The training ground slowly settled after the chaos Emily created. Igna was still fixing his hair, slightly annoyed, while Emily stood nearby looking completely satisfied with herself. The others didn't react much anymore. They were already used to it.
Yash, however, was still focused.
His eyes moved toward Igna again, and the atmosphere shifted slightly.
Yash: "Your ability…"
Igna looked up.
Yash: "The way you predict movements…"
A small pause.
Yash: "…it's not something normal."
Igna stayed quiet. He had always felt that too, but hearing it now made it heavier.
Yash stepped a little closer.
Yash: "That kind of ability isn't something you learn."
Another pause.
Yash: "It comes from your origin."
Before Igna could respond, Yash turned toward May.
Yash: "Didn't you teach him about the four types of magic users?"
May sighed.
May: "I did."
She glanced at Igna.
May: "He forgot."
Igna looked slightly embarrassed.
Igna: "…I didn't forget everything."
Emily smirked.
Emily: "You forgot everything."
Igna ignored her.
Yash looked back at him.
Yash: "Then remember."
Igna straightened slightly.
Yash continued calmly.
Yash: "There are four types."
A small pause.
Yash: "First… physical enhancers."
He glanced toward May and Sele.
Yash: "They strengthen their body—speed, strength, reaction."
Igna nodded slowly.
Yash: "Second… casters."
Another pause.
Yash: "They use magic outside their body."
Igna's expression shifted slightly as memories of Maxe and Stela flashed through his mind, the way they fought, the way they taught him, and for a moment his chest tightened.
Yash continued.
Yash: "Third… those who gain power from ancient beasts."
He looked toward Hena.
Yash: "Like her."
Hena gave a soft smile.
Yash: "They use the power of legendary creatures."
Igna's grip on the dagger tightened slightly.
Yash: "Fourth… cursers."
The word felt heavier.
Yash: "They use abilities that affect others in indirect ways."
Before Igna could process everything, Emily spoke.
Emily: "And some can use more than one."
She smiled slightly.
Emily: "Like me… and Yash."
Igna looked at them again, and the gap he felt before made more sense now.
Yash turned back toward Igna.
Yash: "Your ability doesn't fit the first two."
A pause.
Yash: "It's closer to the third."
Silence.
Yash: "Ancient beasts."
Igna's mind started connecting everything, his instincts, his prediction, the unnatural clarity he felt in fights.
Igna: "You think… I have something like that?"
Yash nodded slightly.
Yash: "I think you do."
A pause.
Yash: "But it hasn't awakened yet."
Igna looked down at the dagger in his hand. Something inside him felt incomplete, like it was waiting.
That night, the base was quiet. Too quiet. Igna lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. His thoughts slowly drifted away from the present, pulling him back into memories he couldn't escape. Stela's voice, Maxe's instructions, the way they stood beside him, the way they smiled, the way they fought, all of it came back at once. His chest tightened, his breathing became uneven, and slowly tears slipped from his eyes. He didn't make a sound. He didn't move. He just lay there, crying silently, as if even the walls shouldn't hear him.
The door opened quietly. May stood there for a moment, watching him. She didn't ask anything. She didn't interrupt. She already understood. She walked inside and closed the door softly behind her, then moved toward the bed and lay down beside him. Without saying anything, she wrapped her arms around him gently, pulling him slightly closer. Igna didn't resist. He didn't respond. But he didn't push her away either.
May rested her head near his shoulder, her voice soft and calm.
May: "Cry."
He tried to hold it back, but he couldn't. His body trembled slightly as the tears became heavier. May didn't stop him. She didn't try to fix it. She just stayed there, holding him, letting him break without judgment.
May: "They mattered to you."
Igna nodded faintly, unable to speak.
May: "Then it's okay."
Her grip tightened slightly.
May: "You don't have to act strong all the time."
A small pause.
May: "Not with me."
Time passed slowly, the night remaining silent around them, but this time the silence didn't feel empty. It felt shared.