Chapter 3
Night had fallen, and the moon illuminated the sky as Suero trudged forward, exhausted and weary. He stopped to catch his breath, resting his hands on his knees in an attempt to calm his racing pulse. His gaze fell upon the Mehrebot watch strapped to his wrist, frustration and despair evident on his face. In a low, sorrowful voice, he murmured:
"I failed… I couldn't complete the first exercise."
Taking a deep breath, he lifted his head, his eyes reflecting contemplation as they fixated on the moon. He whispered, as if questioning himself:
"Will I truly become the strongest sorcerer? Will… I be able to save humanity?"
Silence enveloped him as he continued staring at the moon, as if searching for answers within the stillness of the night.
---
Meanwhile, at the gates of the Magic Academy, Moryo stepped out alongside his team: Baysal, Kamyo, and a man named Veb. They began walking toward the Misuya region. Concern was evident on Baysal's face as she spoke:
"A mission in Misuya?!"
Kamyo responded in shock:
"Wasn't that area already destroyed?!"
Veb added calmly:
"I believe one of the Rizsius organization members is responsible for that!"
At that moment, Kamyo erupted in anger:
"I despise them!"
Suddenly, Suero appeared before them—exhausted, drained, and standing silently. Kamyo glanced at him before bursting into laughter, his voice laced with mockery:
"He's back!"
Baysal smirked at him challengingly and asked:
"Did you complete your first exercise?"
Suero lowered his head, avoiding their eyes, his expression weighed down with sorrow. He muttered hesitantly:
"I... couldn't."
Baysal and Kamyo burst into laughter, their ridicule ringing through the air. Kamyo scoffed:
"Didn't I tell you he was weak?!"
A silent tear escaped Suero's eye, carrying the weight of suppressed grief. For a moment, Moryo looked at him with disdain, a thought crossing his mind:
"Why did you choose him, Sbyam? There are many who are far more capable!"
Then, in a sharp and commanding voice, he declared:
"Enough...!"
Baysal and Kamyo's laughter ceased instantly, their expressions shifting to seriousness.
Moryo stepped forward, his strides steady as he approached Suero, who remained gazing at the ground in sorrow. As he neared, Moryo spoke coldly:
"Lift your head."
Suero's sorrow deepened, another tear falling to the ground. His voice trembled as he muttered:
"But… they're right!"
Moryo's voice grew firmer:
"Didn't I tell you… to lift your head?"
Slowly, Suero raised his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Moryo regarded him with irritation before speaking in a detached tone:
"Oi! You… you're Spailo's brother! Why are you here?"
Suero flinched at his words, but Moryo continued:
"Why did you join the Mana organization? Why did you enlist in the Sorcerers' Guild?"
Suero hesitated before responding in a faint voice:
"To protect humans from the monsters…"
Moryo's reply was merciless:
"You won't be able to! At this level, you'll keep watching humans die before your eyes!"
Suero looked at Moryo, both startled and awed, while the latter continued in his frigid tone:
"I don't know why Master Sbyam chose you… but what matters to me is that I don't see someone incapable of doing anything!"
His eyes gleamed with intensity as he glared at Suero. Then, without another word, he turned away, leading his team as they departed one by one, leaving Suero behind.
Suero watched them go, a sorrowful smile forming on his lips as a thought lingered in his mind:
"How can I become like them?"
Suddenly, a voice whispered behind him—a voice laced with sarcasm:
"You'll have to give it your all!"
It was Sbyam.
Suero shifted his gaze toward Moryo, determination welling up within him. Then, with newfound resolve, he declared:
"Alright! I'll give it everything I have!"
---
In the ruined region of Misuya, the city burned amidst the remnants of devastation.
Standing in the heart of the destruction was a man named Solio, a cold smile playing on his lips, a violet shimmer flickering around his body.
Before him, a horde of enraged monsters gathered. Yet, he turned his back to them, disregarding their presence entirely, allowing them to spread chaos and ruin without a shred of concern.
---
Inside the Magic Academy
Sbyam walked ahead, while Suero followed in silence. Turning back with a smile, hands in his pockets, Sbyam said:
"So, you couldn't complete the exercise?"
Suero nodded and replied:
"Yes."
Sbyam chuckled lightly and said:
"Then, it's time for your punishment!"
Suero asked nervously:
"And what is the punishment?"
