One day, while I was working on the terrace, a strange sound echoed from above. I tilted my head back and caught sight of something streaking across the sky—a shooting star, or so I thought. But halfway through its fall, it vanished into nothingness.
Still staring, trying to make sense of what I had just witnessed, a voice suddenly called out from below.
"Winter!"
I blinked, shaken out of my thoughts, and leaned over the railing. Down in the courtyard, academy students were lining up in neat rows. That's when it hit me—it was the graduation ceremony today.
And the one who had called me was none other than the principal.
Without hesitation, I made my way down and entered his office. He stood near the bookshelf, rifling through dusty tomes as if looking for something important.
"You called me, sir?" I asked.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he opened a drawer and pulled out an academy uniform. My name was stitched neatly across the chest.
I let out a sigh.
The principal smiled knowingly and, while returning to the shelves, said, "Winter, you've already learned everything this academy has to offer. It's time for you to go on your own journey."
I froze. "Wait—that's why you called me here? But sir, I can't graduate. I'm not even a student of this academy."
Finally, he pulled a book free and flipped it open. Something slipped out—a painting He picked it up and handed it to me.
A class painting
And there I was, standing among my classmates
The principal grinned. "Then explain this. Why are you in the class painting ? The only explanation I can think of… is that you belong with this class."
I stared at it, speechless. After a long silence, I muttered, "…Alright. I lose, you win. I'll graduate. But I'll need some time before setting off on this 'journey' of yours."
I took the uniform and left.
***
In the restroom, I changed into the uniform. Just as I adjusted the collar, three students walked in.
They froze at the sight of me—then burst out laughing. One of them slapped my back.
"Big brother Winter finally realized he's part of the academy!"
I couldn't help but laugh along. We chatted about how much the academy had changed over the years, then made our way to the grand hall together.
Names were called one by one. Each student walked across the stage to receive their certificate. When my name was finally called, a nervous chill ran down my spine.
As I walked forward, I remembered standing in this very hall, year after year, watching others graduate. Never once had I imagined being up here myself.
The principal smiled warmly as he handed me the certificate. The crowd applauded as I returned to my seat.
When the ceremony ended, students gathered in groups and sharing laughter. That's when something unexpected happened.
Half the students turned toward me, lowering their heads respectfully.
"Big brother Winter, thank you for helping us through the whole year," they said in unison.
Caught off guard, I quickly bowed back. "No… thank you all—for helping me, too."
***
A week passed.
Yet the principal's words still weighed on my mind. Should I embark on this so-called journey? Or remain here, where life was stable, safe? My savings weren't bad either—five gold coins, twenty silver coins, and two thousand copper coins, all stored neatly in my pocket dimension. Enough to eat three meals a day for two years without worry.
But in the end, I decided.
"I'll go."
That evening, I made my way to the training grounds. No spells, no shortcuts—just raw training. My sword sliced through the air again and again, each swing sharper and cleaner than the last.
Only after exhausting my body did I move on to magic. I attempted combining two elements into a single spell. The result was powerful—but my mana drained so quickly I collapsed to my knees, gasping for breath.
Right. Elemental fusion was costly. That was why body-enhancement spells existed—to lessen mana strain.
I sat cross-legged, meditating until my mana flowed smoothly again. Then I resumed, layering enhancement spells over my body, casting every spell I knew in rapid succession, healing myself between each cast to keep going.
Finally, I launched myself skyward with a gust of wind. The world spread out beneath me—until something slammed into my back with bone-crushing force.
"Gah—!"
The impact hurled me toward the ground. At the last instant, I twisted, cushioning the fall with another wind spell. My vision swam.
Through the haze, I spotted a figure. A masked man.
And not just any mask. I recognized the design instantly—one belonging to a notorious criminal organization.
Gritting my teeth, I bound him with chains of magic, pinning his arms and legs to the ground. I moved closer, reaching for his mask—
—when every instinct screamed danger.
I didn't hesitate. I teleported us both away.
A thunderous explosion swallowed the spot I'd just been standing.
When I reappeared, another masked man was already there, staring straight at me. His figure flickered—vanished—and then reappeared right in front of me, his hand glowing with flame.
"—!"
His punch struck my stomach like a blazing hammer, sending me skidding across the dirt. Somehow, I managed to catch my footing.
In the same breath, I countered. Teleporting forward, I unleashed my strongest spell.
"Fire Burst!"
The explosion lit up the night and hurled him backward. Wasting no time, I grabbed the restrained man and teleported again. This time, I appeared inside the principal's office.
"Sir, we need to—"
Before I could finish, the other masked enemy tore through space itself, blade poised to cleave me in two. Reflexively, I grabbed the principal and teleported us again, appearing at the far end of the training grounds.
The enemy was faster than expected. He appeared once more—only to meet the principal's fist.
The masked man was blasted back, spinning midair. Yet even then, he conjured a massive fireball and hurled it at us.
The principal raised his hand calmly. Water surged forth, clashing with the flames. Steam and smoke exploded outward, blanketing the area.
I strained to sense him—but he was gone.
The principal swept his hand, dispersing the smoke with a gust of wind. His face remained calm. "He's gone."
We returned to his office.
And there—sitting at the desk—was the first masked man.
Eating.
I froze.
He looked about my age.
The moment he noticed us, he shot to his feet, ready to fight. But the principal didn't even flinch. With a flick of his fingers, wind wrapped around the boy like chains, binding him to the chair.
I stared, dumbfounded.
This guy's dead for sure, I thought.
Not because he's part of a criminal organization.
But because he dared eat the principal's lunch.
Chapter 1 End