THIS CHAPTER IS AHEAD OF IT'S PUBLISHING SCHEDULE, I published this early to end the second arc.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The classroom gradually returned to its usual rhythm.
Pages turned, chairs scraped softly against the floor, and quiet conversations began to rise in scattered corners. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm glow across the room.
Everything looked the same.
But for Taika, something felt different.
Her fingers lingered near her temple before slowly dropping to her side. The faint pressure from earlier had disappeared, yet a strange uneasiness remained, like a thought just out of reach.
"Weird…" she murmured under her breath.
Maya leaned closer, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Are you really okay?"
Taika gave a small nod, though her gaze drifted back toward the window.
"Yeah. It was just for a second."
Clare, seated nearby, spoke without lifting her eyes from her book.
"A mana fluctuation?"
Taika hesitated.
"Maybe…"
But even as the word left her lips, it didn't feel right.
It wasn't just mana.
It was something deeper. Something… familiar.
Before she could think further, her vision flickered again.
This time, it came without warning.
A pair of eyes.
Sharp.
Red.
Watching her.
Taika froze.
Her breath caught slightly in her chest, her fingers tightening against the edge of her desk.
Then,
It vanished.
Just like before.
"Taika?"
Maya's voice pulled her back.
Taika blinked, quickly looking away.
"It's nothing. I just spaced out."
Clare finally lifted her gaze, studying her carefully.
"You don't space out twice in a row."
Taika forced a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I said I'm fine."
For a moment, neither of them replied.
Maya still looked unconvinced.
Clare, though silent, continued to observe.
Then the bell rang.
A sharp, clear sound that cut through the tension.
Students began to stand, gathering their belongings as the room filled with movement once more.
The moment passed.
Or at least, it seemed to.
Taika stood as well, slipping her book into her bag.
As she turned toward the door,
Another flicker.
Stronger than before.
A voice.
Faint. Distant.
"…Taika…"
She stopped mid-step.
Her eyes widened slightly.
That voice,
It felt close.
Important.
Like something she should recognize.
But couldn't.
"…Who…?" she whispered softly.
"Taika?"
Maya's voice reached her again.
The moment broke.
Taika shook her head, forcing herself to move.
"Let's go."
They stepped out into the hallway together, blending into the flow of students.
But Taika's hand tightened around the strap of her bag.
Because deep within her mind,
The memories that had once been sealed were no longer quiet.
They were stirring.
And little by little,
They were beginning to return.
The library was quiet as always.
Tall shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books of magic, history, and forgotten knowledge. Sunlight filtered softly through the high windows, casting pale gold across the long wooden tables.
Taika sat with Maya, Clare, and Isolde at one of the far corners.
Books were open in front of them, pages half-read, notes scattered neatly.
For a while, no one spoke.
Only the faint sound of turning pages and distant footsteps filled the space.
Then Maya broke the silence, her voice low.
"So… when do you think they'll restart the exams?"
Clare didn't look up.
"They have to reorganize everything after what happened in the city," she said calmly. "At least a few days. Maybe a week."
Maya groaned softly and rested her cheek on her hand.
"A week? I just want to get it over with already."
Isolde, seated across from them, turned a page of her book with quiet elegance.
"The delay is necessary," she said. "The practical exam especially. They need to reassess the safety measures."
Her tone was composed, as always.
"But it won't be long."
Taika remained silent.
Her eyes were on the book in front of her, but she hadn't turned the page in a while.
The words blurred slightly.
Not because she couldn't read them.
But because her mind wasn't fully there.
"…Taika?"
She blinked.
Maya was looking at her again.
Taika gave a small, quick smile.
"Sorry. Just thinking."
Clare closed her book halfway, studying her.
"You've been 'thinking' a lot today."
Taika hesitated.
"…Have I?"
Isolde's gaze lifted from her book, sharp and observant.
She didn't say anything at first.
But her eyes lingered on Taika for a moment longer than usual.
Then something shifted.
Taika's fingers twitched slightly.
Another flicker.
A shadow.
A voice she could not fully hear.
Her expression faltered for just a second.
