Kenneth dreamt he was holding a small flame in his hand. In front of him stood a shadowed figure, with four others just behind it, their features obscured in darkness. The figure extended its hand, as if offering something back to him. Its voice was muffled, speaking in a language he couldn’t understand.

He awoke with a start, his heart heavy and mind clouded. This dream had haunted him for weeks, each night leaving him with a deeper sense of unease, as if something was calling to him just out of reach. He wondered if it was connected to the novel he’d been reading—but deep down, he suspected it was more than that.

Living in a small city apartment with his aunt, Kenneth’s life was what most would call ordinary. His parents, who still lived in the countryside, had sent him to the city after middle school, hoping he’d have better opportunities here. Days fell into a steady rhythm: the morning calls to his parents, getting ready for school, pushing away the quiet sense of restlessness that gnawed at him. On the counter, a note from his aunt reminded him she’d be away on a business trip. He crumpled it up, used to the solitude by now.

He let out a sigh as he prepared for yet another day. His life looked normal on the surface, but something didn’t fit. It wasn’t the city or the people around him—it was the world itself. Like he was out of place in a reality that felt close, yet slightly askew, as if he were supposed to be somewhere else entirely. The feeling lingered, slipping between the moments of his day, leaving him questioning everything he thought he knew.

Kenneth headed out to catch his usual bus to school, the images of his dream still flickering in his mind—the small flame, the shadowed figures, and the cryptic words that remained just beyond his understanding. He shook off the feeling, trying to refocus as he arrived at school, but something felt… off.

Rika wasn’t in class. She hadn’t mentioned anything about being absent, and the unexpected void left him unsettled. Later, he was called to the teacher’s desk, where he received unexpected news.

“Rika will be transferring to a school abroad,” the teacher said simply. The words hung in the air, and Kenneth was struck with surprise. Just yesterday, everything had seemed normal between them—no mention of plans to leave, let alone anything so sudden. The abruptness of it left a feeling of confusion that he couldn’t shake.

But there was no time to dwell on it. A major school event was approaching, and with Rika gone, it created a logistical gap that had to be filled quickly. As student council president, Kenneth knew they needed all hands on deck, so he sought help from the second-year representative, someone he’d thought of as a possible successor when his term eventually ended.

Alongside him was Salem, the enthusiastic first-year representative. With wide-eyed admiration, Salem looked up to Kenneth, often calling him his “role model.” Today was no different, and as he stood by Kenneth’s side, he seemed ready to take on any challenge. Kenneth offered a reassuring pat on Salem’s shoulder. “You’ll learn plenty, Salem. Just stick with me.”

The two of them reviewed plans for the event, but Kenneth’s mind drifted back to Rika’s sudden departure. As they went over logistics, he remembered the task Rika had been handling before she left: the arrangements for a popular idol group’s appearance at the event. Kenneth turned to Salem, who was scanning over the event checklist with sharp focus.

“Any updates on the idol group we invited? Any problems there?” Kenneth asked.

Salem’s face lit up. “None at all, President! I double-checked everything this morning.”

Kenneth nodded, reassured but still uneasy, the mystery of Rika’s absence lingering in his mind. Something didn’t feel quite right, and no amount of preparation could shake that feeling.

＊＊＊

During the school event, the atmosphere was lively and filled with excitement. It was an important day not just for the school, but for Kenneth as well—it was his birthday. As the president of the student council, he had responsibilities to monitor the event, but his fellow officers made sure to start the day by greeting him.

"Happy Birthday, President!" they said in unison as he entered the student council room.

Kenneth smiled, grateful for their enthusiasm. "Thanks, everyone."

His phone buzzed, and he glanced down to see a message from his aunt. She had sent him a money from his digital wallet for his birthday with a simple message: Buy whatever you want. It was a generous gift, but Kenneth, ever modest, didn't have any immediate plans to use it.

"I'll probably treat the volunteers once this event is over," he said casually, already thinking of ways to thank those who were helping.

As the day unfolded, Kenneth kept a close eye on the event. Things were running smoothly, but something tugged at the edge of his awareness. A nagging feeling that someone had intruded on the campus. He quickly acted, pulling aside a few of the volunteers.

"If you see anything suspicious or notice anyone who doesn't belong here, report it to the teachers immediately," he instructed, his calm voice hiding the tension beneath.

The long-awaited moment finally arrived: the idol group Lumix made their entrance, instantly drawing the attention of the entire student body. Students buzzed with excitement, crowding the hallways to catch a glimpse of the stars. At the center of the group was Eumie, the rising sensation who had captivated their school’s admiration.

