Chapter 2

  The next morning, sunlight rose over the city of Misuya, its rays slipping through clouds of dust as if trying to breathe life back into the ruins. The district where the massacre had occurred was now sealed off by security barriers, cut away from the rest of the city like an open wound that refused to heal.

  Investigators moved through the wreckage with grim expressions, sifting through ash and broken stone in search of answers. In the background, news cameras captured the scene—covered bodies, scorched debris—while a reporter’s voice carried the truth in a flat, official tone, heavy with the weight of tragedy.

  “We are now in the heart of Misuya, where a horrific incident claimed dozens of lives last night. Investigation teams are working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances behind this catastrophe. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.”

  ---

  At the magic academy, Suero stood before a screen broadcasting the report. The light danced in his eyes as thoughts piled up in his mind. His gaze held more than worry—it carried something deeper. Awareness. Perhaps even resolve.

  His lips moved in a whisper, barely audible, yet firm with intent.

  “He called for me… Sbyam Brius.”

  With steady hands, he removed the bandages from his old wounds—scars from past battles—and dropped them to the floor without a second thought. He cast one final glance at his room, the place where his journey had begun, then turned away and stepped out with unwavering confidence.

  When he reached the academy courtyard, he paused. Not in hesitation, but as if bidding farewell to a chapter of his life. Drawing a deep breath, he murmured to himself,

  “I will leave this school… and join the place where Sbyam Brius belongs.”

  With that decision, he set off toward his future, leaving behind memories that no longer felt like his own.

  ---

  At another magic academy…

  Sbyam sat in a quiet corner, a tall, slender man with white hair, one hand tucked into his pocket. He watched the news with faint amusement, a crooked smile forming as destruction filled the screen. Tilting his head, his eyes narrowed with disdain.

  “What an idiot, Spailo… he wiped out an entire city.”

  Then his smile widened.

  “My students are truly terrifying.”

  At that moment, Moryo Raiso, commander of Class A, approached. His steps were calm, but his eyes burned with restrained anger. He stopped beside Sbyam, gaze fixed on the screen, and spoke in a cold whisper.

  “It was him, wasn’t it?”

  Sbyam turned slowly, studying the tension in Moryo’s face before speaking his name, as if testing him.

  “Moryo…?”

  Moryo clenched his jaw, his fist tightening on its own. He didn’t need confirmation. He already knew. His voice was quiet, yet seething.

  “That bastard.”

  Unlike him, Sbyam showed no concern at all. He replied casually, as if discussing something trivial.

  “Don’t worry about him. If he does it again… I’ll handle him myself.”

  Moryo turned away, ready to leave. But before he could take more than a step, he felt Sbyam’s hand settle on his shoulder. It wasn’t a command to stop—more like a silent gesture.

  Just watch.

  Sbyam continued walking beside him, as though nothing had happened.

  ---

  At the academy gates

  Suero arrived before the gates of Sbyam’s school, scanning the grounds with sharp eyes. He understood immediately—this was a completely different world from the one he had known.

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  Before he could proceed, a young man stepped in his path. His name was Kamyo. Sharp features, arrogant eyes, and the uniform of Class A. He folded his arms, as if his mere presence was enough to challenge any newcomer.

  Kamyo looked him over with open contempt.

  “You’re the new one, right?”

  Suero raised an eyebrow, but Kamyo didn’t wait for an answer.

  “Rank E, I assume?”

  Suero’s expression didn’t change. He simply nodded.

  “Yes. I was summoned by Sbyam.”

  Kamyo frowned, disbelief flashing across his face.

  “Why would he bother training the weak?”

  The words failed to stir Suero. He only smiled faintly, unbothered by the provocation.

  Before Kamyo could continue, a voice rang out from behind them.

  “Suero Rashid!”

  They turned to see Sbyam Brius approaching, one hand resting on Moryo Raiso’s shoulder. Moryo clearly disliked the gesture.

  “Aren’t you going to remove your hand?” he muttered.

  Sbyam feigned regret.

  “Ah, sorry!”

  He lifted it at last, though the mocking smile never left his face. Moryo stayed where he was as Sbyam walked forward and stopped directly in front of Suero.

  Suero studied the man for a moment, then asked firmly,

  “Are you Sbyam?”

  Sbyam’s smile deepened.

  “Yes. Welcome.”

  Moryo stepped closer in silence. His cold gaze met Suero’s head-on. Suero broke the quiet with calm confidence.

  “You’re Moryo Raiso, commander of Rank A, aren’t you?”

  Moryo didn’t blink.

  “And you… are Spailo’s brother.”

  The air froze between them, as if silence itself had become a hidden weapon. No more words were needed. The tension was unmistakable.

  Suddenly, Sbyam shattered it, patting Suero’s shoulder with exaggerated cheer.

  “Alright. Go to the room.”

  Suero blinked, confused.

  “Which room?”

  Sbyam pointed lazily behind them.

  “That one.”

  ---

  Inside the Room

  Suero stepped in with steady confidence, his eyes sweeping over the simple, carefully kept room. Rows of wooden chairs filled the space, and at the center stood a single table, free of clutter. He took a seat.

  Sbyam closed the door behind him and walked forward, stopping in the middle of the room.

  For a moment, he remained silent. Then he fixed Suero with a serious gaze and spoke slowly.

