The grand Skylark estate gleamed with lights and laughter, its halls decorated in vibrant colors for the annual celebration.Nobles gathered to talk, eat, drink, and dance beneath chandeliers of crystal and gold.
The children of the main family were busy preparing for their moment — a ceremony where they would showcase their abilities before the head of the family and his wives.Tonight, Lord Skylark would also bestow honors upon his eldest son and second daughter for graduating from the Royal Academy.
“Laura, could you please prepare more food for the young masters?”
“Ah, yes, Madam. I’ll bring more right away.”
This year’s ceremony feels so lively…I only wish Yinzu could be here to see it.
But I told him to stay in his room and study — the sixth young master might start trouble with him again, and I didn’t want any incidents tonight.Besides, Yinzu’s been so eager to learn lately…
“Laura, are the dishes ready yet?”
“Ah, just a moment, please.”
I should hurry. The celebration’s already begun.
“All rise and pay respects to the Head of House Skylark — Lord Aelfric de Skylark!”The steward’s voice rang out powerfully.
“Long live House Skylark!” echoed every guest in unison.
The head of the family walked up to the podium, facing the crowd of nobles who filled the hall.
“Tonight, we uphold the ancient tradition left behind by our founder.As hosts of this sacred gathering, we welcome all noble families who grace our halls this evening.
Without further delay, I, Aelfric de Skylark, present the awards to the successors of House Skylark — my eldest son, Kamael de Skylark, and my second daughter, Lanasel le Skylark.”
A tall young man with long, silvery-white hair tied neatly behind him stepped onto the stage, followed by a graceful girl with deep violet-black hair that shimmered beneath the light.
“You have both carried the weight of humanity and reached the peak of youth.Having ascended to the Fourth Level of Power, you now stand ready to defend our world from creatures that threaten its peace.
Accept this Golden Link Sphere — a relic to guide your path as you climb ever higher.”
The brilliance of the golden relic bathed the hall in a divine glow, reflecting in every awe-struck eye.As Lord Aelfric placed the necklaces around their necks, thunderous applause filled the air, accompanied by the triumphant sound of trumpets.
“Wow, Laura, isn’t this year’s ceremony truly splendid?”
“Yes… it really is. I just wish Yinzu were here to see this. I’ll keep praying that he becomes stronger—like the young masters on stage.”
“Hah. That’s impossible. That boy’s body is broken.”
Hearing that, I fell silent. I could only stand there, lost in thought, wondering what my son Yinzu was doing at that very moment.
...
While the grand celebration carried on in full splendor — laughter, music, and the warm glow of lanterns filling the Skylark estate —far away from that light, away from the music,a boy lay motionless upon the cold, damp grass.
The night wind chilled his trembling body.His breaths were uneven, shallow…for his consciousness had already drifted deep into the realm within his own soul.
Inside that world, a blinding light had consumed everything —so bright that the entire space turned pure white.
“Where… am I?”
As the boy wandered through the endless whiteness of his mind,he noticed something strange — a small black hole, floating at the center of it all.
“What… is that? A hole? Why is it… wait—why is it getting bigger!?”
Panicked, he stumbled backward, staring as the darkness expanded before him.Then realization struck him.
“Wait… if this is my inner world…then that thing — that hole — it must be my Claim Seal!It’s open… this wide!?”
From within the hole, two radiant lights emerged —one a shimmering silver-blue,the other a blazing red-gold.
They floated before him like twin orbs, pulsing with power.
“What are these? Why did they come out of my Seal…?
Wait—these are… Mana and Aura!”
He extended his hands, his eyes wide in awe.
“If the blue one is Mana… and the red one is Aura…maybe—just maybe—I can merge them together?”
Driven by curiosity and desperation, he brought the two orbs closer.But the instant they touched—
“AGH—!”
His mind shattered. Pain exploded through his chest,as if his heart itself were tearing apart.
“Damn it…! It hurts so much! So they really can’t be combined…”He gasped, clutching his chest, sweat pouring down his face.“I guess I’ll have to absorb one first… Alright then, I’ll choose—”
...
Meanwhile, back at the Skylark estate,the ceremony continued with dazzling displays from the noble children —from the fourth son to the ninth daughter, each showing the strength they’d cultivated.Only the third son was absent, still studying at the Royal Academy.
But as the sixth son’s turn approached,Lord Aelfric suddenly sensed something… off.He turned his gaze toward the servants’ quarters, his expression tightening.
“Knights,” he ordered. “Go and inspect that area.”
Before they could move, his eldest son — Kamael de Skylark — stepped forward.
“Father, allow me to go instead.”
Aelfric studied his son for a moment, then nodded.“Very well. Go.”
...
“Ugh… my head hurts… how long was I unconscious?”
It seems… I did it.I managed to absorb Mana, the energy that governs the elements,and let Aura, the force that strengthens the body, fade away for now.
Now I understand what that ‘Open’ in the sky meant earlier today—perhaps it was telling me to keep my Claim Seal open,so that I could freely draw in Mana from the world around me.
Since Mana is intertwined with the air itself,I can absorb and purify it more easily this way.Whether this illness of mine is a curse or a blessing…it seems the answer leans toward one side more than the other.
Even if I cannot yet use Aura,I must train my body—to grow stronger.And I must continue my sword practice.Mother entrusted this blade to me…I won’t let her gift go to waste.
Since it’s already so late, I should—
BOOM!
“What the—!? An explosion!? That came from… huh!? The servants’ quarters!?Mother!?”
Yinzu’s heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation,he sprinted toward home with every ounce of strength left in his body.
The cold night air cut through him as he ran—but nothing could prepare him for the sight that awaited him.
The house was gone.Engulfed in roaring flames and crumbling debris.Dozens of knights and guards lay motionless around the wreckage.
And in front of the burning ruins stood—
“What… what happened here?Wait… is that—Kamael de Skylark!?
Why is he here—kneeling on the ground, covered in blood!?”
Confusion and dread churned in Yinzu’s chest.His mind raced to make sense of what was happening—but then, from within the smoke and fire,a shadow emerged.
A figure cloaked in black stepped out of the wreckage,wearing a bird-like mask and a hood that fluttered with crimson strands of hair—hair that shimmered like living fire.
In his hand, he held something—something Yinzu couldn’t yet see clearly.
And then it hit him—that same overwhelming pressure he’d once felt before Aelfric de Skylark himself.
But this time, it was worse.Much worse.
It wasn’t just pressure.
It was fear.