The light swallowed everything.
Kael felt like his body was floating in an endless ocean of energy. His feet were no longer touching the ground, and the glowing symbols around him spun faster and faster.
The spirit's voice echoed through the blinding light.
"Trial Three: Power."
Kael tried to open his eyes, but the light was too bright.
"What do I have to do?" he shouted.
The voice answered calmly.
"You must awaken the magic within you."
Kael froze.
"Within me?"
"Yes."
Kael shook his head.
"That's impossible. I'm not a magician."
The spirit's voice grew quieter but firmer.
"You are the son of one of the hundred."
"Magic runs through your blood."
The glowing symbols suddenly rushed toward Kael like a storm of light.
They surrounded his body.
Then one of the symbols burned itself into his chest.
Kael screamed.
"AAAAAH!"
Pain exploded through his body.
It felt like fire was flowing through his veins.
He dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.
The voice echoed again.
"Do not resist it."
"But it hurts!" Kael gasped.
The magical energy continued pouring into him.
It felt like his entire body was breaking apart.
Memories flashed in his mind.
His father teaching him how to work in the fields.
His father smiling.
The burning village.
The soldiers.
The bounty hunter's sword.
Kael clenched his teeth.
"I… won't… break…"
The power surged again.
This time even stronger.
His vision blurred.
He could feel something deep inside his chest.
Something sleeping.
Something ancient.
The spirit's voice spoke one final command.
"Awaken it."
Kael's mind screamed.
Awaken what?!
Then suddenly—
He remembered something.
The spell his father used earlier.
The word his father shouted before the flames appeared.
Kael forced the word out.
"Ignis!"
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then the entire chamber shook.
BOOOOM.
Fire burst from Kael's body like a small explosion.
Flames spiraled around him, rising into the air like a storm of red light.
Kael's eyes snapped open.
They were glowing faintly.
The runes around the platform blazed brighter than ever.
The spirit looked at him with surprise.
"Incredible…"
Kael slowly stood up.
The fire around him didn't burn.
Instead, it obeyed him.
It moved with his breathing.
With his heartbeat.
"Did I… do it?" Kael asked.
The spirit nodded.
"You have awakened your first magic."
Kael stared at his hands.
Small flames danced between his fingers.
"I can use magic…"
For the first time since his village burned, Kael felt a spark of hope.
But the moment didn't last long.
Another violent explosion echoed above them.
CRAAAASH.
Part of the ceiling cracked.
Chunks of stone fell onto the floor.
The spirit's expression darkened.
"They're here."
Heavy footsteps echoed from the tunnel entrance.
Voices shouted above.
"Break the door!"
"Search the ruins!"
Kael's heart raced again.
"The soldiers…"
The spirit nodded.
"The Highlands cannot allow this sanctuary to exist."
Kael clenched his fists.
The small flames around his hands grew stronger.
"Then we fight."
The spirit shook his head.
"You are not ready to face Highland soldiers."
"Your magic has only just awakened."
Kael looked frustrated.
"Then what do we do?"
The spirit raised his glowing hand and pointed toward a hidden passage at the back of the chamber.
"There is another exit."
Kael followed the direction of his hand.
A narrow staircase descended deeper underground.
"Where does it lead?" Kael asked.
"The deeper Lowlands."
"A place where the Highlands rarely go."
Kael hesitated.
"But what about you?"
The spirit smiled faintly.
"I am only a memory left behind by the hundred magicians."
"My purpose was to guide the next generation."
Kael felt a strange sadness.
"Thank you."
The spirit nodded once.
"Remember this, Kael."
"You now carry the magic of those who erased the dragons."
"The Highlands will hunt you."
"Bounty hunters will chase you."
"But somewhere in the Lowlands…"
"Others like you still exist."
Kael remembered his father's final words.
Find them.
Suddenly—
BOOM.
The stone door at the tunnel entrance shattered.
Highland soldiers rushed into the chamber.
Their armor gleamed under the blue flames.
One of them pointed at Kael.
"There he is!"
Kael stepped back.
His heart pounded.
The spirit looked at him one last time.
"Run."
The soldiers raised their weapons.
"Capture him!"
Kael turned and sprinted toward the hidden staircase.
An arrow flew past his head and struck the wall.
Another soldier shouted.
"He's escaping!"
Kael ran down the stairs as fast as he could.
Behind him, the soldiers chased after him.
Torches flickered wildly in the dark tunnel.
Kael's chest burned as he ran deeper underground.
But this time—
He wasn't just running away.
Small flames flickered in his hands.
And for the first time…
Kael had the power to fight back.
The war against the Highlands had truly begun.