Twenty-one years before the events of Rise of Kairon.
The sound of wind whistled through the vast training field on the outskirts of the former Guild of a Thousand Lights. The blue sky reflected the golden glow of the sun, spreading warmth over distant hills and mountains.
At the center of that serene landscape, two figures moved with speed and precision beyond human — father and son.
Ray Stormbreak and Inavy Stormbreak.
Bursts of air erupted with each clash, and the ground cracked beneath the weight of their colliding auras. Inavy panted heavily, his body covered in scratches, sweat dripping down his face as his torn training suit fluttered in the wind.
"Dad… can we take a break?" he asked, gasping, hands on his knees.
Ray, however, remained standing — firm as a mountain.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Already giving up?"
Inavy lifted his head.
Even exhausted, his green eyes burned with determination.
"No… but you're a monster, Dad."
Ray crossed his arms, chuckling softly.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, as if nature itself were responding to his laughter.
"So tell me, Inavy… what's the formula for defeating enemies stronger than yourself?"
Inavy frowned, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"The formula? Hmm… fight with everything I've got?"
Ray shook his head calmly.
"First thing I do: never underestimate them. Second: total focus and concentration. And third — the most important one…"
He looked toward the golden horizon.
"Surpass your limits."
Inavy blinked, surprised.
"Break my limits? Dad, that's… impossible, isn't it?"
Ray walked toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
His gaze was firm, yet gentle.
"I break mine every time someone tells me it's impossible. Limits are made by those who never dared to go beyond."
He smiled.
"And I'd rather fall trying to surpass the impossible—"
"—than live trapped by the possible," Inavy finished with a grin.
Ray laughed, proud.
"Never let anyone tell you something can't be done, son."
"Understood, Dad," Inavy replied, his eyes shining with confidence.
They resumed training. The sound of their clashing auras echoed through the valleys like distant thunder. Hours passed before Ray, satisfied, decided to end the session. Both sat by the edge of the field, drinking water as they watched the sunset.
Ray glanced at his son and asked casually,
"So, Inavy… are you going to join the Draft?"
Inavy straightened up, excited.
"Of course I am, Dad! And I'll definitely be stronger than Kelvin once I join a guild."
Ray raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Nox? The kid from the Guild of a Thousand Lights?"
"Yeah! He beat me when we were little. It's only fair I return the favor."
Ray chuckled.
"That'll be tough. He's trained by Lorien and wields one of the Primordial Powers."
"Powers… what?" Inavy asked, curious.
Ray sighed, gazing up at the sky.
"The Primordial Powers," he said gravely. "The forces that gave birth to everything we know."
Inavy stared, wide-eyed.
Ray continued:
"First: Divine Light. It represents order, clarity, and healing. It purifies evil, restores what's broken, and guides the lost. Like the sun — it lights the path but never forces, only guides."
Ray pointed at the sunlight reflecting on the water.
"Without it, all would be darkness and chaos."
"Second: Shadow — the essence of controlled destruction. Unlike Chaos, it doesn't create, but seals and protects. It's the weapon of balance. Imagine a river contained by dams — unbound, it destroys; restrained, it generates strength and energy."
Inavy listened, fascinated.
Ray then went on:
"And finally, Chaos — the primordial force before existence. It destroys to create, breaking the laws of nature and morality. It's the wind that topples a tree, but also the one that clears the way for a new forest."
Ray's gaze drifted to a twisted tree in the distance.
"They say there's a fourth power — Reversum. But that's just a legend."
Inavy blinked, intrigued.
"How do you know all that, Dad?"
Ray smiled wistfully.
"An old friend told me… a long time ago."
(His mind drifted to Julius .)
"So who are the users of those powers, Dad?" Inavy asked.
Ray hesitated, then answered,
"They're rare. Only three people are known to possess them. Kelvin Nox, who wields Shadow. Lorien Valtier and Darius Valtier, who wield Divine Light."
Inavy fell silent, impressed.
"And what about Chaos?"
Ray looked away.
"No one possesses it. Like Reversum, it's only a myth."
But in his thoughts, he whispered:
"The one who carries Chaos… is you, my son."
A soft silence followed, broken only by the rustling of leaves.