The student council members, thrilled to be part of this event, murmured among themselves, savoring their exclusive access to the celebrities. Kenneth, however, remained composed, calmly observing the group as they navigated through the crowd.

Then, something unusual caught his attention. Eumie kept glancing his way—not a fleeting look, but a sustained gaze that lingered each time she thought he wouldn’t notice. Yet, whenever Kenneth glanced back, she’d quickly look away, feigning interest in something else.

Curious, Kenneth decided to approach the group. With his usual calm demeanor, he greeted them. “Welcome to our school, and thank you for joining us today,” he said, his tone professional but welcoming.

Eumie smiled, the rest of Lumix following her lead as they introduced themselves formally. “We’re Lumix,” they chorused.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Eumie added, her voice steady but her gaze lingering on Kenneth for a moment longer than necessary. There was something in her eyes—something beyond the usual admiration for a student council president.

One of Kenneth’s friends nudged him, grinning. “Hey, Kenneth, did you notice? She keeps looking at you,” he teased, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Kenneth chuckled, brushing off the comment with a casual smile. “It’s probably nothing. She’s just being polite.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

But as he tried to dismiss it, the unease remained. Eumie’s intent gaze, the lingering sense of someone watching him, and the faint feeling of familiarity in her presence—all these things lingered in his mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise festive event.

＊＊＊

The night of the school festival had finally arrived, and the school ground was glowing with vibrant lights, laughter, and music. The crowd buzzed with excitement, students came together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. At the center of attention was the highly anticipated performance by the idol group.

Kenneth stood at the back of the audience, away from the bustling crowd. He preferred it that way, keeping his distance while still ensuring everything ran smoothly. His eyes, however, were fixed on the stage where the group had just begun their performance.

As they danced, Kenneth couldn't help but notice the grace in Eumie's movements. She seemed to flow effortlessly, her every step in perfect harmony with the soft breeze that played around her. Her performance was more than just a spectacle—it was like watching someone who was completely in sync with the world around her. It was almost as if she was one with the wind itself, moving fluidly, gently, as if she belonged to it.

Kenneth allowed himself a brief moment to appreciate the energy on stage before refocusing on his responsibilities. When the performance ended, the crowd erupted in applause, cheering wildly for Eumie and her group. As the students celebrated, Kenneth made his way backstage to handle the formalities.

He approached the group’s manager, offering a respectful handshake. “Thank you for coming today. The performance was incredible,” Kenneth said, his tone warm but professional. “I’ll have the remaining payment processed by the end of the week. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

The manager nodded, returning the handshake with a friendly smile. “We appreciate the opportunity to be here.”

As the manager departed, Kenneth noticed Eumie walking over, her radiant energy undiminished even after the show. She stopped beside him, offering a bright smile and a look of curiosity.

“Thank you for inviting us to perform,” she said, her tone warm.

Kenneth maintained his composed demeanor but allowed a hint of genuine admiration to show. “Thank you for the performance,” he replied, nodding slightly.

Eumie tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “So… what did you think?”

Kenneth paused, taking a moment to consider. “It was impressive. Your movements were precise, and you stayed perfectly in sync with your group. The energy was consistent, and your stage presence was strong. It was clear you paid attention to the details—your timing with the music and your connection with the audience.”

A spark of excitement lit up in Eumie’s eyes, her smile growing wider. “Thanks,” she said, her voice softening. There was something in her gaze, a kind of curiosity, as if she’d hoped for something beyond his logical assessment.

Kenneth sensed it but kept his tone steady. “You clearly have a gift, Eumie. It’s not just about technical skill—it’s the way you make it look effortless.”

Eumie’s smile softened, her usual playful energy replaced by a subtle warmth. “I’m glad you noticed.” She lingered for a moment, as though weighing her next words, before glancing away, a small, thoughtful smile still on her lips.

Before the conversation could grow awkward, Eumie’s expression shifted to one of curiosity. “By the way, what’s your name? Everyone kept calling you ‘President,’ so I didn’t catch it.”

Kenneth blinked, surprised she didn’t already know. “It’s Kenneth,” he replied simply.

Eumie nodded, repeating his name softly as if committing it to memory. “Kenneth… I hope we cross paths again,” she said, offering a small, mysterious smile before stepping back to rejoin her group.

As Kenneth watched her walk away, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. His instincts prickled with a warning, and he felt a shift in the air. Without thinking, he moved in front of Eumie, his stance protective.

“Wait,” he said, his voice firm as his eyes narrowed toward the shadows just beyond the lights.

Figures emerged from the darkness, their forms cloaked and their presence unsettling. One stepped forward, its voice low and chilling. “Aine of Mishal, you’re coming with us.”

