I was drowning again.
The screams were muffled, like being underwater.
I stood in the charred remains of the Valorian estate, moonlight dripping through cracked ceilings and ash swirling around me like snow.
"Why… why didn't you save us?"
I turned.
There stood Satsuki, barely older than nine in this memory, her once radiant black hair burnt at the ends. Beside her, Haruto, clutching a melted wooden sword.
"Brother…" Haruto's voice trembled, "you promised."
And then came the scent of burning fur. Cyprus, my wolf, my closest companion, limped forward from the shadows. His fur was singed and bloodied, his breaths shallow. He whimpered, crawling toward me, those intelligent amber eyes clouded in agony.
"I tried…" I whispered, stepping toward them. "I tried everything-"
"You were supposed to be stronger," Satsuki said.
"You were supposed to protect us," Haruto added.
And then came another voice, low, thunderous, hollow.
Reishin Valorian, Duke of Dicartha. His father.
"You haven't even avenged us."
The fire returned. The estate burned again. And I screamed
[Wake]
"Rye!" Tess's voice cut through the void as cold water splashed against his face.
I jolted upright in bed, breath erratic, drenched in sweat. The room was dark save for the moonlight breaking through the curtains.
I snapped awake with a gasp, my hands clutching the sides of the bed so hard my knuckles went pale.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, sweat pouring down my back. My heart was racing, throat dry as if I'd screamed for hours.
"I'm fine," I said between shaky breaths. "It was just… a dream."
"A nightmare," she corrected, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You were screaming. Again."
She held a towel to my forehead, gently brushing his soaked hair back. "Rye. Rye, it's okay. Just breathe. Come on, breathe with me."
I croaked, barely convincing myself. "I just… don't want to go back to sleep."
She handed me a glass. "Water. All of it."
I downed it. The silence after was heavy, but she didn't press. She just stayed beside him until the storm passed.
Later that morning, the investigation team found a massacre in Servantia.
Gray and Merlin played footage of the charred ruins of what once was a mage compound. Fifty corpses, all once powerful advanced-level mages. One among them had been a master. All drained of color, lifeless and mutilated, as if their very magic had been devoured.
The blood across the walls had dried, but one phrase remained clear:
"Give me the head of the Valorian."
Merlin clenched his jaw. Gray, uncharacteristically silent, simply stared.
When I saw the footage, something inside me snapped.
"He wants me?" I muttered, eyes narrowed. "Then he'll get me."
Gray nodded slowly. "The Torching Sun parade is tomorrow. If they'll make a move, that's when."
"We'll be ready."
Merlin placed a hand on my shoulder. "Ryuji…"
"I'm fine," I said, though my chest was heavy with dread. "I always am."
He didn't press further.
At the Department of Investigation – Servantia Branch, Master Roman Sars stood over the blood markings, frowning.
"They said the Valorians died in a fire four years ago… Why would someone reference them now?"
Before he could continue, a cloaked man entered with a quiet command in his steps.
"Grandmaster Heimlich!" Roman turned to him. "You brought someone?"
A younger man stepped forward, sharp features, short brown hair, and a demeanor that radiated calm power.
Shinzo Nakamura.
"The youngest archmage in recorded history," Heimlich said with pride.
"You're Sir Wolfgang Godspell's student, right?" Roman asked with a respectful bow.
"Yes," Shinzo replied. He examined the scene, expression unreadable. "It's a distraction."
"What makes you think that?"
Shinzo closed his eyes for a moment. "Because… there's no way a Valorian survived. I checked myself four years ago. I was there… after the fire."
"Why?" Roman asked again.
A pause.
"…Because he was my best friend," Shinzo said softly. "My one and only."
They said nothing more. The bodies were gathered. The scene was sealed.
Meanwhile, in Asolde, Gray and I finalized security measures.
He met once again with the Frost Elves to secure their aid in protecting the civilians during the parade. In return, he promised them full citizenship, a gesture centuries overdue.
They agreed. Not just out of gratitude, but because they too feared what was coming.
Prince Gray stood before Valtherien once more beneath the Forest of Wisdom canopy.
"Our placement will form a triangle at the eastern gate. If any threat breaches the crowd, your archers will rain from above while our shield-bearers create a barrier line," Gray explained.
Valtherien nodded. "And our people?"
"Full amnesty. Full rights. This is the first step to making this continent whole again."
They shook hands.
I taught my class later that day a lesson on mana reduction efficiency.
The classroom was vibrant as ever, sunlight pouring in through enchanted glass. On the board: Arcana Law II – Chapter Final: Mana Reduction & Channel Efficiency.
"Professor," Artemis called out, raising her hand. "Have you chosen the three students for the Torch Mentorship?"
The room quieted.
I smiled faintly. "I have."
I turned to face them all. "Damien Danitz, Artemis, and Shino Abukurabe. You three will be assisting Prince Gray personally during tomorrow's Torch Parade."
Gasps, cheers, light applause. Damien gave a nervous thumbs-up while Shino barely lifted his head.
"Oh," I added, "and… it's my birthday today."
The class erupted with congratulations. "Nineteen already?" "You're still a baby!" "Happy birthday, Professor!"
I waved them off with a chuckle and dismissed the class.
Outside, Tess handed me a box wrapped in parchment.
"A gift," she said. "Happy 19th. You're getting old, boss."
I opened it. A fishing net, lightweight, enchanted for flexibility.
"You remembered."
"We fish like… every week."
"Let's go bother Albuero and guilt him into buying us dinner."
"Lead the way."
I laughed. For a moment, things felt light.
A jagged realm, where the air buzzed with magic and rot.
Ito Mortimor perched atop a throne of bones, legs crossed, smirking with needle-like teeth. His form, tattered cloak, goo-ridden skeletal frame was only hidden until he no longer wished it.
Before him stood Elric, composed and cold.
Ito yawned. "You got orders from Sera, then?"
Elric nodded. "Tomorrow. Parade day. You and Wrath, clean sweep through Asolde's ranks. Cause chaos. Distract Merlin. Draw out the Valorian."
Behind him, a shadow moved. A hulking form with burning orange eyes. The Sin of Wrath said nothing, just cracked its knuckles.
Elric turned. "Let the continent burn. Let the torching sun become its funeral pyre."