Ray checked his watch and stood up.
"Alright, Inavy! Time for you to head to Hero Academy."
"Oh, right!" Inavy exclaimed. "First day! See you, Dad!"
He dashed off, excitement in his eyes. Within minutes, he was already scrambling to change clothes inside the house.
"Crap, I'm gonna be late on the first day! Dad's gonna kill me!"
He flew down the stairs like lightning, adjusting his uniform.
"Twenty minutes until class starts!" he muttered.
Before he could leave, Tiana appeared in the kitchen doorway, smiling.
"Hey, sweetie! Don't forget your lunch!"
Inavy grabbed it and waved.
"Thanks, Mom! Love you!" — and bolted out the door like a thunderbolt.
On the street, he checked his watch.
"Damn it, Ralph's still not here… I'm gonna be late!"
He thought quickly — then smirked.
"I know! I'll take the shortcuts!"
Inavy began leaping across rooftops and alleyways, his body moving with grace and speed.
Suddenly, he heard screams.
In a narrow alley, three armed thieves were cornering a young woman, their weapons glowing with red aura.
Inavy clenched his fist.
The air grew heavy.
Lightning crackled at his feet.
"Hey! Don't you think it's a little early to be robbing an innocent girl?" he shouted, eyes blazing.
One of the thieves looked at him — and went pale.
"Those eyes… that aura… It's Ray Stormbreak's son! Run!!"
The three bolted as if they'd seen a demon.
Inavy exhaled.
"Good thing they ran…"
He turned to the girl. "You okay? Did they hurt you?"
"No, thanks to you… You're Inavy Stormbreak, right?" she said with a smile.
He scratched his neck awkwardly.
"That's me. And… try to avoid dark alleys, okay?"
Then he looked at his phone — and froze.
"Two minutes! Crap!!"
He shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
People turned as a streak of electricity tore through the avenue.
At the Academy gates, a crowd of candidates was gathered.
"Inavy Stormbreak! Are you present?" shouted an instructor.
From the middle of the crowd, a voice answered:
"Present!"
Inavy emerged, squeezing through.
"Excuse me, excuse me! Coming through!"
The guard handed him a tag.
"Your number is 20211346. Wear it during the Draft."
Inavy looked at it and muttered,
"They couldn't pick a better photo of me?"
Suddenly, a voice sounded behind him.
"Inavy Stormbreak…"
He turned to see a blond boy with a proud expression.
"What do you want, you short idiot?"
"I'm Darius Valtier."
Inavy feigned shock.
"No way…"
Darius puffed out his chest, smirking.
"That's right! The great—"
"I don't care who you are," Inavy cut him off. "Don't bother me, dummy."
Darius froze for a moment… then burst out laughing.
"Man, I like you! I want to be your rival!"
"Rival? Fine, if you buy me five boxes of pizza."
"Deal!" Darius said eagerly.
"Hey, wait — I was kidding!" Inavy laughed.
"But sure. Let's see if you can keep up with me."
They walked together into the classroom.
Inside, Inavy suddenly stopped.
His gaze locked on a girl entering through the door — brown hair, golden eyes.
He whispered to Darius,
"Dude… I think I just fell in love."
Darius looked — then laughed.
"Oh, that's Rose Eldara. A childhood friend of mine."
He waved. "Hey, Rose! Over here!"
Inavy quickly covered his mouth.
"Are you insane, idiot?!"
Rose approached, smiling.
"Hi, Darius. Mind if I sit here?"
Darius grinned at Inavy.
"Relax, she doesn't bite."
Then he added,
"Rose, this is Inavy Stormbreak. Son of Ray Stormbreak."
She looked surprised.
"The son of the great Ray?"
Inavy scratched his neck, flustered.
"That's me."
Darius added proudly,
"And my soon-to-be rival."
Rose laughed.
"Rose Eldara. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure's all mine," Inavy said with a goofy smile.
And so, on that bright and chaotic morning, the trio that would mark a generation was born:
Inavy Stormbreak, Darius Valtier, and Rose Eldara.
Thunder, light… and flame.
The legacy was only beginning.
End of Special Chapter – "The Legacy of Thunder"