Isolde noticed.
"Something is interfering with your mind."
The words were calm, but direct.
Maya straightened immediately.
"What? Like a spell?"
Clare's eyes narrowed.
"Or a delayed effect."
Taika quickly shook her head.
"No, it's not like that…"
But even as she spoke, she was no longer sure.
Isolde closed her book gently.
"Memories do not return without reason."
Silence settled over the table.
Taika froze slightly.
"…Memories?"
Isolde's gaze met hers.
Steady.
Knowing.
"You've been experiencing fragments, haven't you?"
Taika did not answer.
But that alone was enough.
Maya looked between them, confused.
"Wait… what memories?"
Clare leaned forward slightly.
"Explain."
Isolde remained calm.
"There are only a few types of magic that affect the mind this way."
A pause.
"Suppressed memories are one of them."
Taika's hand tightened slightly on the edge of the table.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"…Suppressed?"
Isolde nodded once.
"Something was taken from you."
The library remained quiet around them.
But at their table, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Maya suddenly clapped her hands lightly, breaking the tension that had settled over the table.
"Okay, that's enough of that," she said, forcing a small smile. "You're all getting too serious."
Clare glanced at her. "You changed the topic."
"Obviously," Maya replied. "Because I remembered something important."
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
"The academy just announced a side quest."
That caught their attention.
Even Taika looked up.
Maya continued, "It's a dragon extermination mission."
Silence followed for a second.
Clare's expression sharpened. "Details?"
Maya nodded. "It's in Arden. The City of Water."
Isolde's gaze shifted slightly, more focused now.
Maya went on, "The citizens reported that the dragons changed their behavior after the attack on the capital."
Taika's fingers tightened slightly on her book.
Changed.
Clare spoke next. "In what way?"
Maya frowned a bit, recalling what she heard.
"They're not just attacking randomly anymore. They're moving in groups, targeting specific areas."
A pause.
"Almost like they're being directed."
That made the table fall silent again.
Isolde closed her book fully this time.
"That is not normal dragon behavior," she said calmly.
Clare nodded. "Dragons are territorial. Coordinated movement suggests external influence."
Taika looked down slightly, her thoughts shifting.
From memories…
To something else.
"…Another threat," she murmured.
Maya looked at her. "Yeah. And the academy is letting students participate."
Clare raised a brow. "Letting, or requiring?"
Maya gave a small, uneasy smile. "Optional… but highly encouraged."
Isolde stood up slowly, her chair making a soft sound.
"Then it is not just a quest," she said. "It is an assessment."
Clare followed her reasoning immediately.
"A field evaluation disguised as assistance."
Maya blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
Isolde nodded.
"They want to observe how students respond to real threats."
Taika lifted her gaze.
Her expression had steadied again.
"…When do we leave?"
Maya smiled slightly. "Tomorrow morning, if we sign up."
Clare crossed her arms. "Of course it's immediate."
Isolde looked at the three of them.
"I will be going."
Simple. Direct.
Maya grinned. "Same here."
Clare sighed. "I'm not letting you three go without proper planning."
That left one person.
They all looked at Taika.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she closed her book softly.
"…I'll go too."
Not just for the mission.
Not just for the academy.
But because something was happening.
Dragons changing behavior.
Memories returning.
And a feeling she could not explain.
That all of it…
Was somehow connected.
Taika's room was warmer than usual that evening.
The small space felt lively, filled with quiet movement and the soft clatter of utensils. A portable stove sat near the window, and the scent of cooking food slowly spread through the room.
Maya stood in front of it, sleeves slightly rolled up, focused as she stirred a pan.
Clare sat nearby, cutting ingredients with precise, efficient movements.
Isolde stood by the window, arms lightly crossed, watching the fading light outside.
Taika sat on the edge of her bed, observing them.
For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Maya suddenly spoke, breaking the calm.
"You know," she said while flipping something in the pan, "it's a good thing the principal lets us cook our own food and eat in our rooms."
Clare didn't look up. "Convenience."
Maya grinned.
"Or maybe they just don't want our money."
She gave a small laugh at her own joke.
