Joash was only four years old when he first awakened his fire magic, a prodigy—the youngest wizard ever known to do so. Two years later, he was about to be introduced to the Crown Prince, the person he would one day protect. His father, Bernard Fireon, always spoke of the great responsibility that came with their family’s magic.

Joash, now six, walked beside his father through the grand halls of the imperial palace. His father, a towering figure of strength and warmth, always seemed so sure of his place in the world. Joash admired him more than anyone.

“Joash,” his father said, his voice firm but kind, carrying a gravity that Joash didn’t yet fully understand. “One day, you’ll take my place. The Ultimate Fire will be yours, and with it, you’ll protect this kingdom and the people in it.”

Joash nodded eagerly, his small chest puffing out with pride. “I’ll make you proud, Father.”

His father smiled, placing a heavy hand on Joash’s shoulder. “I know you will, son.”

That was the last time they spoke before the war. After Joash’s introduction to the Crown Prince, his father and the other Elemental Guardians went to the front lines. Joash remained in the palace, spending his days with the Crown Prince, unaware that these would be the final days with his father.

One evening, Joash felt it—an emptiness, as if the very air had shifted. He reached out to summon the fire magic that had always come to him so naturally, but nothing happened. The warmth inside him sputtered, then vanished completely.

“Mother?” Joash muttered, his heart hammering in his chest as he tried again to summon flames, but nothing came. His hands trembled as panic took hold.

Suddenly, his mother rushed in, tears streaming down her face as she hugged him tightly. Joash didn’t understand.

“What happened? Why can’t I use my fire magic?” he asked, his voice cracking as confusion and fear set in.

His mother said nothing, only sobbed harder. That was when he overheard their servants whispering. His father was gone—fallen in battle. And with him, the Ultimate Fire had disappeared. Their family’s magic was lost.

Tears welled in Joash’s eyes. “But it’ll come back, right?” he asked, desperate for some reassurance. “The fire will come back, right?”

But no one answered him.

Joash jolted awake from the dream, his breathing heavy, his heart still pounding in his chest. He found himself holding at the papers filled with his attempts to revive the Ultimate Fire.

The dream always came back when he felt trapped, when the weight of his current reality closed in on him.

After his recent conversation with Kenneth and the brief meeting with Ivan, the pressure had only increased. Kenneth’s offer to transfer the Ultimate Fire weighed on him, but he couldn’t accept it—not in his current condition.

Aside from his research into elemental revival, Joash had been secretly focusing on another project—pnevma revival.

No one knew the truth. After his father’s death, Joash had lost not just the fire magic of his bloodline, but his pnevma. Without pnevma, he was as good as a Commoner. Only special devices or those who could see pnevma would notice his deficiency, and he had made sure no one got close enough to figure it out.

If I can revive my elemental magic, he thought, maybe my pnevma will return too. But no matter how many studies he conducted, no solution had surfaced. His heart sank as he remembered Kenneth’s suggestion about transferring the Ultimate Fire. How could he transfer it to me? I don’t even have pnevma.

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A tightness gripped Joash’s chest. Should he tell Kenneth about his condition? But doing so would mean giving up his place as the rightful successor. Kenneth would take his position, and Joash would be left behind, forgotten. He clenched his fists, refusing to accept that fate. I have to find a way to restore my pnevma.

His mind turned to one person: Professor Rowan. The professor’s expertise in pnevma far exceeded anyone else Joash knew. Maybe Professor Rowan could help. Without wasting time, Joash left for his office.

＊＊＊

In Professor Rowan’s office, Joash sat stiffly, watching the professor pour coffee with his usual calm, deliberate movement. But Joash’s heart was racing. The secret he had held onto for years was pressing against his lips, and he wasn’t sure if he should reveal it. What would happen if he told the truth? Would Rowan see him differently? What would Kenneth think if he found out?

Professor Rowan, sensing Joash’s tension, set the coffee down and looked at him expectantly. “You seem troubled, Joash. What’s on your mind?”

Joash’s fingers drummed nervously on his knee. His throat tightened, and the words felt heavy. Should I really tell him? His gaze dropped to the floor. “I…” He hesitated, trying to gather the courage to speak.

Rowan waited patiently, his eyes studying Joash. He was used to students seeking his guidance, but something about Joash’s demeanor suggested this was different.

Finally, Joash exhaled shakily. “There’s something I haven’t told anyone… until now.” His voice was barely above a whisper. He was about to reveal the truth he had kept hidden for years, even from his family.

Rowan’s brow lifted slightly in curiosity, but he remained silent, allowing Joash the space to continue.

“I… I’m from Fireon,” Joash finally confessed, his voice shaky. “I’m the son of the Fire Guardian.”

The professor froze for a brief moment, his hand hovering over the coffee cup. His normally calm expression shifted subtly, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You’re the son of the Fireon Guardian?”

Joash nodded, unable to look up. A knot twisted in his stomach as he waited for Rowan’s reaction.

Rowan placed the coffee pot down, his voice quieter than before. “I see. That certainly changes things.” His gaze grew more thoughtful, though there was no trace of judgment. He studied Joash, trying to understand the full weight of what had just been revealed.

“There’s more,” Joash said, his voice now more urgent. “Kenneth wants to transfer the Ultimate Fire to me, but I can’t let him. The problem is… I don’t have pnevma.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he remained composed. He took a slow sip of his coffee, letting Joash’s words sink in. “So, you’ve come to me for help,” Rowan said, his tone steady. “Because of my work on pnevma.”

Joash nodded, feeling the weight of his admission. “I don’t want Kenneth to indefinitely take my place as the Fireon successor. But without my pnevma, I don’t know how I can carry the Ultimate Fire. I’ve tried everything, but nothing works.”

The room grew quiet. Professor Rowan leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “I understand your predicament,” he finally said, “and I do believe there’s a way to revive your pnevma.”

Joash’s heart leaped. “Really? You can help me?”

Rowan nodded slowly. “Yes, but it won’t be simple. It will take time and preparation. And it won’t be without risks. Are you sure you’re willing to go through with it?”

Joash hesitated for a brief moment. The risks—he hadn’t considered those. But the thought of watching Kenneth take everything he had was unbearable. He clenched his fists and nodded firmly. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Rowan’s smile was faint but genuine. “Very well. We’ll begin soon.”

As Joash left the office, he felt a sense of hope. Finally, he had taken the first step toward reclaiming his place, no matter how long or dangerous the journey would be.

＊＊＊

Inside the office, Professor Rowan remained seated, sipping his coffee with a thoughtful expression. His calm exterior masked a deeper, more calculating side. Joash’s desperation was palpable—and desperation was powerful. It could make people agree to things they wouldn’t normally consider, and Rowan knew that better than anyone.

“Reviving his pnevma…” Rowan murmured. “It’s possible, but not in the way he thinks.”

His fingers drummed lightly on the desk as he considered his next move. This could work, he thought. But it won’t be without a price.

Rowan smiled faintly, though the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. “Let’s see just how far you’re willing to go, Joash. You may find that what you ask for is far more than you ever imagined.”