Seven years had passed since the war that changed the lives of many.
Ashura had grown since then.
The town that once welcomed wounded beastlings had slowly become stronger and more diverse. Humans, elves, beastlings, and other races now walked the same streets, working and living side by side. Peace still required effort—but Ashura was proof that coexistence was possible.
And the children who once watched war from afar… had grown up.
The Last Day of Middle School
The school bell rang loudly across the courtyard.
Students poured out of classrooms, their voices filling the air with excitement.
It was the final day of middle school.
For many, it felt like freedom.
For others, it felt like the beginning of something uncertain.
Among the crowd walked Dazai, Kaizer, and Azlea.
All three had changed.
Kaizer had grown taller and leaner, his movements sharp and confident. Occasionally, faint sparks of electricity flickered around his fingers.
Azlea carried herself with calm grace. Her control over wind and water magic had become elegant and precise.
And Dazai…
Dazai walked quietly beside them.
Physically, he had grown stronger. His training with Anugus had made him faster and tougher than most students.
Academically, he was above average.
But one thing had never changed.
He still couldn't use magic.
And in a world built around mana…
That absence felt heavy.
Under the Old Tree
Later that afternoon, the trio walked to their usual place — a massive tree on a hill overlooking Ashura.
They sat beneath its shade.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
Finally Kaizer stretched his arms behind his head.
"Well," he said, "middle school is officially over."
Azlea nodded slowly. "Which means… we have to decide what comes next."
Kaizer grinned. "That part's easy."
Azlea raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Kaizer pointed dramatically toward the distant mountains.
"The Academy of Ascension."
Dazai looked up.
"The academy in the Archon Kingdom?"
Kaizer nodded excitedly.
"It's one of the top eight academies in the world. Mages, warriors, scholars—everyone studies there."
Azlea thought quietly.
"I've heard they accept people from every race and every kingdom."
"Yes!" Kaizer said. "Imagine it! Students from all over the world training together."
He looked at Dazai.
"What do you think?"
Dazai hesitated.
The academy was famous for producing powerful mages.
People who shaped the future.
People who used magic.
He looked down at his hands.
"…I don't know."
Azlea noticed.
"You're thinking about magic again."
Dazai didn't deny it.
"I've trained for years. Everyone else gets stronger with mana, but I'm still the same."
Kaizer leaned forward.
"You're stronger than half the students we trained with."
"That's not the point," Dazai replied quietly.
Azlea spoke softly.
"Dazai… strength isn't only magic."
Silence lingered.
Then Kaizer suddenly stood up.
"Well, I'm going."
Azlea laughed. "You decided that quickly?"
"Of course. The Academy of Ascension is the best place to grow stronger."
He looked at them seriously.
"And I want both of you there with me."
Azlea smiled slightly.
"…Then I suppose I'm going too."
Both of them turned to Dazai.
He looked between them.
His two closest friends.
The people who never left him behind.
After a moment—
"…Fine," he said quietly.
Kaizer pumped his fist.
"YES!"
Azlea chuckled.
"So it's decided."
Dazai smiled faintly.
"We'll try for the academy."
Family Conversations
That evening, the trio shared their decision with their families.
At Dazai's House
Arthur listened carefully while Dazai spoke.
Arora sat beside him, concerned but supportive.
"The Academy of Ascension…" Arthur said thoughtfully.
"That's far from here."
Arora added gently, "And the entrance exam is extremely difficult."
Dazai nodded.
"I know."
Arthur studied his son carefully.
"Why do you want to go?"
Dazai hesitated before answering.
"…Because I need to know where I stand in this world."
Arthur's expression softened.
Finally he nodded.
"Then you should go."
Dazai looked surprised.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"You won't find your path by staying in one place."
Arora sighed softly but nodded.
"Just promise you'll take care of yourself."
"I will."
At Kaizer's Home
Orion listened while Iris crossed her arms.
"The Academy of Ascension?" Orion repeated.
Kaizer nodded enthusiastically.
"That place produces legendary warriors and talent !"
Iris sighed.
"You've always aimed high."
Orion chuckled.
"Well, if our son wants to challenge the world, who are we to stop him?"
Kaizer grinned.
"Then I can go?"
Iris shook her head but smiled.
"…Yes."
At Azlea's House
Faron listened quietly while Clarice spoke first.
"The academy is prestigious," she admitted.
"But it's dangerous too."
Azlea nodded calmly.
"I understand."
Faron looked thoughtful.
"You've always been disciplined."
After a moment he nodded.
"You have my permission."
Clarice sighed but smiled gently.
"Just promise you'll write to us."
Azlea nodded.
"I promise."
Advice from Anugus
The next morning, the trio visited Anugus at the training field.
He listened quietly as they explained their plans.
"The Academy of Ascension…" he repeated.
Kaizer nodded.
"We want to take the entrance exam."
Anugus folded his arms.
"That academy trains the world's future leaders."
Azlea asked, "Do you think we're ready?"
Anugus studied each of them carefully.
Finally he said—
"Talent opens doors."
"Discipline keeps them open."
He looked at Dazai.
"And determination creates new ones."
Dazai met his gaze.
"…Even without magic?"
Anugus nodded slowly.
"Especially then."
The Nature of Magic
As they prepared for the exam, Anugus explained deeper principles of mana.
"There are three fundamental ways magic manifests."
He raised three fingers.
First Type — Manifestation
"Users who can create something from pure mana."
Examples included fireballs, ice spears, lightning bolts, or summoned constructs.
Kaizer smiled slightly.
"That's what I mostly use."
"Correct," Anugus replied.
Second Type — Enhancement
"Users who strengthen their body or weapons with mana."
Warriors often used this to enhance speed, durability, or strength.
Azlea nodded.
"That's what knights and swordmasters use."
"Exactly."
Third Type — Environmental Manipulation
"Users who influence the surrounding environment."
Wind mages could redirect storms.
Water mages could control rivers.
Nature mages could command plants.
"Powerful mages often combine all three."
Ranks of Power
Kaizer asked the next question eagerly.
"How strong are the academy students usually?"
Anugus answered carefully.
"Warriors are ranked by mastery."
He wrote the order in the dirt.
Beginner
Amateur
Apprentice
Master
Grand Master
Continental
Celestial
Divine
"These are the widely recognized ranks."
Azlea looked surprised.
"Divine…?"
"Yes," Anugus said quietly.
"Those who reach that level can shape the fate of nations."
Kaizer whistled.
"That's insane."
Anugus continued.
"And beyond Divine… legends speak of higher existences."
But he stopped there.
"Those levels are not important for now."
He looked at them seriously.
"Focus on the first step."
Quiet Resolve
Later that evening, Dazai trained alone.
His sword cut through the air repeatedly.
Again.
Again.
Again.
No lightning.
No fire.
No magic.
But he didn't stop.
From a distance, Arthur watched silently.
Arora stood beside him.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" she asked softly.
Arthur nodded.
"He's stronger than he believes."
They watched their son continue training under the fading sunset.
In just a few months, the trio would travel to the Archon Kingdom.
There they would face the entrance exam of the Academy of Ascension.
A place where prodigies gathered.
A place where futures were decided.
And perhaps—
A place where Dazai's mysterious curse would finally begin to reveal its truth.
The road ahead had begun.