The next morning, Aaron woke up and made his way to his desk. He picked up How to Raise Your Rank as a Mage to continue his training. As he descended the stairs, he heard Kain's voice calling out:
"Good morning, Aaron. Today, Lord Pierce asked me to take you on a tour of Gaeti Academy."
"Wait… when did you enroll me in the academy?"
"Last night, at the headmaster's residence."
"You're telling me that last night's visit was actually to register me into the academy?"
"That's right."
Aaron hadn't expected something like this at all. Kain then told him that he was going to clean his room. Aaron's chest tightened at the thought of Kain discovering the forbidden books he had taken from the study.
"Wait, Sir Kain! I'll clean it myself."
"Really? But I see you're holding a book you want to read… Wait a moment—How to Raise Your Rank as a Mage? You plan to train with this? You haven't even awakened your magic yet! The last time was just a coincidence."
"Yes, I just want to understand it before awakening."
Kain ordered Aaron to focus on his training, promising to call him later for his duties. Unable to defy the order, Aaron went to the hall and began practicing.
Meanwhile, Kain entered Aaron's room and started tidying up. While cleaning, he noticed two books hidden inside Aaron's drawer. Opening them, his eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible… these are from the cellar! How did they end up here?"
Realization struck—Aaron had disobeyed his warning. Anger surged through Kain as he stormed toward the hall, broom in hand.
At that moment, Aaron was practicing with tense concentration. A sudden gust of wind shot toward him. He barely dodged, stunned by its force, then turned to see Kain glaring at him with fury, gripping the broom tightly.
Aaron's heart dropped. Kain had discovered the truth. He needed to think fast. A story from childhood surfaced—about spectral beings called Torou that could block wind spells. Pointing his left finger, Aaron shouted in alarm:
"Sir, watch out! There's a Torou behind you!"
"What? Where?!"
Seizing the distraction, Aaron bolted past him. Kain's anger flared.
"You little trickster! You won't get away with this!"
He gave chase, launching bursts of wind. Aaron dodged frantically, sprinting through the streets of Gaeti until he ducked into a narrow alley, hiding behind crates.
Please don't see me… please, please…
But when he turned, Kain was already there, staring with piercing eyes.
"I've caught you. Why didn't you follow my orders? I told you not to open the cellar—and you even took books from it! What else did you do?"
"I-I'm sorry… I just had to know what was inside."
Kain's anger softened into a sigh. "I'll forgive you, but I won't tell Lord Pierce. However, you must tell me exactly what you did down there."
Aaron explained everything about the mysterious chest he had touched. Kain's expression darkened.
"That chest is called Ray's Box. It reveals your magical affinity. So… did you learn what yours is?"
"Yes… it's Flamebound."
Kain froze. His eyes widened.
"Flamebound?! That's impossible! That bloodline was wiped out years ago. It's said Flamebound mages can surpass level one hundred… and you're the last one?"
The weight of loneliness pressed onto Aaron's shoulders. "So I'm really the only one left…"
Kain placed a firm hand on Aaron's shoulder.
"Being the last doesn't mean you should despair. I lost my family when I was nine. They were assassinated before my eyes."
"I'm sorry… and I'm sorry for being reckless."
"It's fine. Now that you're enrolled at Gaeti Academy, how about we go see it?"
Aaron's mood brightened. "That sounds great."
The two visited the academy. Aaron marveled at its grand halls and towering structures. After some hours, they returned to the Pierce estate. Lord Pierce assigned tasks, which they carried out before gathering in the dining hall for supper.
Later, Kain called Aaron into the training hall to help him awaken his magic. Lord Pierce quietly left for his chambers, whispering to himself:
"Aaron is like a fragile seed. He must remain safe until he grows strong enough to show what he'll become."
In the hall, Kain explained the process of channeling nai—the vital force—into the heart's core without exceeding safe levels. Aaron's body trembled as the energy surged within him, threatening to overwhelm him. Kain urged him to stay still. Finally, the energy settled into Aaron's heart core.
"Now… release a spark," Kain instructed.
Aaron lifted his hand, and a small flame flickered to life. It was faint, but it burned brightly enough. His eyes widened with joy—he had finally awakened his magic.
Kain smiled proudly. "Congratulations, Aaron. But listen… we still have two months until the academy's opening ceremony. I'll push you hard in training before then."
"I'll give it everything I have!"
"One more thing," Kain added seriously. "King Oliver and his daughter will return in a month. They'll be visiting the headmaster, and the princess will also enroll in the academy. If the queen comes as well, avoid her at all costs. Do not let her notice you. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
That night, Aaron sat by his window, gazing into the night sky.
"It's been so long since I was cast out… I wonder how that family is doing. No… I shouldn't think about them anymore. From now on, I'll live a new life, away from the past."
He sketched a drawing of himself, Kain, and Lord Pierce together. With a faint smile, he lay down and drifted into sleep.