Kenneth found himself standing in a vast circular space, tall pillars reaching upon him.

  He looked down to see a small flame flickering in his hand, its warmth familiar yet mysterious.

  A man stood before him, features blurred and unrecognizable, as if hidden by veil. Behind this man four others knelt, heads bowed, forming a silent audience to the exchange.

  Kenneth felt an inexplicable pull, an urge that drove him to extend his hand, the flame offering itself to the man before him. The man mirrored his motion, reaching out as if ready to accept it.

  When he spoke, its voice was muffled, the words in a language foreign to him.

  Yet somehow, he felt an undeniable connection for a moment, as if this exchange had been set in motion long ago.

  He awoke with a start, his heart heavy and mind clouded.

  This dream had haunted him for weeks, each night leaving him with a deeper sense of unease, as if something was calling to him just out of reach.

  He wondered if it was connected to the novel he’d been reading—but deep down, he suspected it was more than that.

  He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and tried to shake it off.

  Living in a small city apartment with his aunt, Kenneth’s life was what most would call ordinary. His parents had sent him to the city after middle school, hoping he’d have better opportunities here than back in the countryside.

  He went through his usual routine: a quick call to his parents, getting ready for school, and ignoring the quiet restlessness that lingered in the background of his thoughts.

  On the kitchen counter, a note from his aunt reminded him she’d be away on a business trip. He crumpled it up, used to the solitude by now.

  He let out a sigh, bracing himself for another day. On the surface, everything seemed normal, but deep down, something just didn't fit.

  It wasn't the city or the people around him—it was more like he was out of sync with the world itself, as if he was meant to be somewhere else.

  Kenneth headed out to catch his usual bus to school, the images of his dream still flickering in his mind. He tried to shake it off, focusing on the familiar rhythm of the morning.

  But when he arrived at the school, something felt... wrong.

  Rika's seat is empty.

  She hadn’t mentioned anything about being absent, and her sudden absence left him unsettled. Later, the teacher called him over, pulling him aside to deliver some unexpected news.

  “Rika will be transferring to a school abroad,” the teacher said simply. The words hung in the air, and Kenneth was struck with surprise.

  Just yesterday, everything had seemed normal between them—no mention of plans to leave, let alone anything so sudden. The abruptness of it left a feeling of confusion that he couldn’t shake.

  But there was no time to dwell on it. A major school event was approaching, and with Rika gone, it created a logistical gap that had to be filled quickly.

  As student council president, Kenneth knew they needed all hands on deck, so he sought help from the second-year representative, someone he’d thought of as a good candidate to take over once his term ended.

  Alongside them was Salem, the enthusiastic first-year representative who looked upon Kenneth, often calling him his “role model.” Kenneth gave him a reassuring pat as they started reviewing plans for the event together.

  As they discussed logistics, Kenneth’s mind drifted back to Rika’s sudden departure. She had been handling arrangements for the appearance of a popular idol group, and he wanted to make sure nothing had fallen through.

  Kenneth turned to Salem, who was scanning over the event checklist.

  “Any updates on the idol group we invited? Everything still on track?” Kenneth asked.

  Salem’s face lit up. “None at all, President! I double-checked everything earlier—no issues.”

  Kenneth nodded, reassured but still uneasy.

  ＊＊＊

  During the school event, the atmosphere was lively and filled with excitement. It was an important day not just for the school, but for Kenneth as well—it was his birthday. As the president of the student council, he had responsibilities to monitor the event, but his fellow officers made sure to start the day by greeting him.

  "Happy Birthday, President!" they said in unison as he entered the student council room.

  Kenneth smiled, grateful for their enthusiasm. "Thanks, everyone."

  His phone buzzed, and he glanced down to see a message from his aunt. She had sent him a money to his digital wallet for his birthday with a simple message:

  Buy whatever you want.

  It was a generous gift, but Kenneth didn't have any immediate plans to use it.

  "I'll probably treat the volunteers once this event is over," he said casually, already thinking of ways to thank those who were helping.

  As the day unfolded, Kenneth kept a close eye on the event. Things were running smoothly, but something tugged at the edge of his awareness. A nagging feeling that someone had intruded on the campus. He quickly acted, pulling aside a few of the volunteers.

  "If you see anything suspicious or notice anyone who doesn't belong here, report it to the teachers immediately," he instructed, his calm voice hiding the tension beneath.

  The long-awaited moment finally arrived: the idol group Lumix made their entrance, instantly drawing the attention of the entire student body. Students buzzed with excitement, crowding the hallways to catch a glimpse of the stars.

  At the center of the group was Eumie, the rising sensation who had captivated their school’s admiration.

  The student council members, thrilled to be part of this event, murmured among themselves, savoring their exclusive access to the celebrities.

  Kenneth, however, remained composed, calmly observing the group as they navigated through the crowd.

  Then, something unusual caught his attention. Eumie kept glancing his way—not just a quick look but a lingering one, as though she were studying him whenever she thought he wouldn't notice. Each time he glanced back, she'd quickly looked away, pretending to be focused somewhere.

