"The oldest mountains remember every footstep. Nothing is ever truly forgotten."— The Law of Earth
The journey back to the Academy was quieter than the journey into the forest.
The battle with the Forest Wolves had exhausted everyone.
Even Darius, who normally walked with confidence, was breathing heavily.
Lyria carefully carried the glowing Spirit Bloom in both hands.
"We actually did it..."
Alen smiled.
"Together."
Darius laughed.
"Don't get used to agreeing with me."
As they reached the Academy gates, Professor Seraphine waited with her arms crossed.
"Report."
Darius stepped forward.
"Objective completed."
"No casualties."
"Minor injuries."
Seraphine looked directly at Alen.
"The blood on your shoulder?"
"Forest Wolf."
She nodded.
"You protected your teammate."
"Yes."
"You made the correct decision."
Then she turned to the entire class.
"Listen carefully."
"The strongest warrior is not the one who defeats the most enemies."
"The strongest warrior is the one who brings everyone home."
Several students lowered their heads.
Some teams had returned with broken Recall Crystals.
Others had returned missing teammates, who had to be rescued by professors.
For the first time, everyone understood that Academy training wasn't a game.
Later that evening...
Professor Rowan requested to see Alen privately.
His office was lit only by a single enchanted lamp.
On the desk rested an ancient stone tablet.
"This was discovered beneath the Academy over two thousand years ago."
The tablet was covered in unfamiliar runes.
"No scholar has ever translated it."
Alen stepped closer.
The System appeared.
[Ancient Law Script Detected.]
[Passive Translation Available.]
The runes shimmered.
Slowly...
The strange symbols became readable.
Not because they changed—
Because Alen understood them.
He quietly read the first line.
When the Host walks once more, the sleeping Laws shall awaken.
His heart skipped a beat.
"...Host..."
Rowan noticed his expression.
"You understood something, didn't you?"
Alen hesitated.
"I..."
Before he could answer—
The runes went dark.
The translation disappeared.
"...They're gone."
Rowan studied the tablet.
"It has never reacted before."
That night...
Sleep did not come easily.
Alen stood alone on the Academy balcony.
The three moons bathed the campus in silver light.
The cool breeze carried the scent of pine.
He looked toward the mountains.
"...Who were the Hosts before me?"
The System answered.
[Access Denied.]
"...Of course."
He sighed.
"You never make this easy."
For the first time...
The System added another line.
[Knowledge must be earned.]
The ground beneath his feet vibrated.
Very gently.
Almost like a heartbeat.
Then...
A whisper.
"Do not seek power..."
Alen froze.
The voice was clearer than before.
"Seek understanding."
The vibration stopped.
He looked around.
No one was there.
Deep beneath Namidia...
A vast underground chamber slowly awakened.
Towering stone pillars stretched into darkness.
At their center stood twelve enormous statues.
Each held a different weapon.
Sword.
Staff.
Bow.
Hammer.
Spear.
Scythe.
One statue opened its stone eyes.
Its voice echoed through the chamber.
"The First Listener has appeared."
Another statue slowly moved.
"He still walks as a child."
A third answered.
"One day... he will hear every Law."
The chamber returned to silence.
The following morning...
Professor Seraphine gathered the first-year Magi Sword students.
"Today..."
She tossed a steel practice sword toward Alen.
"...your real training begins."
Unlike the wooden blade...
This one had weight.
Balance.
Purpose.
Alen gripped the hilt.
It felt...
Right.
Not because he was skilled.
Because for the first time...
He felt worthy of holding it.
Professor Seraphine smiled.
"Welcome to the path of the Magi Sword."
The students drew their weapons together.
Steel rang through the morning air.
Far beyond the Academy...
Hidden beneath the oldest mountain...
The Earth Law stirred once more.
And somewhere deep within Alen's soul...
A single grain of understanding took root.
It was small.
Almost invisible.
But every mountain begins with a single stone.
End of Chapter 13