---
Elin, the Duke's daughter, rushed into one of the girls' washrooms. Pain surged through her hand. Unable to stay with everyone in the auditorium, she had sought a secluded spot. Across the entire academy, no place came to mind except the washroom. That's where she ended up.
She knew the source of her pain wasn't anything else but her bracelet. Suddenly, dark smoke started emerging from the bracelet on her hand. From the smoke, a black bird materialized. From a distance, it appeared to be just a normal black crow, but up close, it was clear that its feathers weren't ordinary. Each feather burned with black flames. Elin noticed a burn mark where the bracelet had been.
"What happened to you? Why is your hand burning like this?"
"I'm sorry. I suddenly sensed Jiduri's energy and couldn't control my flame," the bird replied.
"Jiduri?!" Elin exclaimed, shocked by the name.
Curious, she asked again:
"So, the final Key has appeared too?"
The bird spread its wings, black fire erupting from them. It was an impressive sight, but Elin's focus was elsewhere. She sensed someone approaching—someone who could prevent her from meeting the person of her dreams. She waited for the bird's answer.
"Since Jiduri has appeared, I can confidently say that all the Keys exist within this world. Even if I can't track Jiduri's energy, I can at least give you an idea of the locations of the remaining three Keys."
"Since the other three Keys are inside the Tower, we'll have to enter it, right?" Elin asked.
"That's correct, but in your current state, you won't be able to gather the remaining Keys. You need to become stronger."
"All my master's memories and knowledge reside within me. So becoming stronger won't take long. Since my attributes are now unlocked, I'll ensure all my focus levels are maxed before entering the Tower," Elin replied.
"Do you really not want to take your master's place?" the bird asked eagerly.
Elin paused for a moment, then answered:
"I'm not worthy of this power. I just want to be by his side. I want to help fix this broken world, standing beside him."
"Then my suggestion is, find Jiduri first. Since you don't want to take your master's place, help Jiduri's host before entering the Tower."
"Why is that?"
"Even though I possess all of your master's knowledge, there's almost nothing about Jiduri. Also, among the five Keys, Jiduri was the most royal to the master. Since you don't want the master's place, I suggest finding Jiduri's host before entering the Tower."
"But how will I find them before entering the Tower?" Elin asked.
"Though I can't track Jiduri's exact location, I can sense that he is very close to us."
"What if his host doesn't trust me?" Elin asked, worried.
"As far as I remember, Jiduri is sealed. Most of his memories are lost. I don't think he knows anything about the Keys. You've understood the rest, haven't you?"
"Yes, I understand," Elin said, a small smile forming on her lips. It was sweet, a smile that might captivate a boy, but there was no one around. The black-flamed bird returned into Elin's bracelet. Elin thought:
"Whether Jiduri or Piduri, if I don't like the host, they'll never take the master's place. I'll find the host the way I want."
---
In the auditorium:
Everyone's tests were complete except one. Among the boys, only five failed to unlock attributes, and only two managed to unlock two attributes. Edward, the Duke's son, had unlocked Lightning and Water, drawing everyone's attention. But even more astonishing was a boy who unlocked Fire and Lightning simultaneously. Everyone was curious about him, but when Teacher Diara revealed he was a commoner, the auditorium fell silent. A commoner unlocking Fire and Lightning together? Unbelievable.
Elin returned from the washroom. Myra, worried, asked:
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm fine. Just a little dizzy earlier," Elin replied.
"You mixed something very interesting. A boy unlocked both Fire and Lightning."
Elin couldn't believe it.
"You must be joking," she said.
"I'm serious."
"Then their family will rank higher than the King's," Elin said.
"Believe it or not, he's not a noble. A commoner," Myra replied.
"Myra, stop joking. The academy's tests are designed to filter out talented commoners, yet you're saying a commoner unlocked both Fire and Lightning?"
"I can't believe it either. Maybe he's the King's secret child or a prince from another kingdom," Myra chuckled.
Elin, annoyed, said:
"Stop speculating. We don't need to worry about him. The Empire will take care of him. Aren't the tests still ongoing?"
"One more boy remains. The one I gave my letter to. I'm curious if he'll unlock his attributes," Myra replied.
