The banners of the Supreme Magic Academy fluttered vigorously as hundreds of students gathered in the Grand Coliseum. It was the day of the second-year final evaluation, where every student's progress would be revealed, and the most outstanding would be honored.
The headmaster's voice echoed through the vast arena:
—This year has been one of the most intense in the Academy's history. And the results… reflect that intensity.
One by one, names began to appear on the floating screens that surrounded the Coliseum. The students held their breath.
Rank 2 – Liana: Level 76.
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. Not only was it the second-highest level, but everyone knew her nature magic already rivaled that of some professors.
Liana lowered her gaze, slightly embarrassed by the applause—though her heart was elsewhere. Her thoughts were on Ares.
Rank 5 – Tony: Level 65.
The newly arrived elf had surpassed nearly everyone in just a few months. His calm nature, mastery of earth magic, and noble aura already made him stand out. Liana couldn't help but glance at him and smile.
Rank 12 – Dana: Level 59.
Though not among the top five, her talent with lightning magic and her summoning of a legendary phoenix were more than enough to earn respect. But her eyes weren't looking for recognition. They were looking for Ares.
Rank 34 – Ares: Level 47.
An awkward silence fell over the stands. Some students looked surprised. Others snickered quietly. How could the student who had slain over 500 monsters be ranked so low? None of them knew that Ares had spent much of his time trying to master something he still barely understood—his blue fire.
Ares clenched his jaw. He knew. He was far behind. Too far.
Then, the number one appeared.
Rank 1 – Agust: Level 85.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. The prince. The prodigy. The arrogant one… was at the top.
But Agust didn't smile. He simply looked at Ares—not with disdain, but with something else. Something sharper. As if he saw in him a sleeping threat. A future promise.
—Don't fall behind, Ares… —he muttered to himself.
As the crowd cheered and the professors handed out awards, Ares looked down at his hands. He felt the distance. The weight of his weakness. But in his eyes… a fire was growing. A fire more blue than ever.
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Interlude: The Break Before Third Year
After the final evaluation, students were given several weeks off—to rest, to strengthen bonds, and to grow… in their own way.
Liana chose to leave the bustle of the capital and wander through the nearby forests. Surrounded by pure nature, she deepened her bond with the elements. Far from everyone… but never far from her thoughts—especially not Ares.
Tony, ever relaxed and open, spent the break making new friends among humans. As an elf raised among his own people, this experience was refreshing. His natural charisma made him stand out without effort.
Dana, meanwhile, was immediately summoned by her noble family. She attended meetings, banquets, and ceremonies—as the heir she was. But her mind kept returning to the memory of Ares saving her… and the strange warmth he'd left in her chest.
And then there were the two of them: Ares and Agust.
Whether it was fate, or their shared desire to grow stronger, they ended up training together for most of the break. No more blind rivalry. No more scorn. Just sweat, shouts, spells… and respect.
The surprise came during one of those sessions.
For the first time in his life, Ares managed to summon and hold a single flame of blue fire. Small. Unstable. But real.
Agust gave him a sincere, unpretentious smile and patted him on the shoulder.
—Two years ago, you couldn't even look at it without losing control… now it's yours.
And in the fire of that moment, an unexpected friendship was born—along with a new beginning.
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