Chapter 14 – A Break Gone Wrong
The Academy's bell tower rang out across the sprawling campus, signaling the end of another grueling week of lectures, sparring, and accidental explosions courtesy of one crimson-eyed boy.
Fay Lorian sat slouched on a bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, balancing a piece of bread in his mouth, his white hair glowing in the soft afternoon sun. Around him, students buzzed with energy, rushing off to clubs, assignments, or the library.
He chewed thoughtfully, eyes drifting toward the distant mountains. Classes are fun… but it's getting boring. I've already sat through 'Beginner's Swordsmanship' three times, and Professor Yellin still faints whenever I use fusion spells. At this rate, I'll accidentally blow up the library roof just like Livia bet I would.
He swallowed and stood. "Yeah. Time for a vacation."
---
The process of asking for leave was simple, at least for most students. They filled out a parchment request, got it stamped by a faculty member, and waited for approval.
For Fay? Nothing was simple.
The Headmaster, a short woman with silver hair who carried herself like a mountain compressed into human form, read his request with a flat gaze.
"You want a break," she said.
"Yes," Fay replied.
"You've been here three weeks."
"Exactly! I need rest."
Her eyebrow twitched. "Most students beg to stay in the Academy longer. You… are requesting time off because you're tired of succeeding at everything?"
Fay scratched his cheek innocently. "Well… yeah. Also, I heard the food in the city is good. And I wanted to, y'know, look around."
The Headmaster pinched the bridge of her nose. This child. He's either a divine blessing or the end of this era.
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. One week. But do not cause an incident."
Fay grinned. "No promises."
---
Leaving the Academy gates felt like stepping out of a bubble. The air was sharper, freer, unbound by schedules or bells. Fay stretched his arms wide, crimson eyes gleaming.
"Alright, world! Time to explore!"
Of course, his version of "explore" was less walking and more… flying.
He leapt into the sky, a trail of mana rippling behind him. Wind rushed past his face as he soared higher, clouds parting at his touch. He laughed, spinning loops and dives, exhilarated.
Until his control slipped.
"Oh no—too fast—too fast—!"
The ground vanished. The sky spun. Mana warped violently around him, creating a tear in the air itself.
With a resounding crack, Fay tumbled through space, crimson and gold sparks trailing his fall.
---
Far away, in the heart of the Dragonlands, the Dragon Queen sat upon her obsidian throne.
Her name was Seraphis Drakoria, ruler of the scaled, guardian of the eternal flame. Tall and regal, her golden horns curved like crowns, and her emerald eyes glimmered with a majesty that cowed even kings. She sat in silence, court proceedings droning around her—border disputes, tribute arrangements, military reports.
Then the ceiling shattered.
A rift tore open above the throne room, and with a shout, a boy plummeted straight down—landing squarely on the Dragon Queen's lap.
The hall froze.
Fay groaned, blinking up at the furious emerald gaze locked on him. His face burned crimson. "…Uh. Hi?"
Gasps echoed. Dozens of dragonkin guards drew blades instantly, wings unfurling.
"How dare you!" one roared. "A human child dares defile the Queen's throne!"
Seraphis's aura flared, heat rolling off her like the breath of a volcano. Her voice was thunder. "Explain yourself, boy."
Fay scrambled upright, bowing awkwardly. "S-sorry! I was just, uh… flying? And then I fell. Through… space?"
The court erupted in outrage. "Lies!" "No mortal can bend space!" "Kill him where he stands!"
But Seraphis's eyes narrowed. She had felt it—the raw power in his descent. Not teleportation. Not summoning. Something older. Something primal.
"…What is your name?" she asked.
Fay straightened nervously. "Fay. Fay Lorian. I'm, uh, a commoner."
A ripple of disbelief spread. Commoner? This boy radiated enough mana to crush mountains.
Seraphis leaned forward slightly, her voice dangerously soft. "You sit upon my lap, human. You trespass my throne. You fall through space itself. And you call yourself… a commoner?"
Fay chuckled weakly. "Well… technically true."
---
The guards moved, but Seraphis raised a hand. Silence fell instantly.
"Leave us," she commanded.
"My Queen—"
"Leave."
Reluctantly, the guards and courtiers withdrew, leaving only the Queen and the boy in the cavernous hall.
Seraphis studied him. His crimson eyes glowed faintly, his white hair catching the torchlight. He looked like no ordinary child—yet he fidgeted, scratching the back of his head, entirely unbothered by her suffocating presence.
"Do you know," she said slowly, "what it means to fall into a dragon's den uninvited?"
Fay shrugged. "Probably bad?"
Her lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Death, usually."
"Oh. Then… I guess I'm lucky?" He grinned sheepishly.
She stared. This boy—this child—wasn't afraid. Not arrogant, not defiant. Simply… unshaken.
Who are you, really?
---
Hours passed as they spoke. Or rather, as Fay blundered through answers.
He told her about the Academy, about being tired of classes, about wanting a break. He confessed to "accidentally" overdoing magic demonstrations and blowing things up. He mentioned dreaming of snow and waking to find half the dorm frozen.
Seraphis listened in silence, masking her growing astonishment. Every word painted a picture of impossible power wielded carelessly. A boy who treated miracles like inconveniences.
Finally, she asked the question gnawing at her.
"Where did you learn these spells?"
Fay tilted his head. "…I made them up?"
Her eyes widened. "You… created them?"
"Yeah. Ages ago. Well—" He stopped himself, coughing. "I mean, uh, it just comes naturally."
For the first time in centuries, the Dragon Queen felt unease stir in her chest.
---
By nightfall, she had made her decision.
"You will stay here," Seraphis declared.
"Huh?" Fay blinked.
"You have trespassed, disrupted my court, and revealed power that should not exist in mortal hands. Until I understand what you are, you will not leave my side."
Fay scratched his cheek. "So… I'm grounded?"
Her emerald eyes glimmered dangerously. "Think of it as… protective custody."
Fay sighed. "Guess my vacation really went wrong, huh."
But inwardly, his heart pounded. Sitting here, in the heart of the Dragonlands, he felt something stir—an echo of ancient times, when he, as Nirvana, had stood alongside gods and dragons alike.
Maybe… this is where things really begin again.
And as the torches burned low, the Dragon Queen watched him with unreadable eyes. A boy who could create every spell, every art. A boy who fell from the sky into her lap.
A boy who might just be more dangerous than gods.
End of chapter 14