Sbyam remained smiling without answering, increasing Suero's anxiety.
They arrived at a stone courtyard inside the academy. Suero halted, glancing around in confusion, while Sbyam stepped into the center and began stretching as if warming up. Then, with a sly grin, he said:
"The punishment is..."
Suero looked at him in confusion and asked:
"Is...?"
Sbyam stopped stretching and smirked mischievously:
"You have to fight me!"
Suero's eyes widened in shock, and he whispered:
"Fight you?" Then he exclaimed, "FIGHT YOU?!"
---
In a Dense Forest
Deep within the forest stood a simple house nestled at the center. Inside, mother Salma was preparing food in the kitchen. She tasted it and smiled in satisfaction.
Her daughter, Kaso, entered and kindly asked:
"Do you need any help, Mom?"
Salma replied:
"No, I've just finished preparing dinner!"
Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door. Salma said:
"It might be your father. Go open it for him!"
Kaso happily ran to the door and opened it, revealing her father, Rashid. She threw herself into his arms warmly, exclaiming:
"Dad!"
Rashid smiled and embraced her tenderly. He stepped inside, and Kaso closed the door behind him. Salma emerged from the kitchen carrying the food and placed it on the dining table.
The family gathered around the table, and Salma began serving the dishes. Kaso took a bite and said with delight:
"This tastes amazing!"
Rashid tasted the food as well and smiled:
"Your cooking is always incredible, Salma!"
Salma laughed and said:
"You two sure know how to flatter me!"
Then, Kaso added with a smile:
"You really make the best dried meat... Suero's favorite dish!"
Salma chuckled and said longingly:
"I miss him!"
Rashid laughed as well, but suddenly, Kaso innocently asked:
"Mom? Why don't you make the minced meat dish that Spailo likes anymore?"
Salma froze in place, and Rashid's expression darkened. He slammed the table in anger and shouted:
"Do not mention that name in front of me!"
Salma tried to calm him:
"Calm down, Rashid! Just forget it!"
But Rashid's voice only grew more furious:
"How can I forget? He tried to kill his own sister!"
Kaso looked at her father in confusion and asked:
"He tried to kill me?"
Rashid replied, his voice filled with pain:
"You were too young to understand what happened."
---
Flashback – (10 Years Ago)
On a quiet night, young Kaso (7 years old) was peacefully asleep beside her twin brother, Suero (also 7), both in deep slumber. Their older brother, Spailo (10 years old), stood in the room, gazing at Kaso with a calm expression. He extended his hand toward her, a faint red spark slowly forming around it.
At that moment, their father, Rashid, returned home, exhausted. As he entered, he muttered:
"What a long day!"
But suddenly, he noticed a red glow seeping from the children's room. Alarmed, he cautiously approached. When he reached the door, he saw Spailo standing there, and his face twisted in shock as he realized what was happening.
"Spailo…?!" Rashid exclaimed.
Spailo turned abruptly, the glowing spark still flickering in his hand.
Rashid's eyes widened in horror as he saw the energy, and he asked in a trembling voice:
"What were you about to do?!"
Spailo did not answer. He simply stared at his father with an emotionless face before suddenly leaping out of the window, vanishing into the darkness of the night—leaving his father behind, frozen in disbelief and confusion.
---
Present – (10 Years Later)
Spailo leaned against the door of his family's house, having overheard their conversation. The pain of the past resurfaced, and he muttered bitterly,
"You know nothing..."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, as if trying to escape the haunting memory of that night.
---
In Misuya
Massive beasts continued to rampage through the city, demolishing buildings as flames spread across the area. One of the colossal creatures struck a structure with immense force, causing it to collapse entirely, sending embers and debris flying everywhere.
Moryo stood in silence, watching the catastrophic scene unfold. Besal, clearly frustrated, cursed:
"Damn it! We're too late!"
Kamyo asked anxiously:
"What should we do now, Commander?"
With unwavering composure, Moryo fixed his gaze on the monstrous creatures as a green spark began to shimmer around his body, pulsating with an eerie energy.
Then, in an instant, he vanished from their sight—only to reappear in the sky directly above the beasts. The green energy around him intensified, illuminating the entire area.
With a sudden burst of speed, he descended toward one of the massive creatures, colliding with it with overwhelming force. His team watched in awe, their eyes filled with astonishment at his sheer power.
End of Chapter.