Taika let out a soft chuckle.
Clare sighed. "That makes no sense. The academy already funds everything."
Maya shrugged. "Exactly. Suspicious."
Isolde glanced back slightly.
"If they wanted profit, they would not provide scholarships so freely."
Her tone was calm, but it carried a quiet weight.
Taika's smile faded just a little.
Scholarships.
For a brief second, something in her mind stirred again.
A flicker.
A shadow of a thought.
She blinked, then looked down at her hands.
"…Yeah."
Maya turned slightly. "Almost done, by the way."
The sound of cooking filled the room again.
Oil sizzling.
Utensils tapping lightly.
Simple things.
Grounding things.
Taika took a slow breath.
For now, she let herself stay in the moment.
With them.
Because whatever was waiting ahead…
Could wait until tomorrow.
A knock echoed through the room.
Three short, firm taps.
Everyone paused.
Maya turned off the stove. "Who is that?"
Taika stood up, walking toward the door.
Another knock followed, this time accompanied by a voice.
"The dorm guard. You have a visitor."
The four of them exchanged glances.
"A visitor?" Clare repeated.
Taika reached for the handle and opened the door.
The hallway light spilled inside.
And there he was.
Raiden stood just outside, his figure framed by the dim corridor.
His clothes were worn, slightly torn at the edges. Faint traces of ash still clung to him.
But he was standing.
Alive.
Taika's eyes widened.
"…Raiden?"
For a second, she just stared.
Then concern quickly replaced the surprise.
"You're back already? What happened?"
Raiden looked at her quietly.
There was something different in his eyes.
Something heavier.
But also… clearer.
"I'm fine," he said simply.
Maya peeked from behind Taika.
"Woah… you look like you fought a war."
Clare stepped closer, analyzing him.
"Not 'like.' He did."
Isolde remained where she was, her gaze sharp the moment she saw him.
She said nothing, but her attention didn't leave him.
Taika moved aside slightly.
"Come in."
Raiden stepped inside.
The warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the cold air he carried with him.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
Taika looked at him again, more carefully this time.
"…Did you find what you were looking for?"
A short silence followed.
Raiden's gaze lowered slightly.
"…Yeah."
He didn't say more.
But that single word carried weight.
Taika felt it.
Even if she didn't understand why.
Her chest tightened slightly.
"…And?"
Raiden lifted his eyes to meet hers.
"…It's over."
The room fell quiet.
Something about those words didn't feel simple.
Not like a normal answer.
But Taika couldn't explain why.
Not yet.
Time passed quietly inside the room.
Dinner was finished, plates set aside, and the earlier tension had softened into something more relaxed. The conversation shifted naturally, moving from Raiden's return to lighter topics.
Soon enough, it settled on the upcoming mission.
Maya leaned back slightly, stretching her arms.
"I still can't believe they're letting us take this quest so freely," she said. "A dragon extermination mission, and they're just handing it out like it's nothing."
Clare crossed her arms.
"It's not 'nothing.' It's controlled risk."
Maya tilted her head. "Still sounds dangerous."
"It is," Clare replied. "But that's the point."
Isolde stood near the window again, her gaze distant as she spoke.
"The academy is not simply training us to pass exams."
She paused briefly.
"It is preparing us for what is already happening outside."
The room fell slightly quiet after that.
Taika glanced at Raiden.
"…The dragons."
Raiden nodded once.
"They're not acting on instinct anymore."
Maya frowned. "So someone's controlling them?"
Raiden didn't answer immediately.
But the silence itself was enough.
Clare exhaled softly.
"Then this 'side quest' is more serious than they're saying."
Taika looked down for a moment, then back up.
"…All the more reason to go."
Maya smiled faintly. "I knew you'd say that."
Isolde turned slightly toward them.
"Then it's decided."
She spoke as if it were already settled.
"We leave tomorrow."
A quiet sense of resolve filled the room.
Not just excitement.
Not just curiosity.
But something deeper.
Because this mission was not just another task.
It was a step forward.
Toward something bigger.
Something none of them fully understood yet.
