The year was 1387. A long stretch of time had carved its mark upon the world since the fall of Aethelgrad. The winter cold remained as sharp and merciless as ever, biting through wool and stone alike. Yet, despite the passing seasons, one thing remained unyielding: the bond between Hyoga and those he loved. It was a flame that warmed their hearts on the frostiest nights, growing stronger and deeper with every year that drifted by.
Hyoga was now approaching the end of his thirteenth year. He was no longer the frail boy who had stumbled through the woods in terror. His control over mana had flourished under Lola's guidance, and his physical endurance, forged by Noah's relentless drills, was formidable for his age. He had moved beyond simple errand-running; he now took on guild contracts with Noah, ventured into the frozen wilds with Shizuka to gather rare medicinal herbs, and accompanied Sophia to the cathedral to pray for the souls of those they had lost.
Sophia had become the older sister he never had, her gentle presence a constant anchor. Under Lola's watchful eye, he had memorized complex potion recipes, and with Naomi, he shared the burdens of the manor—and frequent, playful magic duels that often left the laboratory smelling of ozone. But above all, his deepest bond remained with Emily. She was the mother-figure who sat with him during his darkest hours, whispering legendary tales of his ancestors and keeping the memory of his parents alive.
As his fourteenth birthday loomed, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. For a mage, fourteen was a pivotal age—a threshold of greater power. Hyoga hungered for new spells, yet the lesson he had learned years ago remained etched in his soul: power was a tool for protection, never for senseless harm.
On a freezing winter night, Hyoga lay in bed, staring at the frost patterns on his window. Emily had told him that tomorrow was the day. He would be fourteen. Unable to contain his excitement, he drifted into a deep sleep, hoping for the morning to arrive quickly.
Suddenly, the cold room vanished. He found himself standing in a lush, green meadow under a brilliant sun. Before him stood the mysterious, faceless figure he hadn't seen in years. Hyoga smiled, stepping forward without fear.
"Hey... It's been a long time," Hyoga said. "I wanted to thank you. Because of your advice, I managed to send the soldiers away and protect the city."
The figure approached, its voice as calm and resonant as a mountain breeze. "Well done, little soul... I am glad you did what was necessary."
They sat together on the soft grass. Hyoga asked curiously, "Why didn't you come sooner? I wanted to see you and thank you properly."
The figure looked up at the infinite blue sky. "It is better that you do not see me often."
Hyoga tilted his head, puzzled. "What do you mean? I don't understand."
"Think simply," the figure replied. "I appear only when the wearer of the stone faces a crisis or a turning point in their destiny. The fact that I have been absent means you have enjoyed a time of peace and tranquility."
Hyoga nodded slowly. "I see. Still, I wish I could have thanked you earlier."
A few moments of peaceful silence passed before Hyoga spoke again, his voice bright with hope. "You know, tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be fourteen. I'm going to get so much stronger."
The figure stood up, its aura shifting into something more serious. "That is why I am here, little soul. From this moment on... what is it that you intend to do?"
Hyoga thought for a moment. "I suppose I'll become a great mage and a swordsman... maybe get married, grow old..." He paused, his expression turning sharp. "Wait, that's not why you're here, is it? Is something wrong?"
The figure looked at him intently. "Hyoga, there is much you need to know that you do not yet understand. But the time for the full truth is not yet here. For now, I am only here to offer a choice."
"What choice?" Hyoga asked, a chill of dread creeping up his spine.
"You already have a connection with the Crimson Mages," the figure stated. "Therefore, you must return to your homeland. You must go to the Kingdom of Luxon. Enroll in the Luxon Mages Academy."
Hyoga recoiled, his breath hitching. "I don't want to go there. I'm happy here with my family. I have everything I need."
The figure placed a hand on Hyoga's shoulder. "Hyoga, that is not the real reason. I know the truth. You are afraid to return to the land where your mother and father died."
Hyoga looked down, his fists clenching at his sides. The trauma of the fire still simmered beneath his skin.