Elin watched Alex for a while. He didn't seem like a commoner, yet she wasn't interested. Inside, she smiled. If Alex couldn't unlock any attributes, he'd frustrate Myra. She wasn't going to miss that opportunity. She realized Myra's interest in him, but didn't understand why Myra would focus on a commoner.
---
Meanwhile, Alex remained last.
Many talented boys were present. Two unlocked two attributes, the rest had unlocked Fire, Air, Earth, Poison, Plant, and Light. Alex approached the Mana Stone. Typically, Mana Stones glow according to the attribute being unlocked. Lightning sparks for Lightning, water orbs for Water, leaves for Plant, bright light for Light, and flames for Fire. The stone indicates the attribute through such visual cues.
Alex placed his hand on the stone. Suddenly, the stone turned completely black. Usually, after touching it, the stone would reveal the unlocked attribute briefly, then return to normal. Holding the hand on it longer could unlock a second attribute. But for Alex, nothing happened. The stone grew darker and eventually shattered with a sharp crack, like glass breaking. Black smoke poured from the broken stone into his ring. Everyone was shocked, but Teacher Diara explained:
"No need to fear. Several powerful students unlocked attributes today, and the Mana Stone couldn't hold all the energy, hence it broke. That's all for today. Come to class tomorrow; titles will be assigned."
The teachers left, and the students murmured among themselves:
"Dark attributes are considered the weakest."
"No powerful spell has ever been made with Dark attributes."
"Even if someone unlocks Dark, they usually can't use it. This boy's luck is terrible."
"What can you expect from a commoner? Maybe one in a thousand is talented, unlike nobles."
After gossiping, the auditorium emptied.
Teacher Diara hurried out but felt her legs didn't move. Once inside her room, she sat on the floor. She couldn't explain what had happened. Dark is the weakest attribute, yet the boy's body reacted strangely. She exhausted her stamina absorbing energy from another Mana Stone and fell asleep.
---
(In Alex's perspective)
The test ended. Everyone left the academy, preoccupied with their own thoughts. Alex was about to head home when, in a blink, he found himself inside a familiar room—the Principal's office. A huge, transparent blue Mana Stone sat before him. The Principal's presence immediately captured Alex's interest. He had been teleported inside the room in an instant—a skill he wished he had.
"I observed the test from afar. A low-level Mana Stone usually never loses energy, yet today it broke. I don't want students claiming it broke because they unlocked only one attribute. Therefore, I'm giving you a high-level Mana Stone. The chances of unlocking multiple attributes are far greater."
Alex was startled but couldn't refuse. Dark is the weakest attribute, and he needed stronger ones. He placed his hand on the stone. The room plunged into blackness, draining his energy. His eyes closed, and he lost consciousness.
---
The Principal, sweating, felt as if entering a dark world. Moments later, everything returned to normal. He saw Alex lying on the floor, his body brimming with Dark energy beyond the Principal's expectations. Using a gesture, the Principal lifted Alex onto a chair. He turned his attention to the high-level Mana Stone, now darkened but intact. Transforming into his younger self, he released a chain from his neck.
---
Alex returned home, transported by a teacher's magical broom. Maria had been worried all day; yesterday she had used Alchemy magic to seal all Alex's energy except his Mana, giving her confidence during the test. She kissed his sleeping forehead and turned off the lights, leaving.
Elmond, eager to show Alex his power, ignored Maria's concerns. Tomorrow, Alex would go on his next mission and see Aura energy firsthand.
---
Meanwhile, in Duke Uexcul's mansion:
Elin slept on a massive bed, black smoke swirling from her bracelet across her forehead. She dreamt the same dream again—a faceless boy's story. Her bracelet granted her this vision. She wanted to witness it herself, not through a mirror, and fix the broken world. Another night passed in the dream.
---
Inside the Tower:
In an unknown location, a figure sat atop a dead dragon's skull, a massive two-handed sword embedded in its eye. Blood pooled around. The man rose, his seven-foot body covered in bulging muscles, his smile intimidating.
"Finally, the last Key has appeared. The rest won't wait. Once all Keys are in my hand, this world will be mine," he laughed.
A voice echoed through the Tower:
"Floor 60, Fire Dragon slain. Next floor unlocked for all."
He lifted his sword from the dragon's eye and continued:
"Who will enter the next floor? All Keys remain on the lower floors."
The man chuckled monstrously.
"World, beware. Your King is about to be born. Hahaha!"
---
To Be Continued