  “As you know, mages are ranked from A to E—just like monsters. You are a Rank E mage. The very bottom of the hierarchy.”

  He paused, then added with a faint smile,

  “But don’t worry. True power doesn’t come from titles. It comes from training… and experience.”

  Despite the encouraging tone, something in those words unsettled Suero. His brows drew together slightly, as if the idea itself irritated him. Sbyam noticed and let out a quiet sigh before regaining his composure.

  “Real strength is born from physical discipline and relentless practice. You must learn to control your breathing. Oxygen is the key to your body’s power.”

  He stopped again, then continued in a calmer voice—one heavy with meaning.

  “You will face powerful monsters. Some of them were once human… before being turned into beasts through horrific experiments conducted by the Sages of the World.”

  Suero’s eyes widened.

  “The Sages of the World? The highest authority in this world?”

  Sbyam nodded slowly, fully aware of the weight behind his words.

  “Yes. I don’t know their true purpose, but what they’ve done is a tragedy. These monsters are not born. They are created. And when they bite humans, they turn them into creatures like themselves.”

  Suero clenched his fist.

  “I know… that’s how they multiply.”

  Sbyam raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised.

  “You do?”

  Suero nodded again, confirming it.

  Sbyam chuckled softly, but the seriousness returned as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

  “Then you already possess some basic knowledge. Still, that’s not enough. Starting today, you will train every single day. You will fight monsters without pause.”

  He stopped, his tone sharpening into a warning—his voice carrying a subtle edge of threat.

  “Neglect your duties, and I will punish you personally.”

  Suero hesitated before asking carefully,

  “And what will the punishment be?”

  Sbyam’s smile was faint… and deeply unsettling. He answered in a low voice, leaving the rest to Suero’s imagination.

  “You’ll find out when the time comes.”

  ---

  In the City of Biura

  The ground of Biura trembled beneath the weight of a colossal monster rampaging through the city. It attacked without mercy, crushing buildings and tearing through the surrounding landscape as if everything in its path existed only to be erased.

  Missiles thundered across the sky, explosions blooming one after another, yet the beast continued forward, smashing through ruin with its iron-like fists, seemingly untouched by time or damage.

  Suddenly, a streak of pink light tore through the heavens like a glowing dagger.

  It plunged deep into the monster’s abdomen.

  A horrific wound burst open.

  The creature let out a low, broken groan, swaying in place as pain locked its massive body.

  Then Baysal appeared.

  One of Moryo’s Class A students, she descended wrapped in a storm of radiant pink sparks pouring from her body, a living symbol of overwhelming power. A confident smile curved her lips, her eyes shining without hesitation as she advanced toward the wounded giant.

  Without a word, she drove her fist straight into its chest.

  The impact shattered its balance, sending the monster crashing to the ground.

  “Take this!”

  Flames erupted from her feet, racing across the beast’s massive form like fire through dry grass. Its body ignited. The monster screamed in agony, thrashing as though the flames were devouring it from the inside.

  Baysal halted, breathing deeply, watching the burning giant as thick smoke rose into the sky. A small, satisfied smile touched her lips.

  “Even for a Rank B… it was strong.”

  She glanced at her wrist. A new mission alert flashed.

  Fatigue crept in. She exhaled sharply and muttered with irritation,

  “Damn you, Sbyam. You never let me catch my breath.”

  Turning away, she launched herself into the air. Brilliant pink wings of energy burst from her back, carrying her toward the next battlefield, leaving only fading smoke behind.

  ---

  In the Training Hall

  Inside the training hall, Suero stood drenched in sweat from relentless practice. Sbyam faced him calmly, holding a small wooden box.

  He opened it slowly, as if each second carried weight.

  From within, he withdrew a strange, intricate watch—something that looked as though it belonged to another world.

  Suero tilted his head.

  “What is that?”

  Sbyam offered no lengthy explanation. He simply tossed it to him.

  “A Mehrebot Watch. From today on, you’ll use it to receive the missions and challenges I assign to you.”

  Suero hesitated as he caught it, studying the unfamiliar design. He strapped it around his wrist.

  The moment it locked in place, the watch released a burst of light, illuminating the room for several seconds.

  Moryo entered quietly, a cup of coffee in hand, his gaze cutting through the atmosphere.

  “Finished?” he asked coldly.

  Sbyam gave a short smile.

  “Barely.”

  He gestured toward Suero’s wrist. Suero looked down as a small screen flickered to life.

  Mission Assigned:

  Physical Training – Run 20 kilometers.

  Suero’s eyes widened. His face stiffened in disbelief.

  “W–What? Twenty kilometers?!”

  Sbyam answered without a hint of sympathy.

  “Yes. You have two hours. I won’t accept any delay.”

  Suero drew a deep breath. Despite the shock, his eyes burned with resolve.

  “I’ll do it. I’ll become the strongest mage in this world!”

  Without looking back, he bolted out of the academy.

  He forced himself up the stairs and onto the long road ahead, running hard—then faltered, staring at the seemingly endless path. He glanced at the watch and whispered, exhausted and shaken,

  “No way… twenty kilometers? In two hours?”

  His fists tightened. He closed his eyes for a heartbeat, pushing doubt aside.

  Then he ran again.

  Even as uncertainty clawed at his mind, he knew this was only the beginning of his long journey toward true power.

  End of Chapter.