And this time…
They would face it together.
The room fell into silence.
No more laughter. No more casual talk.
Only presence.
Only intent.
The air itself felt heavier.
Taika stood at the center, her eyes steady, no trace of hesitation left. A faint current of wind brushed around her, subtle, controlled.
Her voice was quiet.
"…We're ready."
A soft glow flickered.
Green.
Maya lifted her hand slightly, a swirl of scented magic forming around her fingers. Petals, invisible yet felt, moved with her control as her expression turned serious.
"I'll handle support."
Cold mist spread across the floor.
Clare stepped forward, her breath faintly visible as frost gathered along her fingertips. Ice formed slowly, thin but sharp, crawling along her arm.
"Frontline control is mine."
A crisp, crystalline sound echoed softly.
Across from them, Isolde raised her bow.
A single arrow of condensed frost formed instantly, glowing with pale blue light. Her gaze remained calm and absolute.
"No dragon will pass."
Then a sharp crack followed.
Red lightning appeared.
It did not explode.
It condensed.
Raiden stood in the shadows, one hand slightly lowered, electricity wrapped tightly around his arm like a living weapon. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
"…Stay behind me if it gets out of control."
Not a suggestion.
A warning.
Taika stepped forward.
Wind gathered behind her back, unseen wings beginning to take shape, shifting the air itself. Her hair moved slightly despite the still room.
For a moment, they stood together.
Five figures.
Each carrying a different kind of power.
Different burdens.
Different reasons.
But one direction.
The atmosphere sharpened.
Like the calm before something massive.
Taika looked at them once more.
Not as classmates.
Not just as friends.
But as allies.
"…Let's go."
And in that moment, they did not just feel ready.
They felt unstoppable.
The student council room was quiet, but not relaxed.
A long table stood at the center, documents neatly arranged across its surface. The atmosphere was sharp, focused.
At the head of the table sat Sky Tudor.
His gaze moved across the papers in front of him, calm but calculating.
Around him, the other council members remained attentive. No one spoke carelessly in this room.
"This is the finalized list?" Sky asked.
Elvione Astres, seated to his right, nodded slightly.
"Yes. Based on battle intelligence, mana control, and observed combat performance."
Silver Astres leaned back slightly, arms crossed.
"They're monsters," she muttered. "Some of them shouldn't even be considered students anymore."
Sky did not react.
He lifted one sheet.
"Class A-10."
His eyes scanned the names.
"Taika Zeit."
A brief pause followed.
"The highest potential among two thousand students."
Another council member spoke.
"Her mana control is abnormal. Records show that her output at birth was already beyond measurable limits."
Elvione added, "And yet she compresses it subconsciously. That level of control without awareness is… dangerous."
Sky's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Time manipulation."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
No one took that lightly.
"To alter time is to alter consequence," Sky continued. "If mastered, she becomes the most unpredictable variable in this academy."
He placed the paper down.
"Maya Sieg."
Silver let out a small breath.
"The noble girl with scent manipulation."
Elvione nodded.
"An underestimated ability at first glance. But in application, it can incapacitate, control, or eliminate targets without direct contact."
Sky spoke calmly.
"A battlefield control type. Effective in both offense and support."
Another page turned.
"Raiden Zeit."
The room grew slightly more serious.
"Divine electrification," Sky said. "Rare. Possibly unique."
Silver glanced at him.
"He fought outside the academy recently, didn't he?"
Elvione nodded once.
"Unconfirmed reports suggest high-level combat involvement."
Sky's expression did not change.
"Raw destructive capability. High risk. High value."
Next.
"Clare Mahika."
A different kind of silence followed.
"Multiple attributes," one member said. "Light, darkness, fire, and summoning."
Elvione added, "Combined with the Eye of the Demon King. Her predictive capability alone places her above most combatants."
Sky leaned back slightly.
"A complete fighter."
The papers shifted.
"Class A-11."
"Alwin Swordheart."
"Summoner. Multi-entity control. Possesses a Nine-tailed fox and sword taming ability."
Silver smirked faintly.
"Quiet ones are always dangerous."
Next.
