A soft drizzle fell over the city, its rhythm echoing against the glass windows of the Stormbreak residence. Inside, quiet footsteps echoed down the hall — Inavy's. His eyes were heavy, exhaustion weighing on every movement. The first day at the Academy had been long, filled with tests, training, and surprises.
As soon as the door opened, a small figure sprinted down the hallway.
"Inavy! You're finally home!" shouted Ron, his younger brother, throwing himself into his arms with a smile bright enough to light up the room.
Behind him, Kyara — Ray's youngest daughter — appeared with damp curly hair, clutching a huge towel.
"Ron, help me! He's soaked!"
Inavy laughed, raising a hand. "Relax, relax! I'm fine — just tired."
From the kitchen, a calm voice called out. Ray Stormbreak — the legendary hero of wind and thunder — stood there wearing an apron, his aura of power softened by the homely scene.
"So, son…" he said with a small smile, crossing his arms. "How was your first day?"
Inavy dropped onto the couch with a sigh. "Better than I expected for a first day. But I can't wait for the Draft, Dad. I want to get into real action already."
Ray's eyes studied him quietly. Then, with a subtle motion, he gestured. "Come with me. I want to show you something."
They walked down a long corridor until they reached a heavy steel door. When it opened, a chamber lit by azure crystals revealed itself — a private vault of relics and wonders. Dozens of legendary weapons floated in stasis: spears, orbs, armor, each radiating its own presence.
Inavy's eyes widened. "Dad… this is…"
"Relics of a forgotten age," Ray replied, walking between the pedestals. "Each one once decided the fate of a world. And now…" — he turned with a calm, knowing smile — "it's your turn to choose your path."
He stopped beside his son. "So? Will you walk the way of the swordsman, the brawler, or the mystic?"
Inavy didn't even hesitate. "Swordsman, of course. I've always wanted to master the blade."
Ray smiled as if he'd known that answer all along. He moved to the far end of the chamber, opened a sealed black vault, and drew out a box wrapped in crimson seals. As the lid opened, an ominous aura surged forth — black energy streaked with red veins, vibrating like living thunder.
"This is an ancient sword," Ray said, his voice low. "Reconstructed by an old friend of mine — Julius. Its name is… The Blade of Chaos."
The name itself made the air tremble.
Inavy swallowed hard. "Blade of… Chaos?"
"Yes," Ray nodded. "They say it was forged from the essence of a forgotten god. I tried to wield it once… but it never responded to me."
He placed a hand on the hilt. Instantly, a burst of force threw him backward. His palm sizzled, faint lightning sparking from the burn.
"She… rejects those who are unworthy," Ray muttered, shaking his hand. "Go on. Try it."
Inavy hesitated. His father's gaze was steady — firm but encouraging. Something deep within urged him forward.
The sword pulsed as he approached, its surface shimmering like it was alive. He reached out — and the moment his fingers brushed the hilt, a crimson explosion of energy filled the chamber.
Sparks of chaotic aura danced through the air.
Ray's eyes widened. "She's… reacting!"
The sword shone brighter, threads of light spiraling around Inavy's body. And then — a voice. Deep, ancient, echoing directly in his mind.
"It is not yet your time… boy."
A burst of power shook the floor. The shockwave sent Inavy flying. Ray dashed toward him in alarm.
"Inavy! Are you okay?!"
The boy sat up, coughing, but laughing. "Dad… that sword is incredible! It even talks!"
Ray blinked. "It… talks?"
"Yeah! It said, 'It's not yet the time.'" Inavy looked upward, eyes gleaming with awe. "I've never felt anything like that."
Ray stood still for a long moment. Nion…? he thought.
Then he exhaled and smiled faintly. "Come on, boy. If you want to be a swordsman, you'll need to master the five forms of the blade."
He took another sword and faced his son.
"First — Earth (Chi)."
Ray planted his feet firmly. "Stability. Foundation. Defense. The body must stand like a mountain."
Inavy mimicked him, grounding his stance.
"Second — Water (Sui)."
Ray's movements turned smooth, flowing like waves. "Adaptability. Constant change. The body follows the current."
"Third — Fire (Ka)."
