In an unknown place…
Dark clouds covered the sky, casting the entire region in an ominous darkness.
Surrounded by towering mountains stood a gigantic black castle.
Its enormous walls disappeared into the darkness, making the entire fortress look like something straight out of a nightmare.
Deep inside the castle…
A young man sat upon a massive throne.
Two sharp horns protruded from his head.
His face remained hidden beneath the darkness, making it impossible to see his expression.
Suddenly— Two Demons entered the throne room.
They immediately knelt before the throne.
Both of them spoke at the same time.
“All hail the Demon Lord!” The Demon Lord slowly opened his eyes.
His voice was calm and cold.
“You two Demon Kings…” “Did you complete the tasks I assigned to you?” One of the Demon Kings lowered his head.
“Yes, My Lord.” “It has begun.” “One of my soldiers has already awakened his racial ability…” “Beast Control.” “Just as I told you three years ago, we also used our beasts to attack a village.” “However, I believe there must have been a Mana Magician present at that time.” “Because all of our beasts were killed.” He paused before continuing.
“But during these past three years, that soldier has greatly increased his strength.” “Now…” “He can even control a Dragon.” The Demon Lord nodded slightly.
“Good.” “But don’t become complacent.” “Continue increasing the strength of our army.” His gaze shifted toward the second Demon King.
“And you?” “What have you accomplished so far?” The second Demon King slowly raised his head.
“Yes, My Lord.” “I have gathered a great deal of information.” “We discovered that three years ago, a council was held between the Five Human Kingdoms and the Half-Human Nation.” “During that meeting…” “They decided to resume the Hero Summoning Ritual.” “And this time…” “Each kingdom plans to summon its own Hero.” The Demon Lord slowly clenched his teeth.
“Humans…” “They never change.” “Greed is the only thing that fills their hearts.” “They even broke the rule established by their own ancestors.” He paused.
“But…” “I already knew they would do this.” The second Demon King let out a quiet laugh.
“Master…” “That is simply the nature of humans.” “It is something that will never change.” “But I also have some good news.” “The Seventh Seal has already broken.” “Only six seals remain.” “And one seal will break every two years.” He smiled confidently.
“My army has also been thoroughly trained.” Then he hesitated before asking, “My Lord…” “Should we eliminate those Heroes before they become a threat?” The Demon Lord remained silent for a moment.
Then he slowly replied— “No…” “Don’t even think about it.” “First, wait for the seals protecting our God to break.” He leaned back against his throne.
“Besides…” “Heroes believe whatever they are taught.” “They know nothing about the true history of this world.” “It isn’t their fault.” His voice suddenly became colder.
“However…” “If they ever stand in our way…” He paused.
“Then…” “We will have no choice but to remove them.” Deep within a dense and desolate forest…
Wild animals and Magic Beasts roamed freely.
This was no ordinary forest.
It was a place so dangerous that an ordinary human could barely survive here for more than a few days.
The forest was surrounded by countless towering mountains.
And at the very center of those mountains…
Stood a strange, snow-white mountain.
The White Mountain.
To this day, no one knew where this mysterious mountain had come from.
Why was there a single mountain completely different from every other mountain surrounding it?
No one had an answer.
Just below its peak…
There was a cave.
And inside that cave…
Lived two children.
Suddenly— A gigantic Magic Beast flew through the sky.
Its enormous wings created powerful gusts of wind as it headed directly toward the cave.
However…
The moment it approached— Whoosh!
A massive wave of water burst out from inside the cave.
The water surged forward with terrifying force.
Bang!
The gigantic Magic Beast was struck head-on.
It was swept away by the powerful wave and sent crashing into the distance.
A few moments later…
A young girl stepped out of the cave.
She appeared to be around seven or eight years old.
Immediately after her…
A young boy walked out as well.
He appeared to be around six or seven years old.
Yes.
You guessed it.
They were Ankit and Rain.
Ankit looked toward the direction where the Magic Beast had disappeared.
Then he smiled.
“Wow.” “That wave was actually pretty good today.” “And the pressure wasn’t bad either.” Rain’s face instantly fell.
“What…?” “Only pretty good?” “I nearly used all my strength!” She let out an exhausted sigh.
“But…” “Compared to three years ago, I’ve changed so much.” “Because of meditation, I can finally feel my Mana Core.” “And thanks to meditation…” “My Mana Core is becoming stronger every day.” A proud smile appeared on Ankit’s face.
“Of course.” “Who do you think your teacher is?” Rain rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah…” “Don’t get too proud.” “And don’t forget that I’m older than you.” However…
In the very next moment, Rain lowered her head.
Her voice became quieter.
“But…” “Thank you.” “Everything I am today is because of you.” “Without you…” “I probably still wouldn’t have been able to create even a single drop of water.” Ankit scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Alright, alright.” “Don’t suddenly become so serious.” A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
“Besides…” “Today we’re going to try a new experiment.” Rain immediately made a suspicious face.
“What?” “What are you planning to do today?” Ankit smiled.
“Come on.” “I’ll explain when we get down there.” And without waiting for her response— Ankit jumped out of the cave.
There was no rope.
No support.
Nothing.
He simply fell toward the steep slope of the mountain.
Then— Thud!
The moment his feet touched the mountainside, Ankit immediately began running down the nearly vertical slope.
Within just a few seconds…
He reached the bottom of the mountain.
Rain stared at him from above.
Then she sighed helplessly.
“And he still calls himself a six-year-old…” “But honestly…” “I’m getting used to this.” Without another word…
Rain jumped as well.
She fell rapidly toward the ground.
Just before hitting the earth— A powerful force of water burst beneath her.
