The golden light of morning barely crept in through the tall windows of the Arcane Academy's dormitory lounge. The first-year students were gathered, laughter and murmurs echoing as Professor Eldren stood before them, arms crossed, but with a rare softness on his face.
"Considering everything that happened in the Ignion Ruins… you all did exceptionally well," Eldren said, scanning the room.
Drake, as usual, leaned against the back wall, arms folded. Raelyn sat upright, eyes focused, flipping through a small notebook. Karen, Hibiki, Criss, Akito, and the others were relaxed, but bruises from the battle still faintly showed.
Raelyn, clearly agitated but composed, suddenly spoke.
> "Professor Eldren, that mural… the one that showed the blazing figure surrounded by darkness—was it connected to Show?"
The room fell quiet. Eldren hesitated before shaking his head.
> "We don't know yet. Not even Principal Alden has a clear answer. That mural wasn't in any of our records."
A heavy silence.
"Wait… where is Show?" Eldren suddenly asked.
Everyone looked around.
Drake, with a blank but funny face of betrayal, muttered,
> "Library."
"WHAT?!?" the entire class screamed in disbelief.
Even Eldren's expression twitched.
> "Sun's rising from the west today…"
---
In the Library…
Show, surrounded by towering books and magical tomes, looked like he was fighting a final boss.
> "Ancient history of elemental lineage… meh.
Flames of the First Era… boring.
Origins of Fire Deities—wait, what even is this diagram?!?"
Frustrated, he slammed the book shut.
> "I swear these books were written just to insult my brain cells!"
Suddenly, a calm yet amused voice interrupted from behind.
> "Looks like the sun rises from the west today."
Show groaned.
> "Ugh, not you now…"
It was Principal Alden, smiling with hands behind his back.
> "Searching for answers won't be that easy, Show."
Show turned, pointing accusingly.
> "And YOU! What was that stunt?! Scrambling my magic?! I thought I was losing my mind!"
Alden raised his hands in mock surrender, laughing.
> "I had to temporarily suppress your magic to protect your mind. It wasn't meant to harm you—just to prevent something... premature."
> "PREMATURE?! I almost got BBQ'd by my own power!!"
Alden chuckled again.
> "Come. There's someone I want you to meet."
---
The Supreme Wizard Appears
They walked toward the training colosseum. As they arrived, Show suddenly froze. The air grew denser, charged with pure magical aura.
Standing alone in the center was a man dressed in flowing cosmic robes, glowing patterns swirling across the fabric. His silver hair moved as though the stars themselves whispered to him. The sky shimmered above him.
> "Show… meet Solesius," Alden said, voice reverent.
"The Supreme Wizard of Arcania."
Solesius opened his eyes, glowing with celestial energy.
> "So you're the boy who survived the awakening of Ancient Magic…"
Show swallowed his awe.
Solesius spoke calmly but with cosmic weight.
> "I've seen many flames in this world, but yours... it doesn't belong to this era. That power is the remnant of a vanished clan of Ancient Wizards—a lineage erased from history nearly a century ago."
> "No books contain their tale. No scholar speaks their name."
Show's heart raced.
> "So… I'm… from that clan?"
Solesius stepped closer.
> "Possibly the last living inheritor."
He paused.
> "I planned to visit your grandmother… perhaps she holds the key."
But Show suddenly looked up, eyes serious.
> "Please don't. She once told me… when the time is right, she'll tell me everything herself. I promised not to ask her until then."
Solesius gazed at him. And then smiled, gently.
> "So be it. Then, Show… walk your path. The path of flame, the path of mystery… and the path of an Ancient Wizard. The world may not be ready for your truth. But perhaps, it needs it."
The stars briefly shone above the dome.
---
Elsewhere…
In another room, the rain patted gently against the glass.
Raelyn, arms behind his back, stood by the window, his reflection blurring in the glass.
He slowly clenched his fist.
> "...It seems the time has come."
---
TO BE CONTINUED