  Curious, Kenneth decided to approach the group. With his usual calm demeanor, he greeted them. “Welcome to our school, and thank you for joining us today,” he said, his tone friendly but professional.

  Eumie smiled, the rest of Lumix following her lead as they introduced themselves formally. “We’re Lumix,” they said in unison.

  “It’s an honor to be here,” Eumie added, her gaze meeting Kenneth's moment longer than expected, a hint of curiosity in her expression.

  One of Kenneth’s friends nudged him, grinning. “Hey, Kenneth, did you catch that? She keeps looking at you,” he teased.

  Kenneth chuckled, brushing it off with a shrug. “Probably just being polite.”

  ＊＊＊

  The night of the school festival had finally arrived, and the school ground was glowing with vibrant lights and music.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  At the center of attention was the highly anticipated performance by the idol group.

  Kenneth stood at the back of the audience, away from the bustling crowd. He preferred it that way, keeping his distance while still ensuring everything ran smoothly.

  His eyes, however, were fixed on the stage where the group had just begun their performance.

  As they danced, Kenneth couldn't help but notice the grace in Eumie's movements.

  She seemed to flow effortlessly, her every step in perfect harmony with the soft breeze that played around her. Her performance was more than just a spectacle—it was like watching someone who was completely in sync with the world around her. It was almost as if she was one with the wind itself, moving fluidly, gently, as if she belonged to it.

  Kenneth allowed himself a brief moment to appreciate the stage before refocusing on his responsibilities.

  When the performance ended, the crowd erupted in applause, cheering wildly for Eumie and her group.

  Meanwhile, Kenneth made his way backstage to handle the final arrangements. He approached the group’s manager with a warm handshake.

  “Thank you for being here today. The performance was incredible,” Kenneth said with a friendly but professional tone. “I’ll make sure the remaining payment is processed by the end of the week. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

  The manager smiled, shaking his hand. “Thank you for having us. It's been a pleasure.”

  As the manager headed off, Kenneth noticed Eumie walking over, her energy still radiant even after the show. She stopped beside him, offering a bright smile.

  “Thank you for inviting us to perform,” she said, her voice warm and genuine.

  Kenneth nodded, letting a bit of his admiration show. "Thank you for an incredible performance," he replied, his tone sincere.

  Eumie tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “So… what did you think?”

  Kenneth paused, considering his words “It was impressive. Your movements were precise, and you stayed perfectly in sync with your group. The energy was consistent, and your stage presence was strong. It was clear you paid attention to the details—your timing with the music and your connection with the audience.”

  A spark of excitement lit up in Eumie’s eyes, her smile growing wider. “Thanks,” she said, her voice softening. There was something in her gaze, a kind of curiosity, as if she’d hoped for something beyond his technical praise.

  Kenneth sensed it but kept his tone even. “You're talented, Eumie. It’s not just about skill—it’s the way you make it look effortless.”

  Eumie’s smile softened, the usual spark in her expression giving way to something warm. “I’m glad you noticed.” She hesitated for a moment, as if choosing her words, then looked back at him with a thoughtful smile.

  Before the conversation could grow awkward, Eumie’s expression shifted to one of curiosity. “By the way, what’s your name? Everyone kept calling you ‘President,’ so I didn’t catch it.”

  Kenneth blinked, surprised she didn’t already know. “It’s Kenneth,” he replied simply.

  Eumie nodded, repeating his name softly as if committing it to memory. “Kenneth… I hope we cross paths again,” she said, offering a small, mysterious smile before stepping back to rejoin her group.

  As Kenneth watched her walk away, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. His instincts prickled with a warning, and he felt a shift in the air.

  Without thinking, he moved in front of Eumie, his posture tense and protective.

  “Wait,” he said, his voice firm as his eyes narrowed toward the shadows just beyond the lights.

  Figures emerged from the darkness, their forms cloaked and their presence unsettling. One stepped forward, its voice low and chilling.

  “Aine of Mishal, you’re coming with us.”

  Kenneth's mind raced. Mishal?

  The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. He quickly assumed these were dangerous stalkers and moved Eumie behind him, shielding her with his body. "You're not going anywhere near her," he declared, trying to sound confident despite the growing dread inside him.

  The figure's eyes gleamed, and with a swift motion, it attacked.

  But before Kenneth could react, Eumie pulled him behind her, and in an instant, she deflected the attack with a powerful gust of wind.

  It wasn't just any defense—it was wind magic.

  Kenneth's heart pounded as he watched her fight back, her movements precise and lethal. She easily overpowered the first group of attackers, but just as Kenneth felt a brief moment of relief, another presence appeared.

  A masked figure, far more menacing than the others, stepped forward.

  His voice was laced with an eerie calm.

  "As expected from the successor of Mishal," he said, his gaze fixed on Eumie.

  Without hesitation, the masked figure attacked with a spell.

  Eumie tried to block it, but his strength was overwhelming. She was thrown backward, right toward Kenneth, who barely managed to catch her.

  Kenneth's mind reeled. This wasn't normal.

  This was magic—real magic.

