Mary’s voice rang out clearly, calm and steady, but carrying great power that spread through the whole chamber.“[Void Rift].”In the center of the circle, the air tore open. A swirling black and purple gap appeared, creating a strong pulling force that drew everything nearby toward it. The Cerberus roared in anger and fear, trying to plant its heavy legs and resist, but it was no use. The pull was too strong. The beast and all its shadow hounds were dragged into the rift and vanished in an instant.Before anyone could even catch their breath, Mary raised her hand again, her face still cold and unchanged.“[Void Collapse].”Rona’s face turned pale as she understood what the spell would do. Her blood ran cold.“No! That will collapse the space itself! It will destroy everything in this room! Damn it, Mary—have you lost your mind?!”The rift closed up, and for a moment there was complete silence. Then the spell reached its full power.Suddenly, the purple energy holding everyone in plac

When the smoke finally cleared, Kai and Thermo stood facing each other. Both were breathing hard, their clothes torn and dirty, and fresh blood running from cuts on their arms and faces. They looked tired and worn out, but neither of them had fallen.It was a draw.Slowly, Kai lowered his weapon and started to laugh. It was a loud, honest sound, with none of the anger from before.“Haha! You old man, you still have some fight left in you!”Thermo wiped blood from his lip and shook his head. A small smile finally appeared on his face.“And you are just as reckless as you always were. If we keep this up, we might bring the whole mountain down on our heads.”They looked at each other for a moment, then both put their weapons away. The heavy tension vanished as quickly as it had started.“Next time,” Kai said, “I’ll make sure I finish it properly.”“Next time,” Thermo replied, “I’ll be the one standing over you.”While the two commanders spoke, the rest of the guild members quickly made t

“He may not be standing here in body anymore,” the Elder went on, his voice becoming softer but stronger. “But he is still watching over you. From the sky above, from the wind that moves through these trees, and from the memories we all carry in our hearts. He is still with us. And I promise you, he does not want you to stay stuck in this dark place. Tyda had big dreams, Gaiden. He wanted a home where no one had to run or hide. He wanted to see you grow into someone who could stand at the front just like he did, someone who protects others instead of needing protection. He hoped all the lessons he showed you, through his sweat, his fights, and his courage, would not die with him.”“Carry his dreams, not just your sadness,” the Elder said firmly. “That is the only true way to honor him. Become strong not because you hate what happened, but because you respect what he stood for. And there is more you can do. If you find your way again, you might even be able to reach Teacher Long. You k

Great Sage Grandfol fell to his knees, sweat rolling down his face. He could not believe what he was seeing and hearing. The weight of that presence pressed down on him, but it was not just raw energy that made him bow. It was something far older and far more terrifying.He whispered so softly that only the two guardians standing behind him could hear. They were tall figures dressed in white, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.“Is that really… you… Your Highness?”The rest of the people in the hall could barely see Gaiden at all. The light surrounding him had grown so bright that everyone had to raise their arms to shield their eyes. A heavy, invisible pressure filled the air, making it hard just to breathe.Grandfol tried to push himself back up, but his legs gave way again. It was not the force coming from Gaiden that stopped him. It was the memory. That power, that voice, and the expression that had appeared on the boy’s face just moments before belonged to only one p

The old broken door creaked open in the dead of night. A figure stepped inside, stepping over loose planks and cracked stone. This was Aurora Guild’s headquarters—once bright and proud, now dark and forgotten. Dust coated every surface, thick on the long wooden tables and draped over tattered banners.Gaiden stood still for a moment, looking around. He was sixteen now, but the hall felt as empty as the first time he had seen it. There was no one else here. Long and Raylight were gone, just as the rumors said.He walked slowly toward the table at the far end. A single sheet of paper lay in the center, weighed down by a small stone. Gaiden reached out and picked it up, brushing dust off the surface with his fingers.Kid, I know you will come looking for me for advice. I know you are confused, and you doubt yourself and the path you are taking. You have no plan right now—but I have had my falcon watching you these past few days. I have not neglected my duty as your teacher.Raylight and I