Location: Principal's Office, Imperial Royal Academy
The sunlight streamed through the high arched windows of the Imperial Royal Academy, scattering golden rays across the polished floor. Floating tomes circled lazily in the air, whispering faint runic chants as if the room itself were alive with ancient magic.
Seated behind a levitating desk was Principal Alice Valefor, the 3rd Strongest Human alive, known across the world as the Eternal Witch. Despite appearing barely older than a student, her mastery of mana was second to none — a living legend of intellect and magical brilliance.
A knock echoed through the chamber.
> "Enter," Alice said, her tone calm but playful.
Head Professor Chroma Valen, 27, stepped inside. His tall frame and sharp gray eyes carried the aura of a man forged in battle. Every motion was disciplined, controlled — the bearing of a former SSS-rank adventurer.
> "You called for me, Principal?" he asked.
Alice smiled faintly, closing a floating book with a gesture. "Yes, Chroma. I wanted to introduce someone to you."
He raised a brow. "An introduction?"
"Indeed," she replied with quiet amusement. "My apprentice will be joining the Academy as a new magic instructor. You'll likely be working together closely."
"Your… apprentice?" he repeated. "I didn't know you had one."
Alice's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I rarely mention her. She's special — a young woman I took in years ago, after… a tragedy." Her expression softened briefly. "You're about the same age, actually."
The door opened quietly behind Chroma.
Soft footsteps approached — steady, graceful, eerily familiar.
Chroma turned, and for a moment, the world around him stopped.
A young woman entered the room, her long chestnut hair shimmering under the morning light. Her eyes — deep blue, warm yet distant — locked onto his.
The same eyes. The same presence.
It couldn't be.
Alice rose, gesturing elegantly toward the newcomer.
> "Head Professor Chroma Valen," she said, her voice carrying a rare tenderness, "this is my apprentice — Asfi Larethia."
The name struck him like lightning.
His breath caught in his throat.
Asfi.
His mind blurred as the world tilted, and memories — buried beneath years of blood and battle — forced their way to the surface.
---
Years Ago…
A peaceful village surrounded by rolling green hills.
Children laughed, chasing each other through fields of flowers.
A young boy with messy black hair — Chroma, nine years old — held out a simple silver hairclip to a smiling girl.
> "Here," he said proudly. "You'll look pretty with this."
Her cheeks flushed as she took it.
> "Thank you, Chroma… When we grow up…" she hesitated, glancing shyly at him. "Will you marry me?"
He grinned, eyes bright with innocence and certainty.
> "Of course! I'll protect you forever."
Their laughter echoed through the fields.
---
Five years later.
Now fourteen, they sat beneath a tree overlooking the village.
Asfi pointed at a flower blooming nearby — pale petals that glowed faintly under the shade.
> "That's my favorite," she said softly. "It glows even in darkness."
Chroma smiled. "Then I'll bring you one."
That night, under the silver moon, he climbed the mountain searching for that glowing flower. He found it — radiant and beautiful — and held it proudly in his hand.
But when he returned…
Flames. Smoke. Screams.
The village was burning.
He ran — calling her name — Asfi!
But all he found were ashes.
In front of her house, half-buried in the scorched earth, lay a silver hairclip. The one he gave her.
He fell to his knees, trembling, the flower crushed in his hand.
The dragons' roars echoed in the distance.
> "I'll kill them all," he whispered through tears.
"Every last one."
And he did.
He became Chroma Valen, The Dragon Slayer, the youngest SSS-rank adventurer in history — the man who slew the Dragon King. But when the vengeance was done, there was only silence.
No warmth.
No laughter.
No Asfi.
Until Principal Alice Valefor appeared before him years later, offering him a new path — a purpose.
He accepted, not to teach, but to forget.
---
Back to the Present
Chroma stood frozen, staring at the woman before him.
The silver hairclip still adorned her hair — the same one he had given her all those years ago.
> "A-Asfi…" he breathed.
Alice smiled faintly, her tone quiet but knowing. "I found her after the dragons destroyed her village. She had nearly lost everything — her memory, her strength. So I took her in, raised her as my apprentice. She's one of the most gifted mages I've ever met."
Asfi looked at Chroma with a small, gentle smile that carried a thousand unspoken emotions.
> "It's been a long time, Chroma."
He couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
Alice leaned back slightly, her eyes glimmering with amusement and wisdom.
> "Well then," she said softly, "I'll leave the rest to you two. You'll be working closely — I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about."
Her words hung in the air like a quiet blessing.
Chroma's hand trembled slightly as he clenched it by his side — part of him wanting to reach out, part of him terrified to.
After all these years…
She was alive.
---
To be continued…