Today, Haru had no work.
It was rare. A day off. No job calls. No shifts. No deliveries. Just silence.
The sky was dark and full of clouds.
Haru sat on a bench near the bus stop. His phone showed no messages. No money had come in. But still, he felt calm.
For the first time in weeks, he could breathe slowly.
He looked up at the sky.
Gray.
Still.
Then, soft raindrops began to fall.
Pitter, patter…
He didn't move.
He let the rain touch his face. It was cold, but it felt clean. It washed away the heat and the tired feeling inside.
"I don't know what I'm doing anymore," he whispered to himself.
He thought about school.
About the bullies.
About the monster on the news.
About his sister sleeping in the hospital.
"I need to be stronger… but how?"
Then, the feeling came again.
The strange pull.
His heart felt like it was being pulled by an invisible string again.
It was soft… but steady.
He stood up.
He didn't know why.
He didn't know where he was going.
But his feet moved forward.
One step.
Then another.
He walked toward the city's edge. Past the shops. Past the streets. Past the last traffic light.
He walked toward the forest.
Rain fell harder now.
His shirt was wet. His shoes soaked in mud. But he didn't stop.
The trees grew closer.
The sky above was blocked by branches.
The city sounds faded behind him.
And still, his heart pulled him forward.
"I should turn back," he thought.
But he didn't.
Because something deep inside said, "Go."
And for the first time in his life… he listened.
Rain fell harder.
The sky grew darker.
The trees above Haru shook as strong wind passed through them. Leaves flew in every direction. The soft rain became a storm.
Drip. Drop. Splash.
His clothes were now heavy with water. His shoes sank in the soft, wet ground. Every step made a squish sound.
Still, Haru walked.
But the forest was deeper than he thought.
He looked behind him.
The path was gone.
No signs.
No lights.
Just trees. Tall, dark, and quiet.
"Where… am I?" he said softly.
He turned left. Then right. But every way looked the same.
Trees. Mud. Shadows.
The rain made it hard to see. His hair stuck to his face. Water ran down his back. His hands were cold and shaking.
"I need to go back…"
But which way?
He didn't know anymore.
He tried to follow his footprints—but the rain washed them away.
Panic started to grow inside his chest.
"I'm lost."
The forest, once quiet, now felt alive. Every branch that moved looked like a hand. Every sound in the rain made him jump.
He walked faster.
Then slipped.
Thud!
He fell to the ground.
His hands hit wet leaves and dirt.
"Ah…"
He sat up slowly, wiping his face.
It hurt, but he could still move.
He looked around.
Still nothing.
Still lost.
Still alone.
But then…
A faint light.
Far ahead, behind the trees.
Not the sun.
Not the city.
A soft blue glow.
Like a small flame.
Haru stood up, weak but curious.
"What is that?" he whispered.
He didn't know where he was.
He didn't know why he came.
But that light felt… important.
He took a step forward.
And then another.
Toward the glow.
Toward the unknown.
The rain did not stop.
It hit the ground hard.
The wind blew strong.
But Haru kept walking.
His eyes stayed on the soft blue light in the distance. It was not big. Not bright. But in the dark forest, it shone like a star.
Step by step, he moved closer.
His feet were tired. His body cold. His bag was heavy with water. But something inside told him, "Don't stop."
Then, he saw it.
A wall of stone.
A big rock hill covered with moss and vines.
And in that rock—
A hole.
No… a cave.
It was wide enough for one person to walk in. The light came from inside.
Haru walked closer.
The cave looked old. Silent. Deep.
The blue light came from small crystals stuck on the walls. They glowed softly, like little stars.
He stepped inside.
At once, the wind stopped.
The sound of rain faded.
The cave was quiet… and warm.
The light from the mana crystals made it easy to see. The walls were rough. The floor dry. It was like the cave was waiting for him.
Haru looked around.
He placed his wet bag on the ground and sat near the entrance.
"I'll rest here," he thought. "Just for a little while."
He took deep breaths.
For the first time all day, he felt safe.
No bullies.
No work.
No city noise.
Just him… and the cave.
He leaned back against the wall, watching the crystals shine.
"They look like stars," he whispered.
Then, something strange caught his eye.
Farther inside the cave, past the light—
A shape.
It was small and flat.
Like a box… or a book.
Haru stood up slowly.
His heart beat faster.
He walked deeper into the cave.
The air grew warmer.
And there, under a larger blue crystal, was an old book.
Dusty.
Closed.
Waiting.
Haru stood still.
His eyes locked on the book.
It was old. Very old.
The cover was dark brown, like old leather. Strange letters were written in gold on the front, but he could not read them.
The book rested on a flat stone.
It was shaped like a table.
A pedestal.
Blue mana crystals above it glowed softly, like moonlight.
The air was quiet.
Haru took slow steps forward.
He felt something inside his chest. His heart beat faster. His hands felt warm.
It was like the book was calling to him.
"What is this?" he whispered.
He reached out.
His fingers touched the cover.
At that moment—
FLASH!
A bright light burst from the book.
Blue. White. Gold.
Too bright to see.
Haru shut his eyes.
His body shook.
He tried to pull his hand away—but he couldn't.
It was stuck.
The light grew stronger.
And then—
His mind opened.
He saw fire.
He saw ice.
He saw wind, earth, water, and lightning.
He saw cities in the sky.
He saw dragons flying.
He saw magic—strong, deep, endless.
He saw himself—
No, not this self—
A past self.
A boy with silver eyes.
Wearing robes of black and gold.
Holding a staff.
Floating above the ground.
Surrounded by magic circles.
Ten circles.
Ten.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"You were the Archmage of Ten Circles."
"The last of your kind. The strongest in all realms."
"You died with peace, with power, with pride."
"And now… you return."
Haru fell to his knees.
His head hurt.
His heart burned.
Too many visions. Too many feelings.
He could not speak.
Could not move.
But the voice kept going.
"You have been reborn. Weak, forgotten, lost."
"But your magic waits inside."
"Awaken, Jin Haru… and remember who you are."
The light faded.
The cave grew quiet again.
The book stopped glowing.
Haru sat on the cold stone floor, breathing hard.
His hand trembled.
He looked down at it.
And slowly…
A small magic circle appeared in his palm.
Faint.
Blue.
Real.
His eyes grew wide.
He smiled for the first time in years.
"…I remember.