The rain still poured across the battleground as Seraph's body collapsed into the mud, defeated. The storm above seemed to roar with finality, as though nature itself had declared the victors—Show and Raelyn.
The two stood, breathing heavily, their bodies drenched but unshaken. Their ancient auras faded, leaving behind silence, only broken by the steady drum of rain. But instead of celebration, there was no joy… only grief.
Professor Jespry's lifeless body lay nearby.
The students and teachers gathered, their faces pale, their eyes refusing to believe what they saw. Principal Alden knelt down, brushing his soaked gray hair back as he gently closed Jespry's eyes.
Alden's voice trembled but was steady enough for all to hear.
"Today… we've won a battle. But we've lost a light among us."
The silence that followed was unbearable. Some clenched their fists. Others lowered their heads. Victory had never felt so hollow.
---
The Funeral
The next day, the rain had ceased, but the academy courtyard was veiled in gray clouds as though the heavens themselves were in mourning. Students stood in black robes, teachers aligned solemnly, the bell tolling slow and heavy.
The casket lay adorned with white lilies, Jespry's wand placed across it.
One by one, people stepped forward. Hibiki's usual cheer was gone—he silently placed a folded paper crane atop the flowers. Cyrus bowed, lips pressed tightly, holding back what words couldn't express. Karen and Lyra clung to each other, sobbing quietly.
Finally, Show stepped forward.
He had been composed until now, but as he stood before the casket, the weight of everything came crashing down. His knees trembled. His hands shook.
"I–I… I thought…" Show's voice cracked. His eyes brimmed with tears. "I thought we'd always have you here to guide us… to scold us when we made mistakes… to laugh with us when we grew stronger…"
The dam broke. Show fell to his knees, fists clenched against the wet stone. Tears streamed down his cheeks, falling onto the coffin.
"I wasn't strong enough…! If only… if only I was—"
A firm but warm hand touched his shoulder.
Show looked up. Principal Alden stood over him, not as the head of the academy, but as a fatherly figure who shared the same pain. His eyes too were glassy, though he held them steady.
"You know, Show…" Alden's voice was low, calm, yet carried immense weight.
"…the strongest power every human has… is the power to forget."
Show blinked through tears, confused.
Alden knelt beside him, his tone turning gentler, almost like he was confiding in his own grandson.
"It doesn't mean we abandon our memories. No. Forgetting means learning to ease the pain. It means choosing to move forward… even when it hurts to breathe. Jespry wouldn't want you to live bound by grief. He'd want you to remember his lessons… and then step into tomorrow stronger."
Show's lips quivered. He bit down, tears still flowing, but he nodded. Slowly, painfully, he stood, resting one hand on the casket.
"…Thank you… Jespry. I'll carry your will."
The courtyard echoed with muffled sobs, but also a strange calm—as if everyone felt Alden's words seep into them. The ceremony ended with the toll of the bell, Jespry's casket lowered into the earth, and the academy standing in silence one last time.
---
Show & Raelyn
Later that night, under the pale moonlight by the academy's garden, Show and Raelyn stood apart from the others. The flowers swayed softly, dew glistening like faint stars.
Raelyn leaned against the railing, his expression distant.
"You saw it too, didn't you?" he asked softly.
Show turned. "…Your ancient magic."
Raelyn gave a faint, bitter smile. "Yeah. I always knew I was different. My father… he had this light. But he never talked to me about it. Never explained why. I guess… he wanted me to figure it out myself."
Show's eyes narrowed. "So it runs in your blood…"
"Maybe. Or maybe it's just fate." Raelyn's gaze shifted to the sky, his eyes reflecting the stars. "But after watching you awaken yours, I knew. I wasn't alone in this. And when I saw you fight with everything… I realized I had to stop holding back."
Show clenched his fists. His tone was sharper, more determined than ever.
"Then we'll find out the truth. About these powers. About why we were chosen. I don't care how deep the mystery goes—I'll uncover it. For you, for me… for everyone depending on us."
Raelyn turned, meeting his gaze. For the first time, there wasn't rivalry in his eyes—only solidarity. "Then we fight together. No more secrets."
They nodded, the moonlight binding their resolve.
---
The Next Morning – A Turning Point
The sun rose over the academy, golden light spilling across the stone walls. But the warmth didn't ease the tension that hung heavy.
The entire academy gathered in the great hall. Principal Alden stood at the podium, his cloak draped heavily over his shoulders. His face was grave.
"Students… teachers… yesterday was a victory, but it revealed truths far more dangerous than we imagined. The Dark Order will not stop. And now… they know there are not one, but two ancient magic wielders."
Murmurs rippled through the hall, tension tightening every heart.
Alden raised his hand for silence.
"From this day forward, the first-years will no longer remain sheltered. You will join missions—missions to uncover the mysteries of the ancient magic. To seek the truth… and to prepare for the battles ahead."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, but in their eyes was fire—the same determination as their leaders.
---
The scene cut sharply—
Ocean waves crashed violently against jagged rocks, the roar echoing across a mysterious island veiled in mist. Shadows moved within its dense jungles, glowing symbols faintly pulsing on ancient stone ruins.
The scene shifted—Show, standing by the academy's cliffside, his hand tightening around his pendant, eyes burning with resolve.
Cut again—Raelyn, training in the courtyard, light bursting from his palms, his expression cold yet determined.
Then darkness—
---
The Dark Order's Base
Deep underground, in a cavern lit only by sickly green torches, the remaining commanders of the Dark Order assembled. Seraph's absence loomed like a scar.
At the center, a towering hologram flickered—a cloaked figure, face obscured beneath a veil. Before him stood Hibris, his aura suffocating.
Hibris bowed low. "Forgive us… the mission failed. The second Ancient Wizard has awakened."
The figure's voice crackled, slow and venomous, echoing with malice.
"…So… two have awakened."
The other commanders shifted uneasily.
The figure leaned forward, lips curling into a wicked grin beneath the shadows.
"But… there is another one. Still waiting… to awaken."
His laughter slithered through the chamber, chilling the air. The commanders exchanged grim looks, the weight of their enemy growing heavier.
---
The Mission Begins
Back at the academy, Alden stood with the students gathered before him. His voice boomed, resolute, like the toll of destiny.
"Your true mission begins now. The Carnival has ended… and a new era rises. Prepare yourselves—for the mysteries of ancient magic… and the war to come!"
The students' faces hardened with determination. The camera panned across Show, Raelyn, Hibiki, Karen, Drake, Lyra, Cyrus, Akito, and the others—each carrying their grief, their doubts, but also a burning resolve.
The final shot lingered on Show and Raelyn, standing side by side, their eyes locked on the horizon.
To be continued…