With swift, sharp slashes, Ray's aura flared. "Direct offense. Pure energy. Burn the enemy before he reacts."
"Fourth — Wind (Fū)."
Now he moved lightly, circling, observing. "Agility. Strategy. The wind sees before it strikes."
Finally, he paused, closing his eyes.
"And last… Void (Ku)."
The air itself seemed to vanish for a moment. When Ray opened his eyes again, they were calm, empty, and infinite.
"This is the supreme posture. No thought. No limit. When body and blade become one."
Inavy steadied his breathing. The Blade of Chaos pulsed faintly in his hand — as if guiding him.
He moved. No hesitation. No thought. Each strike flowed naturally, precise, complete.
Ray stood silent — astonished.
He'd… achieved Void on his first attempt.
When the final motion ended, Ray placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Incredible, Inavy. You were born for this."
Inavy smiled, still catching his breath. "Thanks, Dad."
Later that night, father and son sat in the hot spring bath, steam rising around them.
"Dad…" Inavy began softly. "That sword — the Blade of Chaos… do you think it's connected to me somehow?"
Ray turned his gaze away. "A name doesn't define its master, son."
He lied.
He knew the truth — that within Inavy's blood ran a spark of Chaos itself.
"I see…" Inavy murmured. "I just wish I had a primordial power like Kelvin or Darius."
Ray chuckled. "Son, being a hero isn't about what power you carry. It's about what you do with it. I don't have a primordial ability either, yet look where I stand. What makes something special… is the one who wields it."
Inavy nodded, a quiet determination shining in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Valtier Mansion…
The metallic clash of swords rang through the courtyard. Lorien and Kelvin trained under the pale moonlight, their movements sharp and precise.
"Again!" Lorien ordered.
Kelvin dashed forward, his shadow magic swirling — but the forms wavered, flickering uncontrollably. He stopped, sweating.
"My shadows… they're unstable. I don't know why."
Lorien sheathed his sword. "Then push them to full power. I'm here. If it gets out of control, I'll stop you."
Kelvin hesitated, then obeyed. The shadows exploded outward, twisting like serpents. Lorien tensed — sensing something dangerous.
"That's enough! Stop!"
The darkness dissipated. Kelvin fell to his knees, panting. Lorien frowned.
Tyrus… could this be your doing? I need to speak with Ray-sensei.
A few meters away, Darius watched the entire thing while munching popcorn.
"You guys train with sticks every single night," he said casually, "and I'm the lazy one?"
Lorien shot him a glare. "Says the guy who eats instead of training for the Draft."
"Please," Darius said, puffing his chest. "I'm already strong enough."
"Oh, really?" Lorien raised a brow. "Then prove it. Fight me. Right now."
Darius grinned. "You're asking to get wrecked, huh?"
Kelvin sighed. "Seriously? It's late…"
Lorien ignored him. "If you last more than thirty seconds, I'll buy you a burger."
Darius' eyes sparkled. "Deal!"
Kelvin facepalmed. "Thirty seconds, Darius. Just hold on."
Darius clenched his fists. "These will be the best thirty seconds of my life!"
They stepped into the Valtier Domain — a vast training hall filled with holograms, drones, and gravity fields.
Darius whistled. "Holy crap… this place is paradise for heroes!"
Lorien cracked his neck. "Time to humble you, brother."
The duel began. Lorien moved like lightning, every strike clean and precise. Darius blocked what he could — and tanked the rest.
When the timer beeped, it read 30.1 seconds.
Darius collapsed to the ground, grinning. "Ha! The burger's mine!"
Kelvin burst out laughing. "I've never seen someone so proud of losing."
Hands in his pockets, Lorien smirked. "Fifteen seconds beating you up, fifteen watching you fall. But a deal's a deal."
Darius laughed between breaths. "What matters is the reward!"
Lorien shook his head, smiling. "You'll never change."
Kelvin exhaled, looking at both of them. "Yeah… this generation is going to be a handful."
Their laughter echoed through the mansion — bright, carefree.
But far beyond, in the unseen depths between worlds, a voice stirred in the darkness.
"The Heir of Chaos has met the Son of Valtier… Excellent. The cycle begins to close."
A shadowed figure smiled.
"Soon… everything that was mine shall return."