Forbidden Forest:
A cold wind blew through the massive, twisted trees.
Light barely passed through the dark branches, and shadows slithered across the ground like living creatures.
Kais moved through the trees at an unbelievable speed.
Each step slightly shook the ground, branches snapping as he passed.
His eyes were sharp and focused, his breathing controlled but heavy.
"No trace…"
He stopped.
Calm… but filled with tension.
His gaze scanned the surroundings—
Trees, darkness, a heavy silence…
Nothing.
He clenched his teeth.
"Where could he have gone…?"
He tightened his fist.
Then—
He closed his eyes.
For a moment… everything went silent.
Even the wind stopped.
And suddenly—
WOOOOOM…
A white wave burst out from beneath his feet.
Like a ring of light spreading across the ground.
Once…
Twice…
Three times…
Each time stronger, wider.
Leaves lifted into the air, the ground trembled, and pure energy filled the space.
Kais's eyes suddenly snapped open.
His pupils glowed.
He had found a trace.
He clenched his teeth, his breathing sharpened—
And shouted with all his strength:
"Brother… I'm coming!!!"
The ground beneath him cracked—
And in an instant,
With an explosion of light and speed,
He launched himself into the dark depths of the forest.
The deeper Kais went…
The darker the forest became.
The light slowly vanished,
The trees grew taller, more twisted,
And the shadows heavier…
As if the forest itself was alive and devouring him.
The sound of his footsteps echoed through the terrifying silence.
But he… saw nothing.
Only one thing filled his mind—
"Ashlor…"
His breathing grew heavier, but his speed did not slow.
His eyes were filled with focus and anxiety.
"Wait… I'm coming…" he whispered.
And finally—
He stopped.
Right there.
Exactly where he had sensed the trace.
He looked at the ground…
Then around…
At the trees… at the darkness…
Nothing.
No signs of battle,
No trace of a monster,
Not even a hint of Ashlor's presence…
Only silence.
Kais frowned, his breathing quickening.
"What does this mean…?"
He took a step forward.
"Then what was that trace…?"
Suddenly—
BOOOOM!!!
An invisible, heavy, savage strike
Hit his head like a silent lightning bolt.
His vision went black.
Everything blurred.
"This… what—"
He couldn't finish.
His body went limp…
And he collapsed straight to the ground.
Silence…
The forest became calm again.
As if nothing had happened.
Genius Academy – Management Room:
The yellow light of candles flickered across the stone walls.
Shadows stretched, making the atmosphere heavier.
The King, Arterius Shamrock, sat on a large, heavy chair in front of the principal's desk.
One hand rested on the armrest, the other on his forehead.
His gaze was lowered… yet still filled with pressure and authority.
Several teachers stood on both sides of the room.
All silent…
No one dared to break it.
Finally, one teacher spoke softly:
"Your Majesty… the students' condition has stabilized…"
Another added:
"Most of them only lost consciousness due to the magical pressure… they're not in serious danger…"
Without lifting his head, the King said calmly:
"Good…"
But his tone showed the anger inside him hadn't faded.
The principal, Meridian Werkhart, stood behind his desk.
His hands rested on it, his gaze fixed on the King.
"I sent Varan to the infirmary…"
A short pause.
"His body endured a tremendous amount of pressure."
One teacher said worriedly:
"In that state… he was still standing…"
Another whispered:
"That boy… isn't normal…"
The King finally lifted his head slightly.
His eyes gleamed in the candlelight.
"I know…"
Silence returned.
In that dim room, among long shadows…
Everyone knew—
What happened today…
Was only the beginning of something much bigger.
The principal took a calm breath and spoke:
"Varan… has endured far worse."
All eyes turned toward him.
"This pressure… compared to what he faced against the Demon King of Shinigami… is nothing."
Silence—
Then—
"What…?!"
"The Demon King… Shinigami?!"
A teacher stepped forward, his voice trembling:
"What do you mean?! How old is Varan?!"
Another said in disbelief:
"How did he even reach such a place?!"
One whispered in fear:
"Shinigami… even that name shouldn't be spoken…"
The atmosphere grew heavy again.
The principal lowered his head slightly.
"That era…"
A pause.
"…was not one anyone returned from alive."
Silence.
Then someone asked quietly:
"Then… who is that boy… really?"
The principal raised his head.
His eyes flashed—
But he said nothing.
After a moment, he spoke clearly:
"Varan… is 1,015 years old."
—
Silence…
Then—
"WHAAAT?!"
Shock filled the room.
"That's impossible!"
"He looks young!"
"How is that even possible?!"
"Even elves don't live that long easily…"
The room filled with disbelief.
The King remained silent…
But his gaze deepened.
The principal exhaled slowly.
"What you see…"
A pause.
"…is only his appearance."
His eyes narrowed.
"Varan… is not someone time can easily touch."
Silence returned—
Heavier… darker.
Forbidden Forest:
Absolute darkness…
No light, no direction,
Only faint voices…
Like broken whispers coming from everywhere.
"Wh… what happened…?"
The voices were unclear…
But they were speaking.
Slowly—
A faint light appeared.
Weak… flickering…
Like a flame struggling against the wind.
Eyes slowly opened.
Vision was still blurry…
But shapes began to form.
"Where… am I…?"
Kais.
He was inside a tent—
But not a normal one…
Its walls were made of dark energy and worn cloth,
And chains of glowing light tightly bound his body.
Every time he moved—
The chains crackled, as if alive.
Ahead—
A round table.
And around it… several beings sat.
But… they weren't human.
Shadows with unclear forms,
Eyes glowing in the darkness,
And presences that weighed heavily in the air.
One tilted its head:
"Oh… he's awake."
Another said slowly:
"Yes… I see that…"
A third leaned forward, its voice rough:
"How did he manage to reach the depths of the forest…?"
Kais's eyes widened—
"Ashlor…!"
Everything came back.
Anger ignited inside him like fire.
He pulled forward, the chains tightening.
"Stop talking nonsense! Let me go!"
His gaze sharpened.
"What kind of creatures are you?!"
Silence—
Then one said with surprise:
"Oh… he can speak our language."
Another laughed softly:
"This… is interesting…"
A third spoke in a low, heavy tone:
"And at the same time… dangerous…"
Kais's eyes burned with rage.
He struggled—
Gathered his energy—
But…
Nothing.
No magic came out.
His eyes widened.
"What…?!"
He tried again—
Still nothing.
His breathing quickened.
"Why… can't I feel any magic in my body…?!"
His gaze locked onto them, filled with anger and shock.
In a heavier voice, he said:
"What… did you do to me…?"
The glowing chains shined again…
And the tent sank into a terrifying silence.