  Everything he had just witnessed felt like something out of the fantasy novel he'd read. His body trembled with fear, unable to comprehend what was happening.

  The masked figure stood tall, his presence oppressive and suffocating. Slowly, he raised his hand, dark magic swirling around his fingertips.

  Ex abyssis obscuris, emittam vim quae omnia conteret.

  "Dark nova," he muttered, and with those words, a massive pulse of dark energy exploded outward, and surged toward them.

  Kenneth's instincts screamed at him to move, to run, but he couldn't leave Eumie behind. Without hesitation, he threw himself over her, shielding her with his body as it barreled towards them.

  The world seemed to slow, every sound muffled except for the frantic pounding of his heart. Images from the dream that had haunted him for weeks flashed in his mind—of a small, flickering flame.

  At that moment, something inside him stirred. A warmth began to build in his chest. His breath hitched as the heat spread through his veins.

  The dark energy was almost upon them when it happened. A burst of light erupted around him, and flames—bright, fierce, and powerful—ignited around his body. The inferno roared outward, colliding with the dark spell and consuming it entirely.

  The masked figure stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "No... this is impossible," he muttered, his voice filled with shock. "Fire magic? How could it still exist?"

  Kenneth barely registered the words as his entire focus remained on the flames swirling around him. He didn't understand how he was wielding this magic, or why it had appeared now, of all times.

  Eumie stirred beneath him, her gaze locking into him. “Fire magic?” she whispered, her voice filled with awe and confusion. “But… that's supposed to be—”

  Before she could finish, the flames surged higher, fiercer, completely beyond Kenneth’s control. He could feel the raw energy coursing through him, overwhelming his senses. The fire seemed alive, growing wilder with every passing second, consuming the ground beneath them and licking hungrily at the air.

  He clenched his fists, desperate to reign it in, but it was useless. The fire didn’t heed him—it moved with a will of its own, feeding on his panic. The heat was unbearable, searing his skin yet leaving him unharmed.

  The masked figure’s composure cracked further as he stumbled back. “This can’t be… It’s not supposed to exist anymore!” he hissed, his voice tinged with fear.

  Just as the flames threatened to engulf everything, the world around him froze.

  The roaring flames stilled mid-motion. The heat vanished, replaced by an eerie, suffocating stillness. Kenneth stared in disbelief, his body frozen just as much as the flames around him.

  His body weakened, his strength fading rapidly. He couldn't move, couldn't feel anything except the heavy weight of exhaustion pulling him down. His vision dimmed, but before the darkness fully claimed him, a shadow emerged in the stillness.

  A figure watched him from the frozen flames. Kenneth tried to focus on the stranger, but his body gave out, and everything went black.

  ＊＊＊

  The man stood at a distance, his sharp eyes fixed on the inferno raging before him. The fire swirled violently around the boy, their intensity far beyond anything ordinary.

  The fire that hadn't been seen in over a decade.

  Rika, who had called him the Headmaster, recognized it immediately—the unmistakable essence of the Ultimate Fire, once held by the Fire Guardian.

  However, the fire was growing uncontrollably, far too powerful for the boy to handle.

  "If this continues," Headmaster murmured, his tone heavy with certainty, "both the Ultimate Fire holder and the successor of Mishal will perish."

  His expression hardened. "I have no choice."

  With a calm yet deliberate motion, he raised his hand. The air around him shifted, his power rippling through the chaos. With a flick of his finger, the world around him froze in time.

  The flames, once fierce and crackling, were suspended mid-air, frozen in their destructive path. Everything—sound, movement, even the wind—stilled under his command.

  Stepping through the frozen world, the Headmaster approached the boy and Aine.

  Gently, he tapped their foreheads, dispelling the effects of the time magic on them. Both collapsed to the ground, unconscious but safe from the fire's reach.

  He knelt beside him and placed a hand on his forehead.

  Temporis via flecte, ad praeteritum redi, Ut iterum vivas quod iam peractum est.

  Whispering a spell, a soft, glowing light formed around Kenneth's head. The Headmaster worked swiftly, resetting the boy's timeline, pulling him back to a point before he awakened the fire. His movements were precise, careful not to disrupt more than what was necessary.

  "Sleep well," he murmured softly as his breathing returned to a calm, steady rhythm.

  He then turned his attention to Aine, performing a similar spell to restore her.

  The Headmaster stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the boy at the center of the chaos. The flames surrounding him weren't just an ordinary fire—this was the Ultimate Fire, the magic of legends, passed down through the Fireon bloodline. And yet, it had manifested in a boy with no knowledge of its existence.

  But his focus shifted as his eyes fell on the masked figure, frozen mid-action. Something about the figure's presence tugged at his memory, a sense of familiarity he couldn't ignore.

  With measured steps, the Headmaster approached, his movements deliberate as he reached out to remove the mask.

  The sight stopped him cold.

  “You…” His voice, so often calm and unshakable, wavered with shock.

  His sharp eyes betrayed the storm of emotions swirling within him—disbelief, confusion, and something deeper.

  Why are you here?