Winds of the Present
Flashback – Immediately After the Explosion
Smoke billowed, blotting out the sky, and shattered trees lay scattered like broken limbs. In the heart of this devastation, Minahoke ran like a woman possessed, clutching Nazaki to her chest so tightly it was as if she were trying to hide him within her own ribs. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her tears mingled with the scorched dust of the road. In her ears, there was only the echo of the blast that had torn her family apart, and the wailing of her child—a child who did not yet understand that the world had declared war on him.
"Did Haman survive? Is Shira okay?" she whispered, her heart trembling with every step.
As the fierce winds howled around her, a shimmer of a legendary realm appeared in the distance. Towering walls of white stone hugged the horizon, crowned by a small golden spire that gleamed under the sun like a beacon for the lost.
"Linkbol..." she wheezed.
The Golden Kingdom. The home of the legendary tree that had glowed in celebration of her son's birth. But Minahoke wasn't seeking glory; she was seeking a sanctuary where her tracks would vanish. She reached the gates, where golden soldiers stood in polished armor with engraved spears. To them, she appeared as nothing more than a peasant woman in a tattered cloak, hiding behind her weary features the secrets of the Ice Lineage and the identity of the Miracle Child.
"Where do you come from?" a guard stopped her, his gaze firm.
"A refugee... from Lima village," she replied in an exhausted voice. "It was destroyed. Please, I will do any work just to stay."
The guard's expression softened slightly. "Lima? We heard of the attack. Very well, enter. The city is open to travelers, but mind you, do not cause trouble."
Thus, Minahoke began a new chapter in a humble district of Linkbol, near the outskirts of the prestigious Academy. She gave her son a new name to erase his past: "Noroko." She buried the truth in the depths of her heart, keeping it hidden even from him.
The Present – 22 Years Later
Linkbol was bathing in sunlight that reflected off its golden windows. In a quiet little house, Minahoke's familiar voice rang out:
"Norokoooo!! Breakfast is getting cold! Wake up, you lazy boy!"
Inside his room, the young man with wavy white hair and piercing yellow eyes rolled over in his bed. "Aah... one minute, Mom... just five more minutes..."
But the aroma of toasted bread and corn soup was stronger than his desire to sleep, pulling him back to reality. He dashed down the stairs, straightening his Academy shirt and carrying a bag stuffed with manuscripts and Mikano tools.
"You're going to be late again," Minahoke said, placing a plate before him firmly. "This is your third warning this week."
"I was reviewing lessons late at night," he replied, devouring his food. "The training has become grueling, and the lessons on Elemental Mikano were packed with information."
She smiled tenderly. "Just be careful... and remember, there is no need to always stand out."
Noroko laughed as he pulled on his shoes. "Me? Of course I'll stand out! I'm going to become one of the future Six Guardians! See you later, Mom!"
"Noroko..." she whispered before he closed the door. "I love you."
He turned with a warm smile. "I love you too."
The Path to the Academy
At the massive Academy gates, Noroko met his companions: Nihi, with her bright blonde hair and spirited green eyes; Bringo, with his rebellious green hair; and the mysterious Mizra, who possessed deep purple hair and violet eyes.
"Noroko! I thought you'd given up and stayed in bed today!" Nihi shouted, waving.
"As usual, Mr. Late-comer!" Bringo muttered.
Mizra laughed. "I bet he was dreaming of new Mikano techniques."
Noroko winked. "Actually, I was dreaming of saving the kingdom from a Demon Mikano invasion and marrying the Princess while the people cheered for me!"
Nihi flared with jealousy. "Stop talking nonsense and let's go!"
Bringo growled angrily, "You plan on marrying my sister, Alique, in your dreams?"
Noroko laughed as he ran ahead, "It's just a dream, my friend!"
Inside the Academy – First Period
The students stood in their colored uniforms: Gray for commoners, Blue for nobles, and Gold for the elite. Silence fell as Sir Edward—a burly man with a short beard—began his lecture.
"There are four main types of Mikano: Golden (Very rare, 5-star level), Elemental (9 triangles), Ice (6 crystals—and forbidden to speak of here), and Demon Blue, which is measured by domains like speed or portals. And he who can merge two or more...?"
"The Legend!" the students shouted in unison.
At the training grounds, students began destroying wooden targets. When it was Noroko's turn—who was known only as a Wind user—something strange happened. He focused his gaze, raised his palm, and a spiraling vortex of wind exploded with incredible force, completely shattering the target!
"That's... not normal," Nihi whispered in awe.
"Your wind pressure... it's higher than a Level 6 user!" Mizra added, stunned.
Bringo looked at him suspiciously. "Something is strange about you, Noroko..."
"Don't overthink it," Noroko said with a confident grin. "It's just the result of my non-stop training."
Bringo tried to show off his Earth Mikano by attempting to destroy five targets, but he failed, leaving his friends howling with laughter.
After School – The Marketplace
As they strolled through the market, enjoying the scents of spices and fresh bread, the fun was suddenly cut short. A merchant was screaming at a man cloaked in black: "You stranger! You have no right to touch the goods without paying!"
The stranger's voice was as sharp as a blade. "I told you... these goods belonged to me long ago."
A dark energy began to gather in the stranger's hand. But before he could strike, a sharp voice cut through the air:
"Stop!"
Noroko stood before the man, his white hair fluttering in the wind and his yellow eyes glowing with a mysterious brilliance that didn't seem to belong there.
"If you're looking for a fight... pick a better stage than the market."
To be continued