The Second Realm did not exist for the eyes of ordinary mortals.
Suspended between the misty borders of the celestial kingdom and the rugged historical earth below, it was a place of eternal twilight and disciplined beauty. Here, the air hummed with the collective resonance of the mage army. Massive floating islands were connected by arched stone bridges, each housing one of the four elemental houses. The architecture was a blend of ancient stone and glowing crystals, where the sound of rushing waterfalls from the Ronan district met the crackling warmth of the Arson training grounds.
Mist drifted lazily between crystal towers and floating stone bridges, curling around ancient stone like it belonged there. It was a world of order, yet today, the atmosphere felt charged
The morning bells rang—soft, disciplined, unavoidable.
Ember hated how calm the world looked.
She stood on the eastern terrace, arms crossed tightly, boots planted like she was daring the wind to push her. It didn't. The wind knew better. It always listened to her.
Fire flickered faintly around her fingers.
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
Behind her, the realm stretched wide and endless—suspended lands, glowing rivers, floating academies. Beautiful. Perfect.
Just like everyone expected her to be…
"Prodigy."
"Future official of the heavenly court."
"Great leader of Arson."
Titles stacked on her shoulders until breathing felt like work.
She clenched her jaw, flames sparking brighter for a heartbeat before she forced them down. Losing control—even for a second—would only prove them right.
That she was nothing without perfection.
"You'll burn a hole through the terrace if you glare any harder."
Ember turned sharply.
Melissa stood a few steps away, hands loosely folded, expression gentle but observant. Her long brown hair moved softly in the breeze, earth magic grounding the stones beneath her feet without effort.
"Maybe it deserves it," Ember snapped.
Melissa didn't flinch. She never did.
"You're awake early," she said instead.
"Couldn't sleep," Ember replied. "Again."
Melissa nodded, as if sleeplessness were an old companion. Silence settled between them—not awkward, just… heavy. Melissa was good at silence. She had learned long ago that speaking too much only invited pain.
Below them, students crossed bridges, laughter echoing faintly. Ember scoffed ,
"Must be nice," she muttered, irritation sharp in her voice. "To exist without expectations breathing down your neck."
Melissa looked at her then—really looked.
"You don't have to be perfect every moment," she said quietly.
Ember's eyes flashed. "Yes, I do."
The words came out harsher than she intended, but she didn't take them back.
Melissa lowered her gaze, fingers curling slightly. She didn't argue. She never argued.
The warning bell rang louder this time.
Metal footsteps echoed from behind them.
Kai approached with the kind of presence that straightened spines and silenced conversations. His dark attire flowed with controlled precision, air magic humming faintly around him. His face was calm—cold, even—but Ember caught the familiar tension in his eyes.
The wall he wore for the world.
"Assembly in ten minutes," Kai said. "All leaders are supposed to be present."
"What happened?" Ember demanded immediately.
Kai hesitated—a fraction too long.
"The Headmages called it," he said. "That's all I know."
"That's never good," came a cheerful voice from behind him.
Felix practically bounced into view, blond hair catching the light, misty eyes bright despite the early hour. He leaned forward slightly, hands on his knees.
"Morning, everyone! Wow, the tension's so thick I could cut it with my dagger." He straightened, grinning. "Relax. Worst case scenario? We all die dramatically."
"Felix," Kai warned.
"What? I said dramatically. Very important distinction."
Melissa hid a small smile.
Ember snorted despite herself. "You're impossible."
"And yet," Felix said, placing a hand on his chest, "beloved."
Kai sighed, rubbing his temple. "Can we move?"
"Yes, Commander Doom," Felix replied cheerfully, already walking. "Lead us toward our inevitable destiny."
As they crossed the bridge, Ember glanced once more at the horizon.
She didn't know why her chest felt tight.
She didn't know why the air felt… restless.
High above them, unseen and unheard, the bells of the First Realm rang in mourning.
And far away—in the Mortal World—an eighteen-year-old boy woke with a star-shaped mark burning faintly on his wrist, unaware that five lives were already shifting toward him.
The realms had begun to move.
And nothing—no fire, no earth, no air or water—would remain untouched.