Flashback — Two Hundred Years Ago
The gray sky rumbled, cloaking the battlefield in a shroud of thunder, blood, and fire. Explosions of magic and the screams of war echoed through the ruins, shaking the very air.
In the middle of this chaos stood a young man with golden hair that glimmered like lightning and bright blue eyes burning with resolve. His body crackled with violet lightning, flickering wildly around him—this was the legendary figure known as Phantom Thunder.
Before him towered a muscular figure draped in a long black cloak, with glowing red eyes that radiated suffocating darkness.
This was Catastrophe, the Demon King who brought terror and tyranny upon the world.
"Phantom Thunder… or rather, Celis Meyer," Catastrophe's voice boomed, mocking but tense.
"Demon King Catastrophe," Celis replied, his tone low, furious, but unwavering.
In the distance, the battlefield blazed. Humans and demons clashed with all they had, fighting for the fate of their world.
And now, everything came down to the clash between these two monsters of power.
"I didn't want to say this," Celis spoke, voice firm yet hopeful, "but… let's protect this world together. With your strength, you don't need a tyrannical rule like this."
Catastrophe let out a cold, cruel laugh. "You're too naïve, Celis Meyer. My rule may look like tyranny, but understand this—humans are the ones who created these harsh laws."
Celis narrowed his eyes, unsure yet resolute. "Hard to believe…"
Catastrophe smirked. "Yet even so, you look awfully fragile, Celis Meyer."
"I could say the same," Celis shot back. "A hero like you… ending up this broken."
Without warning, a massive explosion erupted between them. Celis's violet lightning clashed violently against Catastrophe's lethal black magic.
Thunder roared, and the ground trembled beneath their feet as the world shook from their collision.
This battle was more than strength—
It was the turning point of destiny itself…
---
— Back to the Present
The evening sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. Luna and Rey walked home together along a quiet path after a long day at the academy.
"Ugh, I'm sooo tired," Luna groaned, rubbing her stiff neck. "I still don't understand today's magic practice. It was so hard… I don't get anything."
Behind his blank expression, Rey sighed inwardly.
Does she not realize she's a genius? She didn't mess up anything…
Rey glanced at her and smiled faintly. "I think you're actually a genius, Luna."
Luna slowly lifted her face—still looking down. "Are you making fun of me?" she asked, half-joking and half-confused.
Rey only shrugged, looking even more confused.
"Oh right, I saw you got a special letter from Mr. Luis," he said. "You should open it."
Luna nodded excitedly. "Ah, true! I'm curious. He said it's about training my magic. So that means… I failed, right? That's why he gave me this letter."
She smiled weakly.
Carefully, Luna opened the letter and began reading out loud with a cheerful tone:
"Tomorrow, with permission from me and the headmaster, you are to go to the Royal Kingdom and meet the Star Witch, Miera, one of the Seven Grand Magicians—"
Suddenly Luna froze. Her expression went pale.
She stopped reading.
"Eh…?"
Rey looked at her and smiled. "That's amazing! It's an official invitation, Luna."
Luna stared at the letter, innocent and trembling.
"Am… am I going to be executed?"
Rey nearly choked. "Hah!? Why would you think that!?"
---
In the Royal Palace
A grand palace stood in the center of the kingdom, majestic and serene. Inside, a graceful woman in a deep navy cloak moved with elegance.
She was Miera Margaret, the Star Witch — one of the Seven Grand Magicians, both respected and feared.
Miera possessed a rare gift: the ability to read the threads of destiny through the stars.
At that moment, she was in her private chamber, reading the letter sent by Luis.
As her eyes trailed through the message, she murmured:
"Miera Margaret, I will be sending a student to you. She is extremely gifted—her magic surpasses all other students.
Her name is Luna Altheria Meyer.
And yes, you heard correctly… she is from the Meyer family, the clan exiled two hundred years ago."
Miera stood and walked toward a large window overlooking the night sky. Her eyes gleamed as she examined the heavens, searching for the patterns of fate.
But all she saw… was darkness.
No signs.
No threads.
No change.
"I've tried reading it already," she whispered. "Why can't I see anything? Has the world's destiny truly frozen?"
She exhaled deeply.
"Celis Meyer… the hero erased from history, cast aside by the kingdom. A tragedy…
And now his descendant is alive."
Suddenly, in the pitch-black sky, a bright blue star appeared — shining intensely, radiating power far beyond any ordinary omen.
Miera's eyes widened.
"What… is happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Confusion washed over her face as she stared at the impossible omen above.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight filtered softly into Luna's room, but her face was pale and filled with dread as she tied her shoes.
"This is bad! Should I fake being sick?" she panicked.
With slow steps and a heavy heart, Luna began walking toward the kingdom.
"Everyone else gets to go to class normally… but me? I have to go to the royal palace."
Her thoughts spiraled with anxiety.
"But… it'll be fine. No one knows me there anyway. I just have to meet the witch, right?" she tried convincing herself.
Yet the more she walked, the worse her fear grew.
"Actually… because no one knows me, isn't that more dangerous!?"
Her face turned completely pale.
Before long, she arrived at the giant palace gates.
Miera Margaret stood there, accompanied by armored knights, as if welcoming an honored guest.
"Oh no. They're waiting for me!?" Luna whispered, trembling.
Suddenly, Miera rushed forward with a bright, cheerful smile.
"So you're the gifted student? Lady Meyer!" she greeted warmly, placing her hands on Luna's shoulders.
"Ah, it's true. Meyer descendants really do have blonde hair and blue—"
Before she could finish,
Luna collapsed and fainted on the spot.
Miera stared down at her with a blank, puzzled expression.
"Eh? She fainted?"