Among the gathered spectators, Julian slowly covered his face with his hand. His mind wandered back to his tenth birthday—when a black-clad youth had suddenly descended from the sky, stepping through the air like a god. At that age, Julian hadn't known enough to gauge the man's power, but even then, his presence was staggering.
That youth hadn't just descended from the sky—he'd quite literally walked through it, the wind parting around him like a curtain. And when he landed and laid eyes on Julian, he'd immediately tried to take him as a disciple. Julian had been thrilled. What child wouldn't want to learn how to fly?
Of course, he said yes.
But just as the deal was struck, Regis—Julian's father appeared. The youth panicked, turned into a streak of grey lightning, and bolted across the horizon. Later, when Julian told his father about the amazing master he'd gained, Regis had just stared at him in speechless disbelief, then strictly forbade him from taking that man as a teacher.
