Haruto was led into a grand hall within the Capital. The walls were adorned with glowing crystals that seemed to pulse with an inner light, casting a warm glow across the room. At the center of the hall, a large, circular platform hovered above the ground, surrounded by a group of robed figures. They were casting spells, their hands weaving in intricate patterns as arcs of lightning and fire crackled in the air.
"These are the Archmages," the silver-haired man explained. "They are the last remaining keepers of Yurelia's magic. But they are few, and they are growing weaker."
Haruto watched in awe as one of the mages conjured a ball of fire that floated gently in the air before him. He instinctively took a step back, feeling a surge of energy in the room, something that stirred deep within him. He wasn't sure why, but it felt familiar.
"Can… can I learn magic?" Haruto asked quietly, his heart racing.
The silver-haired man looked at him, his gaze intense. "In time, yes. But first, we must unlock the magic inside you. The magic that was sealed away when you were exiled."
"Sealed away?" Haruto repeated, confused. "How could I have had magic? I'm just a student."
The man said nothing for a moment, but instead, he walked toward one of the Archmages and spoke in a low voice. The mage nodded and gestured for Haruto to step forward.
"This is the Gateway of Awakening," the silver-haired man said, his tone grave. "It is a ritual that will reconnect you with your past. But be warned, it is not without danger. The magic within you is ancient, and it may not respond kindly to being forced awake."
Haruto hesitated, his mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts. He didn't understand why he felt so compelled to do this, but a part of him knew that this was the only way to move forward.
With a deep breath, Haruto stepped onto the platform.
The Archmage raised his hands, and the crystals around them began to hum, their light growing brighter. Haruto felt a pulse of energy course through him, sharp and powerful. He could hear the whispers of voices, distant but familiar, calling his name. His chest tightened, and his vision blurred as the energy flooded through him.
Images flashed before his eyes—images of a different time, a different version of himself. He was standing in a vast hall, surrounded by people in royal attire, wearing armor adorned with gold. His hands were glowing with power, crackling with lightning as he stood at the center of a battlefield, his enemies trembling before him.
But then, the images shifted. A dagger plunged into his back. The faces of his friends turned to masks of betrayal. And then… nothing.
The light around him exploded, and Haruto fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He could still feel the echoes of the power inside him, but it was fleeting, like sand slipping through his fingers.
"You've unlocked the first step," the silver-haired man said, his voice distant. "Your magic is still there, but it will take time to fully awaken. We must move quickly."
Haruto struggled to his feet, his legs shaky. "What happened to me? Why was I betrayed?"
The man's gaze softened. "That, too, will be revealed in time. For now, we must prepare for the coming storm. You are the key to saving Yurelia, Haruto. And the enemies you once fought will stop at nothing to ensure you never rise again."