The light of late afternoon spilled through the torn curtains of the room, painting the walls a tired orange. I leaned against the window, arms crossed, trying to process everything. Chad stood in front of me like a wall — eyes sharp, posture like that of a soldier.
— So you're telling me — he started, his voice like steel scraping across stone — you didn't even know you were part of a clan… until your father killed your mother, and your sister suddenly appeared?
I nodded, a knot tightening in my gut.
— That's exactly it.
Chad crossed his arms and let out a sigh, heavy as the mood hanging in the room.
— And how am I supposed to trust something like that?
— Because… it's the truth.
Silence. Only the quiet ticking of an old forgotten clock on the wall.
— That so-called sister of yours, Mili — Chad continued, frowning — she didn't tell you anything about your clan?
— No. I'm completely in the dark.
Behind me, a voice piped up indignantly.
— Hey! I'm not in the dark!
I glanced sideways.
— Fine, not you, Cindy.
She pouted. Chad ignored her and continued, now staring at me like a teacher about to drop a forbidden history lesson.
— Then listen carefully. Your clan is called Azural. They gave themselves that name because they come from a bloodline capable of controlling the purest form of mana. Pure mana, John. Not elemental like fire or wind. Blue. Raw essence. That's why your beams vaporize things. They don't burn or slash — they disintegrate.
My eyes widened. It… actually made sense. A terrifying kind of sense.
— Then… — I swallowed — why were you so angry when you found out I was one of them?
Chad looked away for a moment, like he was reliving a nightmare.
— They've always had a reputation for being zealots. The kind that say, "Our bloodline is the only pure one. The rest are useless." Not long ago, they started wiping out the other magic clans. One by one. Mine… was one of the first.
His words dropped like stones. I was speechless.
— I… I'm really sorry, Chad…
— My bloodline was always full of light mages. I don't even know how many of us are still alive. If any.
I stayed quiet. The weight of everything crushed my chest like lead. But instead of breaking, something inside me ignited.
— Chad… now that I know what the Azural clan has become, it just gives me more reason to fight them. But to do that, I need to beat you first.
Chad raised an eyebrow.
— What do you mean?
— If I defeat you and become Number 1, the witch said she'll fix my mana channels. And with them restored… maybe I'll have a chance to take down my brothers.
He stared at me for a second. Then shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
— Then I forfeit the position.
— WHAT?! — Cindy and I shouted in sync.
— If it's to destroy the Azural clan, I'm in.
I stared at him, stunned… then slowly shook my head.
— No.
— WHAT?! — they both shouted again.
— Why does everyone in this novel shout in unison? Anyway… It's not by taking the easy way that I'll be able to defeat my brothers. I need real experience. Real battles. And Chad… you're a perfect step to climb.
Chad grinned — the kind of grin that commanded respect and fear.
— Now you're speaking my language.
— BACK OFF, THE MAN IS MINE! — Cindy screamed, jumping between us like I was some kind of trophy.
— AHAHAHAHA! — Chad laughed loud and carefree.
And then, the air changed. A scent of burnt incense and rot filled the room. The witch.
— Look at this. The whole gang's here — she said, appearing out of nowhere, as usual.
— Ever heard of a DOOR?! — I snapped, exasperated.
She blinked, mock-innocent.
— Oh, you humans and your "concepts"…
And then… teleported to the front door, knocked politely, and reappeared.
— May I? Of course I may! Hahaha!
She stepped back inside. Just for the drama of it.
— So, I heard everything you all said. And I'm in, too.
— WHAT?! — the three of us shouted in chorus, again.
— The Azural clan is moving too fast. We have to stop them before they do something worse. And if John, a member of that bloodline, wants to fight against them… then we need him. His magic might be our most powerful weapon.
— So what about the fight against Chad and the mana channel condition? What about the rules?
The witch waved it off.
— Screw the rules. I'll try to fix your mana channels now. Then you fight Chad for training. You humans overcomplicate everything.
— Just like that? For free?
She smiled. Slowly. Almost motherly. Almost.
— We'll see.
Her eyes started to glow — a deep violet light — and suddenly, I felt an ancient energy swirling around me, invisible hands searching through the broken places in my body.
I closed my eyes.
And waited.