The summer sun shone brightly over the quiet village of Theoua. Inside a modest wooden home, Ria Starlight Noor held a newborn child in her arms. His small breaths were soft, his presence radiant—as though the warmth of the season itself had chosen to take form within him.
Her husband, Mathew Noor, gazed at the baby with pride. He gently touched the child's tiny hand and whispered,
"His name will be Surya… the sun. May his light shine across the world."
Neither of them could have known, in that moment, how true those words would become.
For this child was no ordinary boy. Deep within his heart stirred a rare and powerful mana—the mythical Sun Magic. In all of humanity, only 1.29% are ever born with such a gift, and among them, fewer still live long enough to master it.
But Surya had been chosen.
And with his birth, the quiet village of Theoua unknowingly welcomed a future that would one day change the fate of kingdoms.
The years passed quickly in Theoua. Surya grew healthy and bright, his laughter often echoing through the fields. The villagers called him "the radiant child." Whenever he smiled, it felt like the sun had risen again.
By seven, Surya was already different from other children. While others played in the dirt, he sat with old books. He read runes and learned spells far faster than anyone expected.
One warm evening, while his mother cooked and his father stacked firewood, Surya sat outside staring at his hand. He remembered a line from his book: mana lives in the heart, but it answers only when you call.
He whispered the simplest spell he knew.
At first, nothing. Then a faint glow. His fingers lit up, and a small golden orb appeared in his palm. Surya's eyes widened. He had done it.
"Mother! Father! Look!" he shouted, running inside.
The room lit with a soft glow, chasing away the shadows on the wooden walls. Ria gasped. Mathew dropped his firewood.
"Already…?" Mathew muttered. His voice was heavy with pride, but also worry.
This was no child's trick. The Sun Magic had awakened. A gift so rare it could bless or curse a life.
And so, the future of their son—the radiant boy of Theoua—had begun to move.
Then, he flew.
—Surya's POV—
The wind rushed past my face as I stood on the light vessel, a magic of my own making. It was shaped from sunlit mana, glowing wings carrying me through the sky.
I couldn't help but laugh a little to myself.
"I wonder what the kingdoms will look like… Maybe they're full of mysteries waiting for me to uncover. Or maybe not."
The vessel shimmered brighter as I gripped its edge. My heart raced. The world was wide, and at last, it was mine to see.
Below me stretched a vast green forest, endless and alive.
To the west, a line of mountains cut against the sky, their peaks hidden by clouds.
Ahead, only more trees. A never-ending sea of leaves.
But then—I spotted something strange.
A single tree house stood among the branches. Old, quiet. No smoke, no sound. It looked abandoned.
Curiosity tugged at me.
"…Guess I'll check it out," I muttered, steering the light vessel lower.
"Looks like this tree house is inside the Hassadin city region…" I muttered to myself.
I hovered closer on my light vessel, landing softly at the base.
"I should probably knock first… just in case."
I stepped up to the wooden door, raising my hand toward it.
I knocked gently.
"Come in!" a cheerful voice called back.
The door creaked open, and a woman stood there. Her smile carried a bright, positive energy, like sunlight itself.
"Hi, dear," she said warmly. "What can I help you with?"
I blinked, a little caught off guard. I hadn't expected anyone to actually be here.
The door opened fully.
A woman stepped out. She was beautiful—so much that I almost forgot to breathe.
Her hair was long and black, with soft bangs framing her face. She wore a black mage's robe, stitched with faint purple patterns that glimmered in the light.
"I'm Larra," she introduced herself with a gentle smile. "A retired mage of Hassadin."
Her voice was calm, but her presence felt strong, like someone who had once carried great power.
I couldn't help but notice… she also had a graceful figure, one that matched her aura of mystery and strength.
Larra stepped aside and motioned me in.
"Come, have some tea," she said kindly.
The tree house was cozy inside, lined with bookshelves and little charms hanging from the ceiling. I sat down at a small wooden table while she moved gracefully around the kitchen. The scent of herbs soon filled the air.
As she set two steaming cups before us, she tilted her head and asked,
"So, are you an adventurer?"
I wrapped my hands around the warm cup and nodded.
"Yeah… I just started my journey earlier today."
Her lips curved into a small smile.
"Is that so? How exciting."