Whoosh!
The water slowed her fall.
Rain landed safely on the ground before straightening herself and looking toward Ankit.
A small smile appeared on Ankit’s face.
“Oh?” “So you’ve learned how to get down without a rope too.” Rain laughed.
“Yeah…” “But, Ankit…” She looked at him curiously.
“I still don’t understand your powers.” “What exactly are these Twelve Siddhis?” “You’re becoming physically stronger every day.” “And whenever you meditate…” “You sometimes start floating in the air.” Her expression became thoughtful.
“The first time it happened was three years ago.” “But after that…” “I haven’t noticed any other major change in you.” “So what exactly are these Twelve Siddhis?” Ankit began laughing.
“Honestly…” “I don’t know either.” Rain blinked.
“What?” Ankit scratched the back of his head.
“I only know that I start floating whenever I meditate.” “But even I don’t know what the Twelve Siddhis really are.” He shrugged.
“Whenever I think about it…” “Only one thought comes into my mind.” “Meditate.” “Whatever is supposed to happen…” “Will happen.” Rain stared at him silently.
“…That sounds completely unreliable.” Ankit laughed.
“Maybe.” “But forget about all that for now.” “Come on.” “I want to show you something.” He looked at her seriously.
“You just have to do exactly as I say.” Rain slowly nodded.
“Alright…” Ankit’s expression became serious.
“Close your eyes.” “Now focus on your Mana Core.” Rain immediately did as she was told.
“Good.” “Now…” “Gather as much water as you possibly can.” Following Ankit’s instructions, Rain concentrated deeply.
More and more water began gathering in front of her.
A few seconds passed.
Then several minutes.
The amount of water continued increasing.
Soon…
An enormous sphere of water floated before her.
There was so much water that it could have filled an entire small pond.
Ankit looked at the massive sphere and smiled to himself.
Good…
Rain kept her eyes closed.
“Ankit…” “Hurry up and tell me what to do next.” “Yeah, yeah.” Ankit looked at the enormous mass of water.
“Now listen carefully.” “Keep focusing on your Mana Core.” “And imagine…” “That you’re forcing all of this water through a hole no bigger than a mouse hole.” Rain’s eyebrows twitched.
“What…?” Ankit continued.
“Use your normal pressure.” “But release all of this water through that tiny hole…” “At the same time.” Rain didn’t understand what Ankit was trying to do.
But she trusted him.
So she followed his instructions.
The massive sphere of water suddenly began compressing.
More…
And more…
And more…
The enormous amount of water was forced into an imaginary opening smaller than a mouse hole.
Then— “Release it!” Rain released her magic.
BOOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed throughout the entire forest.
Rain immediately opened her eyes.
The moment she saw what was in front of her…
Her entire body froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her pupils shrank.
The forest ahead had been completely devastated.
Tree after tree had been shattered.
Some had been snapped in half.
Others had been completely blown away.
And far in the distance…
On the mountain standing directly opposite the White Mountain…
There was now a massive crater.
That mountain had been extremely far away.
Yet Rain’s attack had reached it.
Rain stared at the destruction in complete disbelief.
“W-What…?” “D-Did…” “Did I do that…?” Ankit laughed.
“Who else is there?” “Of course you did.” Rain continued staring into the distance.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Ankit stretched his arms.
“Alright.” “That’s enough magic for today.” “Now it’s time for sword practice.” He picked up the wooden sword he had made.
“Come on.” “Get ready.” Rain took out her own wooden sword.
The moment she did— Whoosh!
Ankit suddenly appeared directly in front of her.
Rain’s eyes widened.
She immediately blocked his attack and jumped backward.
Clack!
Ankit smiled.
“Good, Rain.” “You dodged that much faster today.” “Keep it up.” Before Rain could respond— Ankit began attacking again.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
His attacks became faster and faster.
Rain could barely see the wooden sword moving through the air.
She retreated again and again.
Soon…
She was completely exhausted.
Rain quickly moved behind a massive boulder and leaned against it for support.
Ankit suddenly appeared in front of her.
His wooden sword was already raised.
“Get down!” Rain’s eyes widened.
Without questioning him, she immediately crouched.
Whoosh!
Ankit swung his wooden sword.
BOOM!
The enormous boulder behind Rain split into two pieces.
Rain stared at the broken rock.
Then slowly looked toward Ankit.
Her face turned pale.
“Are you trying to kill me?!” “You monster!” Ankit awkwardly smiled.
“Sorry…” “Sorry.” “From now on…” “I’ll attack a little more gently.” Rain stared at him suspiciously.
“Really?” Ankit nodded.
“Really.” “Promise.” Rain sighed.
The two continued training.
And before they realized it…
Evening arrived.
After finishing their meal, Ankit and Rain returned to the cave.
As usual…
They sat down and began meditating.
One hour passed.
Then two.
Then three.
Finally…
After four long hours, Rain slowly opened her eyes.
She turned toward Ankit.
Then…
She froze.
Ankit was floating above the ground.
A faint white radiance surrounded his body.
But this time…
Something else was happening.
A mysterious blue circle had appeared around his waist.
A strange symbol resembling a star was engraved inside it.
The glowing circle slowly rotated around Ankit’s body.
Rain stared at it in shock.
“…What’s that?” She wanted to wake Ankit immediately.
But after seeing how deeply he was meditating…
She stopped herself.
Instead, Rain quietly lay down on her bed.
I’ll ask him tomorrow…
With that thought…
She slowly closed her eyes.
And while the mysterious blue circle continued rotating around the meditating Ankit…
Rain eventually fell asleep.