Five years had passed since Raizen, Kaira, and Zayden had left the Central Academy of Étheria.
Five years since the academy had witnessed the departure of three of its most promising students.
Five years since the appearance of Sanglan, one of the Four Ancient Demons.
The world had continued to move forward.
Kingdoms had changed.
New mages had risen.
New generations had begun to appear.
But the name of Raizen had never completely disappeared.
Some people believed he had become a criminal.
Others believed he was building an army somewhere beyond the borders.
And some believed that one day… he would return.
But far from those rumors, a new story was about to begin.
Five Years Later Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of a large noble residence.
The smell of freshly prepared food filled the dining room.
A young man sat at the table, eating breakfast with his parents.
His name was Arven Valerius.
He was twenty years old.
His dark hair was slightly messy, and his eyes remained fixed on the food in front of him.
His mother placed another plate on the table.
“Eat properly, Arven.” “I am.” His father smiled.
“You’ve barely said a word this morning.” Arven continued eating.
“I’m nervous.” His mother sat down across from him.
“Nervous?” Arven nodded.
“Today is the day.” His father immediately understood.
“The entrance examination.” Arven looked at him.
“Yes.” He had dreamed about this day since he was a child.
The Central Academy of Étheria was the most prestigious magical academy in the world.
The greatest mages had studied there.
The greatest battles in the history of Étheria had involved people who once walked through its gates.
And today… Arven was finally going to try to enter it.
His mother smiled.
“You’ve been preparing for this for years.” “I know.” “You don’t have to be afraid.” “I’m not afraid.” His father raised an eyebrow.
“Really?” Arven hesitated.
“…Maybe a little.” His parents laughed.
Arven smiled.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then his eyes drifted toward the clock hanging on the wall.
His expression suddenly changed.
He froze.
The second hand stopped.
Just for a moment.
One second.
Two.
Then— Tick.
It moved again.
Arven blinked.
“…Wait.” His mother looked at him.
“What?” Arven looked at the clock again.
Everything seemed normal.
He frowned slightly.
Then his eyes widened.
“I’m late!” His father nearly dropped his cup.
“You’re what?” “I’m late for the entrance examination!” Arven grabbed his bag.
His mother stood up.
“Arven, your clothes!” “I’m fine!” “Your hair!” “I don’t have time!” His father sighed.
“You’ve been waiting for this day your entire life, and you’re going to arrive late.” Arven stopped at the door.
“…Don’t remind me.” His mother smiled.
“Good luck.” Arven turned around.
“I’ll get in!” Then he rushed outside.
The Road to the Academy Arven ran through the streets of Valthera.
People moved aside as he passed.
“Sorry!” He continued running.
His bag bounced against his shoulder.
He looked toward the enormous tower visible above the city.
The Central Academy of Étheria.
Even from a distance, it was impossible to miss.
Its towers reached toward the sky.
Ancient magical structures surrounded the main building.
Thousands of students had studied there.
And today, hundreds of candidates were arriving for the entrance examination.
Arven ran faster.
“I’m not going to miss this!” After several minutes, he finally reached the academy.
He stopped in front of the enormous gates.
He was breathing heavily.
Then he slowly looked up.
His expression changed.
The excitement returned.
He had imagined this moment countless times.
He had imagined himself standing before these gates.
But reality was different.
He smiled.
“Ever since I was little…” He looked at the academy.
“…I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Arven clenched his fist.
“Today, I’ll finally enter the Central Academy of Étheria.” Suddenly— TAP!
Someone lightly hit him on the back.
Arven nearly jumped.
“Whoa!” He turned around.
A young man stood behind him with a grin.
“Are you planning to stand here all day?” Arven stared at him.
Then he smiled.
“You scared me.” His friend laughed.
“You’re the one standing in front of the entrance like you’ve never seen an academy before.” Arven looked back at the gates.
“I’ve seen it before.” “Then?” Arven smiled.
“I’ve just never entered it.” His friend laughed again.
“Well, are you coming or not?” Arven adjusted his bag.
“Yeah.” The two walked toward the entrance.
The Central Academy of Étheria The academy courtyard was enormous.
Hundreds of candidates had gathered.
Some were nervous.
Others were confident.
Some were already showing off their magical abilities.
Arven looked around with fascination.
“So many people…” His friend nodded.
“Everyone here wants to become a mage.” Arven looked toward the central platform.
“And only some of us will get in.” Before his friend could answer, the surrounding conversations slowly faded.
A figure appeared on the platform.
The Director of the Central Academy of Étheria.
Behind him stood several powerful figures.
The Great Mages of the academy.
The atmosphere immediately became serious.
Arven looked at them.
He had heard stories about them since childhood.
These were people whose names were known across the kingdoms.
The director stepped forward.
He looked at the hundreds of candidates.
“Welcome.” His voice echoed throughout the courtyard.
“Every year, young mages from across Étheria gather here with the same dream.” He paused.
“To enter this academy.” The candidates listened carefully.
“But remember something.” His expression became serious.
“The Central Academy does not seek power alone.” “Magic without control is dangerous.” “Power without responsibility is meaningless.” “And talent without determination will eventually disappear.” Arven listened carefully.
The director continued.
“Today, each of you will have the opportunity to prove yourselves.” “Not only through your magical power…” “But through your ability to control it.” The crowd became silent.
The director raised his hand.
“The entrance examination will begin shortly.” Applause and excitement spread through the courtyard.
Arven smiled.
His heart was beating faster.
This was it.
The moment he had been waiting for.
Five Years Ago Among the Great Mages standing behind the director, Kael remained silent.
He looked across the candidates.
Hundreds of young faces.
A new generation.
Yet something about the scene reminded him of the past.
His eyes became distant.
“It has been five years…” One of the other Great Mages looked at him.
“Since Raizen left?” Kael nodded.
“Five years.” He looked toward the academy gates.
“I still remember the day.” Selene remained silent beside him.
Darian crossed his arms.
“Five years, and we still don’t know where they are.” Kael’s expression hardened.
“Raizen…” He remembered the young mage who had once stood beside them.
The student who had become one of the academy’s greatest talents.
The friend who had eventually walked away.
“Five years since he left.” Selene lowered her eyes.
“It feels like yesterday.” Darian looked toward the horizon.
“The academy has changed since then.” Kael nodded.
“Yes.” He looked at the candidates again.
“A new generation has arrived.” For a moment, his eyes moved across the crowd.
Then they stopped.
On one particular student.
Arven.
Kael watched him for several seconds.
Something about the young man caught his attention.
He couldn’t explain why.
Arven was simply standing among the other candidates.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing obvious.
And yet… Kael continued watching him.
Selene noticed.
“What is it?” Kael shook his head.
“Nothing.” He looked away.
He didn’t know it yet.
But the young man standing among the candidates would soon become one of the most important people in the history of Étheria.
A New Beginning Arven looked toward the academy.
His excitement continued to grow.
He had no idea about the history hidden behind these walls.
He didn’t know about Raizen.
He didn’t know about Sanglan.
He didn’t know about the Four Ancient Demons.
And he certainly didn’t know what was waiting for him beyond the entrance examination.
For now, he had only one goal.
Enter the academy.
Become stronger.
And discover what kind of mage he could become.
His friend looked at him.
“You ready?” Arven smiled.
“More than ever.” The director raised his hand.
The massive gates leading deeper into the academy began to open.
A powerful magical sound echoed through the courtyard.
The candidates moved forward.
Arven took his first step.
Then another.
He crossed the gates of the Central Academy of Étheria.
He didn’t know it yet… but this simple step would change the destiny of the entire world.
To Be Continued…