Kenneth's mind raced. Mishal? The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. He quickly assumed these were dangerous stalkers and moved Eumie behind him, shielding her with his body. "You're not going anywhere near her," he declared, trying to sound confident despite the growing dread inside him.

The figure's eyes gleamed, and with a swift motion, it attacked. But before Kenneth could react, Eumie pulled him behind her, and in an instant, she deflected the attack with a powerful gust of wind. It wasn't just any defense—it was wind magic.

Kenneth's heart pounded as he watched her fight back, her movements precise and lethal. She easily overpowered the first group of attackers, but just as Kenneth felt a brief moment of relief, another presence appeared.

A masked figure, far more menacing than the others, stepped forward. His voice was laced with an eerie calm. "As expected from the successor of Mishal," he said, his gaze fixed on Eumie.

Without hesitation, the masked figure attacked. Eumie tried to block it, but his strength was overwhelming. She was thrown backward, right toward Kenneth, who barely managed to catch her.

Kenneth's mind reeled. This wasn't normal. This was magic—real magic. Everything he had just witnessed felt like something out of the fantasy novels he'd read. His body trembled with fear, unable to comprehend what was happening.

The masked figure raised his hand, casting a dark spell. "Dark nova," he muttered, and a massive pulse of dark energy surged toward them.

Kenneth's instincts screamed at him to move, to run, but he couldn't leave Eumie behind. He threw himself over her, shielding her with his body, bracing for the impact. As the dark energy drew closer, he thought of the dream that had haunted him for so long—the one with the small fire.

Suddenly, warmth enveloped him. His eyes shot open, and to his astonishment, flames—bright, fiery, and powerful—ignited around his body, shielding both him and Eumie from the dark energy.

The masked figure stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "No... this is impossible," he muttered, his voice filled with shock. "Fire magic?"

Eumie, too, was stunned. "Fire magic?" she echoed, staring at Kenneth in awe.

The flames around Kenneth grew stronger, fiercer, beyond his control. He could feel the raw power coursing through him, but it was too much—he couldn't contain it. The flames expanded, consuming everything in their path, scorching the ground and threatening to engulf them all.

Then, without warning, everything stopped. The crackling sound from the flames disappeared. The world around him went completely silent, as if time itself had frozen. Kenneth couldn't move, couldn't hear, couldn't feel anything but the eerie stillness.

His body weakened, his strength fading rapidly. His eyes fluttered, fighting to stay open, but the darkness was closing in fast. Just before he lost consciousness, he saw a mysterious figure standing before him, cloaked in shadow, watching him with unreadable eyes.

And then, everything went black.

＊＊＊

The mysterious figure stood quietly, observing the scene from a distance, his gaze fixed on the raging fire engulfing the area. The flames danced wildly around the boy, their intensity far beyond anything ordinary. A fire that pure hadn't been seen in over a decade.

Rika had referred to him as the Headmaster, but his presence here wasn't just as an observer. He recognized the fire immediately—the unmistakable essence of the Ultimate Fire, once held by the Fire Guardian, now reborn. But something was wrong. The fire was growing uncontrollably, far too powerful for the boy to contain.

"If this continues," the Headmaster murmured to himself, "both the Ultimate Fire holder and the successor of Mishal will perish."

His expression hardened. "I have no choice."

The Headmaster extended his hand, and with a flick of his finger, the world around him froze in time. The flames, once fierce and crackling, were suspended mid-air, frozen in their destructive path. Everything—sound, movement, even the wind—stilled under his command.

Stepping through the frozen world, the Headmaster approached the boy and Aine. Gently, he tapped their foreheads, dispelling the effects of the time magic on them. Both collapsed to the ground, unconscious but safe from the fire's reach.

He knelt beside him and placed a hand on his forehead. Whispering a spell, a soft, glowing light formed around Kenneth's head. The Headmaster worked swiftly, resetting the boy's timeline, pulling him back to a point before he awakened the fire. His movements were precise, careful not to disrupt more than what was necessary.

"Sleep well," he murmured softly as his breathing returned to a calm, steady rhythm. He then turned his attention to Aine, performing a similar spell to restore her.

The Headmaster stood, glancing once more at the boy who had unknowingly unleashed the Ultimate Fire, a magic thought lost. The flame was far too pure to be anything else. It was the fire of legends, passed down through the Fireon bloodline. And yet, it had manifested in a boy with no knowledge of its existence.

But his thoughts were interrupted. His eyes drifted toward the masked figure, still frozen in time. Curiosity piqued, he stepped closer and, with a swift motion, removed the mask.

The Headmaster's breath hitched in his throat as he saw the face beneath.

"You..." His voice, usually calm and measured, was laced with shock.

Why are you here?