Larra sipped her tea, then looked at me curiously.
"So, what's your magic, dear?"
I hesitated for a second, then answered.
"I… happened to be born gifted. A rare—no, a mythical kind of magic. Sunlight magic. Only 1.29% of people are born with it."
The cup in her hand froze mid-air. Her eyes widened, shimmering with surprise.
"…Sunlight magic? Truly?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes."
For a moment, the room grew quiet, filled only with the faint steam rising from our cups.
—Larra's POV—
No wonder… I thought to myself as I watched the boy.
When I first saw him standing at my door, something inside me stirred. A chill, almost like my very soul had been shaken. His presence wasn't ordinary—it carried weight, like sunlight that could burn as easily as it could warm.
And now I understood why.
He was one of the gifted. A child of mythical Sunlight Magic.
I set my cup down gently, hiding my unease behind a calm smile.
"So that's what you are…" I whispered inside my heart.
—Surya's POV—
Larra set her cup down and leaned forward slightly, her eyes soft but serious.
"Surya," she said, "would you allow me to train you?"
I blinked. "Eh? Train me?"
She smiled. "Yes. And don't worry about payment, dear. I'll do it for free."
I nearly dropped my tea. Free training… from a retired mage of Hassadin? My heart skipped.
"Y-you're serious?" I asked, my voice cracking a little.
She chuckled softly. "Of course. It would be a shame to let such a gift wander without guidance."
My chest tightened with excitement. This… this could change everything.
I nodded right away. "Alright. I'll do it."
Her smile deepened. "Good. Then tomorrow, your training begins."
The next morning, Larra handed me a thick, old book. Its cover was worn, but the pages were filled with detailed notes.
"You'll start here," she said, pointing to the very first lesson. "Casting a Light Blast."
I read aloud. "Begin with a single blast. Once you can cast it steadily, multiply it."
"Exactly," she nodded. "Control first. Power second."
I took a deep breath and placed the book down. My palms tingled with mana.
"Alright… let's try this."
Larra pointed toward a massive boulder sitting at the edge of the clearing.
"Test the spell there. And remember, use the incantation."
I nodded, my heart racing. Raising my hand, I gathered mana into my chest and pushed it down my arm. The warmth built, fierce and steady.
Then I shouted,
"Into the world of darkness, let my light shine brightly and pierce my enemy with the power of light!"
A spear of golden light burst from my palm, flying straight ahead.
BOOM!
The boulder shattered into pieces, the ground trembling beneath my feet. Dust and fragments scattered through the air.
I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat.
"…Did… did I really do that?"
Larra's eyes widened for a moment, but then she smiled, proud and sharp.
"Impressive. Very impressive, Surya."
Days passed quickly under Larra's guidance.
By then, I had moved on to Lesson Two in the old book.
Casting a Light Blade.
The page read: A Light Blade is the personal weapon of a light-element mage. Only those who command the elements—light, earth, water, wind, fire, or thunder—can form such a weapon.
I stared at the words, my pulse quickening.
"…My own weapon, huh?"
Larra stood nearby, arms folded, watching me carefully.
"Go on, Surya. Try it. A weapon born from your own mana will always be closest to your heart."
I raised my hand. Mana stirred in my chest, brighter than before. My fingers trembled as I shaped the energy into form.
A glow extended from my palm… a blade of pure light began to take shape.
I took a deep breath and followed the words from the book.
"Come forth!"
Light flared in my palm. In an instant, a glowing blade formed, stretching outward until it gleamed like a sword made of sunlight. Its weight was strange, yet it felt natural in my grip.
My eyes widened. "This… this is my weapon."
Larra pointed toward a tall tree nearby. "Now, test it."
I nodded and raised the blade. Then, with my voice steady, I called out the second incantation.
"With this blade of light, to judge this object and send them to where they belong! Light Blade!"
I swung with all my strength.
SHHHK!
The tree split cleanly in half, the top sliding down with a heavy crash. Dust and leaves scattered everywhere.
I stared at the glowing weapon in my hand, my chest pounding.
"…Unbelievable."
From behind me, Larra's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"You're already beyond most beginners, Surya."
Larra folded her arms, her expression turning serious.
"Surya, if you want to walk the path of a mage, you need to understand the ranking system of our world."
