve a magic item like this. You're just a kid playing guildmaster."
Julius tilted his head. "You're a kid too. And that 'item' isn't magic. It's a memory."
"I don't care," the boy said, readying a stance. "I take what I need. That's how I survive."
"You have Lightning Magic, right?" Julius said calmly.
"…Yeah. So what?"
"So why not use it to protect instead of steal?"
The boy flinched.
Julius extended his hand. "I'm Julius. Guildmaster of Twilight Zone. We're Iron Rank. Small. Just starting. But we protect people… even broken ones."
The barn was silent except for the rain.
The boy looked at the watch again, then slowly handed it over.
"…Name's Rael," he muttered.
Julius grinned. "Rael. That's a cool name."
Lyra peeked in from the door. "Another weirdo?"
"Yup," Julius said proudly. "Our third one."
Twilight Zone Guild – Members: 3
Julius (E-Rank Mage, Iron Guild Master)
Lyra (E-Rank Mage, Ice-Make Magic)
Rael (D-Rank Mage, Lightning Magic)
F Rank Quests Completed: 30/1000E Rank Quests Completed: 2/10000D Rank Quests Completed: 0/1000
The rain washed away old wounds.
And a spark lit a new future.
Next Chapter Preview: The Lightning Trial
Rael's past catches up to him as a rogue bounty hunter from his former crew arrives to drag him back. Julius and Lyra must fight their first real mage-level opponent, and Rael must choose: run again, or stand and fight with his new family.