"Hyoga... I will not force you," the figure continued softly. "If you wish, you can live the quiet life you dreamed of. There is no coercion here. I am only presenting the path. The decision is entirely yours."
Hyoga's mind raced. He was terrified of the ghosts awaiting him in Luxon, yet this figure had never led him astray. As the dream-sky began to turn black, signaling his awakening, the figure spoke one last time.
"It seems you are waking up. I look forward to our next meeting, Hyoga."
Hyoga bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat. It was his birthday. He was fourteen. He knew he couldn't keep this vision to himself; he had to speak with Lola.
Before he could move, the door flew open and Naomi burst in, her face bright with a mischievous grin. She had grown into a spirited young woman, tall and confident. "Happy Birthday, Hyoga!"
Hyoga smiled despite his racing heart. "Thank you, Naomi. Where is High Mage Lola?"
"In the lab," Naomi replied, pulling him toward the door. "She's making healing potions with Emily."
Hyoga hurried downstairs. In the kitchen, he found Sophia and Shizuka preparing a feast. Sophia hugged him like a little brother. "Happy Birthday, Hyoga!" Shizuka followed suit, patting his shoulder. "Happy Birthday, my little apprentice."
After helping Noah move logs in the snow—receiving a bone-crushing hug from the swordsman in the process—Hyoga finally made his way to the laboratory. He brought two cups of hot herbal tea to Emily and Lola, who looked exhausted from their work.
"You two work too hard," Hyoga said, sitting beside Emily. "Happy Birthday to me, but thank you for being my family."
As they sipped the tea, a heavy silence settled. Hyoga took a deep breath. "Lola, the Dreamstone spoke to me again last yet. In a vision."
Emily looked up, her eyes narrowing. "What did it say?"
"It told me I must go to the Kingdom of Luxon," Hyoga said quietly. "To enroll in the Mages Academy."
Emily's face hardened with anger and fear. "No! Absolutely not! We have a beautiful life here. We are safe! Tell him, Lola!"
Lola remained pensive. "Emily, the Dreamstone does not speak without purpose. If it is calling him back to Luxon, there is a reason. We must be calm."
"Aunt Emily..." Hyoga said, taking her hand. "I'm scared too. But I think this is my path. I want to go. I will become a mage, and I promise you... I will get strong enough so that no one can ever hurt us again."
Seeing the iron resolve in his eyes, Emily's resistance crumbled. She knew she couldn't keep him in a cage forever. "Fine," she whispered, tears in her eyes. "But you must write to me every single week. And you must listen to Naomi."
Lola smiled. "Naomi will be going with him. She will enroll as well. And as a birthday gift, I will cover all the academy expenses."
That night, a grand banquet was held. Noah stood at the head of the table, raising a glass. "To Hyoga! Fourteen years old and heading off to conquer the world! Tell us, lad, what's on your mind?"
Hyoga stood, looking at each of them—his family by choice, not by blood. "Thank you for everything. I am going to Luxon with Naomi. I want to see my homeland, and I want to become a mage worthy of all the effort you've put into me."
The gifts followed: a pouch of gold from Lola, a finely balanced steel sword from Noah, a protective bracelet from Sophia, and a grimoire of intermediate spells from Shizuka. Naomi approached him last, her cheeks flushing. "I can't give you your gift now... but I'll give it to you whenever you want later."
Finally, Emily stepped forward, her eyes wet with tears. She hugged him as if she were trying to merge their souls. "You are the most important person in this world to me, Hyoga," she sobbed. She handed him a small vial of blue liquid. "This is a specialized painkiller I made for you. It will stop any agony. Use it only when you truly must."
The next morning, the air was crisp and the carriage was ready. Hyoga and Naomi climbed inside, looking out at the friends who had become their world. As the carriage began to move, Hyoga took Naomi's hand, squeezing it tight. He looked back at Oakhaven one last time before turning his gaze toward the horizon.
Destination The Kingdom of Luxon.