Ace staggered out of the cave, gasping heavily.
His legs gave way, and he collapsed beneath a tree, chest rising and falling as pain spread through his body. For a moment, he simply lay there, staring at the sky.
Alive.
Barely.
He placed his hand on the ground and whispered,
"Inventory."
The earth responded.
A strange pressure pulled at his body as he retrieved food he had stored earlier. The weight pressed against him, reminding him that even magic demanded payment.
Ace began to eat.
Then the wind changed.
A shadow passed over him.
Ace looked up.
A figure hovered in the air—its body wrapped entirely in bandages, strips of cloth fluttering unnaturally. The person floated closer, silent and steady.
Ace froze.
He didn't understand what was happening. He simply stared.
The figure landed nearby.
"Finish your meal," the man said calmly.
Ace blinked. Exhausted. Confused.
"I don't attack anyone while they're eating," the stranger continued. "No matter who they are."
Ace swallowed.
So… he's here for me.
The prince's face flashed through his mind.
Ace finished his food, slowly stood up, and steadied himself.
"I'm ready," he said.
The bandaged man moved.
In an instant, he flew forward and drove a punch straight into Ace's chest.
Ace was sent flying, crashing into a tree. The air left his lungs as he coughed blood, pain exploding through his body.
He's strong, Ace realized. Too strong.
I can't die yet.
Suddenly—
"ACE!"
Vargan and Darian burst from the forest.
Relief washed over Ace as he saw them.
Vargan's single eye widened.
"He's a Cursed Mage!" he shouted.
Ace turned his head in confusion.
The bandaged man sighed.
"A cursed mage is someone who sacrifices something precious," he said, "to gain power no one else can—until we die."
He tilted his head slightly.
"I gave up my skin… to fly."
Before Ace could even process the words—
The man struck him across the face.
Ace hit the ground hard.
Darian and Vargan stared in shock.
The man straightened and spoke calmly.
"My name is Norio Sakamori."
He glanced around.
"I didn't come alone. My teammates are just… slow."
Suddenly, Norio grabbed Ace by the neck, lifted him into the air, and flew upward.
Then he let go.
Ace fell.
Vargan leapt, catching him midair before he hit the ground.
Norio landed smoothly and looked at them.
"So," he said, "tell me your names."
Rage exploded inside Darian.
He moved behind Norio and struck.
But Norio reacted instantly.
He turned and drove his fist into Darian's stomach.
Darian collapsed, gasping.
Vargan's voice dropped, filled with fury.
"You will pay for this."
Norio smiled beneath the bandages.
"Good," he replied. "That's why I came."
The air grew heavy.
Three fighters stood facing a man who had already sacrificed everything.
And this… was only the beginning.