I leaned forward, listening closely.
"There are five common stages," she began. "Beginner. Warrior or Hunter. Elite. Master. And Grandmaster. Each rank measures not just strength, but also control, discipline, and survival."
I nodded slowly, repeating them in my head.
"…Beginner… Warrior… Elite… Master… Grandmaster."
She smiled faintly, then continued.
"But above those… exist the Four Souls. North Soul. East Soul. South Soul. West Soul."
"The Four Souls…?" I asked.
"They represent the four Great Warriors of the past. Each was powerful enough to shake kingdoms. Those who reach their level are given their title."
Her eyes flickered with pride as she looked at me.
"For example… I once held the title of North Soul."
I nearly dropped my blade.
"E-eh?! You're a Soul-ranked mage?!"
She chuckled softly, almost embarrassed. "Retired, yes. But once, I was."
I swallowed hard, trying to take that in. If she was truly that strong, then… training under her was beyond lucky.
"And you, Surya…" she tilted her head, studying me. "You're still young. But your talent? Already above Warrior, maybe even close to Elite rank."
My eyes widened. "Elite… already?"
She nodded. "You've barely started, and yet… you carry the strength of someone who's walked this path for years."
My chest tightened, a mix of pride and fear. Elite already… what would that mean for my journey?
Days turned into weeks. Training under Larra became part of my everyday life.
Lesson Three was Light Ray.
Its incantation was short and sharp:
"With this light, I blind my enemies!"
A thin beam of golden light burst from my hand, dazzling the dummy target until sparks cracked against its surface.
Lesson Four and Five came next. Multiple Light Ray and Healing Light.
Their chant:
"With this light, let my enemies surrounding me be blinded!"
When I practiced it, golden rays shot out in all directions, scattering like arrows of sunlight. Healing Light, meanwhile, wrapped wounds in a soft glow, closing cuts with warmth instead of pain.
One after another, the lessons were checked off. My control grew sharper, my mana flow stronger.
But then… the last pages of the book were blank. Empty lines, waiting to be filled.
I stared at them, confused.
"…That's it? It just ends here?"
Larra stepped beside me, her gaze calm.
"No, Surya. It doesn't end here. Those blank pages… are for you. A gifted mage is not meant to only repeat what's written. You'll one day write your own techniques, your own spells."
Her words echoed inside me.
My own magic… my own path.
I clenched my fist, feeling the mana stir in my chest. The training was almost complete—but my true journey was just beginning.
The next morning, the sun rose warm and golden. My pack was light, but my heart felt heavy. Today was the day.
I stood at the doorway of the treehouse, bowing deeply.
"Master Larra… thank you for everything. Without you, I'd still be fumbling with my mana."
She smiled softly, her long black hair swaying with the breeze. "You've grown faster than anyone I've ever trained. But remember, Surya—the path of a mage isn't measured only by power. It's measured by the choices you make."
Her words pressed into my chest like sunlight.
I gave her a grin. "I'll make you proud. Promise."
For a moment, her expression softened into something almost motherly. Then she waved me off.
"Go, child. The world is waiting."
I turned, summoning my light vessel. Its radiant wings spread wide, carrying me into the sky.
Below, Larra's figure grew smaller and smaller, until the treehouse disappeared into the vast green of the forest.
And just like that, my true journey began.
The city of Hassin bustled with life. Merchants shouted in the streets, the smell of roasted bread and spiced meat filled the air, and adventurers in all sorts of armor moved about with purpose.
I stopped by a stall to buy food for the road—dried meat, fruit, and a flask of clean water.
That's when my eyes caught a large poster pinned to the quest board.
"Quest – Save the Kingdom of Cryellita from the Moon Dragon.
Reward: 6,000 Golden Coins."
I froze. My hands nearly dropped the food I'd just bought.
"Six… thousand?"
In my head, the conversion was instant.
6,000 Golden Coins… was the same as 500,000 Terralis.
Half a million. Enough to live comfortably for years. Enough to buy a house, weapons, maybe even my own library.
My heart raced.
"A Moon Dragon, though…"
That wasn't the kind of quest you usually gave to beginners. Not even elites. That was the kind of job entire kingdom armies struggled with.
