"So, why are we going to the elf kingdom? I thought you left this place never to return," Ash asked, his voice tinged with curiosity as they walked through the dense forest.
The towering trees stretched high above them, their thick canopy filtering the sunlight into soft, golden patches on the moss-covered ground. The air smelled fresh, filled with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, yet despite the beauty of the surroundings, Ash's mind was preoccupied with something far more interesting—Aelion's past.
"Well, it's true I left this place, vowing never to return," Aelion admitted, his voice steady but distant. "But because of you, I have to come back here again."
Ash was dumbfounded. He glanced sideways at Aelion, confusion flickering in his eyes. Because of me?
"What did I do?" he asked, a frown settling on his face.
Aelion sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You'll understand soon enough."
Ash's mind raced. What could he have possibly done to drag Aelion back to a place he clearly had no intention of returning to? The way his master spoke about it, there was something deeper here, something unspoken.
Ash didn't like not knowing things.
Especially when it concerned him.
His thoughts were interrupted as Aelion continued, his tone calm but laced with a subtle seriousness.
"We're not going to the elf kingdom but to a hideout I prepared long ago. It's a place where I've stored martial arts manuals and other important tools. Even though I know all the martial arts, I won't always be here to guide you."
Ash stiffened at Aelion's words. There was something unsettling about the way he said it—like a teacher preparing his student for the day he would no longer be around.
Aelion's gaze shifted to Ash, sharp and knowing.
"You're leaving soon, aren't you?"
Ash's entire body froze.
His breath caught in his throat. His pulse quickened.
How did he know?
His secret—the one he had guarded so carefully, the one he hadn't told a soul—was suddenly exposed.
"You… You… How did you…?" Ash stammered, his voice faltering as panic flickered across his face.
He hadn't told Aelion about his plans to leave.
How could his master possibly know?
Aelion chuckled, the sound light but filled with understanding.
"You must be wondering how I figured it out." His eyes held a glint of amusement. "After spending two years with you, I've come to know your behavior better than you might think. But it became even clearer after the prophecy."
Ash's heart pounded against his ribs.
The prophecy.
That damned prophecy.
"You've been in a hurry to grow stronger," Aelion continued, his voice unwavering. "It's written in every action you take."
Ash felt a cold sweat creeping down his spine.
He clenched his fists.
It was true.
Ever since he arrived in this world, he had been obsessed with growth—training harder, pushing further, forcing himself to improve at an inhuman pace.
And Aelion had seen right through him.
The Rune of Stability kept his emotions in check, but even that couldn't suppress the sheer dread creeping into his mind. He had never expected to be found out so soon.
His fingers twitched as he instinctively began gathering fire mana in his palm, preparing for the possibility of confrontation.
Then, Aelion spoke.
"You're the boy from the prophecy, aren't you?"
Silence.
A deafening silence.
Ash didn't respond.
But he didn't deny it, either.
And sometimes, silence was the loudest answer of all.
Aelion's lips curved into a faint smirk.
"That's why we're going to my hideout." His tone was oddly gentle, yet firm. "I'll teach you the complete Zephir's Sword Art. After that, you're free to go."
Ash hesitated, his mind racing.
Was this a trap? A ploy?
Was Aelion testing him?
But as he looked into his master's calm, unwavering gaze, a strange warmth settled in his chest.
Aelion wasn't angry.
He wasn't disappointed.
He was just… accepting.
As if he had already known this was inevitable.
The tension in Ash's body eased, and with a slow breath, he dispelled the mana he had been preparing.
The trust they had built over two years—it was real.
And right now, that trust was enough.
**
The next week passed in relative silence, filled with training, sparring, and conversations that felt both comfortable and fleeting.
Aelion's lessons were precise and relentless, each one pushing Ash beyond his limits.
And yet, despite everything, a small, nagging thought clawed at the back of Ash's mind.
This was temporary.
This was coming to an end.
He had spent two years here.
And now, he was leaving.
Finally, they reached a cliff overlooking the vast forest that marked the boundary of the elf kingdom.
"It's still the same," Aelion muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with nostalgia.
Ash glanced at him, studying his face.
For the first time, he saw something other than confidence and power in Aelion's expression.
He saw remembrance.
And maybe… just maybe… regret.
Aelion suddenly exhaled, shaking off whatever thoughts plagued him.
"Follow me," he said, before leaping off the cliff.
Ash followed effortlessly, his
Midway down the cliff, Aelion stopped.
Ash landed behind him, his eyes scanning the area.
It was… ordinary.
Nothing about this place stood out.
No mana. No enchantments. No signs of magic.
If Aelion hadn't told him they were going to a hideout, he never would have suspected a thing.
Then, Aelion reached forward.
His hand disappeared into a small hole in the cliffside—and then, the rock shifted.
A hidden cave revealed itself.
Ash's eyes widened.
His heart thumped.
Even though he had read the novel—even though he had knowledge beyond this world—he had never heard of this place.
This wasn't just a deviation.
This was completely new.
"I shouldn't focus solely on what I know," Ash realized.
The novel didn't cover everything.
Especially not the events before the academy arc.
Anything could happen before then.
"What are you doing, zoning out like that? Hurry up!" Aelion's voice cut through his thoughts, tinged with urgency.
Snapping out of his daze, Ash quickly followed.
He had a feeling—a deep, gut-wrenching feeling—that whatever lay ahead would change everything.
The cave loomed before them, dark and foreboding, its shadows stretching endlessly like the gaping maw of some ancient beast. Even knowing that Aelion had led him here with purpose, Ash couldn't help but feel a slight shiver run down his spine. The air inside was different—heavy, silent, untouched.