"Isolde Icecryst."
The room stilled again.
Even the air felt heavier.
"The king's daughter," Sky said.
Elvione spoke carefully.
"Her mana output surpasses standard noble levels. Possibly exceeds royal thresholds."
Silver added, quieter this time,
"Even the king avoids her."
Sky's eyes remained steady.
"Ice magic with extreme scale. Combined with the Blizzard Bow."
He paused briefly.
"She is not just powerful. She is overwhelming."
The list continued.
"Roy Edwin Lyrae. Close-range combat specialist."
"Elzard Vanzard. Tactical genius. Battlefield visualization."
"Ender Flare. High-output fire user with a sentient weapon."
"Astoria Reign. Sword-saint lineage. High knowledge and refined combat skill."
The room fell silent once more.
Ten names.
Ten potential monsters.
Sky placed the final sheet down.
"…This generation is abnormal."
No one disagreed.
Elvione spoke softly,
"If even one of them loses control…"
She did not finish the sentence.
She did not need to.
Sky closed the folder.
"Then our role becomes clear."
His eyes sharpened.
"We observe."
A pause.
"And prepare."
Because this was no longer just about students.
It was about power that could shape the future of the kingdom itself.
The quest hall was crowded with students.
Voices overlapped, papers shuffled, and requests were posted across the large board at the front. Different missions filled the wall, ranging from simple errands to high-risk operations.
But one request stood out.
Dragon extermination mission.
Taika and the others stood near the board, already prepared. Their gear was set, expressions focused.
Maya crossed her arms, looking around.
"It's more crowded than I expected."
Clare glanced at the request sheet.
"Of course it is. This isn't a normal task."
Isolde stood quietly beside them, her presence alone creating space around her. Other students kept their distance without realizing it.
Raiden leaned against a nearby pillar, observing everything in silence.
Taika stepped forward slightly, eyes fixed on the mission details.
"…This is it."
Before they could proceed—
A voice called out from behind.
"Wait!"
They turned.
Alwin ran toward them, slightly out of breath, a small bag slung over his shoulder.
"I made it," he said, catching his breath.
Maya blinked.
"Alwin? You're joining too?"
He nodded.
"I just signed up. They said there was still space."
Clare raised a brow.
"You decided that quickly?"
Alwin gave a small, calm smile.
"I couldn't stay behind knowing all of you were going."
Taika smiled faintly.
"Then you're with us."
Isolde looked at him for a moment, measuring his presence.
"…Stay within formation," she said simply.
Alwin nodded without hesitation.
"I understand."
Raiden glanced at him briefly, then looked back toward the board.
No objections.
That alone was approval.
Maya grinned.
"Looks like the team just got bigger."
Taika stepped forward again and reached for the mission sheet.
Her hand paused for a second.
Then she took it.
The moment felt heavier than expected.
Not just another quest.
Something more.
She turned back to the group.
"…Let's go."
And with that, the team moved together toward the exit of the quest hall.
Six students.
One mission.
And a threat waiting for them beyond the academy walls.
The City of Water was no longer peaceful.
The canals overflowed with chaos.
Bridges cracked. Buildings burned. The reflection of flames danced across the water, turning the once beautiful city into something unrecognizable.
People ran.
Shouts echoed.
And above them all, shadows moved.
Dragons.
Dozens of them circled the sky, their wings beating heavily as fire rained down upon the streets. Their movements were not wild. Not random.
They were organized.
They were listening.
At the highest point of the city, above a broken tower that overlooked the waterways, someone stood.
A woman.
Her long green hair flowed behind her, moving like a living thing. Smooth. Serpentine.
It shimmered under the firelight, resembling the form of a wingless dragon, a symbol of authority and ancient power.
Her eyes were sharp.
Not human.
They carried the cold focus of a predator.
Yet her face was beautiful. Calm. Untouched by the destruction below.
She watched the city as if it belonged to her.
As if everything happening was expected.
A dragon landed beside her, its massive body shaking the tower beneath them.
It lowered its head.
Not in aggression.
In submission.
The woman raised her hand slightly.
The dragon stilled.
