Hifung, Ray, and Kobayashi arrived at the front gates of Jister Academy—a grand structure, towering and expansive, easily dwarfing the size of the Refolt Academy.
The three of them strolled through the academy grounds. There were three large training fields, several buildings, and many classrooms scattered across the area.
Eventually, they reached the headmaster's office. Kobayashi stepped forward, opened the door, and entered, with Hifung and Ray following behind.
Hifung & Ray: Excuse us.
Inside, a man was seated on a sofa, a steaming cup of tea resting on the table in front of him.
Kobayashi: Mr. Yuita, these are the ones you've been looking for.
Hifung and Ray glanced curiously at the man—Yuita, the headmaster.
Upon seeing them, Yuita rose from his seat.
Yuita: So... you're the ones? What are your names?
Hifung: I'm Hifung.
Ray: My name is Ray.
Yuita studied them for a moment before introducing himself.
Yuita: I am Yuita, headmaster of this academy.
Yuita: Allow me to explain why you're here. Please, have a seat.
Hifung and Ray sat down across from him. Yuita returned to his seat as well, while Kobayashi stood silently behind him.
Yuita: The truth is... the reason I brought you here is to protect you.
Hifung and Ray exchanged puzzled glances.
Hifung: Protect us?
Yuita lowered his head slightly, his voice softening as he began his tale.
Yuita: You must have heard the name... Stephanus Hery.
At that, both Hifung and Ray stiffened, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes.
Hifung: Yes?
Yuita: Decades ago, when I was just a boy... I met Stephanus Hery.
---
—Several Decades Ago—
A thirteen-year-old Yuita walked cheerfully through the forest, enjoying the wind and trees around him.
Suddenly, he noticed someone—a boy around his age—collapsed against a tree.
Startled, Yuita rushed over to check on him, feeling for a pulse.
Relieved to find him still alive, Yuita shook the boy gently.
The stranger slowly opened his eyes and blinked at Yuita.
Stranger: Where... am I?
Yuita looked confused but answered honestly.
Yuita: You're in the forest.
The boy looked around, disoriented.
Yuita: Are you okay?
Without responding, the boy slumped forward onto the ground, clearly too weak to sit.
Panicking slightly, Yuita hoisted him onto his back and carried him home.
At Yuita's house, his parents looked alarmed as he entered with the stranger over his shoulder.
Yuita's Father: Who's that, son?
Yuita gently laid the boy on their sofa.
Yuita: I don't know. I found him in the forest. He looked really weak, so I brought him here.
Yuita's Mother: His face... looks unfamiliar.
Yuita's Father: Maybe he's lost. Could be from another kingdom.
Later that day, Yuita's parents left to work in the fields.
Yuita's Mother: We're heading out now, dear.
Yuita: Be careful, Mom. Dad.
After a while, the boy opened his eyes, slowly sitting up and looking around.
Seeing this, Yuita hurried to his side.
Yuita: Are you feeling better?
The boy nodded faintly.
Stranger: I think so.
Yuita: By the way... what's your name?
Stephanus Hery: Me? I'm Stephanus Hery.
Yuita: Stephanus Hery?
Yuita smiled.
Yuita: I'm Yuita. Nice to meet you.
He offered his hand.
Hery hesitated, seemingly unsure... then slowly reached out to shake Yuita's hand.
---
Yuita (Present Day): We became close friends... until we turned seventeen.
---
Under a lone tree in a vast open field, the wind gently swept across the grass.
Yuita and Hery stood side by side. Hery stared up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.
Yuita: Hard to believe we're already seventeen...
Yuita glanced at Hery, sensing something off.
Yuita: Hery?
Hery turned his gaze back to him.
Hery: What is it?
Yuita: You look like something's on your mind.
Hery smiled faintly, eyes returning to the sky.
Hery: Yuita... I'm thinking of ascending to the Upper World.
Yuita blinked in confusion and shock.
Yuita: But...
Hery: Yuita, you're my friend. One day, I'll come back to this world.
Hery: I want you to believe in me... and wait for my return.
Yuita: If you're going... then I want to come with you.
Hery: No.
Yuita: Why not?
Hery: Because this world doesn't have a magic academy. You must stay here... and build one.
Hery: One day, I'll return—and you'll be here, surrounded by students.
Yuita was stunned. He didn't know what to say.
---
Yuita (Present Day): I don't know how... but Hery seemed to know I was hated for being his friend. Until...
---
Yuita lay asleep on his living room couch when the ground began to quake violently, jolting him awake.
He rushed to the door, hearing commotion outside grow louder with each step.
Opening it—he froze in horror.
The kingdom was engulfed in flames. Houses burned. The royal palace half-destroyed. Chaos everywhere.
Yuita bolted toward the palace, heart pounding.
Inside, he found Hery standing before the king—who was kneeling, bloodied and broken.
Yuita: HERY! What are you doing!?
Hery turned slowly toward him, pointing at the king.
Hery: He's the one who turned the people against us.
Hery: He spread lies. Manipulated them.
Yuita was frozen in shock.
Hery: I'm leaving this world... I won't let you suffer here, Yuita.
Yuita's eyes widened further in panic as Hery raised his hand, aura flaring red.
Yuita: STOP!!
Time seemed to slow.
Hery's right hand, glowing with raw power, moved toward the king's heart.
Yuita ran. Fast. But not fast enough.
Hery's hand pierced the king's chest. The ruler collapsed, lifeless.
Time returned to normal.
Yuita dropped to his knees, stunned.
Hery withdrew his hand, blood dripping from his fingers.
He looked at Yuita sharply.
Hery: I did all this... for you.
Then, he released his immense red aura—so massive it shook the palace.
Even from the edge of the kingdom, it could be seen. Witnesses gasped at the sight.
Yuita trembled, overwhelmed by the power.
Hery waved.
Hery: Goodbye.
In an instant—he vanished. His aura disappeared.
Yuita remained kneeling on the cold stone floor, devastated. Paralyzed by sorrow, fear, and disbelief.
---
Back to the Present
Yuita: After that... I built this academy. And became its headmaster.
Hifung and Ray remained quiet, overwhelmed—but oddly... relieved.
---
Later, Kobayashi led Hifung and Ray into a dormitory room. Several beds lined the walls, though the room was completely empty.
Kobayashi: This is the academy dorm. You'll stay here. Since it hasn't been officially opened, no other students are here yet.
Hifung: Oh...
Hifung and Ray walked in and chose the two beds furthest from the door.
Kobayashi: It's already evening. Rest for now. Head downstairs later tonight for dinner.
Ray: Understood.
They bot
h bowed slightly.
Hifung & Ray: Thank you.
Kobayashi: You're welcome.
Kobayashi left, the door closing softly behind him.
Ray began unpacking his things, while Hifung stared quietly out the window—thoughts lingering far beyond the academy walls.