Eight years passed like drifting clouds.
In the peaceful town of ASHURA, a boy who once cried beneath the stars now ran beneath them.
"Come on! Faster!" Dazai shouted, his sandals kicking up dry leaves as he raced through the forest path.
Behind him, Azlea struggled to keep up.
"Dazai!" she puffed. "You said that ten minutes ago! 'We're almost there, we're almost there!' When is 'there' supposed to come?!"
Kaizer laughed, easily keeping pace beside her.
"Relax, Azlea. If Dazai says it, it means something amazing is waiting."
She shot him a look. "You trust him too easily."
"I trust his curiosity," Kaizer replied with a grin.
Dazai glanced back, offended. "Hey! I'm serious this time!"
They ran for another minute.
Then—
The trees thinned.
Light flooded in.
The forest opened like a curtain.
And beyond it…
A lake stretched before them, wide and endless, glowing in shades of blue and green. Sunlight danced on its surface. Gentle wind brushed across the water, carrying the scent of freshness.
Above, the sky was vast and pale blue—quiet and peaceful.
Azlea stopped.
So did Kaizer.
Dazai turned, waiting.
Slowly, Azlea's mouth fell open.
"…Wow."
Her eyes sparkled.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered. "How did I never know this place existed?"
Dazai crossed his arms proudly. "Because you stay inside too much."
Kaizer nodded. "And because you're scared of getting lost."
"I am not scared!" Azlea snapped. "I'm careful!"
She looked around nervously.
"Do you two even realize how far we are from town? If something happens, what then? We can't even use proper magic yet!"
Dazai walked up to her and smiled.
"Relax. I know the way back."
"And if anything bad happens," he added, puffing his chest, "I'll protect you."
Kaizer raised his hand. "Me too."
Azlea stared at them.
"…You idiots."
Still, her voice softened.
"Hm."
She wasn't convinced—but she stayed.
Dazai's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Oh! I almost forgot."
He leaned closer.
"Azlea… we want you to meet someone."
She blinked. "Someone?"
Kaizer nodded. "A friend."
They walked toward the lake's edge.
Dazai cupped his hands around his mouth.
"CALDER!"
Kaizer joined in. "CALDER!"
Their voices echoed.
Silence.
Azlea frowned. "Is this another prank?"
Suddenly—
Splash!
Water burst upward.
A figure emerged, laughing.
A young merman surfaced, his blue-green tail shining under the sun, wet hair clinging to his forehead.
"Hey!" he called. "You're late!"
"Sorry!" Dazai laughed. "We brought someone!"
Calder noticed Azlea.
He tilted his head. "Oh?"
"Calder," Kaizer said, "this is Azlea. Our friend."
Azlea hesitated, then bowed slightly.
"N-Nice to meet you."
Calder's smile widened.
"Nice to meet you too! You're welcome here anytime!"
Her shoulders relaxed.
They spent hours talking, laughing, throwing stones into the lake, and listening to Calder's stories about underwater caves and glowing fish.
Time slipped away.
Too fast.
"Sun's setting," Kaizer said quietly.
Dazai sighed. "Already…"
They waved goodbye.
"See you soon!" Calder called.
"Definitely!" Dazai replied.
⸻
By the time they reached ASHURA, lanterns had begun to glow.
At the forge, Torus wiped his hands on a cloth.
"Well, well. If it isn't the troublemakers."
"We're not troublemakers!" Dazai protested.
Torus chuckled. "Sure you're not."
"Hi, Torus!" Azlea said politely.
"Nothing special today," Kaizer added. "Just exploring."
"Careful where you explore," Torus warned. "This world isn't always kind."
They nodded and moved on.
Before sunset, they returned home.
⸻
"Mom, I'm back!"
Dazai kicked off his shoes.
In the kitchen, Arora smiled.
"Welcome home, hero. Did you conquer the world today?"
"Almost!" Dazai laughed and told her everything.
When he finished, she asked softly,
"And your training?"
His smile faded.
"…Still nothing."
She walked over and knelt.
"Hey."
She touched his forehead.
"Everyone grows at their own pace."
"But Kaizer and Azlea can use magic," he muttered.
"And you're stronger than both of them," she replied gently.
The door opened.
"I'm home."
Arthur entered, rubbing his neck.
"Dad!"
Arthur ruffled his hair. "How's my warrior?"
"Great!" Dazai replied quickly.
Arthur listened, then smiled.
"Good. But remember—don't let pride blind you."
"Yes, sir."
Arthur's voice softened.
"If you're strong, protect others. That's real strength."
"I will," Dazai promised.
Dinner was ready.
They ate together.
They laughed.
They rested.
⸻
That night, Dazai lay staring at the ceiling.
"Why won't it work…?" he whispered.
Sleep took him.
⸻
Beside Arora, Arthur stared into darkness.
The curse.
The invisible chain around his son's soul.
Arora turned. "You're thinking again."
"…About Dazai."
"He'll be fine," she said, hugging him.
Arthur closed his eyes.
"I hope so."
⸻
Far away—
Something watched.
Something waited.
And the boy who couldn't use magic was slowly walking toward destiny.