Another gesture.
More dragons shifted in the sky, changing direction mid-flight.
Perfect coordination.
Like soldiers following a command.
"…Good," she whispered softly.
Her voice was quiet, but it carried control.
She was not just among them.
She was leading them.
A being that stood between two worlds.
Human and dragon.
Her gaze turned toward the horizon.
Far away.
Toward the direction of the academy.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"They're coming."
A faint smile formed on her lips.
Not kind.
Not welcoming.
Excited.
"Let's see…"
The dragons roared in response, their voices shaking the sky.
"…how strong this generation really is."
The journey from the academy was long, but steady.
By the time they reached their first checkpoint, the sun had already begun to lower, casting a warm orange glow across the land.
Oak Wood Village stood quietly at the edge of a dense forest.
Tall oak trees surrounded it like natural walls, their thick trunks and wide branches forming a canopy that filtered the light into soft, scattered beams. The air was cooler here, carrying the scent of wood, soil, and faint traces of smoke from nearby homes.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Taika slowed her steps as they entered the village path.
Wooden houses lined both sides, simple but well-kept. Fences made from carved logs enclosed small gardens, and a narrow dirt road stretched deeper into the settlement.
A few villagers could be seen in the distance.
Watching.
Not welcoming.
Just… cautious.
Maya lowered her voice.
"They know something's wrong."
Clare nodded slightly.
"They've probably already heard about the attacks."
Alwin adjusted the strap of his bag, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"There's tension," he said quietly.
Isolde walked ahead, her posture straight, her presence naturally drawing attention. The villagers who noticed her quickly stepped aside, some even lowering their gaze.
Raiden remained at the back, silent, his eyes moving from one corner to another. Observing. Calculating.
Taika looked down at the map in her hand.
"Oak Wood Village… first checkpoint."
Her eyes traced the markings.
"According to this, each checkpoint is meant to prepare us before reaching the City of Water."
Maya tilted her head.
"Prepare how?"
Clare answered this time.
"Information. Supplies. Possibly warnings."
Isolde spoke without turning.
"Or to measure us."
That made Taika look up.
"…Measure?"
Isolde stopped walking for a moment.
"If the academy truly arranged this route, then every checkpoint serves a purpose."
A pause.
"To see if we are capable of continuing."
The wind passed through the oak trees, causing the leaves to rustle softly above them.
Taika folded the map slowly.
"…Then we won't fail here."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
Ahead of them, near the center of the village, a larger structure stood.
A gathering hall.
Likely where they were meant to report.
The group moved forward together.
The deeper they went into Oak Wood Village, the more the quiet atmosphere pressed against them.
Because this place…
Felt like the calm before something worse.
A sharp whistle cut through the stillness of Oak Wood Village.
It was sudden.
Loud.
Unnatural.
The air shifted immediately after, followed by a streak of light magic that shot through the trees like a focused beam.
Raiden reacted first.
He stepped forward, his hand snapping to his sword as red lightning condensed along the blade.
He swung to intercept the attack.
But the light bent.
It curved around his strike.
Slipped past his defense.
The beam grazed his side, forcing him back a step as it continued forward with its original target still locked in place.
Taika.
She barely had time to process what was happening.
The light closed the distance in an instant.
Then-
A sharp, cold sound pierced the air.
Isolde moved.
Her bow was already raised.
A single arrow released with perfect timing.
It cut through the path of the incoming light magic.
On impact, a burst of cold erupted outward, freezing the beam mid-air and shattering it into fragments of glowing frost.
The attack dissolved completely.
Silence followed.
The trees stood still again.
No second strike came.
Taika blinked, her breath catching slightly as she looked between Isolde and the direction the attack came from.
Raiden steadied himself, one hand pressed briefly against his side before he straightened again.
His eyes sharpened.
"They're watching us already."
Maya stepped closer to Taika, her voice low but tense.
"That wasn't random."
Clare scanned the treeline, her body already shifting into a defensive stance.
"We're being tested."
Alwin reached for his weapon, his grip tightening.
"They know we're here."
