The day had been overwhelming. Érikan was shaken to his core. This world… it was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. War loomed on the horizon real war, not the cold solitude or gnawing hunger he had known in his former life. This time, the stakes were far greater. He wasn't just a survivor anymore; he was the last heir of a clan reduced to ashes. Worse still, the two people who had raised him, loved him, protected him his parents were in fact high-ranking Awakened warriors, infiltrated deep within enemy territory to observe the movements of a terrorist organization.
Now, more than ever, Érikan needed strength. Not just the will to live. But the will to rise. To grow. To protect.
And he knew. He finally knew he had something to lose.
He clenched his fists, eyes burning with resolve. The trembling in his chest had faded, replaced by a fire that no longer vacillated.
He would become stronger. No matter what.
Stella had calmed herself a little. Her breathing was slower, but her eyes were still red.
— Mother… is there a way to become stronger, faster? asked Érikan, his voice calm but determined.
She turned her head slowly toward him, surprised but not unprepared. She nodded.
— The Hélions Academy, she said, is not an ordinary school. It was founded by the Alliance to train a new generation of elites. It welcomes all young Awakened from Limen. Its goal is simple: forge geniuses into mighty protectors. Your father, myself, and the Sentinels we all graduated from that academy.
Her eyes sparkled with a nostalgic light, and a shade of pride.
— The instructors are of Lord rank. The academy itself is led by the only Emperor of this continent. They possess ancient techniques, elemental mastery, and priceless opportunities. But Érikan… to even be eligible, you must be at least fifteen… have an elemental affinity of C-rank or higher… and pass the entrance test. That test… is infamous. Many fail.
Érikan nodded slowly. The name already echoed in his heart. Hélions Academy… he whispered, as if sealing a promise with the world.
He felt something stir in him. A pull not of ambition, but of necessity. But then, another feeling bloomed inside him. A quiet ache.
He had never dared ask. But now… he had to know. About his origins. About the people who had brought him into this world. And yet… he feared hurting Stella. Making her feel less… or worse, forgotten.
He hesitated. But then, he took a breath.
— Mom… he murmured, his voice trembling.
She turned, immediately attentive.
— Can I… ask you something?
Her smile came gently, though the shadow of worry passed in her gaze.
— Of course, my love.
— I… I don't want to hurt you. Or disrespect you. It's just… there's something I feel I have to understand.
Her smile wavered. Her hand trembled slightly. But she didn't pull away.
— My real parents… I mean… my biological parents… Do you know who they were?
Stella didn't answer immediately. She stood. Walked over to him. Placed both hands on his shoulders.
— Érikan… look at me.
He did. Her eyes were misted.
— You are my son. You always have been. Since the moment I held you in my arms, tiny, shivering, but alive. I loved you as if you had come from my very flesh—and nothing, no name, no blood, will ever change that.
She paused, her voice softer now.
— But you have a right to know.
He held his breath.
— I didn't know them personally. But the symbols engraved on your cradle… your blue eyes… your white hair
She reached out, touching a lock of his hair gently.
— They are the unmistakable signs of the principal lineage of the Xiphos. From what I could deduce, your mother… was Sérya Flame. The leader of the Flame Clan. And your father… was Kaen Xiphos.
Érikan froze.
— Xiphos… he repeated, stunned.
— Yes, said Stella, nodding. One of the Venerable Clans. Your father was the youngest son of the main Xiphos family… and you resemble him. A lot.
She took a step back, her voice still gentle.
— If you wish to know more… speak to Nour. He is a member of one of the secondary branches of the Xiphos. It was he who confirmed your identity when we found you.
Érikan remained silent. But within him, a new horizon opened. A truth he hadn't dared to seek… now stood before him, waiting to be embraced.
And soon, he would walk toward it
[...]
Stella stepped closer to him, gently resting a hand on his shoulder.
— It's getting late, my love. You've been through so much today. You should rest…
Gaël joined her, his voice deep but filled with warmth.
— Tomorrow, we'll begin your training to master your affinity. There's no point in pushing tonight. Your mind is exhausted, and so is your body.
But Érikan shook his head slowly at first, then with growing resolve. His eyes were ringed with fatigue, red from the weight of emotion, but a light still burned within them.
— No… I can't wait until tomorrow.
Stella looked at him, surprised. Gaël said nothing, but his gaze sharpened, listening. Érikan took a deep breath. His voice trembled, but each word carried an inner strength.
— Today… I learned too much to remain the same. I've seen the truth. The world is cruel. It's dangerous. And it's ready to break me… to break us.
He lowered his gaze briefly, breath shallow, then raised his head again.
— I'm afraid… yes. I'm afraid I won't be strong enough. Afraid that everything you've built to protect me… will disappear. But I don't want to run from that fear anymore. I want to turn it into my strength. I want to feed on it. Because I love you. Because you are my family. And I don't want to be a child who only watches. I want to be able to defend you, to make you proud, and to protect this world… this world I'm only beginning to understand.
He clenched his fists.
— So please, Father. Mother. Show me how to become stronger. I'm ready to walk, even if my legs shake. Even if I fall, I'll rise again. I no longer have the right to wait.
Gaël watched him for a long moment. Then a smile slowly formed on his lips. A smile of pride, calm and deep.
— You are ready… he said simply.
And in that shared gaze, a silent promise was forged between them.
Night fell over the garden, but within Érikan's heart, a star had just ignited unyielding, radiant, and resolute.
Gaël stood in the courtyard behind their house, a wide space paved with stone and surrounded by tall trees that hummed faintly with mana. The air was fresh but tinged with the warmth of the early sun.
Érikan arrived, dressed in a dark training robe. His expression was focused, his step determined despite the weight of the revelations from the night before.
Gaël waited for him, arms crossed, a wooden staff in one hand.
— We begin now. But before we train your control, you need to understand what an affinity truly is.
He gestured for Érikan to sit.
— Every living being on this continent is born with a natural resonance to a type of elemental mana: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice, light, or shadow. This resonance is called an affinity. It's not just about using the element—it determines how well your body and soul interact with it.
Gaël knelt beside him and drew a simple diagram in the dirt.
— Affinities are graded, from the weakest to the strongest:
F, E, D, C, B, A, S, and SS.
He underlined each letter carefully.
— Most people never awaken their affinity. Those who do often possess a D or E rank barely enough to perform minor spells. A C-rank is considered average among awakened warriors and mages. B is rare. A-rank affinity users are exceptional, often commanders or elite guards.
He paused.
— S is extremely rare. Only one in every ten thousand. And SS… only a few in history have been recorded.
Érikan listened, eyes wide, absorbing every word.
— The higher your rank, the easier it is for you to absorb, control, and shape the mana of your element. You'll require less effort to achieve more. But it also means your mana can grow stronger than others with time and effort.
— What about me? whispered Érikan.
Gaël gave him a long look.
— Your affinity for fire is strong. Last night, when your dra pulse reacted, I felt its heat. You're at least an A. Possibly more. But to confirm it, we'll need to push your limits.
He stood up and pointed toward the training circle.
— Fire is an element of passion, emotion, and will. It answers to those with a clear heart and an unshakable spirit. But lose control, and it consumes everything.
He held out his palm. A flame bloomed, swirling in a spiral, dancing calmly.
— Control the flame, and it becomes your sword. Lose it… and it becomes your grave.
Érikan took a deep breath. He stepped into the circle.
The training had begun.