The crisp morning air carried the scent of damp earth as Arthur Verelith stood atop a rocky cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of rolling hills and dense forests. The golden sun peeked through the mist, casting long shadows over the land. This was the day his journey would begin.
For sixteen years, he had lived a quiet life, concealing his true strength, blending in among commoners and minor adventurers. His swordsmanship was refined beyond mortal limits, and his mastery over mana—over every element—was something unheard of. Yet, he had never once revealed his full power.
With a slow exhale, he closed his eyes, feeling the flow of mana in the world around him. The wind whispered through the trees, the earth hummed beneath his feet, and a faint, familiar darkness pulsed within him—the forbidden power of Shadow.
A rustle in the bushes behind him made him turn.
"You're not seriously going to leave without saying anything, are you?"
Arthur smirked. Luke Crimson, his closest friend, stood with his arms crossed, his crimson-red hair tousled by the wind. He wore a confident grin, but his eyes held a trace of concern.
"I figured you'd track me down anyway," Arthur said casually, tightening the strap of his sword.
Luke scoffed. "You underestimate my stubbornness, Arthur. Or maybe you overestimate your ability to slip away unnoticed."
Arthur chuckled. "I prefer to avoid unnecessary attention."
"Right, right. Always the mysterious one," Luke sighed before stepping closer. "But seriously, where are you headed first?"
Arthur gazed out toward the horizon. "To the capital. There's an entrance exam for the Royal Academy in a few weeks. I figured joining would be a good cover."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "The Royal Academy? You do realize that's where nobles send their kids to flaunt their status, right?"
"Exactly," Arthur replied. "A perfect place to stay hidden in plain sight."
Luke shook his head. "Only you would think hiding among the strongest young elites in the kingdom is a low-profile move."
Arthur smiled. "It's better than wandering aimlessly."
A soft voice interrupted them. "So, you're really going?"
Arthur turned to see Alishia White standing a few paces away, her auburn hair illuminated by the morning sun. Her emerald eyes held a quiet sadness, though she masked it with a composed expression. She was one of the few people he truly trusted—kind, intelligent, and someone who always saw through him.
"I have to," Arthur said. "The monster invasions are getting worse. I can't just sit here and wait for the worst to come."
Alishia nodded. "Then let us come with you."
Arthur blinked in surprise.
Luke grinned. "What? You think we'd let you go off on some grand adventure alone? Please. You need someone to keep you from brooding too much."
Arthur sighed. He had planned to leave quietly, but deep down, he knew they wouldn't let him go alone. And maybe… maybe he didn't want to be alone, either.
"Fine," he said with a smirk. "Just don't slow me down."
Luke clapped him on the back. "That's my line!"
Alishia smiled softly. "Then it's settled."
As the three of them set off down the winding path, Arthur felt a shift in the air—a sense of something greater stirring in the distance. This was only the beginning. The world had no idea what was coming.
And neither did he.