Isolde lowered her bow slightly, her gaze fixed forward.
"Good."
Her voice was calm.
"Then they won't be surprised by what comes next."
For a moment, no one moved.
The broken fragments of frozen light still shimmered faintly in the air, slowly dissolving into nothing. The forest around Oak Wood Village returned to silence, but it was no longer peaceful. It was watchful.
Taika's breath had not fully steadied yet.
Her eyes remained fixed on where the attack had come from.
Then something felt wrong.
Not a sound.
Not movement.
A presence.
Close.
Too close.
Her pupils shifted slightly.
Up.
Right in front of her.
Her body froze.
There, hanging in the air, just inches from her face, was a man.
Upside down.
Floating.
Completely still.
As if gravity had no meaning to him.
His face was calm. Pale. Almost lifeless in expression, yet his eyes were wide open, staring directly into Taika's.
Unblinking.
Unnervingly close.
His hair dangled downward, swaying slightly with the faint movement of air. His robes, dark and lined with faint glowing patterns, drifted as if underwater.
No one had noticed him arrive.
Not Raiden.
Not Isolde.
Not even Clare.
And that alone made him dangerous.
Taika's breath caught in her throat.
She did not step back.
She could not.
It felt like if she moved, something worse would happen.
The man tilted his head slightly, still upside down, as if studying her.
A slow smile formed on his lips.
"…So you're the one."
His voice was quiet.
But it carried clearly.
Too clearly.
That was when the others reacted.
Maya gasped softly, stepping back.
Clare's eyes widened for a split second before narrowing sharply.
Alwin immediately raised his guard.
Raiden's lightning flared instinctively, his presence shifting in an instant.
Isolde's bow was already drawn again.
Yet none of them had sensed him before this moment.
Not his arrival.
Not his presence.
Nothing.
The man's gaze never left Taika.
His eyes moved slightly, tracing her features as if confirming something only he understood.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
He slowly rotated in the air, still floating, until he was upright.
But even then, his feet never touched the ground.
He remained suspended.
Effortless.
Unnatural.
The air around him felt distorted.
Like space itself was bending quietly to his will.
Raiden stepped forward, placing himself slightly between Taika and the man.
"Who are you?"
The man's eyes flicked toward him for a brief moment.
Then back to Taika.
As if Raiden was not the priority.
"…Not yet," he said softly.
A faint glow formed at his fingertips.
Not bright.
But dense.
Dangerous.
"I only came to see."
His smile widened just a little.
"To confirm if you're worth it."
The pressure in the air tightened.
The village, the trees, the ground itself felt distant.
Because at that moment-
There was no escape.
The man's gaze lingered on Taika for a final second.
His eyes narrowed slightly, as if satisfied.
Then he spoke.
His voice was young.
But deep.
Unnaturally deep.
"You're not complete yet…"
A pause.
"…but you will be."
The air shifted.
No spell circle.
No visible movement.
Just a sudden distortion, like the wind changing direction all at once.
And he was gone.
No trace.
No presence.
Nothing.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Clare let out a sharp breath she did not realize she was holding.
"…What was that…"
Maya placed a hand on her chest, breathing unevenly.
"Why does it feel like we almost died…"
Alwin stayed still, his grip tight on his weapon.
Even he did not lower his guard immediately.
Isolde slowly lowered her bow, her eyes still scanning the surroundings.
Taika remained where she stood.
Her heart was still racing.
That presence…
It was different.
Raiden finally spoke.
His voice was low.
"…That wasn't normal."
He looked at the direction where the man had disappeared.
His expression darkened.
"It felt like…"
He paused for a second.
"…facing a human and a dragon at the same time."
The words hung in the air.
No one spoke immediately.
Then Isolde continued, her voice quieter than usual.
"…The dragon race."
A brief silence followed.
Her grip on the bow tightened slightly.
"But I thought they were extinct…"
The wind moved through the oak trees again.
But this time, it did not feel calm.
It felt like something had awakened.
And whatever they had just encountered…
Was only the beginning.
----------------------------------------------------------SECOND ARC PART 2 SOON..
----------------------------------------------------------