But the reward…
I clenched my fist. For the first time since leaving Master Larra's side, I felt a real crossroad before me.
The city rooftops stretched out beneath me as I drifted on my light vessel, wings of radiance carrying me through the sky. I was searching for a cheap apartment to rent, somewhere quiet to rest after the long journey.
Then, out of nowhere—
"W-Whoa! I can't control my vessel! MOVE!!"
Before I could react, a blur of light slammed into me. CRASH!
We tumbled through the air, smashing onto a tiled rooftop. Shards of clay scattered everywhere.
"HEY!!" the owner of the house shouted from below, shaking a broom at us. "You two brats are gonna pay for that roof!"
I scrambled up and bowed quickly. "S-Sorry, sir! Here!"
I tossed him one of my gold coins. His eyes widened, and just like that, his anger vanished. "Ah… well, accidents happen. Carry on." He slipped back inside with the coin.
I turned to the boy lying beside me. He looked about my age—messy brown hair, clothes scuffed from travel, and still tangled in the remnants of his unstable vessel spell.
I offered him a hand. "Hey. You okay? Who are you, and why were you flying around like a madman?"
He groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "Ugh… sorry. I'm Kael. Beginner adventurer. I only learned vessel magic a few weeks ago, and… well, you saw what happened."
I blinked, then let out a small chuckle. "So that explains it. You're still a rookie."
He frowned, embarrassed. "Hey, don't laugh! I'll get the hang of it soon!"
I grinned, helping him to his feet. "Then I'll be looking forward to it. Just… try not to crash into me next time."
crossed my arms, looking at him thoughtfully. "Kael, right? You said you just started as an adventurer."
"Yeah…" He scratched his cheek, clearly embarrassed. "I'm not really good with mana control yet."
I smiled. "Then how about this? Why don't you train under me? I'll teach you everything I've learned so far. Vessel control, magic basics—the works."
His eyes went wide. "Wait—you'd really do that?"
"Of course," I said. "I had someone guide me when I started. Now it's my turn to pass that on."
For a moment, Kael hesitated… then broke into a grin. "Alright! Then starting today, you're my teacher!"
"Good. But if you're going to stick with me for training," I added, "you'll need a place to stay. Once I find an apartment, you'll stay with me. I'll cover the rent for now."
Kael's mouth dropped. "Y-You'd even pay for me?"
"Think of it as an investment," I chuckled. "If you become strong, you'll pay me back someday."
Kael laughed nervously, but his eyes were shining with determination.
Just like that… I had taken on my first student.
After asking around the streets of Hassin, I finally found an apartment complex tucked between a row of shops. The building looked sturdy, its stone walls polished and the windows lined with clean shutters. Not luxurious, but far better than the inns packed with noisy adventurers.
The landlord, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes, tapped her ledger.
"Forty gold for two people. Twenty gold if it's just one."
I glanced at Kael, who was fidgeting beside me like a nervous puppy. With a small smile, I handed her forty gold coins.
"We'll take the two-person room."
Kael's jaw dropped. "W-Wait, you're really covering for me?!"
I shrugged. "Didn't I tell you? You're my student now. I'll handle this."
The landlord raised an eyebrow at our banter, then slid us a pair of keys. "Third floor. Don't cause trouble."
When we entered the apartment, Kael's eyes sparkled. The space wasn't huge, but it had two beds, a small table, and even a balcony overlooking the busy street. For two wandering mages, it felt like a castle.
Kael flopped onto his bed immediately. "This is amazing! Way better than sleeping in alleys."
I chuckled, setting my pack down. "Don't get too comfortable. Training starts tomorrow."
"Y-You're not even giving me one day off?!"
"Of course not," I grinned. "Adventurers don't get vacations."
That night, as the city lights of Hassin glimmered outside our window, Kael was already snoring on his bed.
I leaned against the balcony railing, staring at the streets below, the noise of merchants and adventurers fading into the night air.
A smile tugged at my lips. "So this is it… my first home away from Theoua. My first student. My first step as a real adventurer."
The poster about the Moon Dragon flashed in my mind again, its reward shining brighter than the city lamps.
"Someday," I whispered, clenching my fist. "I'll be strong enough to face even that."
The wind carried my words into the night, and the chapter of my new journey quietly came to a close.