With a flick of his wrist, he raised his hand and summoned a small flame, the golden light flickering to life above his palm.
The warm glow cast long, dancing shadows against the cave walls, illuminating the rough stone and revealing the path ahead. The fire crackled softly, its presence oddly comforting amidst the suffocating darkness.
Aelion, who had been moving forward without hesitation, suddenly stopped. He turned, his sharp eyes widening slightly as he stared at the flame in Ash's hand.
Ash blinked. "What?"
"I knew you were special," Aelion murmured, still eyeing the fire as if it were something unnatural. "But seeing a swordsman casually casting Zero Magic… That's something else."
Zero Circle Magic or Zero Magic
It was the foundation of all elemental Magic, a power that is as easy as Breathing for any Mage. But for a swordsman to use it so effortlessly—even Aelion, a warrior of legendary status, was momentarily stunned.
Ash felt a brief surge of pride, but it was quickly swallowed by a more familiar emotion—discomfort.
He was used to being seen as different. Even back in his previous life, he had been an outlier, someone who never quite fit. Now, in this world, he was the anomaly, a walking contradiction—a swordsman wielding magic that defied logic.
Feigning confidence to mask the slight embarrassment bubbling within him, he smirked and shrugged.
"Well, I guess I'm just a genius," he quipped.
Aelion huffed, rolling his eyes. "Tch, whatever." He turned away, muttering under his breath. "Just follow me."
Ash exhaled, letting the moment pass as they delved deeper into the cave.
They walked in silence for what felt like an eternity, the path winding and twisting like a labyrinth. The walls were damp with moisture, the occasional drop of water echoing faintly in the vast emptiness. It was unsettling.
There was no mana in the air. No sign of life. Just endless stone, stretching far beyond what his eyes could see.
Then, finally, a door appeared before them.
It was old yet pristine, made of some unknown metallic material that shimmered faintly under the dim glow of his flame. There were no carvings or symbols—just a keyhole at the center, as if it were waiting for the right person to unlock its secrets.
Aelion reached into his coat and pulled out a small key, its silver surface glinting. With a quiet click, he inserted it into the lock.
The door swung open without resistance.
Ash barely had a moment to process it before Aelion stepped inside, disappearing into the darkness beyond. Without hesitation, Ash followed closely behind.
And then—
He froze.
His eyes widened in utter disbelief.
The entire space lit up automatically, revealing an interior so vast that Ash's mind struggled to comprehend it.
It was a football field in size—hidden beneath a cliff, completely undetectable.
Rows upon rows of weapons, scrolls, training dummies, and equipment stretched endlessly before him. The chamber was lined with towering bookshelves, racks of gleaming swords, enchanted training gear, and doors leading to who-knows-where.
At the far end of the hall, a section labeled "Food and Water" had neatly stacked storage rings, undoubtedly enchanted to preserve their contents indefinitely.
This place was more than just a hideout.
It was a fortress.
A sanctuary built for warriors.
Ash's mouth hung slightly open. His mind reeled as he took in the sheer impossibility of it all.
"HOW THE HELL WAS THIS PLACE HIDDEN UNTIL NOW?!"
His voice rang through the chamber, the disbelief evident in every word.
Aelion let out a small chuckle, clearly enjoying Ash's reaction.
"Impressive, isn't it?" he mused, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "This is the ultimate training ground."
He glanced around, his gaze softening. "I built this place with the help of a dear friend—an absolute genius in formations and spatial magic. He passed away during the war, but his legacy lives on here."
Ash felt a pang in his chest at those words.
Aelion never spoke much about his past. He had always carried himself with an air of calm authority, never lingering on emotions or nostalgia. Yet here, in this hidden space, Ash could feel it—the weight of history, of bonds forged and lost.
Aelion gestured at the enormous chamber.
"This space is enlarged using a spatial array, which is why it's so vast. And with a concealment array layered over it, it's nearly impossible to detect."
His gaze flickered back to Ash.
"You could say this place is its own miniature dimension."
Ash stood there, motionless.
His thoughts raced.
Even in the novel, there had been no mention of such a place. If it had existed, it would have been a major plot point.
That meant—this place had remained undiscovered until the very end.
Aelion noticed Ash's dumbfounded expression, and his chest swelled with pride.
"I brought you here for two reasons," he continued.
"First, to train you. This space has everything you need—martial arts manuals, weapons, equipment, and advanced tools for practice."
Ash turned, taking in everything again, this time with a sharper gaze.
Swords, katanas, spears, axes, bows—every weapon imaginable neatly arranged. Training dummies, weights, enchanted artifacts. There was even a living area, complete with a washroom and sleeping quarters.
This wasn't just a training ground.
It was a home.
Before Ash could fully process it, Aelion continued.
"And second…" His voice was softer now. "I want to give you this place."
Ash froze.
"I have a feeling you'll need somewhere to hide—and somewhere safe to train—when the time comes."
His chest tightened.
The words hit harder than he expected.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe.
His fingers curled into fists as a wave of emotion crashed over him.
He had spent years surviving alone, never truly belonging anywhere. He had fought, struggled, endured—always moving forward, never stopping long enough to hope for something more.
But this—
This was proof that someone cared.
His vision blurred as warmth surged through his chest. Before he knew it, tears spilled down his cheeks.
Aelion stepped forward, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"It's okay," he said softly.
And for the first time, Ash let himself cry.
The sound of his uncontrolled sobs echoed through the vast chamber—the pure, unfiltered release of a boy experiencing love and care for the first time.
And in that moment—
For the first time in two lifetimes—
Ash felt like he had a family.
***